I'm looking to buy the following vid card:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] CatId=1558

but there are some other great cards on tiger. I'm not sure which to buy. My budget is around $300-$400. Any advice?

P.S. I consider that card to cost $300 because crysis is a $50 value that I plan on buying eventually anyway.

I was thinking the exact same thing. I ended up buying the GT yesterday and it plays all my games on max so I'm happy. I bought it at a local store, so I have 30 days to make up my mind. If it turns out something better comes out at a competitive price I suppose I'll return it. But I have a feeling I'll just hold onto it.

For me it is. I like the dual-slot cooling.

Also, overclocking is better than the 8800GT.

I am at the same point you guys are....I like that card a lot, but you can get 2 gt's from tiger for only 100 more..

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] CatId=1839

what to do what to do.....

my gts has given me no problems so far it is quiet and cool thanks to the dual slot cooler and i have managed to overclock mine quite high

I think gettin the EVGA version will make it worth it, that way if a better card comes out at same price within next three months you'll be able to step-up. Plus the free game is like $50 off.

I just stepped up from a 8800GTS 320 to the GTS512. If I had started from scratch, the card I would have gotten would have been the GT, but I couldn't stand the idea of "loosing" cash on a step-up [down?]. So there ya go. I agree with most assessments that put the GT at the sweeter price/performance ratio, but man, I like having 15,000 3dmarks, too.

Go for it. That card is faster than the 8800GT, has a better cooler, and since you want Crysis anyway it's totally worth the price.

With the dual slot cooler, RivaTuner, and good fan control, I have been able to get my 800GTS G92 overclocked quite a bit.

I like that the stock cooler handles higher thermal load so well.

To me that is a big bonus.

that card has had $20 rebete at newegg for weeks

the 8800GTS is the best card out today for the price

The newegg version actually is $30 more expensive, when you consider the game is $50. Again, to me the card is at an actual cost of $300 since I'd buy the game anyway.

GTS is the best GT lol

You can find a GTS for an even $300 after rebate at Newegg.com (leadtek) But if you need a copy of crysis, that one at tiger isn't a bad option.

Which to buy?
At $240 for a 8800GT (512mb) which is a good price they have there at tiger, it is a pretty close match (and probably wins) in price to performance with the 8800GTS at $300. Either card will do just fine, but obviously the 8800GTS is higher performing, by a noticeable mark, especially when both cards are taking to their maximum overlcocks. The GTS will on average OC much higher, and you won't need to buy a ridiculous 3rd party cooler then (like you might need to get a good OC on the GT).

I guess it depends on what your budget is, both cards are good at those prices ($240 and $300). Do you want to play crysis very high at 15fps or 20 lol? =D

(w00t! My 200th post!, I need to get a life huh? =0)

I thought about buying that 8800GT for $240, but wasn't sure on the brand. Is KFA2 a reliable brand? I haven't heard of them before. Last time I bought a card was a 7600GT and I didn't see anything of their's then, so the company can't be more than a year or two old.

Also, interesting deal on the leadtek card. Unfortunately it includes a rebate which I really hate But I'll definitely consider it.

(As an 8800GT owner who used a quiet & cool 320MB 8800GTS before that)I just have to say the 8800GT reference cooler is crap. Go for the 512MB GTS with crysis since you want the game anyway.

Sorry to hear that, pauldh. Are you at least noticing a serious speed improvement?

this might give you ideas

http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=495

I have the 8800GTS G92 (the same one you are looking at, and with Crysis too) and the fan is whisper quiet even up to 50%. If you plan to overclock, definitely go with the GTS. If not, but you are concerned about heat/noise, go with the GTS. If none of these concern you, go with the GT.

I've left price out of this because your OP said you were fine with spending $300-400. This card is definitely the best in the price range. I just figured out I was having a problem with my memory that was causing games to crash so I was holding off on OCing the card, but I am planning to try soon. From what I've heard it OCs very well. I'm more than happy with it.

Go with GTS512. 1) reasons everyone else stated 2) it's the Evga brand. Lifetime warranty which allows for overclocking plus step-up program.

Never heard of that other brand.....

Oh yeah, I like the cards, just not the coolers. It seems a must to use ntune or riva to control rpm with these cards. The stock coolers are very loud when manually set to provide good cooling. I really think the 8800GT is an outstanding performer, but NV goofed on the reference cooler. In the OP's case, factor in $40 anyway for Crysis and the GTS 512MB looks like a good option. If noise isn't a concern, then the 8800GT is OK.

I seriously hate that 11cfm fan on that 8800GT.

Besides, the 8800GTS can clock to 800Mhz on core using stock cooling while the 8800GT only can get to 720Mhz on stock cooling.