Test System

     For testing I try to use hardware that isn't quite the best or the fastest, but something more along the lines of what the average person would put together for a nice gaming system for a reasonable amount of money. Today I'll be trying 2 motherboards; the EVGA nForce 680i SLI and the ASUS P5W DH Deluxe.

A Note About Connect3D

For testing today, I'll only be using synthetic benchmark test from Futuremark only. Sorry, I will not be running any game benchmarks today.      The reasons behind the abbreviated testing is because of the lack of support from Connect3D and the limited availability of Connect3D products in the United States. Apparently, Connect3D pulled their product support from the United States. Even our staff has been unable to contact anyone interested in helping us out with Connect3D product issues and RMAs over the past several months.      Bottom line, if even a well known hardware review site that has been working with Connect3D for about 2 years can not obtain support from Connect3D, how in the world can the average gamer be expected to trust this company? Connect3D's total lack of support is quite troubling and will definitely reflect on this review.

Testing: EVGA nForce 680i SLI

     Unfortunately, the Connect3D X1950 Pro was completely unstable on the EVGA 680i. The video card worked in Windows and office applications, but failed to run games and synthetic benchmarks with a high level of stability. We tried several different bios and driver revisions, but failed to obtain a level of stability we could live with.

     Normally, our next step would be to contact the company in question and a new product would be shipped to us. To our disbelieve, our contact at Connect3D has completely ignored our complaints.

Testing: ASUS P5W DH Deluxe

     For all benchmarks with Futuremark products, we will be leaving all driver and benchmark software settings at default. Again, this is just a quick run through to give us an idea on how the Connect3D card performs.

3DMark03

     On the ASUS P5W DH Deluxe based system, we were able to run a few quick benchmarks with 3DMark03. However, we could instantly tell there was a problem with this card because of artifacts in the video.

3DMark05

     3DMark05 also allowed us to run a few benchmarks at default setting, but it too caused video artifacts.

3DMark06

     When it came to 3DMark06, the video card was completely unstable and the system would lock up within a few minutes into the benchmark. Obviously we have a bad review sample, but unfortunately Connect3D doesn't appear to be interested in supporting their products, not to mention a review site who is suppose to be showing the world how great their products are.

Conclusion

     The X1950 makes the 3rd failed Connect3D product here at the Club. After several bad review samples and absolutely no support from Connect3D, what else is left to say? I guess all I can say is that I'm very disappointed and extremely frustrated with Connect3D. Connect3D use to be a company we trusted and worked closely with for several years. Obviously, the product quality and customer support have taken a back seat. With the lack of product available, I also question this company's ability to stay alive in the fast paced video card market.

     I would love to publish a positive review for Connect3D, but I'm sad to say this just was not possible. If Connect3D has no problems snubbing a computer hardware review site, what's to stop them from doing the same to their customers? If Connect3D ever finds the time to contact us back and make things right with us and their customers, I'd love to give their X1950 another shot. But until then I would stay away from Connect3D products.