BFG GeForce 6800 GS OC - weird specifications

[MalcolmCarmen]

I was looking at the BFG GeForce 6800 GS OC (an AGP model):
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...chTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1779348

Pretty good price, if it is a GS (a 6800GS is about on par with a 7600GT, 5-15% less performance). I'd like to see some benchmarks for it, but none exist. The next best thing? Go look at other "stock" 6800GS cards, right?

The problem is, I can't decide if it is a "real" GS that BF is offering. BFG specs are here:
http://www.bfgtech.com/6800GSOC.html

Core Clock: 370 MHz (vs. 350MHZ standard)

I went to read some 6800GS reviews, mostly vanilla models: http://www.nvidia.com/page/6800_reviews.html

Basically all of those reviews put a 6800GS at "425MHz in the GeForce 6800 GS specification" (http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/geforce-6800gs_2.html).

Even weirder, I saw that a regular 6800 has as stock speed of 350MHz (the same stock speed claimed by this BFG 6800GS).

So, it BFG selling a souped up 6800 that has everything but the clock speed of a GS, slapping a GS label on, then not clocking it at or above GS specs?

I emailed them about this, and I also asked how many pipelines it has (I assume it should be 12). I'll post the reply here if I get one.

 

[Mavrick007]

The difference is between AGP and PCI-Express:

GeForce 6800 GS PCX 12 5 256-bit GDDR3/128/256MB 425MHz 1000MHz
GeForce 6800 GS AGP 12 5 256-bit GDDR3/128/256MB 350MHz 1000MHz

The AGP has a slower core than the PCI-Express version.. so when BFG states their clock speeds as an OC, it's because it is an overclock from the standard stock speeds. I have the BFG GeForce 6800 GS AGP card as well.

 

[MalcolmCarmen]

Ah, I see. Thanks Mavrick007

So if I want to view some comparable benchmarks, I should probably look at PCIe regular 6800s with similar memory specs, which would have the same clock speed at stock.

However, in the long run, do you think that the slower core matters much? I'm sure it would probably bump up some more with extra OCing, hopefully bringing it closer the the PCIe counterpart's speed.

 

[blckgrffn]

The AGP 6800 could hit 425, but more likely 400 is a sure shot

Nat

 

[Matt2]

I wonder if this 6800GS is unlockable.

 

[MalcolmCarmen]

Some of the reviews at tiger say it is. Now, I'm off on another tangent looking at X800 GTOs... they are competing with the 6800 sub-ultras in my favorite games fairly well: HL2 and FarCry. They are also a mere $130 or less on newegg, as opposed to the $160+ for a GS/ultra O_O

http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/dig.../itogi-video-hl1-wxp-aaa-1600-agp.html


I hate graphics card shopping.

 

[Matt2]

if you can get that last quad unlocked and OC that GS to ~400+, the GS will come out on top of the X800GTO.

Be careful though, not all 6800GS are able to unlock the last 4 pipes and vertex shader.

Why not check out the FS/T forums? I'm sure you can find a great deal on something in there.

 

[blckgrffn]

In the hot deals forum, there is a link to an open box x800GTO from newegg, 12 pipes 400/980 that will seriously stand up that GS, and it is something like $90 shipped.

Good luck

If it (GS) can unlock though, you are in business! Usually it's hit or miss on that, though...

Nat

 

[Matt2]

IF you can scour the FS/T forums and find an Connect3D X800GTO or an X800GTO^2 that unlock to X850XT, then you'll really be in business.

 

[blckgrffn]

I guess I do have an x800xt with an artic cooler FS for $125 shipped, I had kind of forgotten about it... haven't even listed it yet, and have had it in a box for a couple weeks

Nat

 

[beggerking]

damn the NV marketing.. they could have made both version the same speed, but they just have to make the distinction that PCI-e is somehow "better"..

 

[blckgrffn]

Originally posted by: beggerking
damn the NV marketing.. they could have made both version the same speed, but they just have to make the distinction that PCI-e is somehow "better"..

I think that it has more to do with the AGP core being bigger and older (broken pure video, disabled pipes and vertex shader) than with nvidia just deciding the PCIe part should run faster. Heck, I had PCIe 6800GS hit 525/1200, which just isn't going to happen on AGP. The core is just different.

Nat

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: blckgrffn
I think that it has more to do with the AGP core being bigger and older

That sounds about right. IIRC the AGP core is the original 6800 series with all 16 pipes, some disabled as needed. Those original cores needed a bridge chip when used on PCI-E. The "new" core is native PCI-E and is only 12 pipes, but clocks better.

 

[Mavrick007]

Originally posted by: blckgrffn

Originally posted by: beggerking
damn the NV marketing.. they could have made both version the same speed, but they just have to make the distinction that PCI-e is somehow "better"..

I think that it has more to do with the AGP core being bigger and older (broken pure video, disabled pipes and vertex shader) than with nvidia just deciding the PCIe part should run faster. Heck, I had PCIe 6800GS hit 525/1200, which just isn't going to happen on AGP. The core is just different.

Nat

It does have to do with the core itself. The AGP is using the NV40 core and has had 4 pipes cut/disabled, while the PCI-Express is using the NV42 core and does not include those pipes and is not unlockable.

My BFG 6800GS card was able to unlock the pipes and extra shader unit so it's running at 16 pp/6 vp. It's not a bad card really, it has 256bit memory with 256megs of DDR3 ram and the best I had mine clocked at was 401core/1088memory so not bad considering.

I also have a Apollo 6800nu AGP that was able to unlock and overclocked to almost the same 420 core/ 921 memory since it's also using the same NV40 core.

 

[beggerking]

they do have a bridge chip that they used for 7800gs for AGP, which was again clocked down/ piped down...

 

[blckgrffn]

Originally posted by: beggerking
they do have a bridge chip that they used for 7800gs for AGP, which was again clocked down/ piped down...

And I have seen at least one GS that was this type at it's full clocks. But that bridge chip does add cost and complexity, and I wouldn't expect too many AIB partners are excited about AGP anymore...

 

[Highly Likely]

Hello
I have 6800 GS AGP from evga clocked at 400/1100.
Extra pipes where unlockable but once unlocked gave me a corrupt signal (so they where unusable). Very disappointing, plus I had problems with DVI-D recognition.

I also have problems with AA and Aniso, but that may be my ram.

The stock fan is soooo loud.
The card has juice for 16x12 res with some medium to high video settings (Hitman blood money @ 15-22fps, high settings 16x12 on a barton 2,2 and 1gig ddr400 value ram).

Well i dont like the 6800 gs: it feels like a recycled 6800GT with some pipes that didn't work.
I would still recommend a x800xt all-in-wonder or the latest x1950pro agp.

If your pipes are healthy, then this thread is for you :

http://www.aoaforums.com/forum/hardware...mod-your-6800gs-agp-ultra-extreme.html

Cheers