8800GT 256mb?

Itronix

Itronix

New Member
Hello. I know that some feel that 256 mb cards are out, but is the 8800GT still good in 256 mb? It would be running on a 17" 1280 x 1024 resolution screen. My motherboard doesn't have PCI express x16 2.0, just pci express x16 (in 8x). Will this card keep up with games comming out in the future for a while?

Another question, if you have the time. I have been told that over clocking isn't too great on components and shortens the life span. If you purchase a factory over clocked 8800 (I guess it would be a 8800GTS), will it have a shorter life span than a GT? Thanks.
 
Itronix said:
Hello. I know that some feel that 256 mb cards are out, but is the 8800GT still good in 256 mb? It would be running on a 17" 1280 x 1024 resolution screen. My motherboard doesn't have PCI express x16 2.0, just pci express x16 (in 8x). Will this card keep up with games comming out in the future for a while?

Another question, if you have the time. I have been told that over clocking isn't too great on components and shortens the life span. If you purchase a factory over clocked 8800 (I guess it would be a 8800GTS), will it have a shorter life span than a GT? Thanks.
Click to expand...

The 8800GT 256MB version is still a very good card, theres only a minimal difference(if even) between the 256mb and the 512mb versions.

In terms of overclocking bringing down the lifespan of components, don't sweat it. Components have a long enough life span even when overclocked. I personally havn't seen any proven stats stating that overclocking lowers the lifetime of a computer component.
 
The 512MB version comes in handy if you play on higher resolutions, such as 1600 x 1xxx or 2xxx - 1xxx. The 8800GT 256MB would be perfect to run games on your 1280 x 1024 screen.
 
Actually the 256Mb version can be alittle unstable, early benchmarks showed otherwise but newer benchies paint a slightly different picture. In certain games the 256mb will perform strikingly like it's 512mb brethen and in others it will lose much performance over the 512Mb, even at a modest resolution such as yours. Newer games, WiC and Crysis, with large textures and open area seem to slap the 256mb version around alittle bit, for example..

Anandtech makes the observation that 256Mb of VRAM is no longer good enough. Newer games will hunger for more, and a bottleneck would be forthcoming in such circumstances. I think a 3870 or the 512mb variant are much better choices, Personally.. Not to say the 256mb is bad, it's just behind the curve alittle.
 
That is right, 256MB of VRAM are starting to become less sufficient. Is just like when everybody recommended to get a card with at least 128MB, but now is at least 512MB.

For the newer games of course.
 
Ok! Thanks, everyone. I was going to get a 8600GT with 512 mb of memory, but I'm not sure what that card will amount to by next year. I'm waiting to play Mafia II when it comes out (supposedly next September) and , if it is released for pc, GTA IV. I want to make sure that I have a card that will be ready to play these well enough (at least a high medium). I was looking at a 2900 HD Pro, but it's a bit power hungry for my supply. Most games that I will be playing will be last generation (GTA, Godfather, Scarface, flight simulator, maybe medal of honor), so I probably won't need too much card, but I will surely take more consideration in the 512 mb 8800GT for the extra $50-$60 rather than the 256mb version.

Does anyone have any thoughts about the 8600GT for my application, just out of curiosity? I'm playing on a X200 at the moment, so just around anything would be an improvement to my eyes! Thanks again!
 
Oh no no! Not the 8600GT! Lol, the 8800GT 256MB would own, and I mean PAWN the 8600GT 512MB. And regarding the HD2900Pro, the HD3870 is much, much better eats less power and is newer. And will let you play those games that you want to play like Mafia 2 and GTA IV IMO :)
 
the 8600gt is no good for future or present games. If you want to play Mafia 2 and GTAIV, at all, definitely avoid this card. On the other hand, it will be a big improvement over your integrated, but for alittle more, the 3850 is heaps better.

so agreed ^
 
Ok! How about this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102715

It's a little closer to my ideal price range than the 3870 is. Will this run in a board that isn't pci express X16 "2.0"? I don't have the 2.0 part :D. Do you think that it will play the games I want at decent settings? Sorry for the questions; this is my first build, so I'm learning, and I'm on a budget. Thanks for all of your help!
 
That is definitely a better choice than the 8600GT. And yeah you don't need to have a 2.0 Pcie- x16 to run it. Any Motherboard with a PCI-E slot will work. ANd Im pretty sure you'll be able to run those games at decent detail if the resolution is not too high.
 
Great! One final question; which would you reccomend: The 8800GT 512 for another $60, or the 3850 512 mb for $200? I make crappy choices:P.
Some basic specs are as follows:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+
2gb ram
250gb hard drive
500w power supply

Thanks and sorry for the bother!
 
the 8800gt 512mb, for sure. It is beyond any doubt the best card for the cash, IMO, with the 3870 just inches behind and the 3850 right there with it. If you can't get either of the first two, the 3850 is still a very good choice. All three would fit your system as well. Can you check the +12v line on that PSU though, just to make sure? All three need an amperage rating of 26 amperes to function copiously..

No bother. :)
 
Last edited:
Thanks. Well, it is new and never used. It has dual 12v rails, 18A on the first and 16A on the second. Maybe that won't cut it, but does the fact that it has dual rails count for anything? Is it "technically" up to 34A? Can it handle a cool 26A? It's a Rosewill performance series and according to the Newegg reviews it is very good. It was one model under another Rosewill that was recommended to me by another member. The one recommended went up in price, out of my budget. Newegg says that it is sli capable, but I won't be doing that (mother board only has one pci-e x16 slot). Thanks.
 
It should work perfectly. An FYI though, beneath the rated amperage there might be a rated wattage for the rail. It probably won't be the full 500w, more like 450-485w, but you should divide this number by 12 to get accurate numbers for amperage of the +12v rail. The manufacture doesn't always put it there though.

I should have brought this up before, but the 3850 is just an underclocked 3870. If you're not partial towards overclocking, this would be the card to get over the 3870. Cheaper, and all you have to do is raise the clocks to meet and beat it's older brother. I'm thinking of upgrading my old 7600gt to a 3850 as well, cause I can't afford the 8800gt. :)
 
Ok, right underneath the 18A and 16A rating for the 12v rails, it says 380W(31A). Underneath that, for combined power for the 3.3v and the 5v, it says 475.5w. Then, it says that the total power is 500w. So, I guess I am safe up to around 31A? Thanks.

Here it is:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182016&Tpk=rp500-2
It was $50 with free shipping when I got it. The only differences between the $75 one was that one of the 12v rails had 18 instead of 16, it had 550w, and it had another fan. I figured that I would be happy with this one. It seems to have a good weight to it also. Haven't been trying for anything fancy, just more for function and descent reliability. They say that it is rated for 100,000 hours, but I doubt that it will last that long!
 
Last edited:
Great! I appreciate all the help from you guys. I wouldn't be able to do accomplish this as easy if I didn't have your advice.

Yup, the 8800GT is a bit out of my price range, but I have a job and should be able to afford it after a few months of working; that is, if my dang car doesn't break down again:mad::mad::mad:! The car in my avatar is a pain!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top