Best 8800GT?

[will889]

The xFx with the newly redesigned HSF. Quieter and better default temps IIRC.

 

[Skott]

IMO the Step Up program is just extra gravy or icing (whichever you prefer). Even if eVGA didnt have the Step Up program I'd still rank them as #1 in my book due to their quality and warranty. As mentioned above if you OC the card and it goes bad they cover it. Put a hsf on it and they still cover it. Right now though its hard to get a particular card so the buyer is forced to buy whatever is availble no matter who made it. If you get BFG, eVGA, or XFX you are going to be happy.

 

[Skott]

Originally posted by: GundamSonicZeroX

Originally posted by: Skott
Considering the high costs right now try and get a regular unclocked card of any of the three companies and then OC yourself. You'll save some money that way and still get pretty much the same performance at a cheaper price.

I thought about that, but I remember when I was shopping around for my 7900GT I read that the eVGA 7900GT KO had the best cooler so that's the one I got (the first one I got was a kick @$$ OCer )

This used to be true. Back then certain OC cards from eVGA had the ECS3 hsf unit (or whatever its called) while the regular stock versions didnt. Now all G80 and G92 eVGA models have it as a standard feature. So if you buy just their retail stock card you'll get it and if you buy one of their OC cards you'll get it as well.

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: sgrinavi

Originally posted by: taltamir
eVGA OC (not KO or SSC) is CURRENTLY the best because it is the only 8800GT out there with a fixed bios (they just released a bios update which makes it adjust fan speed based on temp).

Ofcourse, the other eVGA offerings will soon have similar patches (they even said so)...

Until other companies follow suit then evga is the best... Makes me regret getting an MSI one now... maybe I will sell it on ebay and get an evga one... if I time it right I could end up making a profit

I don't see an OC edition, I see two reference cards, an SC, a KO and an SSC.... is it the SC?

oops, yea I meant the SC version...
But evga already listed the reference as well as the KO and SSC editions to be receiving the bios patch (I guess they are choosing different speeds for different card versions or something)

 

[Build it Myself]

Originally posted by: Buck Armstrong

Originally posted by: Build it Myself
I bought my 8800GT KO str8 from EVGA and was very pleased, i ended up paying $270 the first week they were out, so the price gouging wasn't an issue really. I have no idea what this step-up program people talk about is (anyone?)

Step-Up program allows you to trade your current card in on a higher model within 90 days of purchase. You pay EVGA the difference in price, send the old card in, and they send you back the new one.

As far as I'm concerned, that puts them way ahead of the competition. Nothing sucks like plunking down $500 for the top of the line card and two weeks later its made obsolete by a next-gen part...

thanks...so is there anything worthwhile predicted in the next...65 days

 

[SniperDaws]

Originally posted by: Buck Armstrong

Originally posted by: Build it Myself
I bought my 8800GT KO str8 from EVGA and was very pleased, i ended up paying $270 the first week they were out, so the price gouging wasn't an issue really. I have no idea what this step-up program people talk about is (anyone?)

Step-Up program allows you to trade your current card in on a higher model within 90 days of purchase. You pay EVGA the difference in price, send the old card in, and they send you back the new one.

As far as I'm concerned, that puts them way ahead of the competition. Nothing sucks like plunking down $500 for the top of the line card and two weeks later its made obsolete by a next-gen part...

what happens to the card you have given back to EVGA ? do they repack it and then resell it as brand new ?

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: SniperDaws

Originally posted by: Buck Armstrong

Originally posted by: Build it Myself
I bought my 8800GT KO str8 from EVGA and was very pleased, i ended up paying $270 the first week they were out, so the price gouging wasn't an issue really. I have no idea what this step-up program people talk about is (anyone?)

Step-Up program allows you to trade your current card in on a higher model within 90 days of purchase. You pay EVGA the difference in price, send the old card in, and they send you back the new one.

As far as I'm concerned, that puts them way ahead of the competition. Nothing sucks like plunking down $500 for the top of the line card and two weeks later its made obsolete by a next-gen part...

what happens to the card you have given back to EVGA ? do they repack it and then resell it as brand new ?

Open box?

 

[Skott]

Or possibly refurbished? I'm thinking its kinda like MIR coupons. Very popular with buyers but less than 25% (according to one study I read) actually turn them in for use. Considering its only 90 days I suspect most buyers never use the Step Up program. nVidia doesnt lose money in the long run.

 

[taltamir]

well, refurbished means it broke and then they fixed it... open box means it was returned and is now being resold... By definition this is open box.. ofcourse, they can call it whatever they like...

 

[Buck Armstrong]

Originally posted by: Skott
Or possibly refurbished? I'm thinking its kinda like MIR coupons. Very popular with buyers but less than 25% (according to one study I read) actually turn them in for use. Considering its only 90 days I suspect most buyers never use the Step Up program. nVidia doesnt lose money in the long run.

You're probably right. I've had several EVGA cards, and never once used the Step-Up program, although I did like the comfort of having it just in case.

However, now it looks like the next-gen card will be out before my 90 days expires (end of February)...so I WILL be using it this time.

 

[Skott]

Originally posted by: Buck Armstrong

Originally posted by: Skott
Or possibly refurbished? I'm thinking its kinda like MIR coupons. Very popular with buyers but less than 25% (according to one study I read) actually turn them in for use. Considering its only 90 days I suspect most buyers never use the Step Up program. nVidia doesnt lose money in the long run.

You're probably right. I've had several EVGA cards, and never once used the Step-Up program, although I did like the comfort of having it just in case.

However, now it looks like the next-gen card will be out before my 90 days expires (end of February)...so I WILL be using it this time.

Is there an official date yet? I've heard January and I've heard February but nothing specific. I'm thinking Q1 but I'm speculating like everyone else.

 

[Buck Armstrong]

Originally posted by: Skott

Originally posted by: Buck Armstrong

Originally posted by: Skott
Or possibly refurbished? I'm thinking its kinda like MIR coupons. Very popular with buyers but less than 25% (according to one study I read) actually turn them in for use. Considering its only 90 days I suspect most buyers never use the Step Up program. nVidia doesnt lose money in the long run.

You're probably right. I've had several EVGA cards, and never once used the Step-Up program, although I did like the comfort of having it just in case.

However, now it looks like the next-gen card will be out before my 90 days expires (end of February)...so I WILL be using it this time.

Is there an official date yet? I've heard January and I've heard February but nothing specific. I'm thinking Q1 but I'm speculating like everyone else.

No, I was basing that on speculation...I keep seeing February. On the other hand, there is apparently a "new" GTS coming out this month that will be a bit faster than the GT, so worst case scenario is I wait until February and get whichever of the two is available then...