DFI Xabre 400 T3 Video Card Review

Supplied by DFI

DFI may not spring to mind first when it
comes to video cards but they are pushing into the marketplace with cost effective
graphics solutions based on the SiS Xabre GPU. SiS (Silicon Integrated Systems)
is well known in the mainboard circles for chipsets but is the newcomer when
it comes to competitive video cards that perform well against the better known
competition.

DFI hopes that they can find their niche with the Xabre GPU product. The whole
purpose of the DFI Xabre lineup is to bring an affordable, mid-range solution
to market. The Xabre GPU is not meant to run near the pack leaders nor is it
any slouch. Comparitive cards would be ATI’s Radeon 7500 and 8500 series and
NVIDIA’s GeForce4 MX series.

The Xabre 400 chipset made
its debut late April of 2002 and was one of the first AGP 8X GPUs on the
market plus supporting the then new DX 8.1.

Louis Yang of DFI tells Short-Media “SiS Xabre series is targeting the
value section of the market with an extremely high price/performance ratio.
Xabre 400 is the second most powerful in our family. I personally like its intelligent
design of the Software Vertex Shader which creates an excellent relationship
between the GPU and CPU. It means that I can improve the entire performance
through simply using a powerful CPU or updating the software. For a PC user
who highly values Price/performance and cost/feature like me, DFI Xabre 400
is really a smart choice.”

The choice for the consumer is whether or not the DFI Xabre 400 T3 fits in
with their needs in a budget video card.

Specifications

The DFI Xabre 400 T3 is
the third in the series. T1 featured 64 MB of onboard memory and T2 featured
64 MB of onboard memory. T3 comes with 128 MB of onboard DDR memory running
at 250 MHz default.

Chipset

• Xabre 400 graphics chip

Display Memory Interface

• 128 MB onboard
• Supports 128-bit memory interface
• 250MHz engine clock and 250 MHz memory clock (500 MHz DDR)

AGP Interface

• AGP 8x – AGP 3.0 compliant
• Supports hardware auto detect for AGP 1.0, AGP 2.0 or AGP 3.0 mode

High Performance and High Quality 3D Accelerator

• Built-in high quality 3D engine
• Supports DirectX 8.1
• Pixel Shader ver. 1.3
• Supports Bump Mapping, Cubic Mapping and Volume Texture
• Built-in high performance VLIW T&L engine

MotionFixing Video Processor

• Supports down scaling function and scaling vector as 1/2, 1/4
• Supports de-interlaced and 1/2 down scaling function

MPEG 2/1 Video Decoder

• Motion Compensation layer decoding architecture
• Supports up to 20 M bit/sec bit rate decoding
• Supports VCD, DVD and HDTV decoding

High Integration

• Built-in programmable 24-bit true-color RAMDAC up to 375 MHz pixel clock
• Built-in TV Encoder interface
• Supports up to 2048×1536 32 bpp resolution

Double Scene Technology

• Companion with SiS301, supports LCD+CRT, CRT+CRT, CRT+TV dual view function

Xminator XP Unified Driver

• Optimizes both DirectX 8.1 and OpenGL 1.3 for Windows XP, Windows 9x and
  Windows 2000
• Multi-language

3D Effect

• Frictionless Memory Control (FMC) Architecture
  • To boost effective memory bandwidth and improve overall memory efficiency
• Coloredeemer Technology
  • Enhance the color rendering of the display
• Software MPEG and Video Acceleration

Streams processor

• High quality up/down scalar
• Motion compensation
• Subpicture blending and highlights
• On-the-fly stretching and blending of multiple video streams
• Multiple video windows
• Per pixel color keying
• Multiple video windows
• Brightness, hue and saturation controls

Compatibility

• Microsoft PC99
• VESA Display Power Management Signaling (DPMS)
• VESA DDC2B for Plug and Play monitors
• Intel AGP version 1.0 AGP 4x mode
• ACPI 1.0 compliant

Software Drivers

• Windows 95/98/2000/ME
• Microsoft DirectX 8 API
• Windows NT 4.0

Connectors

• One 15-pin analog VGA connector
• One 24-pin digital and 4-pin analog LCD connectors
• One 4-pin S-video connector

Resolution Supported:

• 640×480 res.
• 800×600 res.
• 1024×768 res.
• 1280×1024 res.
• 1600×1200 res.
• 1920×1440 res.
• 2048×1536 res.

What you may have heard.

The DFI Xabre 400 T3, like all Xabre 400 GPUs has no hardware vertex shader.
This point is often quoted on many other sites.

(pregnant pause)

So what?

I too panicked wondering if this missing hardware vertex shader was going to
cause me bodily harm and why was it not there? Sarcasm aside a hardware vertex
shader will work faster than a software vertex shader which is part of the software
for the DFI Xabre 400T2.

A vertex shader is a small assembly language program. It can be programmable.
Programmable vertex shading has done wonders for graphics especially in games.
It has raised the bar on cinematic realism within the graphics arena. A vertex
shader can have an effect on color, texture coordinates, orientation, fog (how
dense it may appear) and point size.

A vertex shader is only a part of the magic that allows you to slay dragons,
beat up others in multiplayer arenas or fly over foreign places but without
it the view would be less attractive. As game detail goes up these vertex shaders
demand a lot from the graphics card and hardware vertex shaders are faster…software
based vertex shaders are slower and that means a drop in frame rate or having
to turn off some effects to keep up.

The hardware vertex shader wasn’t included as one of the steps to keep costs
down. If you want it all then you’ll pay a premium. The DFI Xabre400 T2 does
introduce a lot of other tricks to compensate.

It is important to remind ourselves again that the Xabre series isn’t aimed
at running out in front. The frame rates may be less than the top end performance
graphics cards but the price tag is significantly less and this makes a difference
to the consumer. A buyer may not a) need a gaming card but enjoys the occaissional
round of Doom b) will not pay top dollar or c) a combination of both.

And this is where the DFI
Xabre 400 T3 GPU falls but will it or should it fall to you?

The card.

The price tag isn’t the highest so don’t expect a lot inside the box. First
of all there should be the actual Xabre 400T2.

The manual is thin and at 20 pages only takes the reader through the most basic
installation steps and the briefest of tours of the software.

There, of course, is the accompanying driver CD.

The card supports three outputs DVI, SVGA and SVIDEO for TV out.

That means dual monitors can be used but there is one drawback. The card does
not come with either a DVI to SVGA adapter or a SVGA to DVI adapter. That means
if you want dual flat panels or dual CRT then you are stuck right out of the
box.

An SVIDEO to RCA (Composite) adapter is included.

DFI has attached a flashy gold cooling fan/heatsink which will remind everyone
of the once famous blue orbs…except it’s gold.

The heatsink pins are spring loaded and to remove the heatsink first press
the pins down and flip over the card.

I said…flip over the card.

There will be the plastic retainer clips which can be squeezed together carefully
with needlenose pliers. The pins will then pop out.

With some gentle twisting and prying the heatink will come off revealing the
bubble gum pink goo heatsink compound.

Scrape it off with your thumbnail. Don’t use a screwdriver as it will damage
the GPU core and use some cleaning compound such as Isopropanol alcohol and
a cotton swab to clean off any remaining residue.

This step does not have to be done and doing so will violate any warranty plus
you risk damaging the video card. So do so at your own risk.

The pink goo was replaced by a fresh coat of Arctic Silver III compound.

Before the heatink was reapplied the plastic retainer pins were flared out
to provide a good catch after reinserting into the PCB.

You know it’s a SiS card.

The memory comes from Elite
Semiconductor Memory Technolgy which is based in Hsin-Chu, Taiwan. It’s
3.3 volt and operates at a speed of 200 MHz (400 MHz DDR) and a clock speed
(max. frequency) of 250 MHz (500 MHz DDR)

Which is rather interesting when considering this.

So we asked DFI and they are still investigating. The good news is that the
drivers that came with the install CD display the information correctly.

Software installation.

Software installation was hassle free. The CD booted automatically to the first
interface and choose Xabre driver. The cd came with driver version 3.06.51 but
the latest 3.08 drivers from the Xabre website were used in this review.

Choose the XABRE utility and driver setup and the rest will take care of itself.
The 3D Wizard is for those programs that feature 3D imaging display.

The driver interface present four main choices.

Desktop Gamma Correction.

Driver Mode Setting.

Note that CRT is VGA2 while DVI is VGA1.

Gamma Correction.

And Product and File Information which will know be formally
introduced.

Reviewer’s note

The 3.06 drivers did display the correct Videom Memory Clock at the default
settingof 249 MHz (call it 250 MHz). The source of the 3.08 driver “bug”
is still not identified.

Overclocking

The Xabre overclocked quite well going easily up to engine clock of 325 MHz
and a memory clock of 277.77 MHz. The down side is that the on screen image
deteriorated almost immediately upon overclocking a 1024×768 75Hz desktop. Artifacts
started appearing almost immediately as you can see in the following image.
(note that Xabre does include an overclock tool in the 3D wizard software. Powerstrip
was used in the example)

Benchmarking

The ASUS A7N8X test system.

• AMD 2600+ 333 FSB
  Processor
• ASUS A7N8X motherboard
• ATI 9700 PRO Video Card
  and Xabre 400T3 128MB
• 2 x 256 MB Corsair PC3200 DDR RAM
• Sony 52x CD
• 60 GB Maxtor ATA133 Hard Drive
• 2 x Samsung 950p 19″ Monitors
• USB Keyboard and Logitech USB wireless Optical Mouse
• Globalwin CAK4-76T HSF
• AMK SX1000 modded
  PC case (window, fans, cables, loom)
• Enermax 465 Watt FC PSU
• Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1

The Shuttle AK35GTR test system.

• AMD 1.33 GHz Thunderbird
  Processor
• Shuttle AK35GTR
  motherboard
• ATI Radeon 8500 64MB (6.13
  drivers)
• 1 x 256 MB Micron PC2100 RAM
• Sony 52x CD
• LG 32x10x40x CDRW
• 40 GB Maxtor ATA133 Hard Drive
• Samsung 950p 19″ Monitors
• USB Keyboard and Logitech USB wireless Optical Mouse
• Globalwin WBK38 Heatstink
• AMK SX1000 modded
  PC case (window, fans, cables, loom)
• Enermax 465 Watt FC PSU
• Windows XP Professional (pre SP1)

The ABIT AT7 Max2 test system.

• AMD 2100+ Thoroughbred
  Core Processor
• ABIT AT7 Max2 motherboard
• ATI 9700 PRO Video Card
  Catalyst 2.3 drivers
• 2 x 512 MB Micron PC2100 RAM
• Sony 52x CD
• 16 x DVD
• 60 GB Maxtor ATA133 Hard Drive
• 2 x Samsung 950p 19″ Monitors
• USB Keyboard and Logitech USB wireless Optical Mouse
• Globalwin WBK38 heatsink
• Koolcases Panther
  PC case
• Enermax 465 Watt FC PSU
• Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1

Programs used

• 
  Sisoft Sandra 2002
• MadOnion
  3DMark 2001 SE
• Quake
  III Arena
• Commanche
  4
• GL
  Excess
• Drone
  Z
• SpecviewPerf 7.0
• Photoshop 7.0
• Adobe After Effects 5.5
• SoftimageXSI 2.0.1

All tests were run at default video card settings with VSYNC disabled. Bios
was optimized for system but not tweaked for any performance settings requiring
specialized knowledge of overclocking. In other words the BIOS settings were
standard as far as anyone can set the time and date, ensure the ram is 4 way
interleave and at CAS 2.5 and AGP is chosen as the first boot video card. The
BIOS settings were kept as close to conservative or default value. The ASUS
A7N8X memory settings were set to OPTIMAL and AGGRESSIVE as disclosed. Individual
performance will vary with any particular or specific timings or tweaks enabled
by you. These may result in lesser or greater scores. Void where prohibited
by law. Don’t run with scissors. Chew each bite 32 times and always floss between
meals.

And now a simple word about benchmarks.

It’s a foregone conclusion that the ATI 9700 PRO will stomp all over most everything
in gaming benchmarks. That isn’t the point…well it is if you want to be the
one stomping everyone elses frame rates into the ground.

One point is to see how far behind the leader the challenger is. The Radeon
8500 64 MB data was dug up from the archives. These benchmarks where run on
Shuttle AK35GTR motherboard featuring the KT266A chipset and only 256 MB of
DDR PC2100 Ram. The reason became apparent after the data was graphed. Quite
simply it may show you that your “old” motherboard or video card may
not be that old after all. It also lets you know where you may place in the
pack. I don’t deny the fact that apples should be compared to apples but I like
to throw in an orange occaissionally for perspective.

It’s something to keep in mind as no one component wins the race.

3D Mark 2001 SE

The ATI 9700 PRO combined with the 2600+ 333 FSB processor, the
Corsair memory and the ASUS A7N8X motherboard deliver impressive results. The
ATI 9700 PRO on the AT7Max2 motherboard pulls its weight as well. The DFI Xabre400
T3 comes out against the Radeon 8500 64 MB version for the first two rounds
then lags in round 3 and 4 and finally gets knocked out in the 1600×1200 tests.

Codecreatures

Commanche 4

DroneZ

The DFI Xabre400 T3 did quite well against the Radeon 8500 in
DroneZ. It shows the optimization improvements in hardware/drivers that a year
can make.

GL Excess

The DFI Xabre400 T3 didn’t show as well again in GLExcess.

QuakeIII normal quality

The Xabre saves face by edging out the Radeon 8500 surprisingly
as the screen resolution increase. It also stuns us by beating the 9700 PRO
on the AT7Max2. It appears that the ASUS A7N8X, DDR 400 RAM and the AMD 2600+
333FSB processor love the Xabre at 16 bits and very much favor it at 32 bits
but not quite as much. Yes we were surprised too.

Quake III high quality

Serious Sam

But the yo-yo of benchmarks continues and the AT7Max2 hinders
the 9700 again by pulling it slightly behind the Xabre at higher resolutions.

Sisoft Sandra CPU Arithmetic

Sisoft Sandra CPU Multimedia

Sisoft Sandra Memory Benchmark

At least the Xabre or any other video card isnt’ affecting the
CPU and memory subsystems.

Specviewperf 7.0

Up until now it is predictable that the ATI 9700 PRO video card
provides the 3D gaming power for these impressive scores. The AMD 2600+ 333
FSB processor on the A7N8X with the faster clocked memory only makes the victory
sweeter.

SpecviewPerf still grounds itself in the manipulation of 3D graphics
but more on a work application level rather than gaming software. Again the
results are as expected. The video card – memory combination are the reasons
for this victory.

The DFI Xabre isn’t a 3D workhorse nor was it designed to be.
It is a mid-range card and it shows with benchmarks hovering around or just
above the 50% mark in comparison to the leader. (Radeon 8500 not included)

Summary

The benchmarks may be a bit misleading. In one instance the Xabre pulls ahead
of older technology as expected and on the other it falls behind. Change a motherboard
and processor combination and the Xabre surprising pulls out in front where
one might have thought it wouldn’t. This is attributed to the lack of hardware
vetex shader and results depend on the particular game and how it utilizes it.
If you want more consistent benchmarks then look to a card with a hardware vertex
shader instead of the Xabre’s software vertex shader.

What does this tell us? Most consumers rely upon these reviews to get some
sort of recommendation. First and foremost the Xabre 400 T3 is not a gaming
benchmark leader but remember it places well against last year’s leader (for
a while) which we all bowed to…the ATI RADEON 8500 64 MB.

We couldn’t get to the bottom of the 1600×1200 benchmark issue. The games would
play at this resolution. The benchmarks just wouldn’t run and this was after
two different driver versions.

Overclocking was lackluster. While the card would run up past 300 MHz quite
easily…a greater than 50-70 MHz range above default…the desktop would immediately
began to generate artifacts. A mixed result leaning towards disappointment.

The “jaggies” were present and on par with the competition. The ATI
8500 64 MB looks something like this. Pay close attention around the helmet.
This is with none of ATI’s SMOOTHVISION in place. (image from Half-Life: Uplink)

The DFI Xabre400 T3 counters with an image like this where the same jaggies
can be seen in the beams across the roof. (Image taken from Jedi Knight II)

TV out worked without a hitch with an improved image quality of desktop display
on the TV over both the Radeon 8500 and 8500 All in Wonder. The ATI 8500 series
Short-Media reviewed had an unreadable image quality where fonts had to be increased
unacceptably in size and resolution had to be kept at 640×480. At best it was
awful. It’s good to see that Xabre has made some improvements in this area and
the desktop, if fed to a TV through the SVIDEO connection is much better…almost
close to what my world looks like without glasses…fuzzy.

It isn’t nearly as good as CRT of flat panel but it is better than before.
You can now navigate MP3 playlists but I wouldn’t recommend using TV out to
write a term paper with.

The TV out controls are also a little more versatile offering a greater variety
of adjustments to screen size vertically and horizontally as well as anit-flicker
and sharpness controls. (The latter did not effect the overall image quality
to a noticeable degree.)

The DFI Xabre 400 T3 scorecard: Conclusion

Each piece of hardware that has come into my hands has been impressive.
At the time of its release it measures quite well against the competition so
it is easy for a reviewer to give it a high score. After a while the high scores
begin to add up and one too many reviews get awards or the margin between the
actual score and a perfect score becomes smaller and smaller. Like the stock
market the bubble has to burst somewhere or sometime.

To this end my scorecard assessment is going to be more difficult
to acheive higher marks. This may confuse you when your read other reviews that
may score significantly higher than us. It does not mean that we are off base
or thought the product comparatively poor to what another site thought. It does
mean that we are readjusting the scale to more accurately tell you when a product
is truly and significantly outstanding for its timeframe. We hope this will
serve you better in assessing your own needs.

To the reviewer’s attention there comes the subtle differences
that may not be seen by the general public but are worth mentioning. I have
found DFI a cooperative company to deal with that is open to suggestions and
comments. This goes a long way by the time it gets to the consumer. The buyer
wants to know they are dealing with a company that listens. Customer service
is hopefully coming back into style.

As a final note the DFI Xabre 400 T3 will not disappoint as it rivals what
was the leader (ATI Radeon 8500 64 MB) ony a short while ago. The TV out is
better but the benchmark peformance is inconsistent across the tests. The purchase
is no frills and the lack of an DVI to CRT adapter or CRT to DVI adapter is
a hinderance for those who want dual monitors. The difficulty is that there
are a wide variety of choices in the mid-range video card market and my advice
is to look carefully as there may be some better choices depending on your personal
requirements.

Short-Media would like to thank DFI
for their generous support and kind assistance.