BFGTech GeForce 8800 GTS - bit-tech.net Forums

Tim S · 18th Dec 2006, 15:08

Quote:

The GeForce 8800 GTS is the more affordable member of NVIDIA's GeForce 8800 family, but there's more to it than a simple clock speed reduction. Despite the cut down feature set, we reckon it's a better buy than the flagship GeForce 8800 GTX. Read on to find out why...

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...800_gts/1.html

DougEdey · 18th Dec 2006, 15:20

I thought one of those stickers said "Bit Tech"

nice card though.

Houck · 18th Dec 2006, 16:22

Made by the hands of GOD!

trig · 18th Dec 2006, 17:43

i think the ati card stands out that much more because lets be honest...how many peeps have that kinda resolution capability? i know i don't. and consider it's 512 mb versus 1 gig on gx2 or 640/748 or w/e on the gts/gtx...point is made though, for now, the gts is the better buy. i wish you guys would run a sli/crossfire comparo...that would be informative

zr_ox · 18th Dec 2006, 18:22

And here I was thinking that I needed the 8800GTX to run Crysis and everything else on my 19" LCD

I'll take one please.

Nice review

mclean007 · 18th Dec 2006, 18:29

Tempting!

@Tim_S - Given that it is a full-blown G80 with some features disabled, do you reckon there is any scope for soft-modding the additional stream processors back into life? I have heard rumours of actually laser-cutting the traces on the chip so you can't, but wondered if you had any more info?

Tim S · 18th Dec 2006, 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by mclean007

@Tim_S - Given that it is a full-blown G80 with some features disabled, do you reckon there is any scope for soft-modding the additional stream processors back into life? I have heard rumours of actually laser-cutting the traces on the chip so you can't, but wondered if you had any more info?

I think the cards are definitely hard-locked like the GeForce 7-series cards (which were not soft-moddable), although I'm prepared to be proven wrong

Tim S · 18th Dec 2006, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by trig

i think the ati card stands out that much more because lets be honest...how many peeps have that kinda resolution capability? i know i don't. and consider it's 512 mb versus 1 gig on gx2 or 640/748 or w/e on the gts/gtx...point is made though, for now, the gts is the better buy. i wish you guys would run a sli/crossfire comparo...that would be informative

The frame buffer is only that large because of the memory bus width and the way its implemented, otherwise I'm sure it would be 512MB on both cards. The GTX uses 12 memory chips (on a 384-bit memory bus), while the GTS uses 10 memory chips (on a 320-bit bus) and they're only available in 32MB/64MB capacities, meaning 320/640MB for the GTS and 384/768MB for the GTX.

I'm not sure what's next on the list - I can either go down the SLI route at high resolution, or evaluate performance properly at 1680x1050 - I was leaning towards the latter since it's probably going to be more useful to more people.

perplekks45 · 18th Dec 2006, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim S

I'm not sure what's next on the list - I can either go down the SLI route at high resolution, or evaluate performance properly at 1680x1050 - I was leaning towards the latter since it's probably going to be more useful to more people.

Agree with taking the evaluation route. What resolutions would you try with 8800 GTX SLI though? Or better > 40" or not?

Tim S · 18th Dec 2006, 20:41

Well, the high resolutions that people are using are 2560x1600 and 1920x1200 - it's a bit of a select marketplace at the moment though with displays costing upwards of £600 (for a 1920x1200 display) and £800+ for a Dell 30".

If you add that to the fact that most current games play pretty well on a single GeForce 8800 GTX - there's little need for that second card at the moment, IMHO.

Aankhen · 18th Dec 2006, 21:03

Reading this review was seeing the 8800s stomp ATI into the ground all over again.

It's too bad I didn't have an extra $150 to spend on the video card, else I could have picked up an 8800 GTS. Ah well, the 7950 GT is still a tad faster than my old 6600 GT.

I wonder what sort of performance we'll see from cheaper 8800s, assuming NVIDIA brings them out once ATI releases its own DX10 parts? Will they, too, be in a completely different league from their DX9 counterparts? I guess only time will tell.

perplekks45 · 18th Dec 2006, 21:43

Any news on 8600 Tim? That might be the way to go if planning to jump on the SLI train IMO.

Tim S · 18th Dec 2006, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by aon`aTv.gsus666

Any news on 8600 Tim? That might be the way to go if planning to jump on the SLI train IMO.

I've heard nothing thus far, we might hear something after Christmas though.

perplekks45 · 18th Dec 2006, 23:15

Might be interesting as I want to upgrade. You think it's worth it to go G80 or R600 with a 19" and E6600 + 2 GB DDR2-800? It ain't, right?

Tim S · 18th Dec 2006, 23:27

if you go with a G80/R600, you'll be able to play everything with pretty-much maximum details on a 19" screen - that's for sure.

Panos · 18th Dec 2006, 23:59

Great article folks. Keep the good quality work as always.

I actualy ordered this card on Saturday from OC and expecting it tomorrow. I'm looking forward on Thursday when the rest of the new PC parts will be here

Btw this card (BFG 8800GTS) has some huge price difference between vendors. From £300 on OC up to £400+ on others.

Is it a good buy? For the limited budget family guys who use up to 20" screens and they will not upgrade until DX11, YES.

Regarding the other cards on the article we must note that they cost the same or more as the GTS and they are DX9c cards.

PS I will put the card through my company so I will get the VAT back. Total cost for this beauty £255

BFGunrunner · 19th Dec 2006, 03:51

Mehh frist gen DX 10 cards there probally weak as hell when it comes to true DX 10 apps, like how every other card that boasted new featuer sets truned out to be.

If anything I'll wait for the 8900 series than hopefully we'll all be able to get a 8900 GTS that proforms like a 88 GTX all for half price as the GTX like they did with the Geforce 7's!

GrahamC · 19th Dec 2006, 08:23

Great review.

Could I please add a sugestion, seeing as you are pondering a refresh of your card testing procedure and that is testing the claimed HDCP chain. Not a huge test I know but most applicable at the current time and with past misunderstandings a useful one.

Tim S · 19th Dec 2006, 08:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrahamC

Great review.

Could I please add a sugestion, seeing as your pondering a refresh of your card testing procedure and that is testing the claimed HDCP chain. Not a huge test I know but most applicable at the current time and but with past misunderstandings a useful one.

I've got the monitor and cards, I'm just waiting for a Blu-ray/HD DVD drive plus some protected content - I definitely want to cover it though.

GrahamC · 19th Dec 2006, 09:31

Thanks nice to know

18th Dec 2006, 15:20	#2
DougEdey I pwn all your storage Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 13,933	I thought one of those stickers said "Bit Tech" nice card though. __________________ Burnout: Paradise Stats!XBL: DougEdey Bindi PSN ID: DougEdey Twitter

18th Dec 2006, 16:22	#3
Houck Modder Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newcastle Posts: 64	Made by the hands of GOD! __________________ HoUcK - P4 1.5Ghz - 768MB SDRAM - 256MB NVIDIA SPARKLE GEFORCE 6200 -

18th Dec 2006, 17:43	#4
trig sweet sweet hangin joben Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: cardboard box outside of sears Posts: 1,638	i think the ati card stands out that much more because lets be honest...how many peeps have that kinda resolution capability? i know i don't. and consider it's 512 mb versus 1 gig on gx2 or 640/748 or w/e on the gts/gtx...point is made though, for now, the gts is the better buy. i wish you guys would run a sli/crossfire comparo...that would be informative __________________ I love me some me e8400 @ 4.45 ghz..ac freezer 7..2 gigs patriot extreme 1150 mhz..abit ip35-pro..xfx 4770 with asus top bios @ 926 core/1077 memory..antec p182b..corsair hx620..seagate 500 gb 32mb cache THE best site ever...1600 signatures under the same avatar...time for a new one

18th Dec 2006, 18:22	#5
zr_ox Whooolapoook Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Stalking Orco Posts: 1,117	And here I was thinking that I needed the 8800GTX to run Crysis and everything else on my 19" LCD I'll take one please. Nice review __________________ 0ptimizm :PC under review

18th Dec 2006, 18:29	#6
mclean007 Officious Bystander Join Date: May 2003 Location: Nodnol Posts: 1,597	Tempting! @Tim_S - Given that it is a full-blown G80 with some features disabled, do you reckon there is any scope for soft-modding the additional stream processors back into life? I have heard rumours of actually laser-cutting the traces on the chip so you can't, but wondered if you had any more info? __________________ Demand Naked DSL in the UK!

18th Dec 2006, 20:41	#10
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	Well, the high resolutions that people are using are 2560x1600 and 1920x1200 - it's a bit of a select marketplace at the moment though with displays costing upwards of £600 (for a 1920x1200 display) and £800+ for a Dell 30". If you add that to the fact that most current games play pretty well on a single GeForce 8800 GTX - there's little need for that second card at the moment, IMHO. __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

18th Dec 2006, 21:03	#11
Aankhen Supermodder Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: India Posts: 406	Reading this review was seeing the 8800s stomp ATI into the ground all over again. It's too bad I didn't have an extra $150 to spend on the video card, else I could have picked up an 8800 GTS. Ah well, the 7950 GT is still a tad faster than my old 6600 GT. I wonder what sort of performance we'll see from cheaper 8800s, assuming NVIDIA brings them out once ATI releases its own DX10 parts? Will they, too, be in a completely different league from their DX9 counterparts? I guess only time will tell. __________________ It sure took me a long time to realize I hadn't changed my forum settings since returning from Canadia-land.

18th Dec 2006, 21:43	#12
perplekks45 BSc... finally Join Date: May 2004 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 3,352	Any news on 8600 Tim? That might be the way to go if planning to jump on the SLI train IMO. __________________ "The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far." Blame it on Cheaps! [now a social group]

18th Dec 2006, 23:15	#14
perplekks45 BSc... finally Join Date: May 2004 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 3,352	Might be interesting as I want to upgrade. You think it's worth it to go G80 or R600 with a 19" and E6600 + 2 GB DDR2-800? It ain't, right? __________________ "The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far." Blame it on Cheaps! [now a social group]

18th Dec 2006, 23:27	#15
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	if you go with a G80/R600, you'll be able to play everything with pretty-much maximum details on a 19" screen - that's for sure. __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

18th Dec 2006, 23:59	#16
Panos Multimodder Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 73	Great article folks. Keep the good quality work as always. I actualy ordered this card on Saturday from OC and expecting it tomorrow. I'm looking forward on Thursday when the rest of the new PC parts will be here Btw this card (BFG 8800GTS) has some huge price difference between vendors. From £300 on OC up to £400+ on others. Is it a good buy? For the limited budget family guys who use up to 20" screens and they will not upgrade until DX11, YES. Regarding the other cards on the article we must note that they cost the same or more as the GTS and they are DX9c cards. PS I will put the card through my company so I will get the VAT back. Total cost for this beauty £255

19th Dec 2006, 03:51	#17
BFGunrunner Multimodder Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: B-Town Posts: 120	Mehh frist gen DX 10 cards there probally weak as hell when it comes to true DX 10 apps, like how every other card that boasted new featuer sets truned out to be. If anything I'll wait for the 8900 series than hopefully we'll all be able to get a 8900 GTS that proforms like a 88 GTX all for half price as the GTX like they did with the Geforce 7's! __________________ My Gaming rig Dell Demsion E531: x2 Althon 64 3800+/ 2 GB DDR2/BFG 7600 GT/ 250 GB HD/ 305 watt PSU/ 19" CTR

19th Dec 2006, 08:23	#18
GrahamC Minimodder Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 26	Great review. Could I please add a sugestion, seeing as you are pondering a refresh of your card testing procedure and that is testing the claimed HDCP chain. Not a huge test I know but most applicable at the current time and with past misunderstandings a useful one. Last edited by GrahamC; 19th Dec 2006 at 09:32. Reason: stray word removal

19th Dec 2006, 09:31	#20
GrahamC Minimodder Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 26	Thanks nice to know