*** 8800GTS 512MB VS. 8800GT 512MB ***

[Tenet]

In the weeks leading up to the release of the 8800GTS G92, a lot of people have been wondering (or predicting) which would be the better choice. Well now that it's here and the prices are offered (its about $100 more than the GT), and more reviews are out, which one should you get? I believe there are valid reasons to go either way. And the lack of availability of the GT is playing a big part in making this a tighter race than some would think.

So for the benefit of the undecided, how about debating the issue here? For those of you that made your choice, what are you getting and why? Oh, and as SteelSix brought up in another thread, lets not berate anyone for the decision they've made either way.

 

[customcoms]

I upgraded (through eVGA step-up program) my 8800GTS 320mb to the 8800GT 512mb. I knew the "new" 8800GTS 512 was coming but my step-up was ending, so I didn't have a choice. Here are some things based on Anandtech's latest review (which I pretty much fully agree with, the 8800GT is still the best buy), some other reviews that threw overclocking into the mix, and my personal observations.

1) Vista driver issues continue to plague the 8800 series, and these new parts are no exception. I haven't really had any issues, and any crashes can probably be attributed to my pretty massive overclocks on everything in the system, but expect drivers from both nVidia and ATI to increase performance of all of the parts overtime. ATI probably has the most to gain, so if you picked up an HD3870 because they are cheaper and were available, don't feel bad.

2) If you look at anandtech's review here: http://anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3175&p=8, the 8800GTS 512 gets <5 fps more than the 8800GT at high resolutions in demanding games (aka, Crysis), not enough to make a difference performance wise. Its not enough to increase your visuals and it doesn't really affect game play, so its a pointless increase. In games where the difference is more like 10 fps, aka Half Life 2: Episode 2, your already at 60+ fps so it doesn't matter anyway.

3) Both cards are highly overclockable on stock cooling. The 8800GTS 512mb might get a little further due to the dual slot design, but my 8800GT stays PLENTY cool (my load temps are 71 with 74% fan speed on stock cooling, 3 degrees cooler than my old 320mb GTS). It is still not stable at these clocks (700 core/1674 shaders/1900 memory, up from 600 core/1500 shaders/1800 memory) according to ATITool even though the temperatures are fine-I suspect there may be some driver issues or the core just needs more voltage. Anyway, the point is, you can overclock an 8800GT to 8800GTS 512 performance levels, and save $50. Yes, the GTS part can POSSIBLY go higher, but they are both the same core and the temperature isn't an issue on the cards with lower cooling potential, so like all overclocking, its going to depend on your particular core as to how high it goes. Now, if nVidia starts reserving all the good G92 cores for the 8800GTS, then that will be the part to buy, just because the clocks will be higher. Somehow I doubt that will happen, based on some of the massive overclocks on some of the retail 8800GT parts (eVGA SSC edition anyone?). Ref: http://www.tweaktown.com/artic..._crysis_dx9/index.html

Anyway, the point is, both cards perform well, and the 8800GT is within striking distance of the GTS 512mb. The new GTS part is not worth it, imo, unless heavy speed binning starts happening and you can only overclock the 8800GTS 512mb. More to the point, neither card can maintain playable frame rates in Crysis with all settings on high at 1600x1200 and up in later levels (I was down to Low on some settings at the end of the game at 1680x1050). HardOCP confirms this: http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/...w2LCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA== , http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/...wzLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

 

[Ryan Norton]

I think I'm going to get an 8800GT over the G92 8800GTS for the following reasons:

1) Not too much improvement in performance playing brand new games at my resolution, 1680x1050

2) 8800GT accepts the Accelero S1 I already own for my old 7900GTX, 8800GTS does not

3) Price. EVGA stock freq is listed at $259.99 at Newegg, only $10 over MSRP, although currently out of stock

4) 9-series step up. I guess this could really go either way, but if, say, the new 9 series DOES arrive in Feb, BUT is waaaaaay too expensive to make the performance gain worth it, I'll have made the most economical choice now, yet preserved my upgrade path.

 

[imported_Scoop]

Out of the two, I'm not even considering the GTS right now. It's way too expensive, it's ~50% pricier here (over 100 euros) than the 8800GT and the performance is ~10% better, so it's not worth it in my book. Especially now that I'm building a completely new system and have to get everything else as well.

If I was only buying a GPU then the 8800GTS 512 might be my choice. But in my situation I'm leaning towards the 8800GT and if the price for HD3850 comes down a bit, or 8800GT keeps on going up, I might go AMD the time I'm actually buying the stuff.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Originally I had two msi 8800gt's on order at dell but they kept on pushing the ship date back. Considering how much the gt really costs versus the gts for a only a few dollars more I got more sp's and a real cooler versus what the gt is going for out in the real world. If the pricing were more in line with the msrp from nvidia then the gt would be a greater deal. I just bought a gt for my son and I paid $302 and it has the original cooler. For a few dollars more I got the gts with dual slot cooler and crysis in the bundle so it was the better deal to me. I don't think that dell will ever ship those $207 gt's this year so I opted out this morning and got something that was truly in stock and shipping today.

 

[Nanobaud]

It looks like a 650 MHz GTS is about $60 more than a 650 MHz GT (right now anyway). I prefer the better cooler, and I don't get a whole lot of time to "play" with my computer (hence I don't NEED either one, but it's an easy way to upgrade a bit after a couple of years). So I am trying to decide if $60 is worth the hsf + the convenience of not using my available play time mucking around with a new heatsink set, plus the comfort of being able to just stuff the card back in the box and RMA it if it fails. If the price difference and availability remains the same over the next week or so, I'll likely go with the GTS.

 

[panzer948]

Wow, I don't see the huge price difference between these two that seems to get posted on the forums. I was a little late as I have been planning a new computer rebuild for the past 3 weeks, but missed the original lower price release of the 8800GT. By the time I had decided the 8800GT was the one for me, the only ones that were still in stock (like the EVGA 8800GT) were $289 at Newegg. So when the 8800GTS was released today I quickly read the reviews and searched online and saw that Mwave had the EVGA version with a free copy of Crysis included for only $70 more. The 8800GT version at Newegg didn't even include this game for free. So the way I looked at it I was getting a slightly quicker card for about the same price (I was going to buy the game anyway).

But for those of you that bought the 8800GT early at prices less than the currently inflated ones. More power to you. I wish I could have done so.

 

[Viper GTS]

I ordered a GTS this morning, I missed the early pricing on the GT & wasn't going to make the same mistake twice.

The way I see it I'd have had to buy a better cooler to make the GT tolerable anyway, so the real price difference is minimal.

Viper GTS

 

[Apossum]

The MSRPs are $100 apart, but the GT is marked up so badly and is practically non-existent, so I had no problem spending a few more bucks for the GTS. My upgrade wasn't all that necessary to begin with though, admittedly (from the GTS 640mb.) After stepping up my old GTS to a GT, then selling the GT, I'm probably looking about $50-60 for the new GTS (I was outside the step up date for the G92 GTS.) I was going to stay with the GT, but decided the extra money was worth it for slightly better performance, the dual slot fan (vs. GT cooling), and a renewal of my step up. Oh, and a copy of Crysis.

but from a "cold" buy p.o.v., as in not owning any video card at all with both cards in full stock and at or around MSRP, the GT is the clear choice.

 

[Golgatha]

Got an 8800GT from Best Buy for $236 after taxes with a 12% off coupon the week they had in advertised for $249.99. If I didn't already have Crysis and an aftermarket cooler for my 8800GT I'd surely think about buying the eVGA card.

Right now I'm sick of swapping out parts in my PC and am happy to be gaming at 8800GTX performance levels (OCed the 8800GT to 680/1700/950) while pocketing ~$125 from the sale of my old 8800GTX 768MB card.

 

[Spike]

For me overclocking came into the mix. When there was at least one person reporting hitting 832 core on their 8800GTS 512 and an official review site getting around 775 that sold me since the 8800GT does not get that high on stock cooling. I am also looking to step-up if the new card is out by late Feb next year, by having a higher MSRP the cost will be less.

 

[panzer948]

Originally posted by: Spike
For me overclocking came into the mix. When there was at least one person reporting hitting 832 core on their 8800GTS 512 and an official review site getting around 775 that sold me since the 8800GT does not get that high on stock cooling. I am also looking to step-up if the new card is out by late Feb next year, by having a higher MSRP the cost will be less.

Spike, which review site got around 775. I want to check that out to see if I can duplicate it when my card comes in !

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: panzer948

Originally posted by: Spike
For me overclocking came into the mix. When there was at least one person reporting hitting 832 core on their 8800GTS 512 and an official review site getting around 775 that sold me since the 8800GT does not get that high on stock cooling. I am also looking to step-up if the new card is out by late Feb next year, by having a higher MSRP the cost will be less.

Spike, which review site got around 775. I want to check that out to see if I can duplicate it when my card comes in !

Well... thats the question. Last night when I read the review I noted the speed but not the website. At that point a google search only brought back a few actual 8800GTS 512 reviews, now there are tons up since the NDA lifted. I am trying to find it again but have not been able to yet. I'll post it here when I can.

Meanwhile this dude got his up to 832 core so there are some good samples out there.

 

[stapuft]

Spike, which review site got around 775. I want to check that out to see if I can duplicate it when my card comes in !

link

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: stapuft

Spike, which review site got around 775. I want to check that out to see if I can duplicate it when my card comes in !

link

Thanks for that link, I was getting tired of reading through all the reviews.

 

[hooflung]

I bought a 3850 512 from newegg just because ~ 199 ( I opted for the sapphire since the powercolor and gecube are all sold out ) would be the best bang for the buck. So I chose other. However, if I had a 8800GTS 320 I probably would have stepped up to the GT or GTS since I only buy eVGA cards. However, if I had XFX or BFG I wouldn't have upgraded fro a 320 at all since tbh Crysis is the only big deal and the SATA DRM crisis has me buggered and not going to buy DRM clad software. I personally upgraded for 1680x1050 since my 256mb X1900GT just doesn't like AA/AF at that res too much.

 

[Dacalo]

8800GT, easy choice, have it already. Paid $220, which includes tax.

8800GTX costs around $380 with tax, so is $160 premium worth better cooling and additional shaders? I don't think so. In other words, the benefits provided by the GTS is very minimal for $160. I will just save $160 and use that for next videocard upgrade.

 

[Jules]

8800GT. Paid $217. I was looking at the eVGA 8800GTS 512mb from newegg but im not sure.

 

[terencek]

I voted to choose the 8800GT. I'd choose that, but since I have the 8800 GTS 640MB, I really don't need to upgrade at this point. I bought into the Dell MSI 8800GT OC gfx card. I got 2 for $432. So, I am stuck with the Dell "wait game", but either I get them around or after Christmas, or I get a better deal when the next gen card comes out and upgrade then. At this moment, I'd choose the GT over the GTS due to the price to performance, but if you don't "need" an upgrade, then wait til the next GTX or high end gfx card.

 

[TheRealMrGrey]

I voted GTS for one simple reason: you can purchase it. The GT is not in stock. Wonderful card, not in stock. Yeah, everyone goes EVGA for the step-up, and I want one for the same reason. Been watching newegg for the past 3 weeks, not once have I seen an EVGA GT in stock, except the 700MHz version, which is $329. At that frequency an after market cooler will probably be required, putting it in the same price bracket as the GTS. Might as well just buy the GTS, which already comes with a better cooler.

 

[Sparky6string]

Originally posted by: customcoms
I upgraded (through eVGA step-up program) my 8800GTS 320mb to the 8800GT 512mb. I knew the "new" 8800GTS 512 was coming but my step-up was ending, so I didn't have a choice. Here are some things based on Anandtech's latest review (which I pretty much fully agree with, the 8800GT is still the best buy), some other reviews that threw overclocking into the mix, and my personal observations.

1) Vista driver issues continue to plague the 8800 series, and these new parts are no exception. I haven't really had any issues, and any crashes can probably be attributed to my pretty massive overclocks on everything in the system, but expect drivers from both nVidia and ATI to increase performance of all of the parts overtime. ATI probably has the most to gain, so if you picked up an HD3870 because they are cheaper and were available, don't feel bad.

2) If you look at anandtech's review here: http://anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3175&p=8, the 8800GTS 512 gets <5 fps more than the 8800GT at high resolutions in demanding games (aka, Crysis), not enough to make a difference performance wise. Its not enough to increase your visuals and it doesn't really affect game play, so its a pointless increase. In games where the difference is more like 10 fps, aka Half Life 2: Episode 2, your already at 60+ fps so it doesn't matter anyway.

3) Both cards are highly overclockable on stock cooling. The 8800GTS 512mb might get a little further due to the dual slot design, but my 8800GT stays PLENTY cool (my load temps are 71 with 74% fan speed on stock cooling, 3 degrees cooler than my old 320mb GTS). It is still not stable at these clocks (700 core/1674 shaders/1900 memory, up from 600 core/1500 shaders/1800 memory) according to ATITool even though the temperatures are fine-I suspect there may be some driver issues or the core just needs more voltage. Anyway, the point is, you can overclock an 8800GT to 8800GTS 512 performance levels, and save $50. Yes, the GTS part can POSSIBLY go higher, but they are both the same core and the temperature isn't an issue on the cards with lower cooling potential, so like all overclocking, its going to depend on your particular core as to how high it goes. Now, if nVidia starts reserving all the good G92 cores for the 8800GTS, then that will be the part to buy, just because the clocks will be higher. Somehow I doubt that will happen, based on some of the massive overclocks on some of the retail 8800GT parts (eVGA SSC edition anyone?). Ref: http://www.tweaktown.com/artic..._crysis_dx9/index.html

Anyway, the point is, both cards perform well, and the 8800GT is within striking distance of the GTS 512mb. The new GTS part is not worth it, imo, unless heavy speed binning starts happening and you can only overclock the 8800GTS 512mb. More to the point, neither card can maintain playable frame rates in Crysis with all settings on high at 1600x1200 and up in later levels (I was down to Low on some settings at the end of the game at 1680x1050). HardOCP confirms this: http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/...w2LCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA== , http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/...wzLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

Excellent post.

 

[Tenet]

Isn't it? I thought so, too :thumbsup:

 

[Regs]

After my GTS artifacting 2 of 3 FPS's this year, I would take the 8800GT or even the 3850.

 

[gamerxx13]

so what is the actual overclock ability of the 8800 gt. i am leaning toward the 8800 gts because it has much better overclock ability then the 8800 gt. and the cooling is much more efficient.

 

[Synomenon]

When can we expect to see SSC, KO and Superclocked versions of EVGA's G92 8800GTS?

Also, what's more quiet:

- 8800GT w/ Accelero S1 + 120mm fan

- G92 8800GTS w/ stock cooling