So what exactly is the difference between the 8800GT and the 9800GT

[faxon]

everything between the 2 cards is identical. they are the same card clock for clock as they are both built on the G92 chip and have the same number of SPUs operating at the same frequency, they use the same ram. the only difference i see so far is Tri-SLI support. is this really it or did i miss something critical?

 

[error8]

There is no difference between them, really. Nvidia just renamed the 8800 GT to 9800 GT and that is all. There is a rumor that there will be a 9800 GT that will use a 55 nm variation of the G92 chip so, less power consumption and better overclockability ( maybe) , but I haven't seen one on the market yet.

 

[faxon]

yea that is the only way that having a 9800GT in its current configuration would make any ounce of sense.

 

[Keysplayr]

9800GT may have Hybrid Power support. Not totally sure on that so don't quote me. I could look into it.

 

[Golgatha]

Not that this is critical, but I think the hardware supports hardware VC-1 decoding now.

 

[justinburton]

Basically it is a die shrink from 65nm to 55nm. Hybridpower tech is also added. 8800GT is G92, 9800GT is G92b.
" Nvidia's plan to shift from 65nm to 55nm to lower costs is bearing fruit and we have the first 9800 GT 55nm in our hands. The biggest difference compared to the 65nm version is its support for HybridPower technology that is not included on 65nm-based 9800 GT cards.

The new core is revision B and it has a smaller die size (55nm - ca. 270mm2 ) compared to revision A (65nm - ca. 330mm2). "

This article explains it all: http://www.fudzilla.com/index....=view&id=8724&Itemid=1

 

[PingSpike]

Video card naming madness continues. You cannot defeat the marketing naming machine. As soon as you begin to grasp its nature, the beast transforms, making your adaptations worthless! No potential customer's mind shall be spared the ravaging and inevitable buyer's remorse.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: faxon
the only difference i see so far is Tri-SLI support.

No Tri-SLI.

Originally posted by: justinburton
Basically it is a die shrink from 65nm to 55nm. Hybridpower tech is also added.

No further comments.

 

[faxon]

mm thanks for clearing all that up. i was talking upgrades within the $150 pricetag range on another forum and i couldnt figure it out. seemed completely illogical