8800 GT INFO / Updates in bold / MUST READ OP AND SEE LINKS FOR BENCHMARK PICS

[Rusin]

One good sign:
In Germany's price watch website GF8800 GTS and GTX and Ultra models are starting to vanish. These shops have fewer and fewer brands..which could indicate that new GTS, GTX and Ultra versions could be near. Pricing also indicate that they are trying to get rid of these old versions.

 

[superbooga]

Originally posted by: Rusin
What about ROP-amount? One key reason why HD2900XT suffered when AA-turned on was amount of ROP-units (ROP-bottleneck).

2900XT had to do AA resolve with shaders, not dedicated hardware.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Originally posted by: Rusin
What about ROP-amount? One key reason why HD2900XT suffered when AA-turned on was amount of ROP-units (ROP-bottleneck).

Thats wrong.

The reason 2900XT suffered when AA was turned on is because it used Shader based AA i.e AA was being performed (AA resolve was done on) the shaders.

While nVIDIA still used AA resolve on the ROPs.

edit - Its not possible to say that more ROPs = better performance when AA is enabled, because ROPs dont work like that. (Maybe in terms of pixel fillrates however)

 

[bryanW1995]

Originally posted by: Rusin
One good sign:
In Germany's price watch website GF8800 GTS and GTX and Ultra models are starting to vanish. These shops have fewer and fewer brands..which could indicate that new GTS, GTX and Ultra versions could be near. Pricing also indicate that they are trying to get rid of these old versions.

it wouldn't surprise me at all to see nvidia bring on the big dogs sooner rather than later, esp if rv670 ends up challenging 8800gtx. of course, DAAMIT is still sticking to 256 bit bus for now, too. I wonder what they will be like with a 512 bit bus on 55 nm with hardware AA/AF? Nvidia has been raking in the $$$$ lately, but if nothing else it appears that they'll need to be more price-competitive this time around.

 

[lupi]

Originally posted by: Rusin
One good sign:
In Germany's price watch website GF8800 GTS and GTX and Ultra models are starting to vanish. These shops have fewer and fewer brands..which could indicate that new GTS, GTX and Ultra versions could be near. Pricing also indicate that they are trying to get rid of these old versions.

Just getting new versions if OK, getting them at lower prices and then the public will be interested.

 

[alcoholbob]

Hmm, according to the 3DMark06 scores (1280x1024 4xAA/8xAF):

8800GT vs 8800 Ultra
SM2.0 - 85.7%
SM3.0 - 76.0%

8800GTS 320 (or 640, scores basically identical) @ stock vs 8800 Ultra
SM2.0 - 63.1%
SM3.0 - 63.9%

8800GTS OC @ 575 core (I'm guessing THG was using the eVGA one) vs 8800 Ultra
SM2.0 - 70%
SM3.0 - 71%

(note that while different drivers were used for these scores, the inter-comparisons use the same drivers; I use percentages because I *assume* that performance gains are linear during driver revisions, this could prove to be wrong).

All I gotta say is, HOLY COW. Now I'm wondering if I wasted my money by spending $315 shipped for the Fatal1ty, since online prices are already showing about $265 shipped for the 8800 GT 512mb.

One thing I do note is that the 8800GT is showing it's 256bit bus given the higher bandwidth requirements of SM3.0.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Bandwidth is hardly the biggest performance nowadays as seen by the 2900XT and its 512bit memory bus. UT3 based games (3dmark06 too) seem to like alot of ALU power and thats where i think the 8800GT is coming very close to the bigger cards like 8800GTX/ultra.

 

[JPB]

Updated OP !

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: Astrallite
All I gotta say is, HOLY COW. Now I'm wondering if I wasted my money by spending $315 shipped for the Fatal1ty, since online prices are already showing about $265 shipped for the 8800 GT 512mb.

Where did you find the price info?

 

[JBT]

Originally posted by: DSF

Originally posted by: Astrallite
All I gotta say is, HOLY COW. Now I'm wondering if I wasted my money by spending $315 shipped for the Fatal1ty, since online prices are already showing about $265 shipped for the 8800 GT 512mb.

Where did you find the price info?

yes do tell...

 

[bamacre]

http://www.shopblt.com/cgi-bin...63237P.shtml&order_id=
http://www.compsource.com/ttec...8512GXPB&vid=356&src=F
http://www.upgradenation.com/P...artinfo-id-665365.html

Or...
http://www.google.com/products...GT&btnG=Search&show=dd

Sorry, wasn't able to check through 7 pages, but I wondered what the power requirements of this will be. Considering that its a single-slot card, I would imagine it will be significantly less than the current GTS cards.

 

[Keysplayr]

Why does that Foxconn 8800GT say "G96" in it's specs?

I'm referring to the latest addition to the OP.

 

[alcoholbob]

Type "8800GT" in Google product search, you'll come up with about a dozen + offerings. One PNY is shipping for under $260.

 

[Cheex]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
Why does that Foxconn 8800GT say "G96" in it's specs?

I'm referring to the latest addition to the OP.

Good question but I read somewhere (don't remember exactly) that the 8800GT=G96 and 8900GTX=G92.

Not sure what to believe now....

 

[imported_Shaq]

Originally posted by: Astrallite
Hmm, according to the 3DMark06 scores (1280x1024 4xAA/8xAF):

8800GT vs 8800 Ultra
SM2.0 - 85.7%
SM3.0 - 76.0%

8800GTS 320 (or 640, scores basically identical) @ stock vs 8800 Ultra
SM2.0 - 63.1%
SM3.0 - 63.9%

8800GTS OC @ 575 core (I'm guessing THG was using the eVGA one) vs 8800 Ultra
SM2.0 - 70%
SM3.0 - 71%

(note that while different drivers were used for these scores, the inter-comparisons use the same drivers; I use percentages because I *assume* that performance gains are linear during driver revisions, this could prove to be wrong).

All I gotta say is, HOLY COW. Now I'm wondering if I wasted my money by spending $315 shipped for the Fatal1ty, since online prices are already showing about $265 shipped for the 8800 GT 512mb.

One thing I do note is that the 8800GT is showing it's 256bit bus given the higher bandwidth requirements of SM3.0.

You can send back the Fatal1ty. You have 30 days from purchase as long as you didn't cut out the UPC. I'm sending mine back most likely.

Isn't SM2.0 pretty much irrelevant now? New cards will run it fine since it's older code and less demanding. The results show it good in SM2.0 but not much better than the GTS in SM3.0 after OC. It will likely be even worse under SM4.0 not that it will matter much by then. It just depends on which card OC's more and the price ratio.

 

[swtethan]

Should I put my GTS 640 on Craigslist? I am considering it.....

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

The bench also doesn't show any decrease from SM 2.0 to SM 3.0 on the GTS. On the contrary, it's an increase. It just shows that the Ultra does very well in SM 3.0.

 

[imported_Shaq]

Originally posted by: swtethan
Should I put my GTS 640 on Craigslist? I am considering it.....

I got $320 for mine on Ebay last week. I imagine it will only be worth $250 when these new cards come out.

 

[alcoholbob]

Originally posted by: Shaq

You can send back the Fatal1ty. You have 30 days from purchase as long as you didn't cut out the UPC. I'm sending mine back most likely.

Isn't SM2.0 pretty much irrelevant now? New cards will run it fine since it's older code and less demanding. The results show it good in SM2.0 but not much better than the GTS in SM3.0 after OC. It will likely be even worse under SM4.0 not that it will matter much by then. It just depends on which card OC's more and the price ratio.

Doesn't TigerDirect have a 15% restocking fee? In that case it would be taking $70 hit (shipping and return shipping) and then spending $265 shipped on an 8800GT.

Is it worth it to get a GT under those conditions?, given it would cost the same for either card this way (i.e, it definitely will outperform the 8800 GTS Fatal1ty).

 

[imported_Shaq]

Originally posted by: Astrallite

Originally posted by: Shaq

You can send back the Fatal1ty. You have 30 days from purchase as long as you didn't cut out the UPC. I'm sending mine back most likely.

Isn't SM2.0 pretty much irrelevant now? New cards will run it fine since it's older code and less demanding. The results show it good in SM2.0 but not much better than the GTS in SM3.0 after OC. It will likely be even worse under SM4.0 not that it will matter much by then. It just depends on which card OC's more and the price ratio.

Doesn't TigerDirect have a 15% restocking fee? In that case it would be taking $70 hit (shipping and return shipping) and then spending $265 shipped on an 8800GT.

Is it worth it to get a GT under those conditions?, given it would cost the same for either card this way (i.e, it definitely will outperform the 8800 GTS Fatal1ty).

Here is the link. Click the 30 day guarantee box above the description.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/app...pNo=3335390&CatId=2669

"Every product that displays the "30 DAY IRON CLAD GUARANTEE" icon online is backed by our promise that you'll be satisfied with the product or we'll take it back within 30 days.

It's that simple.

There's no need for excuses. If you buy any product with a "30 DAY IRON CLAD GUARANTEE" icon via our website or catalog and decide to return it, just contact our service center for an RMA number then return the complete, undamaged product in the original packaging for an exchange or a credit to your original form of payment.

Just one more way TigerDirect.com makes buying great technology hassle-free."

That is why I bought it there because it was the cheapest and the fact I could send it back if something faster came out. I sold my 640 for $320 and bought this. I would probably have gotten $70 less selling it after the 8800GT comes out.

So you'll be out the $15 to ship to you plus about $10 to ship it back. More like $25. I think it's worth sending back especially since the GT will be cheaper. I am waiting for news on the new GTS though before I send mine back. If it is 65nm and $305 like the rumors say I will get it.

 

[alcoholbob]

INTERESTING, VERY INTERESTING.

I'm gonna hold onto this card for a couple of weeks then and wait to see the benchmarks for the new GT. If it is in fact much faster than the Fata1lty then I will definitely get it.

I guess it's simpler than that. The fatal1ty is around 90-95% as fast as the GTX usually except when from buffer is an issue (2056x1536) in DX9 games. However, in DX10, with the huge frame buffer requirements, even at 1280x it's inferior to the 640mb GTS with it's significantly slower clocks...even lost to the 512mb 8600GT in World in Conflict...guess I don't want my first video card in 2.5 years to already be unable to run current games as soon as I buy it =P

Thanks for the heads up, now I can get a 2 week rental of the 8800GTS Fatal1ty while waiting out the release of the GT =P

 

[bryanW1995]

I would wait on benchies if I were you. It's easy to get excited about the hot new thing, but the 8800gts 320 has been kicking A$$ and taking names for a year now, and the fatal1ity is the best 320 out there...

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

Yes, but I'd like a bit more than 320mb personally. 512mb sounds good for the latest texture-heavy games. Remember, you can't overclock memory size!

 

[bryanW1995]

what res do you need to run at to see a big diff btwn 320 and 640? 2560x1600? seriously, memory size is GREATLY overrated for gpu's.

 

[Munky]

Memory size was not a huge issue on gpu's other than the g80 because they would often still have 90% of the performance with only 256mb. But with the 8800gts, it's a different case, and it mostly only happens if you use AA. I have seen plenty of benches where in some games the 320mb card would be on par with the 640mb card at 19x12 resolution, and in other games it would fall behind a 1950xtx as soon as AA was activated at 19x12 or even lower.