8800GT vs. 8800 GTS

[MegaVovaN]

Hi all!
I (hopefully) will be upgrading my computer in about 2 weeks.
Here are approximate parts I chose.

I see people in Hot Deals getting 8800GTS for $270 (AR), and 8800GT is on Newegg for $270. Which should I buy and why?

 

[Pacfanweb]

There's a new GTS and an old GTS. The GT is better than the old one (faster and cheaper) and is slightly slower than the new one, but is still a better deal, as it's quite a bit cheaper than the new one.

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
There's a new GTS and an old GTS. The GT is better than the old one (faster and cheaper) and is slightly slower than the new one, but is still a better deal, as it's quite a bit cheaper than the new one.

The new GTS 512 can be found for $279 after rebate + shipping right now. Not that much cheaper for a GT, if you can find them!

 

[Syntax Error]

8800GTs have great price-to-performance ratios IF you could find them at launch prices ($229-$249). The 8800GTS retails normally around $299-349 as MSRP, though I don't keep track of how much it is in reality, it may be higher or lower than that. Keeping the 8800GT MSRP in mind ($250) versus the 8800GTS's MSRP ($350), the 8800GT possesses much better value, IMO, considering that the GTS doesn't have a sizeable performance increase, but does boast a much more effective stock cooler. In my mind, I see the 8800GTS costing around $100 more for a better cooler, essentially.

The reality, however, is a bit different. 8800GT is hard to find and its prices are higher than they were at stock (normally around $269-299, even >$300 at some places). 8800GTS prices fares better (after everyone got the 8800GT, really) and supply seems to be pretty good.

Also, the Fry's deal with $20 MIR offers an 8800GTS for $279, which, IMO, is worth it over an 8800GT at $250 (if you can find one!).

(Add the 8800GTS to the cart to see the price and apply for the MIR [pay $299 up front, not bad, on the lower spectrum of the GTS' MSRP] for a good deal )

 

[Puffnstuff]

Well within the last month I've purchased an 8800gt and a gts. The gt cost me $302 and the gts was $371 with 3 day shipping. Now newegg has a $20 MIR on the evga gts further reducing the cost gap. I'd pay a little more for the extra sp's and the better cooler. I'm also going to explore stepping up the gt before the window expires. You've gotta love evga's step up program. I didn't use it the last time when I bought my 7800gt co and the 7900 came out a month later.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Thanks for replies guys!
My budget for video card was $260 initially (to fit in $700 total shipped), but I can stretch it.


The 8800GT is still above MSRP. Cheapest is $270 at the Egg, and that has weak cooler, judging by the picture.

The 8800GTS (new one) can be found within/below MSRP. Fry's deal aside (it may not be there when I will be buying, and I would like EVGA step-up program vs. PNY), EVGA 8800GTS is 360 - 20 MIR = 340. Comes with Crysis too.
Or I can get XFX 8800GTS (new) for 340-20 = $320 - it has good cooling and a free game that I don't carew about (Company of Heroes). It also does not have step-up program.

So in short, I'll try to get 8800GTS (new) for, at worst, $80 more ($340AR for EVGA 8800GTS - 260 initial budget = $80 more) than I allotted for video card initially, as long as it is EVGA.


edit: reasons why I am not so hot about Fry's deal:
1. It is a PNY, and I don't like it, EVGA and XFX >>>> PNY.
2. Does not come with setp-up program. 8 series have been out for a while, I believe there is a good chance that 9 series will be released in 3 months.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
The 8800GT is still above MSRP. Cheapest is $270 at the Egg, and that has weak cooler, judging by the picture.

Actually your local Best Buy may have it in stock for $250, and there are some 10%/12% off coupons floating around.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...oduct&id=1190678470708

It was ~$220 incl. tax a week or two ago.

 

[MegaVovaN]

John, there are six Best Buys near me (zip: 77096) and one of them has the deal you listed in stock, at least according to their web site.
$220 for GT vs. $320 for GTS
GT is clear winner at this price

I shall see how prices will change 1.5 weeks from now!


edit: 8800GT for ~$220 is not just a hot deal, or a smoking deal. Nope, this deal is on fire! :thumbsup:

edit2: pun intended about deal on fire (commenters cry about stock cooler @ BB web site)

 

[loafbred]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
John, there are six Best Buys near me (zip: 77096) and one of them has the deal you listed in stock, at least according to their web site.
$220 for GT vs. $320 for GTS
GT is clear winner at this price

I shall see how prices will change 1.5 weeks from now!


edit: 8800GT for ~$220 is not just a hot deal, or a smoking deal. Nope, this deal is on fire! :thumbsup:

Edit: BB has indeed lowered price again for the 512MB model, so ignore my comment below regarding it possibly being 256MB.

HOLD EVERYTHING! That card at Best Buy probably has 256MB of memory, which makes it a typical price. The hot deal from a little over a week ago was ~$220 for the 512MB model. ZipZoomFly has the XFX 512MB GTS for $329 with a $20 MIR, and two-day shipping is very cheap. Here's the link.

 

[MegaVovaN]

loafbred - This is why I started thread a week+ in advance of actually buying anything
ZZF deal is hot, $310 AR for XFX 8800GTS!

The card linked to BB by John has 512mb memory, and if/when I decide to buy it locally, I will be extra careful to make sure it is 512mb. Thanks for bringing my attention to it!

 

[loafbred]

Glad to help, I just ordered the GTS a few minutes ago, to replace a 7900 GTX in my second machine.
EDIT: See new thread for good deal at BB.

 

[Syntax Error]

I thought the BFG 8800GTs at Best Buy were 512MB? In which case, that makes it the best deal available at the moment to get an 8800GT at nominal prices, and with instant gratification as you pick it up in-store.

 

[onikage01]

Unfortunately in my area all the BB's listed don't have it *sniffle*

 

[loafbred]

Originally posted by: Syntax Error
I thought the BFG 8800GTs at Best Buy were 512MB? In which case, that makes it the best deal available at the moment to get an 8800GT at nominal prices, and with instant gratification as you pick it up in-store.

It is the 512MB version... I misunderstood when he mentioned BB having it for $220, assuming that it was still priced at $279, and ~$250 with a coupon. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[JustaGeek]

Go get it guys for $221.75 here

The BFG 8800GT OC.