Looking for a 6800GT, are they all the same?

[sd]

I know the BFG is clocked higher, but are all the brands the same for the most part?

Can anyone recommend a brand over another? Not really interested in the "software apckage" unless it comes with Doom3.

Thanks

 

[DaveSimmons]

search 6800GT here and in Video forum for a bunch of threads last month when Doom Fever infected the AT populace

 

[denon]

basically they are all the same. just about every card i have seen has good reviews. i have an eVGA 6800GT which is great. i have heard good things about the leadtek, bfg, and pny. i think that if you get any of those you will be very happy.

 

[Actaeon]

You're correct on just about every instance. The BFG is clocked 20mhz faster on the core. If you aren't into overclocking, it can be a good thing, since you're getting higher performance while still having a warranty, and the overclock is 100% guaranteed. If you overclock yourself, its no big deal, because you'll probally push it higher anyway.

Another consideration should be warranties from individual manufacturers. BFG carries a true lifetime warranty with 24/7 Tech Support. I've heard nothing but good things about BFG's service. No other manufacturer carries such services. That is one of the reasons why I chose BFG for my 6800GT.

PNY has a "Lifetime" warranty, but thats only through the lifetime of the product cycle, meaning, if they stop producing that card next week, its warranty is out. I consider that misleading, and I would never purchase a product from them just for unethical advertising.

You said you wern't interested in software bundles unless it includes Doom3, well check out Nvidia's 6800 + Doom3 bundles page. Those are manufacturers who are bundling Doom3 with 6800s (some NUs, some GTs).

Goodluck.

 

[araczynski]

they're pretty much the same, other then heatsink designs. I bought the leadtech 6800 GT because it used the same huge heatsink as their ultra line, which to me translated to better cooling and in theory perhaps better overclocking capability. i have it running at 420/1100, haven't tried any higher though.

best money i've ever spent on an upgrade

 

[sd]

Thanks guys

 

[Bateluer]

eVGA is at Newegg bundled with Doom 3 right now.

Most GTs are exactly same, with only minor differences. BFG OCs theirs at the factory. Gainward puts a top notch cooler on theirs, etc. Most vendors seem to just change the sticker on the fan and customize their own software bundle.

 

[dmw16]

I have an eVGA and love it. I would get it if it comes w/ DOom3. Perosnally, i think the leadtek heatsink is unattractive. My apartmentmate got one and it is kinda ugly lookin...dunno, its maybe just me.

 

[sd]

I went with the BFG. Thanks again guys

 

[Bonesdad]

Originally posted by: dmw16
I have an eVGA and love it. I would get it if it comes w/ DOom3. Perosnally, i think the leadtek heatsink is unattractive. My apartmentmate got one and it is kinda ugly lookin...dunno, its maybe just me.

Yah, you're kinda ugly....

 

[mastrduke]

does one gt have a better heatsink then another as i dont want to put my own on...im going to use all parts i get stock...no ocing or putting on heatsinks

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: dmw16
I have an eVGA and love it. I would get it if it comes w/ DOom3. Perosnally, i think the leadtek heatsink is unattractive. My apartmentmate got one and it is kinda ugly lookin...dunno, its maybe just me.

hehe I htink the leadtek looks the best!

 

[darXoul]

IMHO, Leadtek's cooler looks way better IRL than on pics. I thought it was quite ugly as well until I actually got the card. It's quite nice IMO. BTW, even though I have a case with window, the cooler is barely visible of course (facing down, quite predictably) but the card itself with the semi-transparent black cooler's casing and the golden Leadtek inscription on it looks very fine.

 

[Maximus96]

I bought the gainward one, has a nice copper heatsink and two fans and encased in red aluminum. drawback is that it hogs up the PCI slot next to it

 

[mastrduke]

which one has the best stock heatsink because i dont want to change anything after i get it and which has the best warranty also?

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: dmw16
I have an eVGA and love it. I would get it if it comes w/ DOom3. Perosnally, i think the leadtek heatsink is unattractive. My apartmentmate got one and it is kinda ugly lookin...dunno, its maybe just me.

I'd rather buy the one that performed better than the one that looked prettier. I'm gonna spend a heck of alot more time looking at the monitor than looking in my case. Of course, that's just me.

I'm in the same predicament as well, trying to figure out what kind of 6800 GT to buy. I'm also hoping the prices will drop a little bit (or maybe finding a decent sale like Best Buy's $360 BFG sale a while ago) before I buy. Out of curiosity, how difficult is it to OC the card? araczynski's 420/1100 doesn't sound too shabby to meh.

-Kabob

 

[caz67]

They are all very similar, however i would go with the Leadtek or MSi, as these models offer better cooling solutions.

 

[Lokan]

Originally posted by: Actaeon

Another consideration should be warranties from individual manufacturers. BFG carries a true lifetime warranty with 24/7 Tech Support. I've heard nothing but good things about BFG's service. No other manufacturer carries such services. That is one of the reasons why I chose BFG for my 6800GT.

PNY has a "Lifetime" warranty, but thats only through the lifetime of the product cycle, meaning, if they stop producing that card next week, its warranty is out. I consider that misleading, and I would never purchase a product from them just for unethical advertising.

Goodluck.

I know the OP said he got the BFG (great choice btw, I got theirs too and it's a damn nice card) already but I wanted to echo what Actaeon said about PNY's shadiness. I bought two of their Ti4600 boards when they first debuted and two years later, both of their fans died within a month of each other. Now at that time they claimed to have a 3 year warrenty, however, upon contacting PNY (I even registered the damn things w/ their card!), I was informed that the card is no longer being produced and considered "obsolete" by today's standards, thus since it's out of product cycle, I was better off "upgrading". I told the phone person that I registered for a 3 year warrenty and expected the cards to be serviced/replaced and he cited the product lifecycle clause and told me there was nothing he could do. Needless to say I hung up the phone, filed a complaint with my state's attornys office and was compensated some trivial amount. The message in this story though is that I'll NEVER support any of their products in the future and I caution each and everyone else I interact with to do the same so they don't have to experience the frustrations of empty promises and warrenties that only exist if it's convienient with them.