****MARVELOUS EVGA 8800GS review with benches****

Benchmark was done with GPU portion of in game crysis benchmark. The new 174.74 drivers gave me substantial increase in FPS over the drivers CD, nearly 3fps in high settings. CD was using older 169 set of drivers. I would say it performs very close to 8800gt at those frame rates especially dx9 high settings.

I was able to play Dx9 high settings near smoothness. It does dip to high teens in Ice Level and the Deck however it was much more enjoyable. I was able to turn up shader to very high with minimal impact in fps. Post processing at very high in the other hand dropped my fps by 60+%. It might have something to do with 8800gs 384mb vram.







Dx10 high settings were using 2xAA and Dx10 highest uses 4xAA by default. Biggest problem with 8800gs with WIC with Anti Aliasing is the 384mb vram that hampers performance. Not to mention WIC favors pixel performance and memory bandwidth. Biggest gains from the overclock were @ dx10 highest without AA.

My custom BMW M3 E46 was used for this benchmark.



The game was tested with fraps using Autobahn GP gripclass track. It's a 3 lap course. This game seems to love shader. Notice the substantial gain from the overclock once again. At 8xAA I was able to get nearly 20 more fps over the 8600gts without AA.




Conclusions:

What compelled me to buy this card over the 9600gt was that it has 96SP and more texture fillrate and it was cheaper. I'm on a 19" LCD monitor where memory bandwidth or vram isn't really an issue but longevity of the card. I do think that as more game use more shader 8800gs will surpass 9600gt in raw performance. Currently these cards are about equal in terms of raw performance at stock clocks. 8800gs wins some and 9600gt win some. At those overclocks however I'm convinced 8800gs does take the cake especially without AA where memory capacity or memory bandwidth isn't an issue. 9600gt however will always do better with AA in higher resolutions because of bigger memory module and memory bandwidth. At 1044mhz/2088DDR it's not exactly slow either. That's 50.2GB/s where stock 9600gt is 57.6GB/s.

The card was very quiet. At 700rpm in windows it wasn't even audible to my ear. My case doesn't exactly have lot of airflow with only 1 800rpm case fan and the size of this card made my cpu temperature rise by 5C. The temperature reached 80C with the overclock which I edited the bios to make the card fans to be more aggressive to 55% when gaming. It sits at 76C on load. At 55% fan speed it's only a slight hum to my ear.

With a huge overclock it gained as much as 30% more fps. Hopefully you gained some important information from this review.




Pros: Cheap price, Excellent performance per $$$, highly overclockable, quiet heatsink fan, 96 Stream processors, 1ns memory, life time warranty

Cons: Limited quantity, 384mb vram, huge size which can block airflow if you have a medium size case

Excellent work, this write up, along with some other articles, has convinced me to get an 8800gs for my backup system. Again good job.

Decent review, however, how exactly did you test WIC and NFS? Running them exactly each time is rather difficult, so rather a lot of variables are introduced. Needless to say, Ocing really helps and the 8600GTS sucks.

Also, without a 9600GT, how exactly can you conclude that the 8800GS does as well as the 9600GT in some settings? What you have done is guessed or brought in outside reviews in, not conclude. You're also forgetting that the 9600GTs are real good OCers, making them a real good deal.

Finally, you're missing the price at which you bought it at or the MSRP price. Without this info, how am I supposed to know if the 8800GS has a better price/performance than the 8600GTS?

Basically the 8800GS is replacing the ever so crappy 8600

Nice work.

You have tests with 2 badly programed games such as NFS: prostreet and Crysis. Any chance of seeing some mainstream games? Source engine, Unreal 3, Quake 4 or doom3 ?

Also for the 3dmark06 did you run default? No aa ? or wat?

  good job though

WIC has ingame benchmark. In prostreet the track is rather long. I ran fraps multiple of times and each time the average frame rate was within 1 fps of each other. I used average of multiple runs from the ingame testing.

There are dozens of reviews out for 9600gt which I made a judgment using multiple sources.

GeForce 9600 GT [roundup]
(www.hothardware.com)
GeForce 9600 GT [reference card]
(www.hardwarezone.com)
GeForce 9600 GT [reference card]
(www.anandtech.com)
GeForce 9600 GT [roundup]
(www.firingsquad.com)
GeForce 9600 GT [roundup]
(www.guru3d.com)
GeForce 9600 GT [roundup]
(www.bit-tech.net)
GeForce 9600 GT [reference card]
(www.bcchardware.com)
GeForce 9600 GT [roundup]
(www.tomshardware.com)
GeForce 9600 GT [roundup]
(enthusiast.hardocp.com)
ASUS EN9600GT/HTDI/512MB
(www.overclock3d.net)
BFG GeForce 9600 GT OC (1.7 Shader)
(enthusiast.hardocp.com)
BFG GeForce 9600 GT OC (1.7 Shader)
(www.pcper.com)
EVGA e-GeForce 9600 GT SSC (1,835 Shader)
(www.extremetech.com)
EVGA e-GeForce 9600 GT SSC (1,835 Shader)
(www.nvnews.net)
EVGA e-GeForce 9600 GT SSC (1,835 Shader)
(www.techpowerup.com)
Foxconn GeForce 9600 GT
(www.overclockersclub.com)
Galaxy GeForce 9600 GT OC
(www.elitebastards.com)
Galaxy GeForce 9600 GT OC
(www.madshrimps.be)
Gigabyte GeForce 9600 GT (Silent)
(www.cpu3d.com)
inno3D GeForce 9600 GT OC
(www.legionhardware.com)
inno3D GeForce 9600 GT OC
(legionhardware.com)
inno3D GeForce 9600 GT OC
(www.guru3d.com)
LeadTek WinFast PX9600 GT Extreme
(www.bjorn3d.com)
Palit GeForce 9600 GT Sonic (1.75 Shader)
(www.neoseeker.com)
PNY GeForce 9600 GT
(www.i4u.com)
XFX GeForce 9600 GT
(www.overclockersclub.com)
XFX GeForce 9600 GT
(www.i4u.com)
Zotac GeForce 9600 GT Amp! (1.75 Shader)
(www.tweaktown.com)
Zotac GeForce 9600 GT Amp! (1.75 Shader)
(www.techpowerup.com)
Zotac GeForce 9600 GT Amp! (1.75 Shader)
(www.hexus.net)

8800gs is currently @ newegg for $140 shipped. $110 after rebate. I think newegg or EVGA should give me a 9600gt to play with for advertising them in my review.  

I would love to do a in depth review of both of these cards.

Thanks.  

3dmark was run on default settings 1280x1024. NO AA was used. I do have Unreal 3 and COD4 but this was just a mini review for you guys to compare.

Wow, You don't waste time. Nice job and thanks for sharing this with us. You got a real nice OC out of that card and temps aren't bad considering clocks. For $110, you must be thrilled how this does vs the 8600GTS.

I also found it interesting the SP 2.0 450W is enough for your OC'ed setup. Good to know as I have one pulled from my sonata II I can use with a GS now. It's supposedly 22 amps combine max 12v according to this link anyway. http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=205763

Again, good job.

edit: ? for you. Does your card look like that pic, or does it have this sticker on it like th box shows. http://www.evga.com/products/moreInfo.asp?pn=384-P3-N85...

Yeah tell me about it. I was benchmarking all last night and stuck all the info in excel and wrote the article when I woke up. I had 8600gts data available before hand.

Mine is version 2. It has 32 amps on 2 12volt rail.



My card looks exactly like the picture I posted. It's green. It's so much longer than my 8600gts.  

either way I was really curious about the 8800 GS, I heard it was like a 8800 GTS 320 equal (but WAY cheaper)

Keep us posted. Download the Call of Juarez Benchmark from Guru 3D, its 700 megs, run it and let me know how it turns out 

If I had the money, I'd give you a 9600GT for you to do the comparison review.

Once again, good job.  

Organize the reviews and then send them to my email: theo.dm@gmail.com and I'll post it up on my site. We need all the reviews we can take, since we're trying to please everyone.

Check it: www.icanspeakcomputer.org

I would but I need some fun time with my new card.  

I was awake late last night losing my beauty sleep over the review.  

Give me a few days and I'll have some more data.

See that's the problem. My english grammar etc isn't so great. I need an editor.

well I can edit it for you and then pass it on to our editor. I need your permission before I do anything lol so yeah let me know!

Yeah, Smartpower 2.0 is what I was reffering too. I have that same one. I've also used plenty of them. Nice and quiet. I have had 3 die in the past year in customers rigs two 400w and one 450W, all Smartpower 2.0. I know it lists 17 amp and 15 amp, but they claim the max combined is only 22 amps and not the sum of the two rails like the earthwatts 500W is. Too bad it doens't mention max 12v like the earthwatts mention. Anyway, That's why I was surprised as either you are doing amazing with 22 amps, or the figures on guru3d are wrong and it's combine 12v max is higher than 22 amps.

And thanks, good to know. it almost looked like the box pic (red/yellow) had the old style 8800GT smaller diameter fan. I would be bummed if I don't get the larger better fan.

Great card. My God I'm reconsidering the 9600gt and the 3870.

How does 8800gs perform against gts 320mb. Becaz both are priced same at newegg.

8800gs would out perform 320gts once overclocked. At stock settings though they are neck and neck.

remember the 8800 Gs is what the 320 GTS should've been. In other words nvidia did what AMD did to the Ahtlon XPs, they named them semprons. So Nvidia took the 8800 GTS 320 and renamed it to GS. Technically speaking that is, not Literal!

8800GTS
Core Clock: 500 MHz
Shader Clock: 1200 MHz
Memory Clock: 800 MHz (1600 DDR)
Memory Bandwidth: 64 GB/sec
FLOPS: 230.4 GFLOPS
Pixel Fill Rate: 10000 MPixels/sec
Texture Fill Rate: 12000 MTexels/sec

8800GS
Core Clock: 550 MHz
Shader Clock: 1375 MHz
Memory Clock: 800 MHz (1600 DDR)
Memory Bandwidth: 38.4 GB/sec
FLOPS: 264 GFLOPS
Pixel Fill Rate: 6600 MPixels/sec
Texture Fill Rate: 26400 MTexels/sec

8800GS has massive texture fillrate and faster SP over G80GTS. G80GTS has more pixel fillrate + memory bandwidth. G92 are better geared towards the future with faster shader.

All that memory bandwidth is crippled with 320mb vram with AA. Memory bandwidth alone doesn't give you massive performance. It's pixel and texture fillrate and shader for effects. AF uses texture fillrate. AA uses both pixel and texture fillrate, memory bandwidth and more memory. As more shader games arise 8800gs with faster shader will only get faster with less or slower SP.

Most cards don't overclock like the 8800gs. Most vid-cards overclock by 10% but this GS is something else.

EVGA 8800gs overclocked by...

26% core 26% shader 30% memory. This would essentially give a stock 8800gt run for its money.


Crysis uses little over 320mb vram to play 1280x1024 @ high detail.

You are a legend, reviews on this card are scarce compared to the 9600GT. I was thinking of getting an 8800GT, but maybe I should get this and get something better later. My X1950 pro feels alot older every day. Now your final task is to volt mod the card and see how high it can go with more juice.  

No, the 9600GT is replacing the 8600


Disagree with you on that. No renaming, different animals
G80 8800GTS 320MB, 320bit bus
G92 8800GS 384MB, 192bit bus

Different chips, different architecture
The 8800GS is a temporary card that was released to compete with the 3850

MARVELOUS review

look at what I said fully, NOT LITERAL. What I was saying is that its basically the same idea of a card. Same power, although Ocing might be more.

Don't take things to literal.

I've been looking at the 8800GS for a while now. I might go for it.

Very good article

You are right. G92 is a updated G80 GPU. They do perform similar @ stock and I see how you would compare it.

The only difference is G92 can do 8 textures per clock for every cluster of SP and G80 can do 4 textures per clock. G92 also uses bandwidth saving techniques and helps AA performance somewhat better than G80. Transparency MSAA looks a lot better on the G92 as well. Don't forget better process, faster shader and better HDCP support and should run a little cooler.

I messed with the clocks.

702/1782/1064

It seems my core will not go any higher without seeing a tiny yellow spec flicking on and off. All on stock cooling tested throughly.

Let's compare with a stock 8800gt.

8800gt
Core Clock: 600 MHz
Shader Clock: 1500 MHz
Memory Clock: 900 MHz (1800 DDR)
Memory Bandwidth: 57.6 GB/sec
FLOPS: 168000 GFLOPS
Pixel Fill Rate: 9600 MPixels/sec
Texture Fill Rate: 33600 MTexels/sec

EVGA 8800gs overclocked
Core Clock: 729 MHz
Shader Clock: 1782 MHz
Memory Clock: 1064 MHz (2128 DDR)
Memory Bandwidth: 51.1 GB/sec
FLOPS: 171000 GFLOPS
Pixel Fill Rate: 8748 MPixels/sec
Texture Fill Rate: 34992 MTexels/sec

Pretty much on par with a 8800gt except for memory 6.5 gb of memory bandwidth and 852 MPixels.

Except the 8800GT can also hit 700MHz  

You need more powa!

I wonder if these things could be unlocked?

I know it's in there but it's disabled.

I know that for every 4 rop there is a 64bit memory controller.

16 rop is limited to 256bit memory controller.

Are you able to increase the vGPU via the BIOS by 0.05V like on the 8800GT?

I have 4 voltage settings.

voltage 4: 1.1v

voltage 3: 1.05v

voltage 2: 1v

Voltage 1: 0.95v

Which one do I change?

I know how to solder and I have modded video cards before but I don't think I want to. I would have to buy a better cooler for 50 more mhz just isn't worth it.

edit: Okay I found it. Yes I could change it to 1.1 volts.

I did the flash.

I got the core upto 729. Raised my pixel fillrate some.

Not bad for the price. It's a shame they aren't $100 cheaper than the 8800GT here, only around $50 cheaper. The XFX card (the only 8800GS under $200 here) is apparently noisy as hell, and getting an aftermarket cooler is gonna make it more expensive than an 8800GT  

The XFX is not terribly noisy to be honest. It's louder than the evga because it runs 100% all the time. But it's like an 8800GT at about 60-65%. And it cools fairly well too, so you can always rig up lower RPM. I made a harness to plug the cards fan into a zalman fanmate, and it's pretty quite while still cooling well.

In the USA, there is no reason not to buy the evga like Marvelous has. But if you can only get the XFX and it's a good savings, then I wouldn't worry too much about the fan. For a couple bucks and some time you could add silcon diodes into a homemade harness and knock down the voltage to whatever you want. Or make a switch to run 5v during 2D and 12v for games. Lot's of cheap options if you don't mind the hassle.
http://www.cpemma.co.uk/diodes.html
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article6-page1.html

hey marv, are you also a member of Anandetech/s forums? cos i saw the exact same review u have here on there.

I'm getting about 9600 in 3dmark06 with my xeon 3110, 8800gs, 2 gig 800 with no over clocking.

It plays supreme commander and company of heros flawlessly and anything else I threw at it (some older games like Unreal II still don't play without lag). Oblivion plays almost flawlessly with 1920x1440 8xAA and everything on max.

You are running stock aren't you? xeon 3110? That's equivalent to E8400?

You should clock it some more and see what it can do.

Yeah I'll end up over clocking even though I don't know what I'm doing when it comes to that.  

marvelous any updates on the card?

I have a few questions, if you could answer them that would be wonderful. One review said that you could not overclock beyond 680 mhz core because the drivers would not allow this. It said that to go past that, you needed to flash the bios. Is this true? I know that you only got about 20 mhz higher than that anyway, I was just curious. Also, how do you think an OC'ed 8800gs would fair against an OC'ed 9600GT. Lastly, have you by any chance played Half-Life 2 or Team Fortress 2 on high resolutions? I may play Team Fortress 2 on a friend's 1080P TV once in a while, provided I can.

I didn't have a problem overclocking beyond 680 without a flash however there are some people who says it does. So be aware you might have to bios flash.

I decided to do a test to show G92 bottleneck between both pixel and texel fillrate vs memory bandwidth. I lowered my core clocks by 24% which would reduce both my pixel and texel fillrate. My memory clocks lowered by 24% to emphasis on this test...

I did some Crysis benches with my 8800gs... 8800gs is basically a full G92 with 1/4 of it's cluster disabled. 1440x900 no AA High settings

STOCK OC CLOCKS 729/1728/1040
37.55 fps

CORE REDUCTION 561/1728/1040
34.87 fps -7.2% difference

BANDWIDTH REDUCTION 729/1728/800
33.70 fps -10.1% difference


Conclusion. Memory bandwidth is bigger bottleneck than both pixel and texel fillrate combined on G92.

After fidgeting some more and fan speeds. I got 8800gs to 756/1836/1060

Hey about the Galaxy 8800GS that can be moded into a 8800GTS, is it the stock version or the OC version or they don't make a difference?
I'm totally interested since they're like so effing cheap like anyone could afford it today.