Should I step up to an 8800gt?

[jawknee530]

I have a superclocked (575mhz instead of stock 500mhz) evga 8800gts 320mb. i have until december 15 to step up to another card. i have two questions. i know that the 8800gt is faster than the gts but will the stock gt beat out my overclocked gts? if it will beat it out then should i use my step up from evga to get a gt or should i wait since something else will be out before dec 15?

 

[alcoholbob]

The stock GT is about the same speed as the 8800GT Fatal1ty in games I would say, except at 1600x1200 it starts to really separate itself. From a shader perspective the GT has 10% more than the Fata1lty 320mb and nearly 50% more than the stock GTS.

From a shader intensive standpoint the 8800GT has 97%+ of the GTX. The OC1 has 7% more than the GTX, and the OC2 has 13.5% more than the GTX. So at settings where bandwidth is not an issue (say below 1900x1200) the GT can match or surpass the GTX in shader intensive games.

The 320mb isn't really good enough from a memory perspective, at lower resolutions the GTS can be a beast, but it's kind of pointless to have all that power and then get lapped by a 512mb 8600GTS with 40% the processing power because you ran out of memory at 1600x1200 (which is pretty common with new games).

 

[PepperBreath]

Does anyone know if I need the original retail box for my 8800 GTS to step-up? I'm in queue for a step-up but I just remembered that while I have all the instructions and goodies that came in the box, I'm pretty sure I don't have the actual box anymore.

Anyone?

 

[taltamir]

why do people keep on asking that?

WAIT until the end of your step up time and get something then... especially since the GTs are not all that compared to a GTS and the fact better stuff is comming out every week (next week from amd, couple weeks after that new stuff from nvidia...)

 

[spunkz]

Originally posted by: PepperBreath
Does anyone know if I need the original retail box for my 8800 GTS to step-up? I'm in queue for a step-up but I just remembered that while I have all the instructions and goodies that came in the box, I'm pretty sure I don't have the actual box anymore.

Anyone?

i think you lose like 10-15% of the card price without the box and stuff

 

[marmasatt]

Originally posted by: spunkz

Originally posted by: PepperBreath
Does anyone know if I need the original retail box for my 8800 GTS to step-up? I'm in queue for a step-up but I just remembered that while I have all the instructions and goodies that came in the box, I'm pretty sure I don't have the actual box anymore.

Anyone?

i think you lose like 10-15% of the card price without the box and stuff

I'm not sure that's the case. While I can't say for certain, they have a FAQ question that addresses that situation and it indicates just to put it in a sufficiently protective box.

On another note. No one's answered my question. Can you step up to the newer card like the SSC or KO of the 8800GT? I'm in the queue for a vanilla 8800GT but my understanding is that they are now selling all the other versions so I am wondering if I can step up to them. Anyone?

 

[Burpy]

I would wait and see whats on the horizon from AMD and NVidia. December 15 step-up deadline is perfect because from most rumors, nvidia's new card (G92 GTS?) might debut the first week of December.

I am currently waiting and most likely will wait one week into December just to be sure I made the right decision. I'm also considering the 8800GT.

 

[themisfit610]

IIRC, eVGA only offers vanilla cards for the step-up program..

I'm in EXACTLY the same boat as the OP - I have a GTS320 SC, and want to get the best out of that step-up! I have until December 4 or so... :S

~Misfit

 

[PCTC2]

December 3rd (crosses fingers) the G92 based 8800GTS (?) w/ 128SP and 512MB (256-bit bus) will come out and shortly (relatively) thereafter a 1GB version will debut.

 

[Munky]

Hey, while we're on the topic of stepping up, do you need to buy the first card directly from evga, or can you buy it cheaper at some e-tailer and still be eligible for step up?

 

[marmasatt]

Originally posted by: munky
Hey, while we're on the topic of stepping up, do you need to buy the first card directly from evga, or can you buy it cheaper at some e-tailer and still be eligible for step up?

This one I know . Should be able to buy it just about anywhere etailer or B&M. You're only eligible for 1 step up though.

 

[themisfit610]

REALLY? I was under the impression you had to go through eVGA!

 

[PCTC2]

No, you can buy it at any eVGA retailer but you still have to pay the difference in price.

 

[jimboc22]

Here's a link to the terms and conditions... http://www.evga.com/stepup/default.asp?switch=2

 

[themisfit610]

Maybe I'm just not seeing it, but I don't see any language on that page indicating I can buy a card from another retailer, send in my old card, and get credit from eVGA for the old card.

Seems that I have to pay eVGA for a new card ahead of time, and then ship my old one to get the credit.

~MiSfit

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: themisfit610
Maybe I'm just not seeing it, but I don't see any language on that page indicating I can buy a card from another retailer, send in my old card, and get credit from eVGA for the old card.

Seems that I have to pay eVGA for a new card ahead of time, and then ship my old one to get the credit.

~MiSfit

# Product eligibility is dependent upon the following restrictions:

* Product must have been purchased through an authorized reseller, retailer, e-tailer, or distributor of EVGA products.
* Products purchased through unauthorized channels, such as E-Bay or other auction sites do not qualify for the Step-up? program.
* Products acquired through a promotional contest or giveaway are also not qualifed to be used in the Step-up? program

 

[imported_TechKid]

Woah I'd wait a while until I buy one of these. Some of these have been reported to melt because of a lousy stock crap fan. If I buy one I'd make sure I also buy a normal 80 or 120mm fan to blow on it. At least it won't melt then.

 

[QuixoticOne]

Melting 8800GTs eh? Ouch, that sucks.

I hope my superclocked one doesn't do that.

I've got an 8600GT I might step-up if they come out with
something fantastic, otherwise not. I just can't believe
they're still SELLING the 8600 line especially for
$90-$150+.. someone would have to be crazy to
buy one vs the 8800GT if they really want to game.

I don't understand why they don't just make the DEFAULT
cooler on these big cards a fan-sink BUT also with built
in water channels so you can hook it up to a water loop
with the stock heatsink and either use fan + water or
just switch off the fan at that point.

Or better yet make the fan only switch on above 40C so
that way if the water is cooling it the fan stays off and if the
pump stops then the fan automatically kicks on.

I guess that'd be too intelligent / expensive / clever / whatever
for them on those huge heatsinks.

Anyway yeah wait until the last day to step up unless you
are CERTAIN that the new model satisfies your needs.

There may well be better models released in 2 weeks or
by mid-December.

Though I wouldn't expect it'd be anything that'd be MUCH better
than the 8800GT without ALSO being MUCH more expensive,
so really if the 8800GT even comes close to satisfying your needs,
I doubt you'd consider the next "high end" card a good deal
it it's like twice the performance you actually need but also
almost twice the 8800GT price.

But if you do NEED that kind of power for your 30" LCD screen or DX10
Crysis or whatever then the 8800GT is probably not going to be
satisfactory to you anyway even if you did step up now.

The real question is if 2x 8800GT in SLI is a better deal than some
hypothetical $300 to $400 to $500 range "new high end" card
with 160% or more of the 8800GT performance in a 2-slot form factor.

Unless they have a NEW design for the "9800" and not just a
"8800GX2" refresh, I'd have to say it's tempting to just get a
single 8800GT and live with that performance compromise and
save up for the REAL next generation "9800" instead of bothering
with a REALLY expensive "8800GX2" style compromise.

Anyway yeah in high resolutions like 1600x1200 or over especially
with AA and/or AF and/or DX10 turned on the 8800GTS-320 starts to
lag badly vs the 8800GT in some of the most demanding games --
Crysis, World In Conflict, maybe one or two others.

Most of the rest of the games play JUST FINE on 8800GTS320 at
1600x1200 or even 1900x1200 in many cases.

Consider a step-up only if you really "NEED" 1900x1200 or 1600x1200 gaming
in the 2-3 titles that the 8800GTS320 doesn't get over 15FPS in.

Otherwise just play a couple games without AA/AF, maybe change to 1280x1024,
and enjoy what you have.

 

[QuixoticOne]

Here's a good review of graphs of 8800GTS-320 vs 8800GT etc.

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com...sc-edition-review.html

Sure it may not be the 8800GTS that matches your overclock, but if you look
there are few or no cases where an extra 20% overclock would radically
improve the playability of a GTS320. Mostly it's either FINE or HORRIBLE with little
in-between, same for the 8800GT for that matter.

Lost Planet Extreme Condition 1600x1200 Max AA/AF/quality:
8800GTS-320 = FAIL.

World In Conflict 1600x1200 Max. custom settings, 4xAA, 16xAF:
8800GTS-320 = FAIL.

World In Conflict 1280x1024 Max. custom settings, 4xAA, 16xAF:
8800GTS-320 = FAIL.

PT Boats: Knights of the Sea Demos (various settings)
8800GTS-320 = FAIL.

Company Of Heroes DX10 1600x1200 Max Details 4xAA
8800GTS-320 = Playable but bogs down a fair bit.

Company Of Heroes DX10 1280x1024 Max Details 4xAA
8800GTS-320 = Playable but bogs down a little.

Conclusion: Turn off the AA and/or AF and maybe drop from 1600x1200 (or more)
down to 1280x1024 for Crysis and you probably don't need to step up to
8800GT or better, most everything will be very enjoyable.

Even on my 8800GTX I sometimes turn off AA or AF and that fixes any
problem with performance I may have well enough to keep me happy.

 

[themisfit610]

# Product eligibility is dependent upon the following restrictions:

* Product must have been purchased through an authorized reseller, retailer, e-tailer, or distributor of EVGA products.
* Products purchased through unauthorized channels, such as E-Bay or other auction sites do not qualify for the Step-up? program.
* Products acquired through a promotional contest or giveaway are also not qualifed to be used in the Step-up? program

To me, that means that my Newegg purchased GTS320 is elegible for step-up (of course). It doesn't mean that I can go out and buy a new (factory overclocked perhaps) 8800gt from Newegg, send my GTS320 to eVGA, and get a check in the mail for the difference in cost...

~MiSfit

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: themisfit610

# Product eligibility is dependent upon the following restrictions:

* Product must have been purchased through an authorized reseller, retailer, e-tailer, or distributor of EVGA products.
* Products purchased through unauthorized channels, such as E-Bay or other auction sites do not qualify for the Step-up? program.
* Products acquired through a promotional contest or giveaway are also not qualifed to be used in the Step-up? program

To me, that means that my Newegg purchased GTS320 is elegible for step-up (of course). It doesn't mean that I can go out and buy a new (factory overclocked perhaps) 8800gt from Newegg, send my GTS320 to eVGA, and get a check in the mail for the difference in cost...

~MiSfit

what marmasatt was meaning was that you can buy the original card at any authorized retailer/distributor but you have to get the Step-Up through the eVGA stepup site itself.

 

[themisfit610]

Right! That's what I figured

~MiSfit

 

[pcmodem]

Damn! You see the 8800 GT Prices lately!?

Stores have them back in stock, but at this price, I'm going to wait.



Cheers,
PCM