*Official* 8800 GTX/GTS Information Thread

[Lt. ColdFire]

Count me in for 8800GTX SLI

[Syrillian]

Originally Posted by stormlobster

I'm getting the Swiftech Extreme GPU block and the G80 adapter kit. I'll tell you guys how it goes, it'll be my first time watercooling.

Excellent, I am really interested to see how the cooling performs.

[Lyoko]

Make fun of us broke ppl (except tub since he won it XD)

haha joking!

[PeteRock187]

Originally Posted by tubnotub1

Currently Nvidia has told all 3'rd party manufactures to NOT sell their cards pre-overclocked. This was done (we can assume) so that a fiasco similar to the 7900 one did not crop up upon launch, which would have caused negative publicity, and created low sales. That being said, currently ALL cards sold (xFx, eVGA, BFG, Asus...etc) all ship with the SAME clocks. I have read however, that after December, Nvidia begin allowing pre-overclocked cards. Until then, the only differences are customer support, and fringe benefits. (step up program, free games, etc)

In response to R@ZOR, you will see a performance jump going from your 6800 to an 8800, and more then likely a very large one. A single 8800 would allow you to run all of your games at 16af and more then likely 16aa, considering the low resolution that your screen runs at, and will more the likely allow you to see a solid 30+ fps (probably alot more!) in all games, except for maybe oblivion. However, the best reason to get an 8800 series card would be for DX10 support. Once that comes out CPU bottlenecks will lessen, as physics, lighting, and other things that a CPU usually does will be moved to being calculated on the GPU!

Who said I had a 6800?? solid 30+fps??? Hell I got that with a 7900GT before I did them is SLI. BFG has been known for being a manufacturer that sells overclocked cards and wararnties them as well. They have awesome support. Im not seeing an 8800 offered by them that is oced though. Would be curious to find out the specs on it compared to the EVGA.

[tubnotub1]

Hey Pete, the comment about the 6800 was actually directed towards R@ZOR... lol, "In response to R@ZOR". I guess you missed that, np. Anyways, you are correct in stating that BFG sells overclocked cards, and backs them up with warranties, however while BFG does sell overclocked cards, to my knowledge they do not warranty said cards if you choose to overclock them yourself. eVGA not only supports overclocking in their warranty, they even support the use of a 3'rd party cooler. Taking off the stock cooler of a BFG card will void your warranty, with eVGA you dont have to worry about that. Either way, it seems to me as though you feel I am speaking down about BFG, and I would like to assure you I am no way doing that. BFG is a well respected company and they do make a very solid product. However, at this time eVGA's warranty is much more comprehensive then BFG's, which is why I would suggest eVGA. Also, please keep in mind that currently all cards are, for all intentions and purposes nothing more then "re-badged" Nvidia reference cards! Either way you go, you will be happy, and you will receive a high quality product, so good luck shopping!

[PeteRock187]

Originally Posted by tubnotub1

Hey Pete, the comment about the 6800 was actually directed towards R@ZOR... lol, "In response to R@ZOR". I guess you missed that, np. Anyways, you are correct in stating that BFG sells overclocked cards, and backs them up with warranties, however while BFG does sell overclocked cards, to my knowledge they do not warranty said cards if you choose to overclock them yourself. eVGA not only supports overclocking in their warranty, they even support the use of a 3'rd party cooler. Taking off the stock cooler of a BFG card will void your warranty, with eVGA you dont have to worry about that. Either way, it seems to me as though you feel I am speaking down about BFG, and I would like to assure you I am no way doing that. BFG is a well respected company and they do make a very solid product. However, at this time eVGA's warranty is much more comprehensive then BFG's, which is why I would suggest eVGA. Also, please keep in mind that currently all cards are, for all intentions and purposes nothing more then "re-badged" Nvidia reference cards! Either way you go, you will be happy, and you will receive a high quality product, so good luck shopping!

Yeah, I understand your points made fully and I appreciate the opinions and help. Ive been down with BFG ever since the 5700LE and havent had a complaint since. Even at full overclock ive never had an issue with one overheating or going out for that matter. Just a product ive known for years that works and works well. Never been a fan of EVGA so im not leaning towards one, was just curious why most if not all of you that has a 8800 has an EVGA thats all.

[Pinhead-227]

I've got a single 8800GTX. The best addon to cool the thing thus far is one of these slot exhaust blowers:



http://www.antec.com/us/productDetai...?ProdID=77094#

Or if you have a little extra room, one of these:



http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=370034

I've got the single slot fan and it dramatically lowered both my case temp and my card temp. The design of the hsf makes it look like the heat should be "exhausted" by the hsf itself, but most of the heat gets pushed back into the case right next to the slot covers. These fans suck all of that hot air out.

Edit: The hsf's "exhaust" is circled in red in the pic below. The fans from above suck all of that heat out of the case.

[ThaLoveDocta]

hey i hadn't thought of that!! those are genius! specially cuz all the hot air gets trapped below it cuz it's so damn big.

[R@ZOR]

Originally Posted by tubnotub1

Currently Nvidia has told all 3'rd party manufactures to NOT sell their cards pre-overclocked. This was done (we can assume) so that a fiasco similar to the 7900 one did not crop up upon launch, which would have caused negative publicity, and created low sales. That being said, currently ALL cards sold (xFx, eVGA, BFG, Asus...etc) all ship with the SAME clocks. I have read however, that after December, Nvidia begin allowing pre-overclocked cards. Until then, the only differences are customer support, and fringe benefits. (step up program, free games, etc)

In response to R@ZOR, you will see a performance jump going from your 6800 to an 8800, and more then likely a very large one. A single 8800 would allow you to run all of your games at 16af and more then likely 16aa, considering the low resolution that your screen runs at, and will more the likely allow you to see a solid 30+ fps (probably alot more!) in all games, except for maybe oblivion. However, the best reason to get an 8800 series card would be for DX10 support. Once that comes out CPU bottlenecks will lessen, as physics, lighting, and other things that a CPU usually does will be moved to being calculated on the GPU!

Thank-You, i have read a lot about how the bottleneck will go down the higher your settings are and that you could even put the settings up and have the exact same Fps. I plan on getting a quad core when they become realistically priced :P.. so i guess that by the time bottlenecking becomes an issue when i need the power so i dont lag in a game i will probly have a brand new cpu anyway.. thanks again

[ENTERPRISE]

Very Good and Informative thread tubnotub1....Keep it up.