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It's clear that Sparkle doesn't like conforming when it comes to product packaging. Quite why the Sparkle FX 5950 Ultra is shipped in an enormous tin we're not quite sure. Indeed, as you delve further the packaging gets even more bizarre. The various cables and adapters are all contained within what look like waterproof cases, and you'll even find a circular metal CD holder complete with a handstrap - this will come in handy if...well to be honest we're not sure.
Despite the odd packaging, the card looks just like the other Geforce FX 5950 Ultras in this test, and you'll need to make sure you've got an adjacent PCI slot free to accommodate the bulky Nvidia cooling system.
The software bundle isn't particularly exciting. You get a copy of the software DVD player Cyberlink PowerDVD 5, along with Power Producer ME, also from Cyberlink. Power Producer is a DVD authoring package, however the ME version won't allow you to burn data to DVDs, which isn't particularly great since anyone who's got one of the fastest graphics cards will probably also have a DVD writer.
Gamers will be a little disappointed to hear that Sparkle hasn't included any titles whatsoever with the FX 5950 Ultra. It's one of only two cards in this group test not to come with any games, the other being the Aopen model.
With the extravagant, and some might even say pointless packaging surrounding the Sparkle FX 5950 Ultra, you'd be forgiven for thinking that it was one of the more expensive models in this test.Well this isn't the case. Helped by the fact that there are no games included in the package, this effort from Sparkle is one of the cheaper models, priced at just over £300. If the lack of games doesn't bother you, this Sparkle effort is well worth considering.
Contact: Sparkle 0870 443 0880 (Overclockers.co.uk - sales)
www.sparkle.com
See also:
All Graphics Cards
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