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Best PCI-E Card For ~$250

9:10 AM - April 7, 2008 by Don Woligroski
Source: Tom's Hardware US – Keywords: gaming, graphics, cards
Topics: Buyer's Guides

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Best PCI-E Card For ~$250

GeForce 8800 GTS 512 MB
Codename: G92
Process: 65nm
Universal Shaders: 128
Texture Units: 56
ROPs: 16
Memory Bus: 256-bit
Core Speed MHz: 600
Memory Speed MHz: 900 (1800 effective)
DirectX / Shader Model DX 10 / SM 4.0

(Compare Prices on Geforce 8800 GTS 512 MB Cards)

The 8800 GTS is essentially an 8800 GT with a little more firepower. It sports 128 universal shaders compared to the GT’s 112. It bests its 8800 GT brother, but not by much, and it’s more expensive - in most cases the GT will suffice, but if you have $250 to spend, this is your card.

Best PCI-E Card For $300

2x GeForce 9600 GT 512 MB in SLI configuration
Codename: G92
Process: 65nm
Universal Shaders: 64
Texture Units: 32
ROPs: 16
Memory Bus: 256-bit
Core Speed MHz: 650
Memory Speed MHz: 900 (1800 effective)
DirectX / Shader Model DX 10 / SM 4.0

Two 9600 GT cards in an SLI configuration will offer a similar price/performance ratio as two Radeon 3870 cards in a Crossfire configuration at a cheaper price. Either way, performance is unprecedented at the $300 price point.

Best PCI-E Card For $400

2x GeForce 8800 GT 512 MB in SLI configuration
Codename: G92
Process: 65nm
Universal Shaders: 112
Texture Units: 56
ROPs: 16
Memory Bus: 256-bit
Core Speed MHz: 600
Memory Speed MHz: 900 (1800 effective)
DirectX / Shader Model DX 10 / SM 4.0

Frankly, the performance increase of two 8800 GTs over two 9600 GTs is usually not worth mentioning: however, there are a handful of games at high resolutions where the 8800 GT will win by a notable percentage. If high resolution gaming with high image quality options enabled is your forte, and budget isn’t a concern, then two 8800 GTs might be justifiable.


Talkback

Katreat 04/16/2008 7:59 AM
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Katreat
I would personally like to see the higher end video card rankings include not just SLI options. First, if you are upgrading an existing single card system an SLI option is not an option. Second, if you are building new or dont have an SLI MB then that best for $300 option is more like best for $400 because in most cases you will pay $100 more to just set up SLI. It requires a bigger PSU than a single card system would need and most newer SLI MBs, like the 780i series, are more expensive than the single card alternative, like a P35. IMO going to SLI is not the best option for many people. Nothing wrong with including it in the review for those with a SLI capable MB but it should not replace what is the best card in that price range.
robertito 04/16/2008 8:19 AM
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robertito
^Agreed,
I can't SLI on my Mobo and don't plan to get a SLI mobo any time soon. IMO single card solutions are always better as some games don't support SLI and sometimes the improvement over the single card is only a few FPS.
crazy032 04/17/2008 8:10 AM
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crazy032
Also agreed, I don't plan on spending what extra cash I do have on a second video card.
Katreat 04/17/2008 8:28 AM
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Katreat
Your final table is really messed up. you have ATI and Nvida cards mixed up. Also you are missing relatively new cards like the 8800 GTS 320 which is a great buy used right now as people upgrade.

Also, in reference to my earlier post, could you treat SLI like you do AGP with a seperate list? Recomending SLI to people who dont already have an SLI MB is not helpful at all.
switch495 05/05/2008 4:12 AM
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switch495
I'd also like to see single slot suggestions for the high end... and a comparison on how they stack up the SLI.
r1948 05/10/2008 12:32 PM
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r1948

A submission for the under $100 card: Powercolor AX3650 1gb ddr2 128 bit $64.99 after $20 rebate. Only $130 for 2 gb in crossfire.








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