G92 GTS assumes the position
Below GTX, above GT in graphics melange
NVIDIA HAS UNLEASHED its G92 8800 GTS on the not unsuspecting gaming public, and the initial verdict seems to be that its a decent part, likely to be marred by higher-than-estimated pricing.
HardOCP has one of the first boards off the production line, specced up by BFG. The G92 version of the GTS sports a 256-bit memory bus, unlike the 320-bit bus on the older GTS. This means that pretty much the only way to tell a G92 GTS from an old GTS on the shelf is the memory configuration - a 640MB or 320MB card is the old version, a 512MB card is the newer version.
Whereas the newly-released GT walked all over the old GTS, the new version restores its place as second-in-command - although the performance premium you pay for a GTX is looking more and more like bad value for money as the performance of the products underneath it increase.
HardOCP comes to the conclusion that pretty much the only use for a GTX is at extreme resolutions like 2560x1600 now, given that the new GTS can quite happily cope with new games at 24-inch monitor resolutions.
The bad news is that the price gouging that we are seeing with the GT appears to be happening all over again with the GTS. Nvidia's recommended price is between $300-$350, but the BFG card on test comes in at $399 - a hefty premium, even given the specced-up clocks.
Given that GT cards are already coming in at £200 here, it looks like the new GTS will be looking at upwards of £250 in Blighty, a mighty $500. Ouch. µ
Comments
Yep, that's how it goes
Available in my country for € 349.- ($514) and for €20 more you get crysis with it.The regular 8800gt512 is listed between € 249.- ($366) and € 279.- ($410) with crysis.
Normally you'd say that is the price you pay for living in a more socialist oriented society, but unfortunately bush has had enough influence to turn much of the EU in a rather capitalist oriented place, with governments privatising everything and making you pay everything that they used to pay.
However they won't give any of the money gained back to the people of course, seeing they are now capitalistic weasels, in fact they dare to raise tax.
I can't completely blame the idiots themselves because they've been quite clear and yet the voters vote them in, again and again, because the voters are ill informed and don't seem to pay attention.
Wait and see
I really think we should wait and see what happens with the "next generation" cards.I don't know why the new 8800's with the G92 architecture is still in the G80 series. New tech which obviously is outperforming its predecessors.
I'm hoping that nVidia bring out a beafed up version of the GTX with the G92 tech and then balance will be restored. Maybe they'll throw in an extra 22" monitor with it aswell considering the price I paid for mine a year ago
Geforce 9
Only stupid or rich person that buy this VGA. Just wait Feb and you can buy Geforce 9 (only there is something change in Nvdia Plan).The only thing you not dumb to buy is QX9650 and QX97xx. Because there is at least a few months beforce Intel get the new one.