Nvidia’s next-gen 3D graphics card is the first to market that supports all of the 3D gaming-related features of Windows Vista and DirectX 10. So how does it stack up?
Reviews:
CNET: (9 out of 10)“This one is easy. Nvidia’s GeForce 8800 GTX not only beats ATI to market with its next-gen 3D graphics hardware, it also eliminates ATI’s image-quality advantage in current-generation titles. Throw in its sheer horsepower, and Nvidia gives the high-end enthusiast every reason to make this purchase.”
Bjorn3d: (9.5 out of 10)“I’ve been in the video gaming market for quite a few years now, let’s just say it’s been greater than ten. I’ve done many reviews where I was pretty stoked about a new product, but never as much so as I am right now. This is the best of all worlds when it comes to graphical rendering, both 2D and 3D. This card writes a totally new standard for their competition, it should be quite interesting to see how thing shake out.”
ExtremeTech: (9 out of 10)“Make no mistake: The GeForce 8800 GTX is the most significant piece of graphics hardware since the original GeForce 256. Back then, the GeForce 256 was thought to be too large a chip, and too power-hungry a card. You’ll hear naysayers say the same thing about the 8800 GTX. There is no doubt, however, that the 8800 GTX brings new levels of performance and an exciting new architecture to bear the problem of making the virtual world inside your PC look more realistic than ever.”
Product Information:
Price: $599
Website: Nvidia.com
Specifications:
- Stream Processors: 128
- Core Clock (MHz): 575
- Shader Clock (MHz): 1350
- Memory Clock (MHz): 900
- Memory: 768MB
- Memory Interface: 384 bit
- Memory Bandwith (GB/sec): 86.4
- Texture Fill Rate (billion / sec) 36.8
Bottom Line: If you have the means, the Nvidia GeFoce 8800 GTX is definitely one of the best cards money can buy. However, keep in mind that this is a first gen, next-gen card – which means games that will take full advantage of its power won’t be seen until sometime in mid 2007 at the earliest.
