XFX 8800GT 256MB - Should I get?

[werty316]

My monitor is capable of a resolution no higher than 1280x1024 and I don't really care for AA and AF so is it worth getting this card even though it only has 256MB of video memory or should I just wait it out for the Series 9 or wait for the 8800GT 512MB to drop down in price (if that'll ever happen)?

NCIX.com - Buy XFX GeForce 8800GT 256MB 600MHZ 1.4GHZ - $215 after a $15 instant rebate

NCIX.com - Buy XFX GeForce 8800GT XXX 256MB 650MHZ 1.6GHZ - $234 after a $15 instant rebate


I would consider a 512MB model but prices are too rich for my blood.

[darkorb]

hey werty, what GPU do u have right now?

im sure u no, the 9 series is gonna be dam expensive, im thinking 400+ for the GT/GTS

[Squeetard]

Go with the ATI 3870 then. $239.

256mb doesn't cut it these days. Sure it looks good on the benchmarks, but take a look at the minimum framerates.

I benched a 8800gt 512 against a GTS 640 and the gt scored 3 frames higher in crysis but the minumum score was 5 frames higher with the gts. And that wasn't as big a difference in memory.

Resolution, AA and Af isn't the only factor in video memory. The texture maps are supposed to fit in there and if they have to swap them out of main memory you are gonna drop.

[werty316]

Originally Posted by darkorb

hey werty, what GPU do u have right now?

im sure u no, the 9 series is gonna be dam expensive, im thinking 400+ for the GT/GTS

Hey hows it goin, currently runnin' a 7900GT

Originally Posted by Squeetard

Go with the ATI 3870 then. $239.

256mb doesn't cut it these days. Sure it looks good on the benchmarks, but take a look at the minimum framerates.

I benched a 8800gt 512 against a GTS 640 and the gt scored 3 frames higher in crysis but the minumum score was 5 frames higher with the gts. And that wasn't as big a difference in memory.

Resolution, AA and Af isn't the only factor in video memory. The texture maps are supposed to fit in there and if they have to swap them out of main memory you are gonna drop.

I was thinking about getting a HD3870 since pretty much every 8800GT 512MB model is overpriced and a HD3780 for $240 has a better price vs. performance value than the 8800GTs.

Only issue is I prefer a lifetime warranty and I am not really familiar with any ATI partners that carry one except for Visiontek which NCIX does have instock but even so I don't know how good their lifetime warranty and their customer service is.

I also don't know which ATI company is great since all I have ever used are nVidia based cards.

[Squeetard]

Lifetime warranty means nothing to me. I haven't had a video card longer than a year in ,well ever. And I started with a riva tnt in the early 90's. what good would that card do today? 3 fps at 640x480, won't even run any games today. 2 year warranty is all you need. How long have you had your 7600?

[werty316]

7900GT, had for I think two years and RMA'd once so far. I tend to upgrade every so often but not every year. I think I might wait and see what NCIX has up their sleeve for this year's Boxing Day sale; maybe they'll have some nice video cards sales online but I doubt, and if my memory serves me right, all their good video deals were in store only last year.

Co you recommend any good ATI companies?

[Squeetard]

You'll have to check their warranties, but I had a sapphire (they actually make the ATI brand cards) and it was great. Diamond is good too (Creative's company)

[werty316]

I heard Sapphire is one of the top ATI companies however:
NCIX FORUMS - Sapphire and HORRIBLE support
Sapphire Forums - The infamous thread !!

This review got me thinkin' and if the benchmark results are accurate and real I just might know what I will be getting: XFX GeForce 8800 GT 256MB XXX Review

NCIX also had an open box XFX 8800GT 512MB 640Mhz, I think, which I regret not buying :(

I am hoping to see if NCIX will get and stock XFX 8800GT 512MB 600Mhz cards since paying a premium for an overclocked cards is a waste of money when you can just overclock a stock card to an overclocked card's speed.

DirectCanada did have a XFX 8800GT 512MB 600Mhz for $250, I think, but I guess someone over there noticed and now the priced jumped up :(
Xfx Geforce 8800GT 512MB 625MHZ 1.8GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I Hdcp Hdtv Out DIRECTX10 Video Card - DirectCanada

[DaleF]

You could always consider getting a decent monitor while you're at it.

[Thund3rball]

I'm not entirely sure you'd see a huge difference in performance from your 7900GT to a 3870 or GT 256. I'd save a few more pennies and go for the GT 512MB. Maybe it'll be a great deal on Boxing Day or you'll have enough in January. Either way 256MB is just not enough anymore IMHO, even at 1280x1024.