MId range Graphics? 8800GTvs 8800GTS

[coryburgess]

I am looking for a midrange graphix card until I can afford a GTX.

I am thinking ( oh and this is my first build ever)

EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card @ $199
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130082

OR

EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card @ $239
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318

I am planning to use:
Mother: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS4 Rev. 2.0 LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Ultra Durable II Intel Motherboard
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600
Memory: Patriot Viper 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
I haven't picked a case or power supply yet.

I am thinking of getting a blu-ray drive - will either of these video cards do well ?

Currently I use a very old GeForce4 MX440 on a P4 2.66 -
So this will all be a big improvement for me.

Other suggestions would also be greatly apprecicated

 

[coryburgess]

I may change memory to
Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
5-5-5-12 and speed of 800MHz
with M-I-R - this is only $69, so I was thinking of getting 8G for the same price after MIR

Also, I plan to run Vista Ultimate - I got free copy from Microsoft - so i'd like to use it.

 

[mactronix]

What about screen size ?
I cant see the sence in a GTX now.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/gainward-bliss-8800gt.html
Take a look I recon if you get a GT you wont need to change up. leaving OC and Special editions out of it there are about 3 cards faster than the GT at the min. G92 GTS/X2 and the Ultra.
Mactronix

 

[coryburgess]

I'm going to go big with the Screen - b/c I need it for xbox360/ps3 as well as watching movies.

I want to go 28ish inch to 32/37" I'm still trying to settle on the display right now, I'm waiting for some feeback on using consumer TV - lcd 1080p 1900x1280 with 8 or 10 bit processing as a PC montior -

I couldn't find info on the GTS/x2 or the Ultra Mactronix - I did see that the G92 is about $130 more than the GTS - is the difference in price worth it? what are the advantages?

Thanks again for the help

 

[Avenger_K]

Definitely the 8800GT, it gets close to GTX performance in many games. My friend has one and he can max out COD4 with no lag whatsoever, and turn Crysis all to high settings in XP with good performance.

 

[Silverion77]

I dont get this at all
Between the 2 the GT is better than the G80 GTSs

But why get a GT and then just get a GTX??? It makws no sence whatsoever. Especially since the 9 series is out in 1-2 months and the 10 series has been rumored for summer

 

[Hatman]

So uneducated.


8800GT and GTS arent mid range they are high end 3850pro would be about midrange, 3870 I guess too.


GTX isnt worth the money at all, it may cost the same as "high end" but who cares.

9 series isnt confirmed to be out ina few months, it isnt 9i series anyway its jsut what nvidia called it, they still use G92 cores for the dual and that will be the top part.

Go with a 8800GT and stay with one, you wont be dissapointed.

G80 GTS's, never get one lol.. waste of money.

 

[Silverion77]

^^ yea i know its just a G92 rehash....the new big thing is the RV770s is summer. And whatever Nvidia is making.

 

[kpo6969]

http://xtreview.com/review219.htm
G80 8800GTS 320/640 vs G92 8800GT 512

 

[Evilonigiri]

http://xtreview.com/review219.htm
G80 8800GTS 320/640 vs G92 8800GT 512

It looks pretty good for the 8800GTS 320/640, once OC'ed. The question is, is the $199 justified for the aging 8800GTS 320MB? I would say yes, because it runs cooler and quieter than the 8800GT. But nonetheless, the 8800GT is a better deal in terms of performance. Just don't expect to OC far.

 

[Silverion77]

what i dont get is that hes getting the GT or GTS to hold him over till a GTX. Is it me or does that sound stupid and a waste of money

 

[coryburgess]

Okay, So first I have to appologize - I am uneducated as this will be my first build.

It sounds like the 8800GT is the way to go.

One more question would be, I hear about this SLI thing, using 2 cards?? Would that be something I could do in the future to increase perfomance - get another 8800GT?

Thanks again to everyone - I hate posting threads without feedback

 

[Silverion77]

1) How big is your monitor??

SLI is only good if you have a large monitor. The problem with SLI is that its only worth it if you get it within say 6 months. After that time, buying the better single card out will whoop the butt out of the SLI setup.

For example, our family computer has a 7900GS with an SLI board, but at this time, getting a 8800GT will give me better performance than 2 7900GSs

 

[pauldh]

As a 8800GTS 320MB and 8800GT owner, I say forget the 320MB GTS. Grab an 8800GT or 8800GTS 512MB, and add a second if you desire. Keep in mind to grab an SLI mobo if this is in your upgrade thoughts.

Here is another article for you comparing most of the GF8 series cards.
http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=710&p=2

If you look at crysis, there is a 2-4 fps difference between a GT and a GTX. Even if you overclock to ultra speeds it's still under 5 fps at those settings. Consider that SLI would be way ahead though. As an example of SLi scaling in crysis, look at this link. http://firingsquad.com/hardware/nvidia_geforce_8800_gts_512mb/page12.asp

So, 16x12 2x/16x. If a GT averages 30, a GTS 512MB 33, A GTX 35, And an ultra Maybe 37. A massively overclocked single card would probably be 40 fps at best seeing how crysis scales in other reviews. But look at dual 8800GTS 512MB at 55 fps. Certain games, SLI 8800GT will spank the GTX, no matter how overclocked the GTX is even.

 

[kpo6969]

You could always get an eVGA 8800GT (or GTS), then you would have 3 months to decide if you want to step up to what's available at the time, or get another 8800GT (or GTS) and sli. Just an idea.

 

[coryburgess]

Am actually shopping for a display right now, I'm either going with
a BenQ 24" an NEC 25.5" or
I posted a question in the cpu "other components area" asking about using a residential display like a 32" Sharp 1900x1200
or a Samsung 40" 1900x1200 with 10bit processing
or I really like the Planar 1900x1200 37"

BUT I Don't know if using these a larger "tv's" is still good with a PC?
If someone could answer that, It would be a huge help

My other concern is that a 37" and up may just be too big for every day use, but I play to use this monitor for my xbox 360 and watching movies as well.

I own a home theater business and so I am an authorized dealer for sharp, samsung, nec ect, but only their residential TV / theater lines.

So, i'm definitely going with the 8800GT, but do I need two? and if so, how much more is it to do the SLI config?

Whew, thanks again

 

[neisonator]

why would you consider getting the g80 gts or gtx the g92 gts is faster than the gtx below resoutions of 1600 x 1200 when overclocked. it is also much cooler. watch out for the gt with its single slot cooler it runs hot and is noisy the g92 gts 512 is faster cooler and quieter

 

[mactronix]

I see you made your mind up but just for info here is toms review of thr G92 GTS compared to the other cards.
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/GeForce-8800-GTS-512,review-29805.html
Mactronix

 

[Ironnads]

I don't see why certain ("apparently" for experienced?)members of this forum have to point out that new posters are uneducated. FGS, if they had the answers, why would they be posting questions here for f*ck's sake?? It's easy to spot those who really do lack in education..
Just my two European cents!

Good luck building the new rig cory!

Be safe.

Ryan

 

[coryburgess]

Thanks for the suppor Ironnads.

from what I can tell, with what I do, I really wouldn't utilitze the benefits of the GTX, and the GTS has small gains for the extra $130.

I think the GT makes more since for my budget and if I ever want better performace I can add 2nd GT and do really well....... RIGHT?????

As for the new cards coming out, I'm sure that they will rock, but with the GTX still around $500, I can't imagine the "new" "better" cards being any less expensive. and price/performance is important.

Thanks again

cory

 

[Evilonigiri]

Thanks for the suppor Ironnads.

from what I can tell, with what I do, I really wouldn't utilitze the benefits of the GTX, and the GTS has small gains for the extra $130.

I think the GT makes more since for my budget and if I ever want better performace I can add 2nd GT and do really well....... RIGHT?????

As for the new cards coming out, I'm sure that they will rock, but with the GTX still around $500, I can't imagine the "new" "better" cards being any less expensive. and price/performance is important.

Thanks again

cory

Yes, you are right. Currently, nothing beats the 8800GT 512MB in terms of performance and price, except perhaps HD3850. Nonetheless, you can't go wrong with the 8800GT 512MB.

 

[B-Unit]

Im in a similar situation, (except Im on an 8600GTS 256MB right now, which i screwed up and bought about a month before the 8800 GT launch) I want an 8800GT 512, but Im holding off to see where the 9 series lands in price/performance before I jump. Plus im hoping that theyll push the 8 series prices down.

 

[crusoe74]

Im in a similar situation, (except Im on an 8600GTS 256MB right now, which i screwed up and bought about a month before the 8800 GT launch) I want an 8800GT 512, but Im holding off to see where the 9 series lands in price/performance before I jump. Plus im hoping that theyll push the 8 series prices down.

The 9600GT is released on the 28th Feb which should be priced competitively to take away sales from the Radeon HD3850 which should be close in performance. It will eat your 8600GTS.

 

[blacksci]

You wont see a huge price diffrence right away, and why buy the gtx, when you can buy the gts 512 g92 and be only a few frams off for 200 dollars less? Bought mine from newegg for $309 usd.

 

[dcinmich]

So, i'm definitely going with the 8800GT, but do I need two? and if so, how much more is it to do the SLI config?

Isn't that a question you should answer for yourself? If not then just hand me your wallet - I need a monitor, too.