DH Review: Nvidia Geforce 8800 GT's (Asus, MSI, XFX, Zotac)

Zardon · Oct 29, 2007, 02:49 PM

Read The Review Here
__________________________

Today we have not one, but four new 8800GT's in our test labs from some of the leading manufacturer's. We will be giving the card a thorough analysis in all the leading DX9 and DX10 games, including Crysis.

The big question on everyones lips? Is the 8800GT the new class leader as the best "bang for buck"?

Read our review and find out.

bug77 · Oct 29, 2007, 03:25 PM

Nicely done. Almost certainly my next upgrade (though I doubt Crysis was tested at 1280x786 res

)

This is the mid-range card that was MIA for a year now. And just imagine the revised GTS will be even faster (@around USD300, I anticipate).

geraldmango · Oct 29, 2007, 03:35 PM

What a card from nvidia ! im going to order the Zotac card after reading that, what a bargain.

Also major kudos to DH, the Veridian and Zardon reviews are amazing, I read about them on OCUK forums when I went to buy a processor and ive bookmarked the home page of DH. Great informative reviews without being boring, and they look like a magazine. Lovely work guys, thank you !

brutusmaximus · Oct 29, 2007, 03:40 PM

great review DH. all I needed to know. Where the hell are AMD lately ?!

I wish we had some competiting AMD/ATI parts, fingers crossed they do a lot more in 2008.

Vikingod · Oct 29, 2007, 03:53 PM

For those who appreciated the review, be sure to "Digg It" and let more people know about it.

Erroneus · Oct 29, 2007, 04:45 PM

Impressive cards! HardOCP has learned though that the 8800gts 640 will be relaunched 112 shader processors, making it faster then gt....

Zelig · Oct 29, 2007, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bug77

This is the mid-range card that was MIA for a year now. And just imagine the revised GTS will be even faster (@around USD300, I anticipate).

I see an EVGA 8800GTS Ssc in stock for $410.

Chaos · Oct 29, 2007, 04:51 PM

I wonder if that will be a bios upgrade or will it require new silicone

bug77 · Oct 29, 2007, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zelig

I see an EVGA 8800GTS Ssc in stock for $410.

The revised one should be nowhere to be seen yet

Zelig · Oct 29, 2007, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bug77

The revised one should be nowhere to be seen yet

Nevertheless, this card is currently in stock here.

edit: To attempt to stay vaguely on topic, the card looks nice. The price might actually tempt me to pick one up if I get any recent games to play.

***Veridian3*** · Oct 29, 2007, 07:04 PM

Why are we talking about a pretty normal overclocked GTS in the GT review thread? Apart from anything else the GTS is more expensive which means its not in the same class as the GT...

... of course you will get more performance if you pay more...

bug77 · Oct 29, 2007, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veridian3

Why are we talking about a pretty normal overclocked GTS in the GT review thread? Apart from anything else the GTS is more expensive which means its not in the same class as the GT...

... of course you will get more performance if you pay more...

We're talking about new stuff. I was just pointing out that even if 8800GT is absolutely brilliant, something even faster is in the making. And hoping it will still be reasonably price.

Anyway, I want a 8800GT, even if I'm not going to use DX10 anytime soon. Of course, I expect nvidia to quickly come up with Linux drivers, too, as usual.

BlueMak · Oct 29, 2007, 07:54 PM

Guys, about the temps, 90C stock?

Zelig · Oct 29, 2007, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMak

Guys, about the temps, 90C stock?

Worth mentioning that cooling solutions for other 8800 cards don't fit on the 8800 GT, I believe that coolers for the 7900 line fit though.

OmegaRED · Oct 29, 2007, 08:09 PM

Those temps are insane! You can add 5-10 degrees to that for the average persons case and that would be an unacceptable 100 degrees load.

Maybe using Rivatuner to manually set the fan to 90% or higher would help.

Necrosis · Oct 29, 2007, 10:17 PM

Sure tempting to do an SLI config...to bad I hate non-Intel chipsets.

mike2h · Oct 29, 2007, 10:56 PM

another great review, thx guys!
that temp could be a problem for sli setups though. any way for us to get measurement on the differnce in case & cpu(if any) temp with these cards?
great bang for the $$ anyway you look at it.

CDsDontBurn · Oct 30, 2007, 05:42 AM

great review, but how does it compare to a 640MB 8800GTS card? that's what i was really interested in seeing.

BlueMak · Oct 30, 2007, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDsDontBurn

great review, but how does it compare to a 640MB 8800GTS card? that's what i was really interested in seeing.

I second that.

Zardon · Oct 30, 2007, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDsDontBurn

great review, but how does it compare to a 640MB 8800GTS card? that's what i was really interested in seeing.

We can address that later. We did this review in 48 hours over the weekend (with very little sleep!) so were limited in the time we had to use the cards we needed.

CDsDontBurn · Oct 30, 2007, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

We can address that later. We did this review in 48 hours over the weekend (with very little sleep!) so were limited in the time we had to use the cards we needed.

alrighty. as long as a review comparing the 640MB 8800GTS and the 512MB 8800GT is in the near future, it's all gravy then

.

Zardon · Oct 30, 2007, 09:27 AM

cool, glad we met your seal of approval.

Tipstaff · Oct 30, 2007, 04:56 PM

Nice review, guys. Very impressed by that little beast, especially given the price (under $300 Canuck), so it's right in line price wise with what most customers want these days.

Mind you, even though the card looks fantastic I went ahead and ordered one of the new G92 8800GTS cards; the EVGA 8800GTS V2 SSC Edition to be exact (paid $400 for it). Should get it in the next couple days.

I have a feeling that the 8800GT is probably going to be close to the new GTS in performance, and through a little coxing I could get it even closer, but taking the extra stream processors, the cooler, and the extra ram into account, the new GTS seemed like the better bet for me. With the 8800GT it's a single slot cooler, meaning it doesn't exhaust the air out of the case, whereas the 8800GTS does. This is a big factor for me. Yes, I could always add a 3rd party cooler to the 8800GT to get that, but then again the GTS already has such a cooler, and I'd void my warranty by adding such a cooler after the fact, so why bother, right?

Anyways, thanks for the review guys.

CDsDontBurn · Oct 30, 2007, 05:11 PM

@ tip: check your PMs

.

dipstick · Oct 30, 2007, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Necrosis

Sure tempting to do an SLI config...to bad I hate non-Intel chipsets.

I was thinking the same thing but there is no way I can see myself running an nforce board. These cards are unreal for the money tho; I think I saw the 512mb for only $230 at Fry's!! That is crazy!

Excellent review as usual guys, keep it up

bug77 · Oct 30, 2007, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

...Mind you, even though the card looks fantastic I went ahead and ordered one of the new G92 8800GTS cards; the EVGA 8800GTS V2 SSC Edition to be exact (paid $400 for it)...

Well, then you're in for a surprise. I just found out that the new GTS is still based on the G80 core. Basically, rejected GTXs.

mike2h · Oct 30, 2007, 08:15 PM

if true, ouch

Neshi · Oct 30, 2007, 08:39 PM

its too bad they will replace the $ sign with a € here in the Netherlands (or everywhere in europe)
and I can't find a single Zotac card in the Netherlands

bug77 · Oct 30, 2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neshi

its too bad they will replace the $ sign with a € here in the Netherlands (or everywhere in europe)
and I can't find a single Zotac card in the Netherlands

True. Luckily for me, I'm in Canada atm, hunting for a sweet online deal.

And who's Zotac anyway? Never heard of them.

Tipstaff · Oct 31, 2007, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bug77

Well, then you're in for a surprise. I just found out that the new GTS is still based on the G80 core. Basically, rejected GTXs.

I was talking with a few other suppliers, and that's pretty much the jest of it. Seems Ingram Micro had one pulled on them, and the one I ordered, the SSC Edition is in fact an altered G80, with some of the Stream Processors unlocked (112 instead of the default 96, and slightly faster ram). The revamped GTS with the G92 core will be out in 3 weeks. If this is truely the case, I'm cancelling the order first thing tomorrow, cuz I don't want that card.

Oct 29, 2007, 02:49 PM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	DH Review: Nvidia Geforce 8800 GT's (Asus, MSI, XFX, Zotac) Read The Review Here __________________________ Today we have not one, but four new 8800GT's in our test labs from some of the leading manufacturer's. We will be giving the card a thorough analysis in all the leading DX9 and DX10 games, including Crysis. The big question on everyones lips? Is the 8800GT the new class leader as the best "bang for buck"? Read our review and find out.

Oct 29, 2007, 03:40 PM	#4
brutusmaximus DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 520 Rep Power: 76	great review DH. all I needed to know. Where the hell are AMD lately ?! I wish we had some competiting AMD/ATI parts, fingers crossed they do a lot more in 2008. __________________

Oct 29, 2007, 04:45 PM	#6
Erroneus Get off my lawn! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 13,417 Rep Power: 119 System Specs	Impressive cards! HardOCP has learned though that the 8800gts 640 will be relaunched 112 shader processors, making it faster then gt.... __________________

Oct 29, 2007, 07:54 PM	#13
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,464 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	Guys, about the temps, 90C stock? __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Oct 29, 2007, 08:09 PM	#15
OmegaRED Relapsed Gamer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ottawa , Canada Posts: 5,688 Rep Power: 173 System Specs	Those temps are insane! You can add 5-10 degrees to that for the average persons case and that would be an unacceptable 100 degrees load. Maybe using Rivatuner to manually set the fan to 90% or higher would help. __________________ E Penis Specs: <------------- See System Specs

Oct 29, 2007, 03:25 PM	#2
bug77 DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: around Posts: 792 Rep Power: 0	Nicely done. Almost certainly my next upgrade (though I doubt Crysis was tested at 1280x786 res ) This is the mid-range card that was MIA for a year now. And just imagine the revised GTS will be even faster (@around USD300, I anticipate).

Oct 29, 2007, 03:35 PM	#3
geraldmango DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 85 Rep Power: 0	What a card from nvidia ! im going to order the Zotac card after reading that, what a bargain. Also major kudos to DH, the Veridian and Zardon reviews are amazing, I read about them on OCUK forums when I went to buy a processor and ive bookmarked the home page of DH. Great informative reviews without being boring, and they look like a magazine. Lovely work guys, thank you !

Oct 29, 2007, 03:53 PM	#5
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,197 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	For those who appreciated the review, be sure to "Digg It" and let more people know about it.

Oct 29, 2007, 04:51 PM	#8
Chaos Number Nine Join Date: May 2002 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 5,268 Rep Power: 167 System Specs	I wonder if that will be a bios upgrade or will it require new silicone

Oct 29, 2007, 07:04 PM	#11
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 5,026 Rep Power: 181	Why are we talking about a pretty normal overclocked GTS in the GT review thread? Apart from anything else the GTS is more expensive which means its not in the same class as the GT... ... of course you will get more performance if you pay more...

Oct 29, 2007, 10:17 PM	#16
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Sure tempting to do an SLI config...to bad I hate non-Intel chipsets.

Oct 29, 2007, 10:56 PM	#17
mike2h DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: norcal Posts: 6,483 Rep Power: 91 System Specs	another great review, thx guys! that temp could be a problem for sli setups though. any way for us to get measurement on the differnce in case & cpu(if any) temp with these cards? great bang for the $$ anyway you look at it. __________________ Last edited by mike2h; Oct 30, 2007 at 05:46 AM.

Oct 30, 2007, 05:42 AM	#18
CDsDontBurn Lurking DriverHeaven Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,779 Rep Power: 235 System Specs	great review, but how does it compare to a 640MB 8800GTS card? that's what i was really interested in seeing. __________________ Her First Day \| A year later

Oct 30, 2007, 09:27 AM	Thread Starter #22
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	cool, glad we met your seal of approval.

Oct 30, 2007, 04:56 PM	#23
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 190 System Specs	Nice review, guys. Very impressed by that little beast, especially given the price (under $300 Canuck), so it's right in line price wise with what most customers want these days. Mind you, even though the card looks fantastic I went ahead and ordered one of the new G92 8800GTS cards; the EVGA 8800GTS V2 SSC Edition to be exact (paid $400 for it). Should get it in the next couple days. I have a feeling that the 8800GT is probably going to be close to the new GTS in performance, and through a little coxing I could get it even closer, but taking the extra stream processors, the cooler, and the extra ram into account, the new GTS seemed like the better bet for me. With the 8800GT it's a single slot cooler, meaning it doesn't exhaust the air out of the case, whereas the 8800GTS does. This is a big factor for me. Yes, I could always add a 3rd party cooler to the 8800GT to get that, but then again the GTS already has such a cooler, and I'd void my warranty by adding such a cooler after the fact, so why bother, right? Anyways, thanks for the review guys. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Oct 30, 2007, 05:11 PM	#24
CDsDontBurn Lurking DriverHeaven Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,779 Rep Power: 235 System Specs	@ tip: check your PMs . __________________ Her First Day \| A year later

Oct 30, 2007, 08:15 PM	#27
mike2h DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: norcal Posts: 6,483 Rep Power: 91 System Specs	if true, ouch __________________

Oct 30, 2007, 08:39 PM	#28
Neshi S.N.A.F.U. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wellington, NZ Posts: 3,376 Rep Power: 177 System Specs	its too bad they will replace the $ sign with a € here in the Netherlands (or everywhere in europe) and I can't find a single Zotac card in the Netherlands __________________ If one does not attach himself to people and desire, never shall his heart be broken. But then, does he ever truly live? Life is just too damn short for if's and maybe's