8800GT Review(s) - (18 and counting)

[Denithor]

Frankly I am glad this card will have a single-slot cooler, I use a Shuttle and am limited to those so my only options for upgrade today are either the x1950pro or the 8600gts (ew).

I think we will see the "refreshed" GTS settle around the same performance of the GTX and then nVidia will either OC the new GTS and call it GTX, refresh the GTX to 65nm, or else launch the 9800 series in a few months as the new extreme top end.

Just my 2 bits worth.

 

[etrin]

Is this the first time that NV has released a mid range first before the top in?
They are saying that the 8900GTX is going to be released in mid Nov, is that the new top in card?

Do you think we will be able to order an 8800GT next monday for $250 or will they be bloated to $300+ at first?
I want one my 1800 512 is getting a little old.

 

[brencat]

Originally posted by: etrin
Do you think we will be able to order an 8800GT next monday for $250 or will they be bloated to $300+ at first?

If retailers are smart, and I'm betting they are, I'd say you're looking at $275-$280ish minimum...at least for the first couple weeks. Just my opinion.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: brencat

Originally posted by: etrin
Do you think we will be able to order an 8800GT next monday for $250 or will they be bloated to $300+ at first?

If retailers are smart, and I'm betting they are, I'd say you're looking at $275-$280ish minimum...at least for the first couple weeks. Just my opinion.

At current pricing and performance points, that would still be worth it.

 

[1ManArmY]

so is it safe to say that Nvidia was the first to come out with DX10 GFX card but AMD/ATI will be the first to come out with a DX10.1 compatible card? It appears these new 8800 GT's are not DX 10.1 and the new AMD/ATI (Radeon) 3870's are.

 

[Golgatha]

Originally posted by: EarthBoy

Originally posted by: Golgatha

Originally posted by: rmed64
So glad I never buy those $500 video cards when over a year later you can get better cards at half the price.

8800GTX has been out for how long now?

Edit: Just looked it up. The 8800GTX was released 11/8/2006. I doubt the 8800GT will be out by 11/8/2007.

actually its due Oct. 29.. less than one week from now

The underlying point of my post is that the 8800GTX was twice as expensive as this 8800GT at release, but it is a year old for Pete's sake. If you bought the 8800GTX at release, you'd have been able to play every game you had and have purchased over the last year at the highest graphics settings for roughly $0.70/day. I'm also sure you could sell the 8800GTX for more than $250 when the 8800GT is released if you wanted to knock that price per day down even more.

Originally posted by: Matt2

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: Creig

Originally posted by: HigherGround
$249 ... holy mother of God :shocked:

Unless AMD magically pulls a rabbit out of their hat with the 3800 series, I think I know which card I'm going to ask Mrs Santa to get me for Christmas.

Look at where the HD2900 is now, not far behind. Now, give it the AA performance boost and the rumored better performance across the board and there you have it. Faster than the 8800gt.

Now will it happen? I don't know but from the rumor mil around the net I would bet on yes right now.

plus DX10.1 whether that matters to you.

What are these performance boosts you speak of?

AMD hasn't delivered the last six months, but now they are saying it's going to happen?

I've been basking in Xbox 360 goodness and haven't been payiong attention to video cards. Enlighten me please.

A better question is will the HD2900 happen for less than $250 smackers? If not, I predict a bunch more nVidia sales and AMD's stock price continuing to sink. I really, really want AMD to pull that proverbial rabbit out of the hat though. AMD is only competitive in the $350-$400 price range right now IMO, and they need a killer card in the $200-$250 price range if they want to be competitive. Not to mention, those willing to drop $350-$400 are very likely to drop the extra $100 to get the absolute best (or near the best anyway since there is an 8800GTX Ultra). Either way you look at it, the value conscience consumer is going to be on the green team for two years running unless AMD does something drastic soon.

Edit: Just in case of any fanboy comments. My recent video card purchase history is 9800XT, X800XT, X850XT, 7800GT, X1800XT, X1900XTX, 8800GTX. I have allegiance to no video card manufacturer.

 

[chizow]

Really interesting benchmarks, but one key thing to note is that the 8800GTS are @513MHz and the 8800GT is @600MHz core. If both cards are run at the same core speed many of those differences would be much closer. Seems that the 256-bit bus, smaller frame buffer, and 16 ROPs (vs. 20/24 on the GTS/GTX) on the GT are negatively impacting overall performance more than the performance gains from 16 SPs running at a faster core/shader clock. Also of note is it seems NV has managed to squeeze the shader core onto the die with the 65nm die shrink.

Still, when comparing max OC to max OC, the GT should still comfortably outperform the GTS and may come even closer to the GTX if those 730MHz core numbers are accurate. If you have a GTS you may want to sit tight unless you can get a 1:1 swap to a 512MB GT (would be hard to find someone willing to do that though). If you want the best overall performance, particularly at higher resolutions (1600+) with AA, a GTX/Ultra are still uncontested but still not worth buying at this point. The 65nm GTS will probably be as fast or faster than the GTX/Ultra which sets the stage for a full-blown 65nm high-end G9X with 128+ SPs (maybe even 2x G92 on the same die?). A comprehensive architecture review from AT will probably reveal the future of NV's next high-end part.

For people looking for great mainstream performance this card definitely fits the bill for @$250. NV really pulling an Intel here with all the titles releasing this month (COD4, UT3, Crysis, Hellgate etc).

 

[Dribble]

/me waits for the 8800GT2 (dual 8800GT card) due out beginning of next year...

 

[imported_Shaq]

Has anyone seen any rumors of the new GTS yet? I haven't seen anything since the first rumors. One said 90nm with 112 shaders and the other 65nm 128 shaders. If I don't see any soon I guess I'll just have to buy this one. Poor me.

 

[bryanW1995]

Originally posted by: beatle
Let's not forget what will happen to prices of the GTS and GTX cards. They will all drop relative to the GT. If the GT is faster than the GTS, it'll be more expensive. That doesn't mean it'll be more than $250, just that the GTS will come closer to the $200 mark, methinks.

they are improving the gts to keep its perf above the gt.

 

[bryanW1995]

Originally posted by: 1ManArmY
so is it safe to say that Nvidia was the first to come out with DX10 GFX card but AMD/ATI will be the first to come out with a DX10.1 compatible card? It appears these new 8800 GT's are not DX 10.1 and the new AMD/ATI (Radeon) 3870's are.

yes.

 

[nullpointerus]

Originally posted by: Golgatha

Originally posted by: Matt2

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: Creig

Originally posted by: HigherGround
$249 ... holy mother of God :shocked:

Unless AMD magically pulls a rabbit out of their hat with the 3800 series, I think I know which card I'm going to ask Mrs Santa to get me for Christmas.

Look at where the HD2900 is now, not far behind. Now, give it the AA performance boost and the rumored better performance across the board and there you have it. Faster than the 8800gt.

Now will it happen? I don't know but from the rumor mil around the net I would bet on yes right now.

plus DX10.1 whether that matters to you.

What are these performance boosts you speak of?

AMD hasn't delivered the last six months, but now they are saying it's going to happen?

I've been basking in Xbox 360 goodness and haven't been payiong attention to video cards. Enlighten me please.

A better question is will the HD2900 happen for less than $250 smackers? If not, I predict a bunch more nVidia sales and AMD's stock price continuing to sink. I really, really want AMD to pull that proverbial rabbit out of the hat though. AMD is only competitive in the $350-$400 price range right now IMO, and they need a killer card in the $200-$250 price range if they want to be competitive. Not to mention, those willing to drop $350-$400 are very likely to drop the extra $100 to get the absolute best (or near the best anyway since there is an 8800GTX Ultra). Either way you look at it, the value conscience consumer is going to be on the green team for two years running unless AMD does something drastic soon.

Edit: Just in case of any fanboy comments. My recent video card purchase history is 9800XT, X800XT, X850XT, 7800GT, X1800XT, X1900XTX, 8800GTX. I have allegiance to no video card manufacturer.

If the HD2900XT drops to less than $250, I think the PSU requirements will hurt it.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: nullpointerus

Originally posted by: Golgatha

Originally posted by: Matt2

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: Creig

Originally posted by: HigherGround
$249 ... holy mother of God :shocked:

Unless AMD magically pulls a rabbit out of their hat with the 3800 series, I think I know which card I'm going to ask Mrs Santa to get me for Christmas.

Look at where the HD2900 is now, not far behind. Now, give it the AA performance boost and the rumored better performance across the board and there you have it. Faster than the 8800gt.

Now will it happen? I don't know but from the rumor mil around the net I would bet on yes right now.

plus DX10.1 whether that matters to you.

What are these performance boosts you speak of?

AMD hasn't delivered the last six months, but now they are saying it's going to happen?

I've been basking in Xbox 360 goodness and haven't been payiong attention to video cards. Enlighten me please.

A better question is will the HD2900 happen for less than $250 smackers? If not, I predict a bunch more nVidia sales and AMD's stock price continuing to sink. I really, really want AMD to pull that proverbial rabbit out of the hat though. AMD is only competitive in the $350-$400 price range right now IMO, and they need a killer card in the $200-$250 price range if they want to be competitive. Not to mention, those willing to drop $350-$400 are very likely to drop the extra $100 to get the absolute best (or near the best anyway since there is an 8800GTX Ultra). Either way you look at it, the value conscience consumer is going to be on the green team for two years running unless AMD does something drastic soon.

Edit: Just in case of any fanboy comments. My recent video card purchase history is 9800XT, X800XT, X850XT, 7800GT, X1800XT, X1900XTX, 8800GTX. I have allegiance to no video card manufacturer.

If the HD2900XT drops to less than $250, I think the PSU requirements will hurt it.

The new cards from ATI's camp will more than likely take less power. The HD2900XT is old news now and the PSu argument is pretty moot in the topic at hand here in this thread.

 

[MichaelD]

Ah, good times are coming, FINALLY. :thumbsup: I'm looking forward to a REAL battle b/t NVidia and AMD (funny...almost said ATI ) and the winner gets my money! $$$$$$$

I'm glad I have held out with my 7900GTO...I almost pulled the plug on a 8800GTS 640 so many times, it's not funny.

I've planned roughly $350 for my next GPU upgrade...but would go higher if the card really is "all that and a bag of chips. We'll see what comes down the pipe.

I may just say "screw it!" and buy the 8800GT when it first hits...and try to sell it later.

The thoughts of a dual-GPU on a single card, high-end card, even at $500 makes me dizzy with imagined gaming goodness.

I should add that I play at 1920x1200 (with AA/AF when I can get away w/it)_, so I really WILL use any graphics-muscle there is in the new cards.

 

[alcoholbob]

8800GT SLI is indeed 1 TFLOPs+ for $500, hehe.

 

[GeneralOreo]

Wow that's awesome. I'm thinking of either going with the 1GB version (isn't that just a rumor though?) or two 512MB ones in SLI. I've never done SLI before - would the performance boost be around 2X a single card or less? Two of these overclocked is what I'm thinking.

 

[Ctrackstar126]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Ah, good times are coming, FINALLY. :thumbsup: I'm looking forward to a REAL battle b/t NVidia and AMD (funny...almost said ATI ) and the winner gets my money! $$$$$$$

I'm glad I have held out with my 7900GTO...I almost pulled the plug on a 8800GTS 640 so many times, it's not funny.

I've planned roughly $350 for my next GPU upgrade...but would go higher if the card really is "all that and a bag of chips. We'll see what comes down the pipe.

I may just say "screw it!" and buy the 8800GT when it first hits...and try to sell it later.

The thoughts of a dual-GPU on a single card, high-end card, even at $500 makes me dizzy with imagined gaming goodness.

I should add that I play at 1920x1200 (with AA/AF when I can get away w/it)_, so I really WILL use any graphics-muscle there is in the new cards.

Yea im in the same boat. My 7900gto has been more than enough and now im glad I didn't give in. I held out mostly because I know the intense games would start coming out in November and really couldnt see anything that was out that would really give me a boost.

This also may be the first time I have even considered SLI. Esp with the single slot.

 

[bryanW1995]

3 problems.

1. there is no 1gb card planned for either 8800gt or rv670. these are both "midrange" cards. maybe there will be one in r680 or g100.
2. sli is nowhere close to a 100% increase in performance. It does help quite a bit at very high res, however.
3. overclocking in sli is highly difficult and not usually recommended.

 

[alcoholbob]

Hah, I don't really see the benefit of 1GB unless you play old games.

If you attempt something like 8xAA/16xAF with higher resolutions you'll probably have fairly bad performance anyway, it'll be like the 640mb vs 320mb GTS in World in Conflict DX10--would you rather have the card that gives you average/low of 19fps/7fps or 13fps/6fps, lol. (I wouldn't play either one).

Maybe if they have a crazy new 640mb GTS but in that case, how would they even justify selling the GTX/Ultra? Scary thing is some people will probably still buy the GTX/Ultra because they assume more cost = better.

 

[GeneralOreo]

Originally posted by: bryanW1995
3 problems.

1. there is no 1gb card planned for either 8800gt or rv670. these are both "midrange" cards. maybe there will be one in r680 or g100.
2. sli is nowhere close to a 100% increase in performance. It does help quite a bit at very high res, however.
3. overclocking in sli is highly difficult and not usually recommended.

Heh, guess I'll just go with one 512MB card and just overclock that. Thanks for the info, I'm a noob at this stuff.

 

[Rusin]

Originally posted by: GeneralOreo
Wow that's awesome. I'm thinking of either going with the 1GB version (isn't that just a rumor though?) or two 512MB ones in SLI. I've never done SLI before - would the performance boost be around 2X a single card or less? Two of these overclocked is what I'm thinking.

There will be 1GB versions of these 8800 GT-cards. They aren't Nvidia's official models; some manufacturers special versions (Like 8500GT 1GB). There won't be much benefit from that kind of amount of memory..though.

 

[geokilla]

You guys are complaining about the upgrades with a 7900GTO and like a 1950Pro. I'm still using a X850XT! But then I didn't really want to upgrade cus I was waiting for something like the 8800GT to come out . Plus, I'm stuck with my 17 inch monitor that can only do 1280X1024 with 16ms, giving myself a reason to stop myself from upgrading.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Rusin

Originally posted by: GeneralOreo
Wow that's awesome. I'm thinking of either going with the 1GB version (isn't that just a rumor though?) or two 512MB ones in SLI. I've never done SLI before - would the performance boost be around 2X a single card or less? Two of these overclocked is what I'm thinking.

There will be 1GB versions of these 8800 GT-cards. They aren't Nvidia's official models; some manufacturers special versions (Like 8500GT 1GB). There won't be much benefit from that kind of amount of memory..though.

512 seems to be the sweet spot for most.

 

[1ManArmY]

I think the 8800 GT 512 mb will be a nice upgrade for me especially for 250 - 270 dollars; 7800 GTX to 8800 GT until the next high end drops next year.

 

[Rusin]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003


512 seems to be the sweet spot for most.

Yeah.. I think performance difference will be higher with 8800 GT 256 vs. 512 than with 8800 GTS 320 vs. 640.

1024MB version won't be necessary, but will sell enough..there are enough fools out there.
----
Waiting for new 8800 GTS 640MB..but I'm not in very big hurry for new card.. this old 8800 GTS 640MB is still decent (well fourth best in DX10 after 8800 GT, GTX and Ultra)

Or if HD3870 can come around a tree and suprise me .