9800GTX worth the extra 50-60 bucks over the GTS 512MB!!

[bushwickbill]

I can't make the final decision guys. I was about to order a EVGA KO 512MB GTS for 249.00 when I saw a 9800GTX for 299.99?!?!?!?
I have read a few reviews and I don't understand why this new GTX is barely faster in gaming than the G92 GTS?
The Mem says it is 70.4 VS 64.2 GB/s, But how much performance will I really see for my extra cash by going with the GTX? I will be gaming at 1920*1200 BTW.
Why Nvidia Why are you making things difficult for the High end Gamer? Sure it has a couple cool new features, But for pure FPS it is a close race.
Can some please help me decide once and for all which way to go. I am sick of Trying to figure this out on my own.
I need some Advice. And I will be going with EVGA for the Step up Program providing something comes out within 90 Days that is better.
Thanx for any and all advice.

 

[Sylvanas]

Essentially the 9800 series is just a rehashed G92GTS (8800GTS 512mb) with a few very minor things thrown in with higher clockspeeds, thats all...its the same core. No point spending needless $$ on a 9800GTX when a G92GTS will do you fine for 99% of the games out now (exception is Crysis which nothing runs on 'max' but on Medium you will be fine)....haven't you made like 3 threads on buying a new card already?

 

[Hauk]

Despite having 9800 GTX SLI, I'd have to agree that GTS is the way to go if buying new. I stepped up just to play around with them. Three quick advantages of the GTS:

* GTX requires two 6-pin connectors compared to one for GTS.

* 9800 GTX is big! With cooler running full length of card, it seems harder to work into case than an 8800 GTX. GTS has them both beat in terms of footprint.

* Despite the reviews saying power draw isn't much more than a GTS, 9800 GTX runs quite a bit warmer. My GTS's oc'd with 60% fan idled around 46-49. Same case and airflow, GTX's idle around 62-68! That's a huge difference for a same core card. perhaps the memory and PWM's run a bit warmer. 1-piece heatsink = warmer components overall if one component runs warmer. I'd imagine DDR3 at 2300 runs warm.

One issue (which is contributing to higher temps) is the fanspeed in RivaTuner 2.8 is flaky with 9800. It keeps defaulting to auto. I'd hoped for a 60% fan start. On auto the fan does a pretty nice job though. Starts out at 37% and moves up accordingly. Seems to react much faster than with previous cards. Running Vista performance index the fans spin up immediatly to around 70%, then go back down.

 

[bushwickbill]

Yes I have made made a couple of Threads regarding buying a new GPU. At that point I was getting advice on which is better a 8800 gt or GTS G92?? Then I saw the GTX for another 50 Bucks and thought it's not that much more. Since I have two kids under five years in age don't all the time I want to do research on buying a new GPU.
But thanks for the Advice, I Broke down An ordered a 9800 GTX. Just hoping I can fit into my case, Hope I don't need to start a new thread on which case is Best, LOL.

 

[surfsatwerk]

I agree with SteelSix for the most part. I'm really happy with the how the card performs compared to the 8800 GT I stepped up from. But I have to buy a new PSU because it draws a healthy chunk more power than the 8800GT did and now I get random lockups and reboots. Don't try to skimp on the PSU with this card.

 

[CP5670]

The difference is a lot more than $40-60, more like $100. The cheapest 9800GTX on Newegg right now is the ECS one at $289 AR while the cheapest GTS is the $195 AR MSI one, which also comes with a copy of The Witcher (worth $40-50). I can't see any reason at all to get a 9800GTX at that kind of price disparity.

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: surfsatwerk
I agree with SteelSix for the most part. I'm really happy with the how the card performs compared to the 8800 GT I stepped up from. But I have to buy a new PSU because it draws a healthy chunk more power than the 8800GT did and now I get random lockups and reboots. Don't try to skimp on the PSU with this card.

That PSU should hold your system pretty well. Maybe there is something else with a problem in your computer.

 

[imported_Scoop]

Originally posted by: CP5670
The difference is a lot more than $40-60, more like $100. The cheapest 9800GTX on Newegg right now is the ECS one at $289 AR while the cheapest GTS is the $195 AR MSI one, which also comes with a copy of The Witcher (worth $40-50). I can't see any reason at all to get a 9800GTX at that kind of price disparity.

Not to mention that it uses much more power.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: CP5670
The difference is a lot more than $40-60, more like $100. The cheapest 9800GTX on Newegg right now is the ECS one at $289 AR while the cheapest GTS is the $195 AR MSI one, which also comes with a copy of The Witcher (worth $40-50). I can't see any reason at all to get a 9800GTX at that kind of price disparity.

This is the one to get. The Witcher is supposed to be a very good RPG and Atari is supposed to be releasing a free update/expansion that also supports modding next month.

 

[bushwickbill]

To get an EVGA GTS G92 the cheapest I could find was $249.99, Then a 30 Buck MIR on top of that, So it washes out at $219.99 for a KO version. The 9800GTX was 289.99, So 70 Bucks Diff. I was off by 10 Bucks. Yes I could have got the MSI Version of the GTS and a free Game but then I can't use EVGA's Step-Up Program which is my plan. Use this card till the New G200 or whatever it is going to be called comes out and use the Step-Up to Buy it
Now I do have a CoolerMaster Extreme 600Watt Duo PSU, This will be powerful enough to run this GTX right??
Thanx again for all the help guys.
This site rocks, Great community support!!

 

[Jax Omen]

Don't do it. The new card will come out right after your step-up ends and you'll be SOL. Plus, step-up leaves you GPU-less for a while.

 

[CP5670]

Use this card till the New G200 or whatever it is going to be called comes out and use the Step-Up to Buy it

Well, nobody really knows when the GT200 is coming out. 3 months is the best case scenario. I've seen dates anywhere between July and September thrown around by the rumor mill sites.

 

[Piuc2020]

If you need a card now then you shouldn't wait, just buy the damn thing instead of constantly waiting for something new.

9800GTX vs 8800GTS, only get the 9800GTX if you plan on overclocking in which case it's 0.8ns memory really helps compensate for the relatively weak 256-bit bus.

 

[hans007]

most of the reviews were done with the older "8 series" driver for the 8800gts, and the newer 9 series only non unified driver for the 9800gtx which has optimizations. nvidia will be coming out with a new unified one soon (i think its beta) but most sites did not review with that. presumeably all the driver enhancements would go to all the g92 cards...

so the big differences in most reviews is the driver. i think the driver is also responsible for how 9600gts keep up with 8800gt cards because the current shipping drivers are different versions. i suppose this is an "oversight" by review sites, or they are just doing nvidia a "favor" and helping nvidia sell more cards.