Creative Labs in the Ultra Mix

TNT2Live!

Long known as the Sound Blaster folks, Creative Labs has become quite successful from their line of industry-standard sound cards. Now, as new products and technologies are beginning to encroach on Creative's sound standard (and Windows makes compatibility a non-issue), Creative has had years to….yes, to expand their product line, focusing heavily on multimedia, and now, graphics.

The 3D Blaster family is Creative's performance series of cards, which initially gained popularity with the 3D Blaster PCI, based on the Verite V1000, back in the heyday of Quake 1. Now, they're sporting TNT2 Ultra, clocked to the recommended 150/183MHz spec. From what we've heard, Creative's TNT2 uses ultra-fast 5ns RAM (just as Hercules does for the Dynamite TNT2), and so overclocking becomes not only a possibility, but a realistic expectation.

Careful overclocking tools

Creative Labs has also taken the time to carefully craft an elegant overclocking utility to include with the 3D Blaster. Instead of simply saving a new clock/memory setting with a click of the "apply" button, the utility will accept the changes temporarily for 5 minutes. At the end of 5 minutes (assuming nothing crashes), the utility will ask if you wish to save the changes permanently, and then ask if you wish to overclock further.

If your system behaves erratically or crashes during the trial period, you can reboot without fear, as the utility will revert to the last-saved setting. This kind of forward-thinking is an essential part of bringing overclocking to the less tech-savvy masses, and is applauded by the FS crew.

Creative Labs 3D Blaster Riva TNT2 Ultra
Core Speed: 150MHz
Memory Speed: 183MHz
RAM: 32MB
RAM Speed: -5ns
Special Features: Overclocking utility included
Software Bundle: 3Deep, Colorific
List Price: $229.95
Lowest Price: $190.00