Treat Your Eyes to a Killer Graphics Card
Written: Jun 05 '08 (Updated Jun 06 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Excellent graphics card, Tweaking, DDR3 Ram, Nvidia Name, Upper Echelon of 8800 series, SUPERCLOCKED!
Cons: Nothing new here: High running temps under load. Can be adjusted with “Ntune”.
The Bottom Line: Worth every cent in my opinion. SLI compatible, Realistic graphics for hardcore gaming.
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| nonedude's Full Review: eVGA GeForce 8800 GT, (512 MB) PCI Express Video C... |
WHY BUY NVIDIA?
The Nvidia brand name has been a mainstay for a long time. Whether you have built-in motherboard graphics or a video card installed in your computer. Chances are it’s been engineered by Nvidia (or possibly “ATI” another main player in video graphics).
I have been happily using Nvidia video cards for many years now.
Reasons being:
1) Driver Architecture
2) Constant upgrades/improvements to hardware and drivers.
3) Strong connection to gaming community.
4) Vendor Offerings
5) Tweaking, Tweaking, Tweaking.
5) Quality
----- Driver Architecture: -----
Driver architecture used by Nvidia translates to one driver servicing many video card models.
Example:
NVIDIA 8600GT card uses the same driver as an 8800GT, which uses the same driver as a 7600GT, etc.
The Doubting Thomas in some people may think unified drivers are a bad idea because it seems lazy.
Heck, I think too many features in a hardware tool become a bad idea…..
I assure you the driver method employed by Nvidia is sound.
Perfect example:
My new HP Elite M9250F Quad Core (review link at bottom of page) computer came with a Nvidia 8600 GT video card.
It performed well.
I yanked it out of the computer case because I already owned the superior 8800 GT which I’m reviewing right here, right now.
The Superclocked 8800 GT smokes the living daylights out of the 8600 GT in terms of performance.
Yet they both use the same driver download!
----- Upgrades / Improvements: -----
Nvidia never rests on current success and never has. Expect multiple driver updates each year. Hardware architectural updates are also numerous, even if it’s just upgrading a product line verse creating a new hardware line.
----- Gaming Community: -----
Many a modern computer video game I’ve played has the Nvidia logo appear during startup.
A female voice (with echo) whispers “NVIDIA”, logo is visible and the following text appears in the background:
“The Way Its Meant To Be Played”
This brandishing means:
The Hottest Games Developed and Optimized on NVIDIA per Nvidia website.
Are you getting that warm fuzzy feeling yet?
Am I the only dork on the internet? Naaah!
----- Vendor Offerings: -----
Nvidia may engineer the video card chipset but multiple vendors manufacture the product lines created:
EVGA, Jaton, MadDog, PNY, MSI, etc.
This translates to excellent product availability whether shopping at your local electronics store or purchasing on the internet.
----- Tweaking: -----
Tweak away by downloading the free “Ntune” program from Nvidia’s website:
http://www.nvidia.com
Nvidia is a tweak friendly company. Be forewarned, unfamiliarity with tweaking can lead to problems!
Portions of program are automated, like “stability test” or “fine/coarse tuning”
This is a stellar utility.
----- Quality: -----
I have purchased/owned an array of Nvidia cards over the years, none have broke down on me.
I usually uninstall, upgrade, and then sell the older card.
CONTENTS of PACKAGE / cost
1. EVGA e-Geforce 8800 GT graphics card
2. EVGA driver installation CD.
3. Two DVI to VGA adapters
4. HDTV Cable
5. 6 pin PCI-E power cable & Molex to PCI-e adapter
6. S-video cable
7. Users Guide
8. EVGA sticker pack
I purchased this video card for $260 about 3 months ago, and forget if it was Circuit City or Best Buy because I frequent both stores. Admittedly the cheapest prices can be found on the internet and video card prices typically decrease over time.
6 Pin PCI-E power cable is important! I highly recommend using it and so does the manual!
The PCI-E slot on a motherboard provides power to the installed card but…..
A power hungry video card like this one requires the additional juice to function at optimal performance.
If you don’t use the supplied power cable, graphics card will still work but why bother buying it?
Installation is quite simple, one end of power cord fits into back of video card and the other end fits into open connector on motherboard. If you have multiple 6pin power slots on motherboard use any one (doesn’t matter which one!)
----- Minimum System Requirements per Manual: -----
-Begin Quote from Manual-
Intel Pentium 4/AMD Athlon XP processor or higher
Available 16 channel PCI Express slot.
CD-Rom Drive
Windows 98SE/ME/NT 4.0 SP6/2000/XP
128MB Recommended (assuming RAM, doesn’t say)
-End Quote from Manual-
This video card requires a 400watt power supply or higher (pre-existing in your computer case).
I upgraded my 350watt to a 500watt supply and video card works great!
The product box states “Built for Microsoft Windows Vista” but manual lists compatibility with other Windows based operating systems. I use Vista Premium (64 bit) and compatibility is excellent, the dreaded “safely remove hardware” icon does not appear. In fact, product is “Certified for Windows Vista”.
MUSIC TO MY EYES / experience
Favorite Video Game 1: Unreal Tournament 3
Favorite Video Game 2: Crysis
Genre: Science Fiction First Person Shooter (both video games)
What better method to test a graphic card, then play an intense Sci-Fi First Person Shooter? Futuristic graphics and action abound!
UT3 graphics are “Unreal” when maximum visual settings are employed with this 8800 GT.
Water from a stream/river rippling as you walk (or drive) through it: Realistically Stunning!
The flag wavering as you capture it: Sweet!
Rain pouring down inside of a futuristic metallic compound: Breathtaking!
Effects of firing your rocket launcher, link gun, shock or bio rifle, etc: 3D-esque firing/explosions!
Flying or driving any of the vehicles: Visually Fun! Fun! Fun!
Graphics consistently remain at 60FPS (Nice!)
FPS = frames per second
Unwritten rule - you want to have 30FPS or higher when playing a video game.
Crysis is the GOLIATH of graphically daunting pc video games. I don’t believe there exists a single graphics card which can handle this game with visual fluidity at maximum settings/resolution allotted by the game.
I have good news to report.
1) The 8800 GT is SLI compliant if your motherboard is capable
In other words, you can install two of these graphics cards on a compatible motherboard.
2) My 8800GT (single card, not SLI) can handle maximum visual settings at 1024 by 768 resolution on a 22 inch LCD and video is strikingly alluring. Higher resolutions exist within Crysis but video settings must be lowered to maintain fluid graphics (or one can always tweak with the aforementioned “Ntune” program, careful now!)
PROFILE / INSTALLATION
This is a large video card to say the least, it’s roughly 9 inches long and is encased. Chipset is (primarily) not visible to the naked eye (unlike the majority of video cards).
Cooling fan is recessed in casing and is quite big for a video card, also quite necessary considering specs/capability.
Installation is simple, you must have an open PCI-E slot on your motherboard and please install the 6pin pci-e power connector (included). The only possible hitch of physical installation is a clumsy computer case with unorganized wires or overcrowding/usage of PCI slots.
An installation CD is included with 8800GT but I never touched it. CD includes graphics driver and a video game.
I never used it because:
1) I can get about a 1000 free video games off the internet.
2) The newest graphics driver is always available at Nvidia.com, so loading a possibly outdated driver was not an option for me.
----- 8800 GT Outputs/Inputs: -----
Two DVI outputs
S-Video input
DVI outputs on video card serve more than one purpose.
Hook up one monitor, hook up two monitors simultaneously, or hook up your monitor and television simultaneously. DVI to VGA adapter can be used with a monitor or television or install the S-video cable into graphic card and CRT (or LCD/Plasma). One way or another, this card can be used with a TV (and of course a Monitor).
I personally have not hooked my computer into my TV, I use my cheap laptop with built in motherboard graphics for that purpose with perfectly fine results (not hardcore video gaming).
Manual / User’s Guide - Info
The manual is 17 pages and is about 7” long by 5.5” wide, contains a few illustrations and a table of contents.
Quality glossy paper is used (thicker than 20lb paper)
Sections in Manual: Overview, Hardware Installation, Software Installation, nView Features, Troubleshooting, Contacting Customer Service, Technical Information, Compliance Information, Legal Information.
Registration is required to receive a limited lifetime warranty and can be completed online at:
http://www.evga.com/register
What the Nvidia 8800 GT Superclocked Brings to the Table
This graphics card is in the upper echelon of the Nvidia 8800 product line regarding specifications. There are at least 6 different 8800 models in existence, I really can’t keep up with them all (8800, 8800 GT, 8800 GTS, 8800 Ultra, 8800 GTX, 8800 SC, etc). “Superclocked” refers to frequencies used by the video card chipset, leading to improved performance.
-This following contains quoted material from EVGA and NVIDIA websites-
-- SPECS: --
256-bit GeForce 8800 GT (650MHz clock)
512MB 256-bit 1ns GDDR3 Memory
1620MHz Shader Clock
112 Stream Processors
PCI Express x16 Compatibility (PCI Express Compliant)
Integrated Nvidia TV Encoder (HDTV, S-Video)
Dual DVI-I Connectors
60.8GB per second memory bandwidth
Length of graphic card – 9”
-- FEATURES: --
Explanations derived from NVIDIA website
-NVIDIA unified architecture with GigaThread technology-
Massively multi-threaded architecture supports thousands of independent, simultaneous threads, providing extreme processing efficiency in advanced, next generation shader programs.
-Full Microsoft DirectX 10 Shader Model 4.0 support-
DirectX 10 GPU with full Shader Model 4.0 support delivers unparalleled levels of graphics realism and film-quality effects.
-NVIDIA SLI Ready-
Delivers up to 2x the performance of a single GPU configuration for unequaled gaming experiences by allowing two graphics cards to run in parallel.
-16x full screen anti-aliasing-
Lightning fast, high-quality anti-aliasing at up to 16x sample rates obliterates jagged edges
-True 128-bit floating point high dynamic-range (HDR) lighting-
Twice the precision of prior generations for incredibly realistic lighting effects—now with support for anti-aliasing.
-NVIDIA Quantum Effects physics processing technology-
Advanced shader processors architected for physics computation enable a new level of physics effects to be simulated and rendered on the GPU—all while freeing the CPU to run the game engine and artificial intelligence (AI).
-Two dual-link DVI outputs support two 2560x1600 resolution displays-
-NVIDIA PureVideo HD technology-
The combination of high-definition video decode acceleration and post-processing that delivers unprecedented picture clarity, smooth video, accurate color, and precise image scaling for movies and video.
-PCI Express 2.0 support-
Fully backwards compatible
-OpenGL 2.0 support-
Ensures top-notch compatibility and performance for OpenGL applications.
-NVIDIA nView multi-display technology-
Advanced technology provides the ultimate in viewing flexibility and control for multiple monitors.
-Resolution/Refresh-
240Hz Max Refresh Rate / 2560x1600 Max Analog / 2560x1600 Max Digital
-End Quote-
CONS
Truly only one con exists with this video card: High running temps
But don’t be scared, this is nothing new.
----- Temps: -----
Computer turned on for hours (MS Word, IE7 running, UT3 recently closed), video card fan auto set to 30% capacity: 63C / 145F
Fan tweaked to 100% capacity, exactly 1 minute later: 54C / 129F
Fan still at 100% capacity, additional 1 minute later: 50C / 122F
Fan auto setting likes to stay at 30% capacity (spins/revolution). I recommend directly setting to 50% for increased cooling without a change in fan noise. Setting to 100% will create a noticeable increase in fan noise and likely decrease fan lifespan.
Indicator of excessively high temperatures: Good graphics suddenly become choppy or tend to freeze.
I have never had this problem with this video card and I do put wear and tear on it.
If your current video card is not the hottest component in your computer case, one of the following likely applies:
1) You are using lackluster motherboard graphics and don’t have a video card installed.
2) You have a cheap video card installed which is underperforming.
3) You have an excellent video card with a high end case cooling system.
Don’t worry unless you current computer has temperature issues prior to video card upgrade!
ULTIMATE OPINION
Rated: 5 of 5 possible stars
If you don’t have a great video card installed in your computer like this one, you are missing something!
Related Reviews By Me
HP Elite M9250F Quad Core click for info.
Thanks for reading my review!
© nonedude (Mike Glassboro)
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 260
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Member: Mike
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