8800GT 512MB vs. 8800GTS 512MB

[srpeters18]

Okay guys, EVGA is offering a stepup from my current 8800GT to a GTS for $89. Nothing wrong with the current card, just wondering if this is too good of a deal to pass up. GTX is $229 including shipping but that's a little out of the price range I'm looking at cause for $289 I could just add another GT. What do you guys think?

[Miker]

What res does your PC run at?

[srpeters18]

Nothing extreme. For now the highest I go is 1080i, soon it'll only be at 720p (once I move this month).

[Miker]

Just stay with the GT, upgrading to a GTS will not net you much for the time with no card and money it is not worth it at all. At 1080i SLI isn't really needed either.

[werty316]

Step-Up to an 8800GTS 512MB from an 8800GT 512MB isn't worth it.

[srpeters18]

Don't have any downtime because they ship me the GTS, and then I ship back the GT in the same box. But if it's not worth the money I won't worry about it. I had just wondered if there was a big difference. I know they both use the G92 chip, just didn't know if there was a big difference. Only reason I'm even looking is because the Crysis demo (for instance) was lagging with AA turned off. Anisoptric was all the up, but didn't think it would slow it down THAT much. I don't even play it, just like to know that I could, because when I finish CoD4 here shortly I'm going to be looking for something else to play.

[werty316]

Going from a 8800GT 512MB to a 8800GTS 512MB won't show much if anything of an improvement in Crysis.

I wouldn't consider getting another 8800GT 512MB; you are better off waiting for the 9800GTX.

[srpeters18]

True. I wonder if I'll still be within the 90 days? I have like 58 or so left. Hmmm. Something to think about. Although from what I've seen so far in the other thread, the GX2 is the first one coming out and I plan on avoiding that one, at least until I see what the reviews are like. Wonder how they'd do in Tri-SLI. Hehe. Or if it'd even work. (Don't know how the computer recognizes it, is it seen as one physical GPU or two?)

[werty316]

The GT200/G100/9800GTX is suppose to be due sometime in Q2 of this year I think.

The 9800GX2 wouldn't do Tri-SLI, it would run Quad-SLI with two 9800 GX2 cards.

A 9800 GX2 would be recognized as two GPUs.

[PP Mguire]

Do you OC? Idk id think it might be worth getting the GTS if you can OC it really high. OCed it shows it outperforms the Ultra. Something to think about.

[srpeters18]

I would OC, but EVGA did it for me. The Superclocked was only $10 more than the stock one and it was the only one in stock. 650/1620/1900. Idles at 46, loads on CoD4 maxed out at about 60.

[PP Mguire]

Yea but you can OC it alot more.

[Xero (1)ne]

I raised my 7900gs KO from 550mhz to 621mhz and the ram from 1,340mhz to 1,800mhz.

I'm sure you could get that GT to outrun a GTS no problem.

[Miker]

Don't buy one that is OC'ed, OC it yourself.

[srpeters18]

Well I already bought the pre-overclocked one. Like I said, it was the only one in stock. Plus, I still only paid $279 for it. (Last month)

[PP Mguire]

I'm sure you could get that GT to outrun a GTS no problem.Not unless he gets the GTS and OCs it instead ;)

[dc740]

I'm sorry but I have a question... do you really can buy an 8800GT at USD$90 ?????

I can't believe this, look, this is the cheapper 8800 I can get on Argentina:
VIDEO PNY nVidia GeForce 8800GT 512MB - US$ 329.90

on a site like ebay, so it doesn't include shipping prices... I think that someone is cheating me! d@mn re-sellers...

about your question, I would wait until 9800 are out, prices will drop a lot

[srpeters18]

No, I bought an 8800GT for $279. The manufacturer is willing to let me upgrade it for $89 to a GTS. I wish I could get a GT for $89 cause I'd have two more of them already.

[PP Mguire]

Wait, 279 for a GT when a GTS is 299? And they want you to pay an extra $89 when the difference is 20? Screw that man stick with your GT.

[srpeters18]

I wasn't aware that the GTS's were that cheap. EVGA's step-up you just type in the amount you paid for your card (you have to provide an invoice to prove it) and then you get the better card at their price. They give you the same amount back for your card that you paid for it. The GTS on their site is considerably more than $279. About $80 more, plus shipping.

[tomato]

Keep your present card. ;) It's not really worth the upgrade, especially if you are happy with your current card.

[Chakka]

This is an interesting question...I am looking to upgrade (cheaply) but am willing to spend a little more on a graphic card (ok, no more than $300 - I have never bought one over $300 just simply refuse to do so).

Im looking at the cheapest GTS on newegg and it looks to be an XFX at $279 after mail in rebate. The cheapest GT seems to be the slightly overclocked XFX at $229 after mail in rebate (evga, msi and a few others seem to be close to that level too but are not overclocked already).

So is a gts worth the extra $50 or should I simply overclock it (I like making cheap parts think like there more expensive by overclocking). I will research this later but is there any real difference between the gt and gts?

[Miker]

GTS is a little fast. I would just get a stock-clock GT and OC it yourself. Make sure you get a XFX one so it it blows you can replace it.

[srpeters18]

Evga has a great warranty as well. Also, make sure whatever you get it has 512MB. May not use it all now, but for a little extra dough you can use it longer before the next upgrade.

[alfhenrik]

I wouldn't upgrade from a GT to a GTS because the performance difference between the two cards are not that big, I am very satisfied with my 8800GT and I can just overclock it and get similar performance to the GTS, and currently the GTS is ~AUD$100 more than the GT so not a great Bang for Buck option IMO.

[srpeters18]

Okay, I'm overclocked now, 727 core/1741 shader/ 2016 memory. 13651 on 3dMark06

[alfhenrik]

Okay, I'm overclocked now, 727 core/1741 shader/ 2016 memory. 13651 on 3dMark06

Nice...what temps are you getting (are you using stock cooler?)?

[srpeters18]

Stock cooler, 59 load.

[PP Mguire]

So is a gts worth the extra $50 or should I simply overclock it (I like making cheap parts think like there more expensive by overclocking). I will research this later but is there any real difference between the gt and gts?If you are really using a 7950GT id say go for the GTS. Being able to outdo an Ultra is mighty awesome if you ask me.

[alfhenrik]

Stock cooler, 59 load.

Wow that's a nice load temp at that overclock, mine was sitting at like 75 load with stock cooler...with those temps and that overclock I would definitely not upgrade to a GTS :)

[srpeters18]

I have a dual 80mm pci fan sitting two slots below it. It moves a lot of air.

[Chakka]

If you are really using a 7950GT id say go for the GTS. Being able to outdo an Ultra is mighty awesome if you ask me.

You might be right here...after doing a little research the gts version usually gets a dual slot cooler, runs quieter and it seems you can get a higher overclock on that stock cooler.

Btw, it seems prices are starting to drop from the highs around xmas or are newer models about ready to hit the market?

[alfhenrik]

I have a dual 80mm pci fan sitting two slots below it. It moves a lot of air.

Well, that explains it then :) Still, very nice temps and overclock.

I have the Accelero S1 with a 120mm fan on it and my card idles between 40-45 and 55-60 under load, temps don't vary too much if I overclock it (maybe increases by 2-3 degrees, negliable in my low noise, low airflow setup).

[srpeters18]

Yeah, I forgot I had the card for a while. It's adjustable. Its currently all the way up and I can hear it over all the other fans. But, its running cool.

[PP Mguire]

You might be right here...after doing a little research the gts version usually gets a dual slot cooler, runs quieter and it seems you can get a higher overclock on that stock cooler.

Btw, it seems prices are starting to drop from the highs around xmas or are newer models about ready to hit the market?All GTS G92's are dual slot cooler. And it could be either or, or both. Id say possibly both becasue of the 9800GX2 maybe? Idk, all i know is the GTS flat out pwns and at 299 you cant really beat that. Thats of course if you dont already have a GT.

[Chakka]

All GTS G92's are dual slot cooler. And it could be either or, or both. Id say possibly both becasue of the 9800GX2 maybe? Idk, all i know is the GTS flat out pwns and at 299 you cant really beat that. Thats of course if you dont already have a GT.

I only have a 7950gt and have been noticing a perceived significant slowdown in performance on some of the newer games. However, I dont know if its just having an older mobo, single core cpu, 1gb of memory or the video card OR all of the above. I would like to try an ATI/AMD combo spyder platform but as usual the first generation of that product is just having too many issues. So I am moving over to the Intel/Nvidia combo in my next upgrade which should be by the end of this month or early March (anybody know of any reason to hold off for any longer?)...

[Chakka]

Amazing - just checked a few minutes ago and the xfx 8800gts is down to $279 and the 8800gt is down to $219...they keep dropping and that makes my upgrade looking even better. DDR2 memory also is down again....prices are just getting better and better imo.

[PP Mguire]

Its because of your low amount of ram. 7950GT, 3000+ 2.6ghz, and 3gig of ram i could max out everything cept Crysis.

[Chakka]

Its because of your low amount of ram. 7950GT, 3000+ 2.6ghz, and 3gig of ram i could max out everything cept Crysis.

Good point I had this nagging thought too about the mem. However, 2gb of ddr1 costs the same as 4gb of ddr2 ram. I dont want to invest in any more ddr1 hardware...have made up my mind to upgrade to the next level but I think I will do it in stages. Mobo ($125), cpu ($200) and memory ($100) first and keep my 7950gt to see how it does on the new rig before I decide to upgrade that piece too. Plus need to see how my psu holds up too...

[Miker]

I will be the first to say, save your money and get a good upgrade when you can, upgrading a little on a old system you still have a old system.

[PP Mguire]

Hes talking about buying each piece at a time then putting it all together with his vid card. Its how people do it when they leave check to check. You gotta save in the real world.

I must admit i saw a smidget speed increase from going from DDR1 and the single core to the X2 5600+ and 2gig DDR2. I noticed things wernt as crisp without that extra gig of ram. The 7950GT might be fine until you upgrade but its lasted long enough for me but i think its upgrade time for me when i can.

I also bought my RAM, CPU, and mobo for 200 bucks at Frys. Great deals.