Hi all,
Which one would you buy?
Both are gigabyte's:

1)8800gt - NX88T512HP with zelman cooling

2)8800gts - GV-NX88S512H-B

there are 2 more options: GeForce 8800 GT SONIC, or zotac 8800gt(not amp! edition), but i thing the first two are better...
the price is almost the same - the gts is 20$ more expensive.

thanks a lot!!
uri

my main question is between the first 2 gigabyte...i think they are better then the palit and zotac

The 8800GTS 512 provides better performance.

but the zelman cooling isn't going to make the GT much more quieter then the gts?
What is the difference in performance?
Does the difference in performance worth the noise\heat?

I don't know what type of Zalman HSF is installed on the 8800 GT/GTS you are referring to.

Below is a link with 8800 GT/GTS benchmarks:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/v [...] html#sect0

Use it to decide if stepping up to a GTS is worth the extra money.

the Zalman HSF type is a VF700-ALCU cooler.
Let's assume that they both cost the same, what would you buy?

8800gts for sure. The cooler will be near silent and the card will never reach dangerous temperatures, so getting the lesser performance gt is pointless.

Even if i'm buying a non-branded case with no special cooling devices(just 2 fans)? The processor is E8400.
Isn't it gonna get too hot in there? maybe i'll need the extra cooling from the zelman?
what would you do?
thanks a lot for your help!

You'll be fine with the 8800GTS temp wise. Wolfies run really cool and the 8800GTS's cooler is great, so don't even worry about temps.

Thanks a lot to you all!
One more question: Do you personally know the gigabyte 8800gts?
I'll be happy to hear personal opinions and not just read reviews...(-:

All 512 (G92) GTS's are the same. The reference design is so good that no one bothers to alter it with different fans, coolers, etc. It simply outclasses the GT both in performance and cooling.
128 stream processors to the GT's 92, or the (G92) version of the GT which has 112.
It exhausts hot air out the back of the case, so no your internal temps won't go up much, if any.
I bought a BFG 8800GTS OC 512 about 4 months ago and I am quite impressed with it.
Using Rivatuner, I can easily overclock to 775 (+100mhz) from out the box, without a hiccup and it still does not get not.
Best GPU I have ever bought, period.
IMHO, it is a no brainer to spend an extra $20-$40 and go with any GTS 512 over a GT.

thanks for the good answer! you helped me a lot.
By saying: "it is a no brainer to spend..." you mean that i should buy the gts?
(I cant figure out what "no brainer" means...)
thanks again and sorry for not understanding you..(0:

Definitely 8800GTS is the way to go. Just got mine. Runs awesome in Crysis, Age of Conan, CoD4, and Assassin's Creed. I can play them all at High.

The 8800GTS vents out the back of the case (takes up two slots). Cooling isn't an issue. Mine at stock only ran the fan at 37% and maxed at 76c or something. RivaTuner can crank the fan up. I have it OC'd now to 784Mhz core and fan at 75% and it only gets up to like 62c.

"no brainer" simply means you don't have to think about it much. It is a good choice.
For the price, it is an awesome GPU. It will keep up with the new 9800GTX's that cost considerably more.
Put a GTS 512 card with your e8400 and you have a top notch gaming setup.
Have fun and enjoy your new build!

Thanks!!!
You really really helped me!

have a great week!