Brand of 8800 GTS

[Gamax]

I was discussing with my brother the other day about a new gfx and we can't decide if the price/performance of a 8800 GTS 512 is better than one of a 8800 GT. The performance is clearly better and it has better cooling, but yeah.

If we were to get one 8800 GTS 512, which brand would you choose?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143119 BFG
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150261 XFX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127325 MSI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130337 EVGA

WHich brand is the best?

One last thing, the PCI-E 2.0 on the card is compatible with a PCI-E 1.0a motherboard right?

[spearman914]

EVGA pwns everything. XFX and MSI doesn't overclock as good as evga. MSI no doubt poor customer service. Yes PCI-E 2.0 will only give you extra performance but PCI-E 1.0a will just get normal performance.

[panchoman]

evga if you can (get sso edition if you can)
otherwise xfx

[SK-1]

1.0 and 2.0 will get along just fine. eVGA has the cool step-up deal. XFX has a splendid warranty, as does BFG.
eVGA also has a great support system.

[panchoman]

also, evga doesn't care if you oc it.. so you wont void your warranty if you oc with an evga

[Gamax]

I am not trying to overclock, just want the best brand for the cheapest price atm. Also the xfx comes with free CoD 4 :o

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

Ive always been partial to BFG myself. Though, I did get an XFX card this last run.

[farlex85]

Evga definately. Warranty, step-up, price, oc, its all there. In fact nflesher is selling one of those right now.

[hat]

It doesn't matter really based on the QUALITY of the CARD iteslf. Foxconn makes them all anyway. As for support, go for BFG, I don't know if they care if you overclock it, probably not. XFX is the same way, so is eVGA. But eVGA has that cool step-up program.
In short those 3 don't care if you OC or not and have great warranties. But eVGA has step-up. Warranty gurus correct me if I'm wrong!

[spearman914]

also, evga doesn't care if you oc it.. so you wont void your warranty if you oc with an evga

What the ****? You don't void your warranty?!?!?! Someone should have told me since I threw my 8800 GS in the garbage.

[Gamax]

EVGA K.O edition - $239
BFG - $254
XFX - $239 + free game. (CoD 4)

I think I will go for the XFX this time.

[farlex85]

Yeah bfg is overpriced if you ask me. Too often I see their prices inexplicably higher than everyone else. XFX will do ya solid though. Can't beat a free game. Makes it $50 cheaper really if you were definately going to get it anyway.

[panchoman]

What the ****? You don't void your warranty?!?!?! Someone should have told me since I threw my 8800 GS in the garbage.

they send you ridiculously overclocked cards from the factory... they cant give you void your warranty for overclocking when they sell you an overclocked(or super clocked of super super clocked) card :p :laugh: for ex:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130337 (get this card btw)

[Gamax]

That one the best? I mean I get the free game with the XFX and the only diference would be the core clock speed right?

[webwizard]

The lifetime warranty with XFX is real nice. This card is a 678MHz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150267 and only $10 more.

[Gamax]

Well everyone is saying evga everywhere for a reason heh, so I don't know yet. I just like the free game with the XFX, I don't know if there's any performance difference or something.

[paybackdaman]

I have an XFX 7900GS in my closet, but when i used it it was great, came with GRAW2 if i remember correctly. Great graphics...thinking of selling it, and the good thing about XFX is that you can transfer the warranty to someone else. BFG is overpriced, but I haven't had a problem with my BFG 8800GTS G80. thinking about getting another 640 8800GTS G80 from EVGA, so I like all three brands you are thinking of getting. I would say whatever the cheapest is.

[spearman914]

Well everyone is saying evga everywhere for a reason heh, so I don't know yet. I just like the free game with the XFX, I don't know if there's any performance difference or something.

XFX got http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:BBFkhCSgRhMDJM:http://media.urbandictionary.com/image/large/pwned-48495.jpg by evga

[Gamax]

Basically, but why? cause of the step up thing and their customer support and warranty?

[paybackdaman]

It is a brand that most people have, and since they have had a good expierence with the EVGA cards they will recommend them to others.

[itsover65]

All the nvidia based cards I've had have been XFX, and I've never had a issue with any of them. So I'd say get the XFX + the free game :).

[trt740]

Well everyone is saying evga everywhere for a reason heh, so I don't know yet. I just like the free game with the XFX, I don't know if there's any performance difference or something.

EGA is a great company but XFX has a double lifetime warranty on it's graphics cards that can be passed on to the next person you sell it too making it's resale much higher, EVGA does not do that. Also the MSi card comes with witcher and it is not a ref card. It has higher quality components .I have had both the MSI card and the EVGA card and the MSI card is a much better overclocker.


MSI Graphics Card products utilities high quality solid capacitor. For the gamers and high-end users, this feature not only means that product has better quality components within, but also provide much stronger support while users want to engage in hard-core tuning.

MSI Vivid is an easy tool to enhance " image quality ". It can helps users to get better image quality in viewing " Digital photos, document & games "
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• 2% ~ 10% / 6-Scale Dynamic Overclocking Performance
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The MSI Live Update online is designed to automatically download and update the BIOS and driver when there's a new version online. It helps reduce the risk of getting the wrong file and minimize the trouble of searching the files from MSI website.



Live Update 3 is a single utility software that automatically checks BIOS, driver and utility updates and installs for you , which can save your time for searching and lower the risk while updating.



GeForce 8800GTS Chipset Features

NVIDIA unified architecture
Fully unified shader core dynamically allocates processing power to geometry, vertex, physics, or pixel shading operation, delivering up to 2x the gaming performance of prior generation GPUs.

Giga Thread Technology
Massively multi-threaded architecture supports thousands of independent, simultanous treads, providing extreme processing efficiency in advanced, next generation shader program.

Full Microsoft DirectX 10 Support
World's first DirectX10 GPU with full Shader model 4.0 support delivers unparalleled levels of graphics realism and film-quality effects.

NVIDIA SLI Technology
Delivers up to 2x the performance of a single graphics card configuration for unequaled gaming experiences by allowing two cards to run in parallel. The must-have feature for performance PCI Express graphics, SLI technology dramatically scales performance on today's hottest games.

PCI Express 2.0 Support
Delivers up to 2x the performance of a single graphics card configuration for unequaled gaming experiences by allowing two cards to run in parallel. The must-have feature for performance PCI Express graphics, SLI technology dramatically scales performance on today's hottest games.

NVIDIA Lumenex Engine
Delivers stunnying image quality and floating point accuracy at ultra-fast frame rates.

16x Anti-aliasing Technology
Lightning fast, high-quality anti-aliasing at up to 16x sample rates obliterates jagged edges.

128-bit floating point High Dynamic-Range (HDR) Lighting
Twice the precision of prior generations for incredibly realistic lighting effects -- now with support for anti-aliasing.

NVIDIA Quantum Effects Technology
Advanced shader processors architected for physics computation enable a new level of physics effects to be simulated and rendered on the GPU -- all while freeing the CPU to run the game engine and AI.

NVIDIA ForceWare unified Driver Architecture (UDA)
Delivers a proven record of compatibility, reliability, and stability with the widest range of games and applications. ForceWare provides the best out-of-box experience and delivers continuous performance and feature updates over the life of NVIDIA GeForce GPUs.

OpenGL 2.0 Optimizations and Support
Ensures top-notch compatibility and performance for OpenGl applications.

Dual 400MHz RAMDACs
Blazing-fast RAMDACs support dual QXGA displays with ultra-high, ergonomic refresh rate-up to 2048x1536@85Hz.

NVIDIA nView Multi-Display Technology
Advanced technology provides the ultimate in viewing flexibility and control for multiple monitors.

Dual-Link DVI Support
Able to drive the industry's largest and highest resolution flat-panel displays up to 2560 x 1600

NVIDIA PureVideo HD Technology
The combination of high-definition video decode acceleration and post-processing that delivers unprecedented picture clarity, smooth video, accurate color, and precise image scaling for movies and video.

Discrete, Programmable Video Processor
NVIDIA PureVideo is a discrete programmable processing core in NVIDIA GPUs that provides superb picture quality and ultra-smooth movies with low CPU utilization and power.

Hardware Decode Acceleration
Provides ultra-smooth playback of H.264, VC-1, WMV and MPEG-2 HD and SD movies

HDCP Capable
Designed to meet the output protection management (HDCP) and security specifications of the Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD formats, allowing the playback of encrypted movie content on PCs when connected purchase purcconnected to HDCP-compliant displays.

Advanced Spatial-Temporal De-Interlacing
Sharpens HD and standard definition interlaced content on progressive displays, delivering a crisp, clear picture that rivals high-end home-theater system

High-Quality Scaling
Enlarges lower resolution movies and videos th HDTV resolutions, up to 1080i, while maintaining a clear, clean image. Also provides downscaling of videos, including high-definition, while preserving image detail.

Inverse Telecine (3:2 & 2:2 Pulldown Correction)
Recovers original film images from films-convertedto-video (DVDs, 1080i HD content), providing more accurate movie playback and superior picture quality.

Integrated SD and HD TV Output
World-class TV-out functionality via Composite, SVideo, Component or DVI connections. Supports resolutions up to 1080i/1080p, depending on connection type and TV capability

Preformances
• Graphics Bus Technology: PCI Express
• Memory: 512MB
• Memory Interface: 256-bit
• Memory Bandwidth (GB/sec): 62.1
• Texture Fill Rate (Billion pixels/sec): 41.6
• RAMDACs (MHz): 400


Bundle Software
MSI developed software
• VGA Driver
• MSI Live Update Series ( Live VGA BIOS & Live VGA Driver)
- Automatically online download & update VGA BIOS & Drivers, reduce the risk of getting the wrong files, and never have the trouble on web site searching.
• StarOSD NEW!
StarOSD can monitor system information, adjust monitor figuration, and overclock system.
• Dual Core Center NEW!
• GoodMen
Automatically release the system memory space, reduce the risk of system hang-up.
• LockBox
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• MSI VIVID NEW!
- Vivid brings the easiest way to optimize graphic quality. Colorize your vision when browsing photos!!! Sharpen characters edge! Enhance contrast when playing game!
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• MSI Secure DOC
• E-Color
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• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Norton Internet Security 2005
• Microsoft® DirectX 9.0c


XFX

WARRANTY INFORMATION


What do I get?

Lifetime Warranties
Transferable Protection
Modder Friendly
Whats covered?
All 6, 7, 8 and 9 series Graphics Cards are protected.

How do I get it?
All you have to do is purchase an XFX Graphics Card and register the product within 30 days of purchase to activate your Lifetime Protection.







Here’s the deal: We will repair and service your 6, 7, 8 and 9 Series Graphics Card for as long
as you live. Even for those of you who know how to push our cards to the limits, if anything goes wrong, we’ll service it free of charge. All you have to do is register the card with us online. If you ever decide to sell or give the card away to someone, we’ll still honor the protection plan for the second owner as well. They just need to register the card with us. You get the protection AND the added value of being able to pass along a full warranty.

Warranty Details

[Gamax]

Yeah I think I will go for the XFX and the free game for now. I was planning on buying CoD 4 separately but this is just too good pass. All my cards before have been ATI so I was just looking for some advice :D

[trt740]

Yeah I think I will go for the XFX and the free game for now. I was planning on buying CoD 4 separately but this is just too good pass. All my cards before have been ATI so I was just looking for some advice :D

this is also a very good choice and will come close to a 8800gts when overclocked saving you a bunch of money. It will max that game no problem http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150290

[Gamax]

I would prefer avoiding overclocking the GPU, but that does sound like a good option.

[webwizard]

I am running 2 of these and they are fast http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150289
Free Call of Duty 4 w/ purchase, limited time offer

[trt740]

I would prefer avoiding overclocking the GPU, but that does sound like a good option.

well these cards are lifetime warranty weather you overclock them or not they will replace them if they die. Plus they are factory overclocked already.