8800GTS 640Meg now or wait?

[DasSmoof]

I've been having a debate with myself, trying to figure out if I want to purchase an 8800GTS at the moment. I'm currently surviving on a 6800GS from a while ago and while it works, I'm fairly limited in my gaming selection. I recently read about the new 89xx series coming to market in March or April, so I'm wondering if I ought to wait. I saw the rumored spec sheets floating around and from the looks of it, the 8800GTS is still a viable option, but is it liable to be completely obsolete by the time the newer cards arrive to market?

 

[CaiNaM]

i just bought another GTS. was considering some of the same things you were, and went ahead and ordered an EVGA today. my thinking was that, if the 8900 comes out with something worthwhile before the end of may and i can't sell my card for a decent price, i can always use evga's stepup. no biggie if i have to pay msrp on the new one, as that soon to release you'll likely have to pay msrp anywhere you get it..

 

[JPB]

I'd say go for it. Once the 8900 series comes out, you can step up to a 8900GTS, which should be a hair faster than the 8800GTX is now. Thats my plans.

 

[DasSmoof]

What are your folks plans to sell your 8800GTS? I'd rather not have the bother of selling my card, but would rather just stick with it. The 8800GTS is falling right about into my price range about now ($400) and if the rumors are true, then the 8900GTS will be $100 more. What kind of benefit would a mere step up in memory do? That is...GDDR3 as opposed to GDDR4 on the 8900GTS. I also see that it's rumored the 8900GTS will use the 80nm process, which I'm assuming would mean less heat and less power consumption, resulting in more overclockability?

Also, I just realized, you talk of "step-up" what is that? I've not heard of it. The card I was considering is a Leadtek.

 

[JPB]

If you want step up...then go with EVGA....you can send them your card ( after registering it ) and only pay the difference between what you paid for your card, and for say ( the 8900GTS) maybe $50 total .

EXAMPLE : If you pay $400 for your 8800GTS, then if you step up to 8900GTS and its $450, you will send them your card with $50.............I know im gonna

For more info, check out EVGA's site.

Yea, should be less power consum and heat. Better overclocks ( hopefully ) and from the leaked specs, the 8900GTS SHOULD be faster than the 8800GTX is now.

EDIT : Here is the card I purchased..... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130071

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: DasSmoof
What are your folks plans to sell your 8800GTS? I'd rather not have the bother of selling my card, but would rather just stick with it. The 8800GTS is falling right about into my price range about now ($400) and if the rumors are true, then the 8900GTS will be $100 more. What kind of benefit would a mere step up in memory do? That is...GDDR3 as opposed to GDDR4 on the 8900GTS.

so why are you debating with yourself to wait for an 8900 series or not?

I also see that it's rumored the 8900GTS will use the 80nm process, which I'm assuming would mean less heat and less power consumption, resulting in more overclockability?

or at least higher attainable clockspeeds....

Also, I just realized, you talk of "step-up" what is that? I've not heard of it. The card I was considering is a Leadtek.

evga offeres what they call a 'step-up' program.

let's use the card i bought today as an example.

the price i paid for the card is $372. let's say, on april 15, nvidia releases the 8900GTS, and it has more shader processors, higher clockspeeds, and it's a lot faster than the current GTS.. at an MSRP of $499.

i can use use evga's step up program, and they will take my card as a 'trade-in' at the price i purchased it. i would have to pay to ship my card to evga, and would have to pay their MSRP ($499) plus shipping for the new card.

so i would pay a difference of $127 ($499 - $372) plus shipping and get a new 8900GTS.

under the 'step-up' program, i can only do this once, and it has to be within 90 days of when i bought my card.

 

[JPB]

Originally posted by: CaiNaM

Originally posted by: DasSmoof
What are your folks plans to sell your 8800GTS? I'd rather not have the bother of selling my card, but would rather just stick with it. The 8800GTS is falling right about into my price range about now ($400) and if the rumors are true, then the 8900GTS will be $100 more. What kind of benefit would a mere step up in memory do? That is...GDDR3 as opposed to GDDR4 on the 8900GTS.

so why are you debating with yourself to wait for an 8900 series or not?

I also see that it's rumored the 8900GTS will use the 80nm process, which I'm assuming would mean less heat and less power consumption, resulting in more overclockability?

or at least higher attainable clockspeeds....

Also, I just realized, you talk of "step-up" what is that? I've not heard of it. The card I was considering is a Leadtek.

evga offeres what they call a 'step-up' program.

let's use the card i bought today as an example.

the price i paid for the card is $372. let's say, on april 15, nvidia releases the 8900GTS, and it has more shader processors, higher clockspeeds, and it's a lot faster than the current GTS.. at an MSRP of $499.

i can use use evga's step up program, and they will take my card as a 'trade-in' at the price i purchased it. i would have to pay to ship my card to evga, and would have to pay their MSRP ($499) plus shipping for the new card.

so i would pay a difference of $127 ($499 - $372) plus shipping and get a new 8900GTS.

under the 'step-up' program, i can only do this once, and it has to be within 90 days of when i bought my card.

Speaking of the step up program. I know about it an all, and that you have to use it withing 90 days. But lets say, I step up to the 8900GTS within my 90 days. THEN...I turn around and want to step up to a 8900GTX in the next 90 days...do they allow that ?

Or is it only once in a life time per consumer ?

OR....would I need to purchase the 8900GTX from Newegg....then step up again to whatever is released after that. If its within 90 days.

 

[Cheex]

Good question. I want to know more as well.

 

[DasSmoof]

Thanks for the info, folks. Looks like I'll go with an EVGA after all and just buy one now

 

[thatguy82]

I'm almost positive you can only step up once. That's what it said 2 days ago when I was reading the terms after picking up my 8800gtx ac3.

 

[Zebo]

Is there any danger EVGA will show out of stock and you are screwed on stepup due to passing of time past 90 days?

I have never used a stepup but I have seen them OOS on the GTX and GTS on thier site for about 3 months after these cards came out and it got me to thinking stepup people could be SOL if EVGA gives first priority to their vendors.

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: JPB

Originally posted by: CaiNaM

Originally posted by: DasSmoof
What are your folks plans to sell your 8800GTS? I'd rather not have the bother of selling my card, but would rather just stick with it. The 8800GTS is falling right about into my price range about now ($400) and if the rumors are true, then the 8900GTS will be $100 more. What kind of benefit would a mere step up in memory do? That is...GDDR3 as opposed to GDDR4 on the 8900GTS.

so why are you debating with yourself to wait for an 8900 series or not?

I also see that it's rumored the 8900GTS will use the 80nm process, which I'm assuming would mean less heat and less power consumption, resulting in more overclockability?

or at least higher attainable clockspeeds....

Also, I just realized, you talk of "step-up" what is that? I've not heard of it. The card I was considering is a Leadtek.

evga offeres what they call a 'step-up' program.

let's use the card i bought today as an example.

the price i paid for the card is $372. let's say, on april 15, nvidia releases the 8900GTS, and it has more shader processors, higher clockspeeds, and it's a lot faster than the current GTS.. at an MSRP of $499.

i can use use evga's step up program, and they will take my card as a 'trade-in' at the price i purchased it. i would have to pay to ship my card to evga, and would have to pay their MSRP ($499) plus shipping for the new card.

so i would pay a difference of $127 ($499 - $372) plus shipping and get a new 8900GTS.

under the 'step-up' program, i can only do this once, and it has to be within 90 days of when i bought my card.

Speaking of the step up program. I know about it an all, and that you have to use it withing 90 days. But lets say, I step up to the 8900GTS within my 90 days. THEN...I turn around and want to step up to a 8900GTX in the next 90 days...do they allow that ?

Or is it only once in a life time per consumer ?

OR....would I need to purchase the 8900GTX from Newegg....then step up again to whatever is released after that. If its within 90 days.

you only get one.

iirc if you later buy another evga product, it will qualify for 1 step-up. i'm pretty sure the "one time" use applies to the card, not the customer.

edit: "Participants in the EVGA Step-up? Program are welcome to use the program one (1) time per new card purchase. Once you have received your Step-up? card, the Step-up? card is not allowed to be used in this program."

http://www.evga.com/stepup/default.asp?switch=2

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: Zebo
Is there any danger EVGA will show out of stock and you are screwed on stepup due to passing of time past 90 days?

I have never used a stepup but I have seen them OOS on the GTX and GTS on thier site for about 3 months after these cards came out and it got me to thinking stepup people could be SOL if EVGA gives first priority to their vendors.

no, as long as your "step-up" is approved within the required 90 days.