PC Perspective - XFX GeForce 8800 GT 256MB Graphics Card Review

	XFX GeForce 8800 GT 256MB Graphics Card Review
	Author: Ryan Shrout Date: Dec 31, 2007 Subject: Graphics Card Manufacturer: XFX

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Summary

The following is a summary of the more detailed analysis of NVIDIA's new 8800 GT 256MB GPU. For all the in-depth analysis and testing you'd expect from us, be sure to click this link to get all the details!

Click this link to get the full article

As you might be able to guess, the main difference between this new GPU and the previous one is the move to 256MB of memory instead of 512MB. They have the same number of stream processors as well as the same core and shader clock speeds. The memory system is still a 256-bit memory bus, though the new 256MB model obviously has half the memory and a range of frequencies from 700 MHz to 900 MHz depending on the board vendors' preferences. The speed of the memory will also affect the price of the card as you can get 800 MHz modules much cheaper than 900 MHz, etc.

There really isn't much new in the looks of the new 8800 GT 256MB cards -- in fact I would bet that without having them side by side with an original 8800 GT 512MB card, you wouldn't be able to tell them apart.

The XFX 8800 GT 256MB Alpha Dog Edition that we are reviewing here today looks very similar to our 512MB model with a svelte single slot cooler and dual dual-link DVI outputs.

Remembering that our reference speeds for the 8800 GT 256MB were 600 MHz core and 700-900 MHz memory, the XFX model here is overclocked. With a 650 MHz core clock and 800 MHz memory clock the Alpha Dog Edition should be among the fastest of the 256MB 8800 GTs on the market.

Let's see some quick performance numbers:

Performance

The XFX 8800 GT 256MB Alpha Dog Edition graphics card is the first 8800 GT 256MB GPU to hit our test benches, and I was not impressed. With all the power that the 512MB version of the 8800 GT possessed, I expected performance of the 256MB version to be lower, but not this substantially. In some games, the 256MB card is less than half the speed of the 512MB card! As we decrease the resolution to below 1600x1200, that difference does begin to subside, but considering we are talking about a card that is only $35 less than the 8800 GT 512, it simply doesn't make sense to go with the 256MB version.

Also, comparing the 8800 GT 256MB to the HD 3850 256MB cards, the AMD GPU is the clear winner again. Even though it has the same memory deficit as the new G92 derivative it is able to perform at much higher levels through most of our games. The only exception is UT3 really. I also noticed that the HD 3850 card was much more forgiving moving from 1600x1200 resolutions up to 1920x1200 where the 8800 GT 256MB card was crippled by that change in many cases.

Pricing Comparisons and Availability

My performance summary above kind of pulls it all together, but just to review:

NVIDIA 8800 GT 512MB - starting at $250
NVIDIA 8800 GT 256MB - starting at $215
AMD HD 3850 256MB - starting at $175
AMD HD 3870 512MB - starting at $240

The 8800 GT 256MB doesn't look to have a place in the various GPU pricing schemes on the market as I see it. The AMD HD 3850 is priced $45 cheaper yet is a better overall performing card while the faster HD 3870 is only $25 more. The 8800 GT 512MB is only $35 more yet is a MUCH faster graphics solution.

Final Thoughts

The NVIDIA 8800 GT 256MB is overpriced for the performance it provides and this card should really be priced at the level of the 8600 GTS 256MB. Both AMD's Radeon HD 3850 (for those looking to save money) and the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB (for those okay with spending a little bit more) are much better options for PC gamers.

Be sure to use our pricing engine to find the best prices on NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards and anything else you might need:

Click here for the Detailed Review