Packaging & Accessories: 8 out of 10
At this price point we really don’t expect much, but Zotac has pulled out all the stops. So much so the shipping container and accessories are more inline with premium priced cards. Color us impressed.
Functionality & Aesthetics: 19 out of 20
There really is not much to dislike on the looks or performance of the AMP! Edition. Yes the temperature and noise levels are going to be higher than 3-slot models. Yes the VRAM is going to be run a bit hotter. Neither matter. This card has a veritable ton of overlocking room and does so without upsizing the dimensions. That is pretty much everything you can ask for from a ‘mere’ 2-slot video card.
Build Quality & Warranty: 18 out of 20
Once again, this card is an excellent example of what Zotac is all about: value. Zotac really did not cut that many corners and instead simply trimmed the fat in order to ‘miniaturize’ their AMP! Extreme design. The end result is a good card at a good price.
Performance: 27 out of 30
As shown throughout this review this card is a performance powerhouse. It may indeed be smaller than 3-slot models… but the real-world performance difference is rather small. The only weak-link is in the noise department and we do wish Zotac had either used their premium EKO fans… or used three as this card is a bit louder than it could be. Not EVGA SuperClocked loud, and certainly not Founders Edition loud… but not dead silent either.
Value: 19 out of 20
While it does have a few issues that will have to be seriously considered, this card is an incredible value. As long as you are ok with a bit more noise, and maybe a little bit less overclocking headroom this card really deserves to be on your short list.
Final Score: 91 out of 100
The Zotac AMP! Is tailor made for knowledgeable consumers who know exactly what they want. Be that good performance, lack of installation issues, or just overall value, this card is sure to please. As long as you understand that it is not a AMP! Extreme and set your expectations a smidgen lower you will like what this card has to offer.
