9800GT 512MB for $100 - Whats the catch?

[db2450]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...lCjC2BF5BEwEfl

I dont understand how a deal could be that good and the original price is only $130 also.

[toptree]

BFG Tech Geforce 9800 GT
Core Clock: 635 MHz
Memory Clock:1850 MHz
Shader Clock:1566 MHz
XFX Geforce 9800 GT
Core Clock:600 MHz
Memory Clock:1800 MHz
Shader Clock:1500 MHz

[Crazyjeeper]

The 9800GT is an 8800GT with the 8 crossed out and a 9 written in with a crayon. 8800GTs were selling for about 100 a few months ago.

[GauravA42]

Originally Posted by Crazyjeeper

The 9800GT is an 8800GT with the 8 crossed out and a 9 written in with a crayon. 8800GTs were selling for about 100 a few months ago.

i dont know about the crayon, but the die has been shrunk

[FATMOUSE]

^That's what she said.

[awdrifter]

The 9800GT has the same chip as the 8800GT (G92), only the 9800GTX+ is a die shrink of the 9800GTX.

[MadCow809]

no catch, just an old card rebranded as a new card to fool the market.

8800GT for 100 bucks sounds about right. Personally, I think it should be cheaper

[matt2000]

So basically, buy an 8800GT and you'll get it even cheaper?

[MadCow809]

pretty much so, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you can flash your 8800GT into a 9800GT. Havn't been modding videocards in a while, but since both cards are based on the same structure and board layout, I think it's possible.

nVIDIA is just playing games with the model numbers, which is why I've been only buying ATI cards for the whole of last year. HD3800 & 4800 series are really dominating the gaming market at the moment.

As for nVIDIA, they turned the 8800GS -> 9600GSO and 8800GT -> 9800GT, basically the same card, just different names.

[awdrifter]

8800GT are no longer being made, but yes, if you can find some old 8800GT stock it should be cheaper and it'll perform just the same.

[Cold Fussion]

Originally Posted by awdrifter

The 9800GT has the same chip as the 8800GT (G92), only the 9800GTX+ is a die shrink of the 9800GTX.

Some of the 9800gt's are on the 55nm process.

[matt2000]

Originally Posted by awdrifter

8800GT are no longer being made, but yes, if you can find some old 8800GT stock it should be cheaper and it'll perform just the same.

Yeah I realised that after I had said it.

I'm actually looking for a new card when the Jan sales start (my pair of 7900GS's really aren't good enough any more). I was considering a 9800GTX or + for around £130, but the HD 4850 looks quite good, how do they match up.

Sorry to drag it off topic a bit, still related to the 9800 series though.

[awdrifter]

Stock to stock, the 9800GTX+ beats the 4850. But the 4850 have higher overclock potential (if you get aftermarket cooling and do a pencil voltmod). I have my 4850 up to 810mhz core clock, that's 60mhz higher than the stock 4870 clocks.

This is my 4850 at 700mhz core. (CPU@3.16ghz)


810mhz core. (CPU@3.4ghz)


My build thread.
http://forums.finalgear.com/technolo...ew-comp-29583/

[MadCow809]

I completely disagree with you on the 9800GTX v.s HD4850 case. I've ran both cars and HD4850 performs much faster in most games I play (Crysis, COD, GRID etc..)


And 9800GTX+'s pricing is more expensive than the 4850, you have to compare apples with apples, 4850 > 9800GTX, if you are willing to pay more for the + version, then you might as well as buy the 4870 and be done with it.

[awdrifter]

The 4850 only beat the 9800GTX by a few percent, and the 9800GTX+ only beat the 4850 by a few percent. The cheapest 4870 is still $200, the cheapest 4850 is about $150 ($120 after rebate). While the 9800TX+ is $170.

[matt2000]

Thanks for the insight. The ATI seems to be the better deal but to be honest I'd prefer to stick with Nvidia, having used the catalyst controls many times I can never seem to get used to them. Plus the fact that my board is SLi compatible but not Crossfire.

[Breznikov]

Then get the 9800GTX+. You'll still get good value for your money. The HD4850 and HD4870 are both brilliant cards, but there is indeed a small gap in the middle, which has been filled by the 9800GTX+. And with a SLi board the 9800GTX+ would be the best option, since you can try and find another one (second hand maybe) and get a nice performance boost for not that much money.