Graphics Card Selection

[TheJeffsta]

I need help selecting which graphics card to possibly buy in the near future.

I currently have 16 graphics cards that all look alright and decent. They are all PCIe-16, have TV out, DVI (dunno what stupid company would not use DVI now), and HDTV and are not Low Profile.

1. XFX PV-T88P-YDD4, GeForce 8800 GT, 512MB DDR3 RAM, 670MHz Core Clock, 256 Memory Bus, SLI Ready
2. XFX PV-T88P-YDE4, GeForce 8800 GT, 512MB DDR3 RAM, 640MHz Core Clock, 256 Memory Bus, SLI Ready
3. Leadtek WinFast PX8800 GT, GeForce 8800 GT, 512MB DDR3 RAM, 600MHz Core Clock, 256 Memory Bus, SLI Ready
4. Gigabyte GV-NX88T512H-B, GeForce 8800 GT 512MB DDR3 RAM, 600MHz Core Clock, 256 Memory Bus, SLI Ready
5. XFX PV-T88G-YDF4, GeForce 8800 GTS, 512MB DDR3 RAM, 650MHz Core Clock, 256 Memory Bus, SLI Ready
6. Sapphire HD 3850, Radeon HD 3850, 512MB DDR3 RAM, 668MHz Core Clock, 256 Memory Bus, SLI Ready
7. Gigabyte GV-RX387512H-B, Radeon HD 3870, 512MB DDR4 RAM, 668MHz Core Clock, 256 Memory Bus, Crossfire Ready
8. Leadtek WinFast PX8800 GTS, GeForce 8800 GTS, 512MB DDR3 RAM, 650MHz Core Clock, 256 Memory Bus, SLI Ready
9. Leadtek WinFast PX7950 GT TDH Extreme, GeForce 7950 GT, 512MB DDR3 RAM, 600MHz Core Clock, 256 Memory Bus, 24 Pixels Per Clock, SLI Ready
10. Sapphire HD 2900 XT, Radeon GD 2900, 512MB DDR3 RAM, 740MHz Core Clock, 512 Memory Bus, Crossfire
11. Gigabyte GV-RX29T512VH-B, Radeon HD 2900 XT, 512MB DDR3 RAM, 740MHz Core Clock, 512 Memory Bus, Crossfire Ready
12. XFX PV-T80G-THD9, GeForce 8800 GTS, 640MB DDR3 RAM, 600MHz Core Clock, 320 Memory Bus, SLI Ready
13. Sapphire HD 3870, Radeon HD 3870, 512MB DDR4 RAM, 775MHz Core Clock, 256 Memory Bus, Crossfire Ready
14. Gigabyte GV-NX88S512H-B, GeForce 8800 GTS, 512MB DDR3 RAM, 650MHz Core Clock, 256 Memory Bus, SLI Ready
15. MSI NX8800GT-T2D512E, GeForce 8800 GTS, 512MB DDR3 RAM, 600MHz Core Clock, 256 Memory Bus, SLI Ready
16. XFX PV-T88P-YDQ4, GeForce 8800 GT, 512MB DDR3 RAM, 625MHz Core Clock, 256 Memory Bus, SLI Ready

There is the list, I need help cutting that down to 1 graphics card. At this stage I feel price is irrelavant at this stage.

So, which is the one, or the ones, which sticks out?

[Smith6612]

Gaah, too many graphics cards! Well, I'd say first of all narrow stuff down to nVidia (unless you want ATI too, and they make good cards too, but it all depends).

[TheJeffsta]

Most of them are Nvidia anyway ;P, like 5 ATI cards out of 16

[Smith6612]

OK, for clock speed, I'd say go with number 11. For video memory, go with number 12. Also, note that you should try to maintain a balance between clock speed and RAM. The faster the clock speed, the faster your card can use the RAM.

[unpixelatedgamers]

The first one.

The 8800GT is the best in its class. More than 512MB of onboard memory with cards of these power is irrelevent really. And the first one seems to be clocked the highest ie. most performance.

Then again, you could get a slightly slower clocked 8800GT and overclock it yourself if you want to save a few £/$

Also, while the 8800 GTS 512MB (the one with the G92 core) is better than the 8800 GT, it is a double slot card, and has a poorer price/performance ratio.

DON'T go for the 8800 GTS 256MB or 640MB, even though the latter has more memory than either the 8800 GT or GTS 512MB, it has a less efficient core, (so less graphics power) and is more expensive.

[adrenlinerush]

if your running windows ATI makes a better card... if your running linux NVIDIA has better linux support

[dr.scoo]

2 choice u can chooose betwween them.
either a 8800GT 512MB or a 8800GTS 512MB NOT "640 or320".
then choose the one u find it compatible with ur budget.
THE 8800GTS is more powerful.

[TheJeffsta]

Argh, ive got people in one ear saying 8800GT is powerful and the GTS is crap, now I have someone saying that the GTS is powerful :S

[unpixelatedgamers]

Argh, ive got people in one ear saying 8800GT is powerful and the GTS is crap, now I have someone saying that the GTS is powerful :S

Haha! It is a bit confusing yes, I'll try and simplify it a bit;

Of the 8800 series graphics cards:
GTS 320MB < GTS 640MB < GT 512MB < GTS 512MB < GTX 768MB

Of these, you should either go with the GT, or the GTS with 512MB. The GTS 512MB IS more powerful than the GT, the other GTS models are NOT. Also bear in mind that the GTS 512MB is a double slot card, meaing it will take twice the space as a normal card like the GT.

So, if you have a small case, or are thinking about SLI, the GT is probably the better choice as it will give you more space inside the case to work with.

Did that help?