BFG 9800GTX 512MB Review

Manufacturer Product Page: TBD
Product Number: BFGR98512GTXE
Availability: Now
Warranty: Lifetime
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It seems that within the last few months, no matter which way we look there is always another graphics card launch on the horizon. It used to be that the high-end cards were launched first and were then followed by the mid-end and lower end cards a few months down the road. Well, recent trends have been anything but normal and the market has been rife with all manner of cards from both ATI and Nvidia which are squarely targeting the more budget-minded consumer. There has never been a better time than now to be looking for a graphics card even though Nvidia’s lineup in particular has become extremely confusing for any first time buyer. Today marks the release of yet another assault on the sub-$400 price point by Nvidia with their eagerly-anticipated 9800 GTX.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and this holds true for the tried, tested and true Nvidia 8-series graphics cards. With the release of the 9800 GTX we are seeing another step away from the 8-series naming convention which has stuck with us like an old friend for the better part of 16 months. If you think about it, 16 months is a hell of a long time in the ever-changing world of faster processors and Moore’s law. So, after nearly a year and a half the 8800GTX will get the axe while being replaced with a less expensive and supposedly more versatile card. The new 9800GTX is billed as a card that offers not only extreme HD gaming but also offers a one-stop-shop of a bevy of other features which were not offered on the outgoing 8-series cards. With these new features, Nvidia is taking the road less travelled of forgoing brute force graphics power and instead focusing on a balanced entertainment experience.

When the last GTX went on sale, we saw its retail prices hit over $700 here in Canada but a lot has changed in the last 16 months and we are now in the glory days of price / performance wars between Nvidia and their rival ATI. So, instead of sticker shock the consumer is now saddled with the new 9800GTX retailing for between $300 and $360…or about half the price of the GTX of yesteryear. Not only is the price extremely good but our contacts are telling us that there will be plenty of stock on hand when retailers begin listing these cards. As usual, there will be prices running the gamut and overclocked versions galore but today we will be focusing on a stock clocked 9800 GTX from one of the more easily-recognized Nvidia board partners: BFG.

BFG has long been known as one of the premier graphics card manufacturers here in North America and in Europe. Not only do they have a dominating market presence but they back up this clout with some of the best warranty and RMA support around. The 9800GTX they sent us is their stock-clocked version (which will retail slightly above a bargain-basement 9800GTX) but in true BFG tradition, they will also have overclocked versions on their way in the form of cards with the OC2 and OCX monikers. So, without further delay, let’s dive right in and see what this new GTX is all about.