The most cost effective "sweet spot" card?

I am prepping my computer for Age of Conan and need to upgrade my 7900GTX.

I would like to spend close to $200.

All the cards in the table below have a G92 GPU. To keep an even comparison, all cards are branded EVGA and all prices are from Newegg on May 4th.

9800GTX 512MB 128 Shaders
Core Memory Price
675 2200 $300
700 2200 $320
738 2250 $330
770 2300 $350

8800GTS(G92) 512MB 128 Shaders
Core Memory Price After Rebate
678 1944 $255 $225

8800GT 512MB 112 Shaders
Core Memory Price After Rebate
600 1800 $190 $160
650 1900 $210 $180
720 2000 $240 $210

8800GT 1GB 112 Shaders
Core Memory Price
600 1800 $245

What are your thoughts? I also have read http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 1805.html.

I was also thinking of OCing a GT.
What do you think about the cooling potential of a single slot GT verses the dual slot GTS?
How much will 16 shader difference effect performance?

as far as the fan, the dual slot is obviously better. But the new larger diameter reference fan is alot better(noise and temps) than the original 8800GT fan.

Here is the old style cooler pulled off a BFG 8800GT OC, compared to the new larger fan on the evga 8800GS and GT. Avoid ones with the puny diameter fan.

24", lol, forget the 8800GS.

HAHA ya I figured anything lower than a GT would be a waste of time.

I can run AoConan on my 7900GTX at lowest possible settings at around 10FPS.

I believe AoConan is as demanding as Crysis especially since it is a MMO and there will be 100+ person castle sieges

I am in the AoC Beta atm, my system specs on my "Loaner" PC, take into effect i know nothing of this rig lol, a socket 939 AMD OC'd to run at 2200, 2 gigs of Corsair XMS DDR, and 2 7900's in sli running on an ASUS mobo. I typically get around 30-50ish Frames on this set up. Forgive the lack of info on this system i am just using it till all of my stuff gets in this week, will repost specs tomorrow night.

I have seen 8800GTS(G92) 512M for like... $180 after rebate...that would be the best...

From what you listed the $160 8800GT is the "best bang for buck".

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814134037

^ Yes, like you mentioned, there is no 512MB G80 version. It was G92, but now out of stock.


The PNY is $189 AR, or the XFX is $220 AR but comes with COD4.

Well it all comes down to a $30 difference.
PNY GTS $240 $190 After rebate.
EVGA GT $190 $160 After rebate.

December 8800GTS to GT comparison.
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,1743.html

April 8800GTS to GT to 9800GTX comparison.
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,1800.html

Articles summed up
-Heat: GT is 15% hotter. I prefer the new dual slot GTS. I do have a ZALMAN VF900 on my 7900GTX that I might be able to transfer to the new card.
-Noise: Both cards are similar.
-Performance: "Overall, the GeForce 8800 GTS 512 MB is interesting for a few reasons. Based on a largely more powerful G92 (24%) than the one on the GeForce 8800 GT, it manages to outperform the GeForce 8800 GTX." I think the average difference in performance is more like 10% between the GTS and GT.

Due to my 24", I would rather have the extra throughput and memory bandwidth that the GTS has to offer. The GTS also has a much better cooling option than the GT which I could only find with the small diameter fan. Though possibly my VF900 would be the better cooling option on the GTS? My Antec P180 case has great airflow.

My plan is to wait a week and look for a lesser rebate option and hopefully end up with a GTS for $190 or less.