Enter the Matrix

We are no strangers to the ASUS EN9800GT Matrix. In our recent GeForce 9800 GT roundup, we've received an engineering sample from the good folks at ASUS and decided to give it a go. Understandably, being an engineering sample, its performance wasn't quite up to mark, but this card has a couple of features that made it worth a second look. But more on that later.

The GeForce 9800 GT is, if you haven't already heard, based on NVIDIA's hot-selling 8800 GT. It is basically just a renaming exercise. Apart from support for HybridPower and plans to eventually manufacture the GeForce 9800 GT using a 55nm manufacturing process, the new GeForce 9800 GT and the older GeForce 8800 GT are one and the same.

The ASUS EN9800GT Matrix came in a simple, fuss-free black and white box proudly proclaiming its Hybrid Cooler and Super Hybrid Engine.

Although ATI's Radeon HD 4850 is probably the current kingpin of the mid to high-end segment, the GeForce 9800 GT continues to be an interesting alternative, given its lower prices and rather competitive performance, especially from overclocked variants.

Having said that, let us now take a closer look at the ASUS EN9800GT Matrix.