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For this we review, we used this testing platform:

• CPU: E6700 Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.67 GHZ (333 * 8) 
• Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-N680SLI-DQ6 
• Memory: 2 gigabytes of Corsair XMS2-5400UL DDR2 RAM (2 * 1024MB @ 833MHz 4-4-4-12/2T) 
• Power Supply: OCZ 850W GXS
• Hard Drive: 250 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 SATA, w/16 MB cache
• CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U 12

As for the video cards that we chose to bench our RX2600XT against, we had two choices: either put the card up against only other mid-range offerings (HD 2600 XT/Pros, 8600 GT/GTS's), or broaden the landscape. We decided on the latter option.

We decided on the following cards:

Keep in mind: take these estimate prices with a grain of a salt. Prices continously fluctuate; the chart as meant as a guideline only. You might find deals, better or worse, than the prices above.

We included the ATI HD 2900 XT and Asus EN8800 GTS to give a better indication of how large the performance gap is between the higher-end, and the mid-range. While a RX2600XT Diamond Plus is about half the price of a 8800 GTS, it will retail for somewhere between the price of a 8600 GT and a 8600 GTS.

The Asus EAX X1950 Pro is roughly at the same price point as the RX2600XT. As such, it is a good representation of the competition current mid-range cards like the RX2600XT face from the high-end cards of the last GPU generation still being sold.

One more note: MSI's 256MB RX2600 XT Diamond sells for about $25 less that the 512MB Diamond Plus.