Time for a new 8800 GTS 512 but which one!!!

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
M

mveleza

Distinguished
Apr 30, 2008
10
0
18,510
I'm planning to get a new card TODAY! I'm down to these cards and must make a decision and place an order before midnight :chaudar: (rebates expire April 30th on some of these). Here is what I am down to...

1. MSI NX8800GTS 512M OC GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814127325 Price with mail in rebate and shipping $202.58. Comes with copy of Witcher game!

2. PNY VCG88GTS5XPB GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814133215 Price with mail in rebate and shipping $197.58

3. ECS N8800GTS-512MX GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814134037 Price with mail in rebate and shipping $176.99

4. EVGA 512-P3-N845-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) KO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130337 Price with mail in rebate and shipping $216.99

I need some help deciding which one to get...these cards are all within a $40 range from the most expensive to the cheapest(with shipping and MIRs included)

Here's what I'd like to know...
1. Does anyone have one of these ECS cards and are they as good as the others...stat wise they look fine but I know that doesn't always translate to real performance.
2. Which card in this list would you go for and why?
3. Anyone running any of these cards please tell me if you like its performance and whether you are overclocking it or not.

I'm leaning at the moment to the MSI for two reasons...free game and comes overclocked slightly from the factory so I don't have to worry about messing with overclocking myself. :ange:

Additional info:Here is my computer specs:
Asus P5VD2-MX SE Motherboard with Intel Core Duo 6300 (2 PCI, 1 PCI x16, 1 PCIx1 all currently empty)
2 Gig Ram
WDC WD3200JS 320 gig HD
DVD
CD
Floppy
Onboard sound/video VIA chipset
Buying new PSU to power this card -> OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS ATX12V / EPS12V 600W Power $69 after rebate!!! OCZ StealthXStream

Thanks for the responses in advance!!! As I posted above time is of the essence as I will have to order TODAY to get these rebates so please post early and post often!!! :vip:
 
romulus47plus1

romulus47plus1

Distinguished
Feb 25, 2008
872
0
18,990
Get the EVGA.
Performance wise, the EVGA and the MSI one may be better.
The EVGA one is most expensive there, but there's this 60-days step up program stuff, and good warranty stuffs, and those are why I'll choose the EVGA.
 
Avenger_K

Avenger_K

Distinguished
Jul 6, 2007
425
0
18,780
+1 for the EVGA. The step-up program is actually 90 days, and they will allow you to overclock without voiding their warranty.
 
M

mveleza

Distinguished
Apr 30, 2008
10
0
18,510
I went to EVGA's website...If I read their terms correctly you have to pay MSRP for the card you are getting when you "step up". If that's the case I don't see how this program would be any good since the MSRP is usually a lot more than you can buy the cards retail through newegg or some other online retailer.
For example the EVGA card is $359.99 on the EVGA site but only $216.99 with shipping at Newegg. Just doesn't seem like the step up program is worth it...am I missing something here?

Is the EVGA that much better?? Is it really $40 worth better?
 
aevm

aevm

Illustrious
May 18, 2007
11,974
0
41,960
If all else was equal, I'd prefer eVGA. However, in this case, things are not equal. MSI gives you $15 and an (absolutely great) game, while eVGA gives you a step-up program that you really shouldn't need, not with a powerful card like the 8800GTS G92. I'm voting MSI.
 
J

Jaevric

Distinguished
Mar 23, 2008
66
0
18,640
Depending on the rest of your system, and whether or not you're going to be inclined to try to upgrade cards in 3 more months, I'm going to have to go with the MSI as well. I'm not familiar with their warranty, however, while I know EVGA has a lifetime one.

The Witcher is indeed a great game, though it seems to have a few bugs.
 
Avenger_K

Avenger_K

Distinguished
Jul 6, 2007
425
0
18,780
The step-up program is only really if you wanted to buy the 9900 series when they're first released.

aevm had a good point that I missed, that point being that the MSI comes with The Witcher. I don't know much about the game, but it seems to have gotten some pretty good reviews, so it's up to you in that regard.

GL with your decision [:wr2] :D
 
DarthPiggie

DarthPiggie

Distinguished
Apr 13, 2008
647
0
18,980
For someone with a mild system, and 16 years of age, you know a whole lot romulus. I remember how bad I wanted a PC when I was your age (2yrs ago). I worked my ass of at a restauraunt and quit....yes gamebox.
 
Avenger_K

Avenger_K

Distinguished
Jul 6, 2007
425
0
18,780
+1 for the MSI (changing my vote ;) )

OK so I'm going to say that if you're not getting the new Geforce 9900 upon release then I'd go for the MSI.
 
M

mveleza

Distinguished
Apr 30, 2008
10
0
18,510
By my count the vote stand at:
1. MSI on top with 5 votes
2. EVGA second with 3 votes

Did check and MSI board comes with 1 year warranty and EVGA has lifetime limited warranty.

Witcher can be bought on Ebay for $20 or less So I'm factoring it in as that much of a value. Making the MSI card deal about $60 less than the EVGA. Decisions...decisions...I could always risk letting the rebates expire and see what deals come with May...shudder...what if the price goes up or no better deal comes :eek: A few hours to decide!
 
M

mveleza

Distinguished
Apr 30, 2008
10
0
18,510
BTW I find it interesting that no one even mentioned the PNY offering for this card type. I listed it above in the original post.
 
J

Jpmeaney

Distinguished
Oct 3, 2007
19
0
18,510
EVGA all the way. Their warranty is superior for many reasons:

1. Lifetime warranty.

2. They allow overclocking. EVGA is actually in the process of creating a custom, EVGA designed utility to overclock their cards, control the GPU fan speed and overclock in SLI. Unlike Ntune, this utility will retain the settings after reboot much like rivatuner does and it will allow overclocking of both the GPU frequency as well as the shader\memory frequency. Check out the EVGA forums for more info on this.

3. They allow modification of the GPU heatsink including adding a waterblock or replacing the cooling AS LONG AS there is no physical damage to the GPU.

4. The step up program is awesome. I've used it twice so far and in a sense, its sort of like a layaway program for the high end GPU's. You have 90 days from the point of purchase to only pay the difference between your current GPU and the top of the line. Usually, I'll buy the GTS version first, then step it up to GTX or ultra - only paying the difference.

5. They have the best 24/7 customer service I've ever used. You always get a live person, and if need be, you can talk to their higher up management. These guys want you to be happy with your product and will at times compromise their own policies to make it happen.
 
M

mveleza

Distinguished
Apr 30, 2008
10
0
18,510
My bad on the numbers above in the comparison...I was using the numbers for the ECS instead of the MSI. Basically I added a $20 value for the bundled game making the MSI about $34 better than the deal on the EVGA.

That means the MSI card would cost about $182.58 compared to $216.99 for the EVGA. Thats a difference of $34.41.

The only question then is whether this difference is worth going with MSI or not given the difference in warranties.
 
Andrius

Andrius

Distinguished
Aug 9, 2004
1,354
0
19,280
From my experience if a graphic card dies it dies in the first 48-72 hours.

The lifetime warranty is for product lifetime and that's arround 2-3 years (in ideal conditions) for graphics cards. The 8800GTS is a 5 month old desing already. A 1 year warranty may sound like less but in about a year and a half there won't be 8800 GTSes for sale so EVGA's warranty will be void also (just my 2/100). I'd buy the MSI today and you'll likely upgrade in 18 months anyway.
 
S

Saedeas

Distinguished
Mar 17, 2008
24
0
18,510
I just got the MSI card myself, overclocks quite well (781/1905/2206 with no artifacts) and it runs quiet and cool. Saw it go up to ~54C after 4 minutes of ATI Tool, which is cool for a graphics card. Fan on 60% is very quiet. Would really recommend it, as the Witcher is also a very fun game.
 
romulus47plus1

romulus47plus1

Distinguished
Feb 25, 2008
872
0
18,990



I've been riding the hardware hype since the 6600gt came out. Doom 3 was the best game then...
And that was when I was 14, I think.. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom