Coming from a 6600-based video card, even one that clocks more like a GT than a vanilla variety, it's hard not to be impressed by the NX8600GTS. Although outwardly they appear much the same (cooler size aside) the amount of performance packed into the 8600GTS is pretty amazing. Representing the latest mid-range graphics chipset from nVidia, the 8600GTS offers a substantial increase over the slower-clocked 8600GT, for not a whole lot more dough. The next step up, the 8800GTS, is nearly twice the cost, as now you're entering nVidia's top of the line 8800 series of cards. The 8600GTS fills the gap between the two quite nicely.

For MSI, the NX8600GTS OC is one of four 8600GTS-based cards offered, the others consisting of the standard NX8600GTS, a 512Mb memory version and the Diamond Edition. My previous 6600 card was also a Diamond Edition, which meant that it came with VIVO and DDR3 memory, with stock clocks of 400/800 (over the reference 300/500). It easily overclocked to 500/1000 and even higher, well into GT territory. Confusingly, the 8600GTS Diamond runs at the reference speed of 675/2000 as do the other two offerings from MSI. The OC Edition is the only one that offers more speed right out of the box.

As the benchmark results show, even a modest overclock can have some significant impact on graphics performance, up to 10% over the already overclocked OC Edition scores. Of course, most of this increase is seen in synthetic benchmarks, where manufacturers will optimize their drivers to yield better results. This is why it is important to compare other benchmarks and actual game demos as well. But in this arena the NX8600GTS OC still manages to show a 3-7% improvement over its own already-elevated performance, simply by selecting one of six pre-designated overclock rankings within the bundled software. MSI has made it extremely easy to maximize the potential of this card with their Dynamic Overclocking Technology, and those that prefer to play with drivers and settings on their own still have that option available.

The cooler that comes with the NX8600GTS OC should provide a measurable benefit over the standard card's passive heatsink. Fan settings were left at Auto even when overclocking and running benchmarks, and temps stayed a consistent 45° C at idle and reached 60° C at full load. Despite the tendency of these coolers to be loud, the Auto setting kept the fan running at a barely audible level. It was hard to distinguish the sound of it among the noise generated by other case and chipset fans. The ability to take manual control of the fan speed should be part of the MSI Dual Core Center (which I unfortunately couldn't get to run) or is available as part of the nTune package, and for those who don't mind sacrificing quiet for a bit more performance, possibly the overclock level of Commander could have been achieved, or maybe even higher using manual settings.

The MSI NX8600GTS OC is available in the $150-$180 range, which is at the low end of comparable 8600GTS card pricing, and coincidentally falls dead even with the cost of the non-OC NX8600GTS version. MSI is currently offering rebates on many of their graphics cards when purchased through select online retailers, so be sure to lookout for those as well. When you figure the performance, ease of overclocking and price, the NX8600GTS OC adds up to a whole lot of bang for your buck.