Which GTS or GT to get? 512MB ram a must.

[taltamir]

Anyone knows on a currently active deal for a cheap GT or GTSv3 that comes with a quality alternative cooler?
EDIT: I mean a cheaper store... I have seen the EVGA GTS 512mb on a link somehwere around here for 320$ with 10$ MIR, free shipping, and crysis... but I can't find the link again.
Frys electronic has it for 350$ + 30$ tax and no crysis / rebates...

512MB of ram a must.

ok I dug some and found the following:

http://www.ncixus.com/products...X/Galaxy%20Technology/
Galaxy GT with custom cooler... for 237$ -20$ MIR with 12$ express shipping (second day)
Anyone knows about the quality of galaxy? Long lasting hardware? decent warranty?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814143119
BFG GTS with stock cooler... 310 -30 MIR +7 shipping
I heard BFG was really good, or am I confusing them with someone... how is their warranty?

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=10007490
250 + unknown shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121224
260 with free shipping.
Asus GT with custom cooler. Asus makes quality mobos, but what about video cards? anyone got a take on their warranty?

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=PLT-88GTXT
Palit GT 250$ with free shipping.
I heard the name palit dropped a few times, but all I know about them is that they always make creative coolers for GPUs... never heard if they are actually any good, or how reliable they are warranty-wise

How about the good old evga?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130325
eVGA GTS for 320 - 20MIR + 7 shipping


Normally I couldn't give about warranty. But the undercooled 8800 series has been dropping like flys. I got an evga 8800GTS 512 from frys and it died the first day... i got another and had to push the fanspped up from 29 to 52%.. its still working, but I payed 390$ for it. This is bull. I am gonna return it and buy something online at close to 100$ less, or almost 200$ less for a GT...




UPDATE:
I decided to go with this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150261
310$ - 20 MIR + 6.30$ 3day shipping.
XFX GTS

The XFX is unique in that the lifetime warranty lasts for as long as YOU live (not expected lifetime of product, aka 3 years)... while there are two other companies that do the same, they don't allow you transfer the warranty to another person... which is what I am gonna do in a couple of months (probably) when I buy a 9800GTX (if its not overpriced as hell) and sell this on ebay.

I would NOT go with eVGA step up because they do NOT cross ship... and limit availability of new cards for the step up plan... I don't see any reason to be stuck for weeks without a video card.

 

[Syntax Error]

ECS 8800GT? But in another thread you said you abhorred ECS as a brand, but it DOES come with a stock Accelero S1 cooler.

Or, get an EVGA 8800GT with a better warranty and slap on your own cooler on it.

 

[taltamir]

I meant a cheaper store... I have seen the EVGA GTS 512mb on a link somehwere around here for 320$ with MIR, free shipping, and crysis... but I can't find the link again.
Frys electronic has it for 350$ + 30$ tax and no crysis...

I also saw a link for a rather good brand name with a different cooler (I have seen the ECS one)... again I can't find the link...

 

[taltamir]

delete

 

[Miklebud]

I <3 my EVGA GTS. With the fan running at 29%, it's silent and cool. I had no problems with heat at 29%... I think you just got a bad card from Fry's. It's now running at 60% and it's still quiet and much cooler.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

ECS 8800GT $276 total after shipping at newegg.

Comes with Accelero S1.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: BlueAcolyte
ECS 8800GT $276 total after shipping at newegg.

Comes with Accelero S1.

It also comes with a less than stellar 1yr. warranty. I'd rather spend $30 extra and get an EVGA/BFG/XFX w/ lifetime warranty and put the Accelero on it.

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: Miklebud
I <3 my EVGA GTS. With the fan running at 29%, it's silent and cool. I had no problems with heat at 29%... I think you just got a bad card from Fry's. It's now running at 60% and it's still quiet and much cooler.

The second card was idling at 75c at 29% fan (I didn't dare load it with such a high idle)... and is getting idle 49c at 52% fan and max 71c at 52% fan...

So since both cards were getting insanely high temps I am inclined to believe it wasn't a coincidence. Although it COULD be a batch of bad cards...

Or maybe the first card was running much hotter then that and I didn't notice... it DID make a smoke smell.
Anyways aren't you saying you are speeding up the fan manually to 60% yourself? why if its so good.

Anyways I am sure its NOT limited to eVGA, and since I know I can easily up the fan manually like you did... I would just PREFER a better cooler if I can.

Originally posted by: BlueAcolyte
ECS 8800GT $276 total after shipping at newegg.

Comes with Accelero S1.

Thanks for that suggestion but I would prefer to not get an ECS. As John said their warranty is horrible, and my experience with them was that they consistently make low quality parts. the 1 year warranty shows exactly what they think about their product (1 year is the minimum required by law!)
That is also MUCH more expensive than the asus, galaxy, and palit 8800GT with custom fans I have linked above. a 230$ GT makes more sense then that price tag...

 

[richwenzel]

MSI 8800gts @289 after rebate, free ground shipping (Fedex)

http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A9654051

 

[taltamir]

thanks... now I just need to decide if the GTS is worth 70$ more then the GT.

 

[Syntax Error]

Nope. Slap on an Accelero S1 for around $20-25 and call it a day. Idle temps are 39 and load temps are barely over 50.

 

[taltamir]

mmm, although this is just to hold me until the GF9 comes along... So I wonder which will depreciate more in price when I sell it on ebay... I am guessing the GTS will depreciate less...
How long till the GF 9 comes out anyways?

Also, which company is the one with a transferable lifetime warranty? it could be a good selling point on ebay when I sell my used card to mention it will be under warranty.

 

[taltamir]

OK I decided to go with this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150261
310$ - 20 MIR + 6.30$ 3day shipping.

The XFX is unique in that the lifetime warranty lasts for as long as YOU live (not expected lifetime of product, aka 3 years)... while there are two other companies that do the same, they don't allow you transfer the warranty to another person... which is what I am gonna do in a couple of months (probably) when I buy a 9800GTX (if its not overpriced as hell) and sell this on ebay.

I would NOT go with eVGA step up because they do NOT cross ship... and limit availability of new cards for the step up plan... I don't see any reason to be stuck for weeks without a video card.