Hardware BFG Tech 8800 GT OCX & 9600 GT OCX

[Tim S]

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...-9600-gt-ocx/1

BFG Tech has released versions of the popular 8800 GT and 9600 GT with a difference: a completely redesigned cooling solution. We find out how effective it is, and how much more performance BFG has squeezed out of these mid range boards.

[johnnyboy700]

Yipes, I thought the BFG coolers would make a difference but I didn't think it would be that much. The sad thing is that at the moment I'm leaning towards the ATI 4870 (can't wait for the reviews from somebody I trust) and BFG don't do ATI cards, as far as I'm aware.

[tuteja1986]

I sold my 8800U for $300AUD to pal and bought 2x 4850 for $420AUD. Playing TF2 with 8xMSAA+Adaptive AA

I wanted to get a 4870 but the retailer in AUstralia have already increased the price and one of the are going for $400.

[Baz]

It's a shame really. These OCX coolers are so good, and the cards themselves probably the best examples of the 8800 and 9600 GT on the market, but they've been launched at completely the wrong time, and at the wrong price. If the prices were to drop to say below £100 for both, they'd be much more attractive

[Hg]

I have a 8800GT and i am looking for aftermarket coolers and i would love to see the BFG cooler as a aftermarket product.
I love the 8800GT and now many of them are around £100.
I got mine when they first come out and i would like another to SLI, but also wish to push them a little further then stock speeds.
Shame i can’t use the ATI 4850s in crossfire on my NF790, i have heard you can use cracked drivers but I’m sure that would only lead to trouble

[Bindibadgi]

Originally Posted by Hg80

i would love to see the BFG cooler as a aftermarket product.

They use Zerotherm coolers.

[crompers]

its a shame this has only just been released. im in the process of modding a side fan into my case because of the stupidly hot stock 8800GT

[naokaji]

too bad the 880GT will be obsolete shortly, rumors have it that the 9800GTX will drop to 4850 prices (200$, what that will mean in uk prices remains to be seen)...

anyway, nice review and bfg did certainly pick a good cooler (yes, the stock cooler is horrible).

[Timmy_the_tortoise]

I'd be tempted to go for the 9600GT as long as it's Sub-£100.

[Hg]

cheers Bindibadgi it uses this http://www.zerotherm.net/eng/product/GX810.asp
the GX810 thanks

[devdevil85]

Originally Posted by Harry Butler

we're expecting the price of these cards to drop faster than a stripper's thong.

Now I understand...... lol

[Tim S]

Originally Posted by devdevil85

Now I understand...... lol

[SubtleOne]

I thought my computer had dug up some old cached page when I saw it was an 8800GT being reviewed. BFG must be desperate to get rid of their stock, but at that price they have no chance. For one thing, several companies have models with identical clocks for less, and second, with 4850s at $199 and OCed 9800GTXs for about the same (saw an EVGA at 738/2250 and shaders at 1836 for $209), who in their right mind would look twice at one.

Historically, after a new card is released, BFG releases an 'OC' version that is 2-3% faster for 10-15% more, and people go for it, but this is really underestimating the consumer IMHO.

[naokaji]

Originally Posted by SubtleOne

I thought my computer had dug up some old cached page when I saw it was an 8800GT being reviewed. BFG must be desperate to get rid of their stock, but at that price they have no chance. For one thing, several companies have models with identical clocks for less, and second, with 4850s at $199 and OCed 9800GTXs for about the same (saw an EVGA at 738/2250 and shaders at 1836 for $209), who in their right mind would look twice at one.

Historically, after a new card is released, BFG releases an 'OC' version that is 2-3% faster for 10-15% more, and people go for it, but this is really underestimating the consumer IMHO.

199$ for the 4850 and 980GTX only applies to the usa though, in the uk they cost far more, so the 8800GT still has some room.

[SubtleOne]

Originally Posted by naokaji

199$ for the 4850 and 980GTX only applies to the usa though, in the uk they cost far more, so the 8800GT still has some room.

It is true that exact price is US-based, but the prices are generally relative, though the 9800GTX price-lowering doesnt seem to have hit UK stores yet. For ex, in the US (I'm quoting NewEgg.com for simplicity´s sake) you can get an OC 700MHz 8800GT (512mb) for $170, and an ATI 4850 for $199, or roughly 15% more.

In the UK, from what I saw at OverclockersUK, an OC 700MHz 8800GT goes for £117.49 (inc. VAT) and an ATI 4850 for £131.59 (inc VAT), which is even less a difference. At Misco, it went for £129.99. So no matter which country you're shopping in, the 4850 is still a much better deal.

[rollo]

4870 is rougly £230 avr 4850 is around £131

so around £460 in crossfire which is the cost of a decent pc

would need to see 4850 vs 8800gt for comparison 8800gt is about £113

4870 is actually more expensive than the 9800gtx on all sites currently by around 10% , So will see if it gives 10% more performance

$200 is like £80 in uk theres no way a 4850 or 9800 gtx will cost that over here lol

[OtakuHawk]

66C is still ****ing scorching in my opinion.

[xaser04]

Originally Posted by rollo

4870 is rougly £230 avr 4850 is around £131

so around £460 in crossfire which is the cost of a decent pc

would need to see 4850 vs 8800gt for comparison 8800gt is about £113

4870 is actually more expensive than the 9800gtx on all sites currently by around 10% , So will see if it gives 10% more performance

$200 is like £80 in uk theres no way a 4850 or 9800 gtx will cost that over here lol

I had to sign up to reply to this.

Where on earth are you getting your exchange rates from?!

$200 at the current spot of around 1.98 USD/GBP is just over 100 pounds not 80.

Also if you look around a HD4870 can be had for just under 180 pounds (albeit not in stock) and it completely destroys a 9800GTX in terms of outright performance (it even beats the GTX260 in some games going by current reviews).

It does seem strange though that the 9800GTX is still so expensive. For example on overclockers its still around the 180 mark which is ridiculous considering the HD4850 (which performs about the same) can be had for 50 pounds less.

Looking forward to the Bit-tech review of the GTX 260/280 & the HD4850 / HD4870.

Is Mass effect going to be one of the games being tested as I have only found 1 review (guru3d) that has it included where the GTX260 was considerably faster than the HD4850?