6800GS_IN, 9800Pro_OUT

[Ed Forsythe]

Hi Troops,
After much deliberation I finally decided to deep six my venerable
9800Pro/128 and replace it with a 6800GS/AGP. I'm trying to decide between
the eVGA and the XFX cards. Both are clocked and have 350MHz cores and
1000MHz memory. The only difference is that the XFX has dual DVI while the
eVGA has 1-DVI and 1-VGA. I'm favoring the XFX because I may add another LCD
display eventually.
Prices: NewEgg ZipZoomFly (All prices include S/H)
eVGA 213.69 194.99 (incl $20 mail in rebate)
XFX 223.69 219.99
While I like to shop at NewEgg it seem that ZZF has the best prices. There
is a BFG 6800GS, $229 @ NewEgg (350 core, 1050 clock) but it's OOS.

The reason I chose the 6800GS is that I have an ABIT IC7-Max3 MB (AGP) and I
want the greatest increase in speed over the 9800Pro without breaking the
bank. I plan on replacing the MB with PCIe, DDR3 memory, and PCIe Vid card
after Christmas.

I'm looking for comments/opinions re: eVGA, XFX, and BFG. Which is most
likely to allow increasing the pipes from 12 to 16? Any and all comments are
welcome ;-)

Ed F.

 

[McGrandpa]

Hi Troops,
After much deliberation I finally decided to deep six my venerable
9800Pro/128 and replace it with a 6800GS/AGP. I'm trying to decide
between the eVGA and the XFX cards. Both are clocked and have 350MHz
cores and 1000MHz memory. The only difference is that the XFX has dual DVI
while the eVGA has 1-DVI and 1-VGA. I'm favoring the XFX because I may add
another LCD display eventually.
Prices: NewEgg ZipZoomFly (All prices include S/H)
eVGA 213.69 194.99 (incl $20 mail in rebate)
XFX 223.69 219.99
While I like to shop at NewEgg it seem that ZZF has the best prices. There
is a BFG 6800GS, $229 @ NewEgg (350 core, 1050 clock) but it's OOS.

The reason I chose the 6800GS is that I have an ABIT IC7-Max3 MB (AGP) and
I want the greatest increase in speed over the 9800Pro without breaking
the bank. I plan on replacing the MB with PCIe, DDR3 memory, and PCIe Vid
card after Christmas.

I'm looking for comments/opinions re: eVGA, XFX, and BFG. Which is most
likely to allow increasing the pipes from 12 to 16? Any and all comments
are welcome ;-)

Ed F.

I think you'd enjoy a 6800GT 256 a lot more, if you can find one.
McG.

 

[dino]

Have heard of people with the BFG6800GS OC having tremendous luck unlocking
the pipes..I deal here..is a canadian company but the prices are decent and
their service is awesome.
http://www.us.ncix.com/products/ind...ture=BFG Technologies&nocookie=1&membership=0

 

[First of One]

NCIX actually straddles the border, with offices in both Wash. state and
British Columbia. So there should be no customs fees or warranty problems.

 

[John Doe]

NCIX actually straddles the border, with offices in both Wash.
state and British Columbia. So there should be no customs fees or
warranty problems.

Should be?

Do they provide shipping costs upfront?

 

[First of One]

Yes, with 4-5 different speed/carrier choices, no less. NCIX's online
shopping cart/ordering/tracking system is very robust.

 

[DRS]

Hi Troops,
After much deliberation I finally decided to deep six my venerable
9800Pro/128 and replace it with a 6800GS/AGP.

[...]

I think you'd enjoy a 6800GT 256 a lot more, if you can find one.

What on earth makes you say that? The 6800GS is the replacement for the
6800GT. It's cheaper, cooler and its performance varies from a bee's dick
under the GT to up to 40% faster depending on the benchmark. And those
6800GS cards are 256Mb.

 

[John Doe]

Are you sure? After I put an item in my cart, I see this.

"Shipping and final tax calculation will be calculated at checkout"

Then I click on "customer checkout" and I asked to sign in.

 

[Wilf Wood]

Are you sure? After I put an item in my cart, I see this.

"Shipping and final tax calculation will be calculated at checkout"

Then I click on "customer checkout" and I asked to sign in.

Yea, they don't calcualte shipping and taxes until after you make the
purchase. I would email them and ask about customs etc.

 

[dino]

I have never been on an online retailer that did not ask you to sign in..or
create an account. I never thought a simple answer would create so much
difficulty. Next time I see better pricing..I'll keep it all to myself.

 

[McGrandpa]

Hi Troops,
After much deliberation I finally decided to deep six my venerable
9800Pro/128 and replace it with a 6800GS/AGP.

[...]

I think you'd enjoy a 6800GT 256 a lot more, if you can find one.

What on earth makes you say that? The 6800GS is the replacement for the
6800GT. It's cheaper, cooler and its performance varies from a bee's dick
under the GT to up to 40% faster depending on the benchmark. And those
6800GS cards are 256Mb.

I've not had a GS of course, but the GT. The GT I had is clocked core 350
ram 500(1000) and has 16 ROP's. The GS has the same ram characteristics,
425 core clock and 12 ROP's. The only advantage it enjoys I can see is the
faster core clock.
You're right though, the GS replaced the GT. It also happens to be the
only one of the two currently on the shelves. Try finding a 6800GT AGP or
PCI-e now.
Running Doom3 in Ultra Quality at 1280x1024 will show what to both cards, if
in say a 4800+ with 2 gigs ram?
The GS will slow down, the GT will not, is what I think.
McG.

 

[McGrandpa]

Hi Troops,
After much deliberation I finally decided to deep six my venerable
9800Pro/128 and replace it with a 6800GS/AGP.

[...]

I think you'd enjoy a 6800GT 256 a lot more, if you can find one.

What on earth makes you say that? The 6800GS is the replacement for the
6800GT. It's cheaper, cooler and its performance varies from a bee's dick
under the GT to up to 40% faster depending on the benchmark. And those
6800GS cards are 256Mb.

About availability; not all stores are lacking in 6800GT's:
NewEgg (original URL was WAAAY too long)

http://tinyurl.com/z5y9v

It's a given the GS is less expensive. And also, the 7800GS is right there
in the price range with the 6800GT's that are left.

Well hell, I've just talked myself right away from all the 6800's!!!

My new 2nd 7800GTX will be here tomorrow anway

McG.

 

[Ed Forsythe]

Thanks for the helpful advice troops ;-) I'll mull everything over but, as
of now, I'm still torn between eVGA, XFX, and BFG. I'm leaning toward XFX
because it has dual DVI+ the capability to power one LCD with dual DVI input
for higher resolutions. Of course your monitor must have dual DVI inputs. A
word of advice - Wait until the 3rd week in March before making *any* vid
card purchase. That's when the new stuff will be released and the old
prices will drop considerably. It's going to be hard 'cause I'm ready now

 

[First of One]

Yes, you need to create an account (name and address only) for them to know
your address and calculate shipping and taxes. You will get to see the
entire order breakdown in invoice format before having to enter any payment
information.

The account is also used for access to the NCIX forums.

 

[Ed Forsythe]

Hi McG,
6800 GS = $200, 7800 GTX = $400+ Even if you're PCIe now, the 6800 GS is a
far better PP ay $170.. Do you have anything that the 6800 GS won't run? If
you're looking for bragging rights you've got it goin'! Deuce 7800 SLI
Yahoooey!! I've never been accused of being frugal but I'm far wiser now
than when I paid $5000 for an IBM MicroChannel system )

Hi Troops,
After much deliberation I finally decided to deep six my venerable
9800Pro/128 and replace it with a 6800GS/AGP.
[...]

I think you'd enjoy a 6800GT 256 a lot more, if you can find one.

What on earth makes you say that? The 6800GS is the replacement for the
6800GT. It's cheaper, cooler and its performance varies from a bee's
dick under the GT to up to 40% faster depending on the benchmark. And
those 6800GS cards are 256Mb.

About availability; not all stores are lacking in 6800GT's:
NewEgg (original URL was WAAAY too long)

http://tinyurl.com/z5y9v

It's a given the GS is less expensive. And also, the 7800GS is right
there in the price range with the 6800GT's that are left.

Well hell, I've just talked myself right away from all the 6800's!!!

My new 2nd 7800GTX will be here tomorrow anway

McG.

 

[First of One]

That's true for the PCIe 6800GS. The AGP 6800GS uses a different core and
the reference clock speeds are much slower.

 

[Ed Forsythe]

Of course you're correct. *BUT* the 6800GS will OC to 6800GT speeds. Even
if you are unlucky enough to get one that won't it will still run any game
out there acceptably fast unless you're capable of competing against
FataIlty ;-)

 

[McGrandpa]

Hi McG,
6800 GS = $200, 7800 GTX = $400+ Even if you're PCIe now, the 6800 GS is a
far better PP ay $170.. Do you have anything that the 6800 GS won't run?
If you're looking for bragging rights you've got it goin'! Deuce 7800 SLI
Yahoooey!! I've never been accused of being frugal but I'm far wiser now
than when I paid $5000 for an IBM MicroChannel system )

So how long did your Micro Channel system stay in use?
Well, those 'awhile back dollars' were harder earned. I have always been
fairly frugal, with 4 kids and all that goes with em. Turning point in
life, kids are all out with kids of their own and I'm now in my 50's. I
kinda think it's my turn now
$900 for the pair of eVGA 7800GTX 256 ACS3 cards. Back in August the X2
4800+ was $985. I could have waited on that bit, but didn't as I figured I
might end up talking myself out of it SO for just a mobo, 2 vid cards
and a cpu I've dropped 2 grand. And, no, never had the GS's, just a
6800GT AGP. Then, stage II of the planned upgrade. pci-e sli mobo and pair
of 7800GTX512's. The GTX512's never materialized, and I've had to juggle
stuff around to get a pair of matched GTX 256 cards.
I'm not desperate, nuts or ignorant. This is just what I want to do. I
likely will go back to being frugal after this I'm thinking this rig
will last a year or two!
McG.

McGrandpa wrote:

Hi Troops,
After much deliberation I finally decided to deep six my venerable
9800Pro/128 and replace it with a 6800GS/AGP.

[...]

I think you'd enjoy a 6800GT 256 a lot more, if you can find one.

What on earth makes you say that? The 6800GS is the replacement for the
6800GT. It's cheaper, cooler and its performance varies from a bee's
dick under the GT to up to 40% faster depending on the benchmark. And
those 6800GS cards are 256Mb.

About availability; not all stores are lacking in 6800GT's:
NewEgg (original URL was WAAAY too long)

http://tinyurl.com/z5y9v

It's a given the GS is less expensive. And also, the 7800GS is right
there in the price range with the 6800GT's that are left.

Well hell, I've just talked myself right away from all the 6800's!!!

My new 2nd 7800GTX will be here tomorrow anway

McG.

 

[Ed Forsythe]

You're my hero McG - Reminds me of me when I was your age youngster.;-) I'm
76 and I've become a wee bit more patient. *BUT* I'm going to do a major
upgrade before I load Vista. New PCIe MB, AMD's best CPU (unless Intel
pulls a rabbit out), 2G DDR2 memory, New almost high end vid card <s>. New
sound card (not really necessary but I'm still running a SB Live!). The
rest of my stuff is OK. Lian Li full tower AL case, PC Power & Cooling 510W
Deluxe PS. WD Raptor 74G + 2 WD 160G HDDs, 2 Plextor DVD/CD burners. I hate
to trash my 1G of OCZ PC4000 memory - maybe I'll put it on eBay. BTW,
anyone want to buy an ATI 9800PRO/128 with a Zalman 9700? CU cooler.

Hi McG,
6800 GS = $200, 7800 GTX = $400+ Even if you're PCIe now, the 6800 GS is
a far better PP ay $170.. Do you have anything that the 6800 GS won't
run? If you're looking for bragging rights you've got it goin'! Deuce
7800 SLI Yahoooey!! I've never been accused of being frugal but I'm far
wiser now than when I paid $5000 for an IBM MicroChannel system )

So how long did your Micro Channel system stay in use?
Well, those 'awhile back dollars' were harder earned. I have always been
fairly frugal, with 4 kids and all that goes with em. Turning point in
life, kids are all out with kids of their own and I'm now in my 50's. I
kinda think it's my turn now
$900 for the pair of eVGA 7800GTX 256 ACS3 cards. Back in August the X2
4800+ was $985. I could have waited on that bit, but didn't as I figured
I might end up talking myself out of it SO for just a mobo, 2 vid
cards and a cpu I've dropped 2 grand. And, no, never had the GS's, just
a 6800GT AGP. Then, stage II of the planned upgrade. pci-e sli mobo and
pair of 7800GTX512's. The GTX512's never materialized, and I've had to
juggle stuff around to get a pair of matched GTX 256 cards.
I'm not desperate, nuts or ignorant. This is just what I want to do. I
likely will go back to being frugal after this I'm thinking this rig
will last a year or two!
McG.

McGrandpa wrote:

Hi Troops,
After much deliberation I finally decided to deep six my venerable
9800Pro/128 and replace it with a 6800GS/AGP.

[...]

I think you'd enjoy a 6800GT 256 a lot more, if you can find one.

What on earth makes you say that? The 6800GS is the replacement for
the 6800GT. It's cheaper, cooler and its performance varies from a
bee's dick under the GT to up to 40% faster depending on the benchmark.
And those 6800GS cards are 256Mb.

About availability; not all stores are lacking in 6800GT's:
NewEgg (original URL was WAAAY too long)

http://tinyurl.com/z5y9v

It's a given the GS is less expensive. And also, the 7800GS is right
there in the price range with the 6800GT's that are left.

Well hell, I've just talked myself right away from all the 6800's!!!

My new 2nd 7800GTX will be here tomorrow anway

McG.

 

[DRS]

McGrandpa wrote:

[...]

I've not had a GS of course, but the GT. The GT I had is clocked
core 350 ram 500(1000) and has 16 ROP's. The GS has the same ram
characteristics, 425 core clock and 12 ROP's. The only advantage it
enjoys I can see is the faster core clock.

Faster GPU clock and more overclocking headroom.

You're right though, the GS replaced the GT. It also happens to be
the only one of the two currently on the shelves. Try finding a
6800GT AGP or PCI-e now.

Nvidia have stated that they're clearing out the 6800 line and the GS will
be the only 6800 model available.

Running Doom3 in Ultra Quality at 1280x1024 will show what to both
cards, if in say a 4800+ with 2 gigs ram?
The GS will slow down, the GT will not, is what I think.

Anandtech's benchmarks show there's bugger all in it between the stock GS
and the GT:

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2593&p=3

However, the retail overclocked GS is noticeably faster (and is still
cheaper than a stock GT):

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2683&p=5
http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?head=15&page=4767