Pros: Runs very quiet and was not an upgrade nor downgrade for me actually. It was more of an enhancement. Bought this graphic card on a whim and also the huge difference in power usage compared to my old 8800 GT. Performance is actually on par and sometimes better. Crysis runs about the same but what i have noticed the most is that older games like DoD:S,CS:S(200-300 FPS highest settings) and WoW run a lot better on the 9600GT(40 FPS in Shatt High settings). It runs very quiet and cool. Only time i can hear the fan is when booting up as it spins 100% and is very loud. However after boot-up, it spins down to my desired setting of 45% which is silent and i am very uptight with ambient noises. I tried to build a silent rig and i have achieved it by buying the 9600 GT. It also runs very cold. On idle it is on 39C and on load it is around 48-51C with the fan constantly spinning at 45%. (Forced Fan Control) This is after over clocking from 675MHz Core and 900MHz RAM to 750MHz Core and 990MHz RA

Cons: It was a lot longer than my 8800GT (Gigabyte). Had to move a random case fan that was used to keep a constant airflow within my case to install it. After installation, I put the fan back on and it's a very tight fit. (6-pin power cable wedged between fan and graphics card)

Overall Review: Even tough this was not an upgrade in performance I can careless. I bought it for power consumption mostly. For $188 compared to $250 is a huge price difference for same performance. Actually It performs better than my 8800GT after OC'in and it certainly runs a lot cooler than any 8800GT with stock cooler. Over all I am satisfied with this graphics card. Computer Specs: Core 2 Duo e6320 @ 2.23 GHz 4 GB DDR2 800 RAM 400 WATT Ultra PSU 500 GB Maxtor SATA HD 9600 GT oc'ed to 750 MHz Core and 990 MHz RAM 19" Viewsonic LCD Monitor Gigabyte GA-945p-S3 Mobo

Comments: The reason i got this damaged and almost DOA If the gcard worked i would've been happy but the only reason i give this a 2/5 is because fedex was fast and delievered it safe. From what i know about computer's it was not shiping's fualt. It was the manufature's fualt. I would recomend this card though if your in a budget and you are willing to take a risk to recieve it DOA but if u get one that works...HIGH FIVE!!!!