Page 2 - Specifications & Technology
So before we dive into all the splashing water fun, let's swim through the technology that is empowering the 8800 GTS.
The product as tested today really aren't far off from the current GTS line of products or for that matter the GTX, there are however some significant features altered in this G92 chip that empowers the graphics card worth mentioning. But basically it's more of the same, with some small improvements, same performance level that we already know, yet positioned better pricing wise and thus making it more acceptable to purchase for even more consumers.
First a peek at the new product line-up:
- GeForce 8800 Ultra - $699
- GeForce 8800 GTX $499-$599
- GeForce 8800 GTS 320/640 MB $349-$399 GeForce 8800 GTS $299
- GeForce 8800 GT $199 - $249
- GeForce 8600 GTS $149
- GeForce 8600 GT $109
- GeForce 8500 GT $69-$89
- GeForce 7300 GT 512MB $59-$69
- GeForce 8400 GS $49-$59
- GeForce 8300 GS OEM only
- GeForce 7300 GS $39-$49
- GeForce 7200 GS <$39
As you can see, that's quite a hefty product line. So many SKU's (Stock Keeping Unit), versions and then next to that the overclocked editions; it quite honestly must drive the board-partners and consumers crazy. The reality is though that I expect some product to go EOL really soon. Among them the GTS and Ultra. And I do expect new products for mid-range real soon as well.
But let's leave that as it is and focus on the 8800 GTS 512MB. The new 512 MB GTS cards are surely interesting for the eyes. We know we've seen the PCB before, yet the cooler is definitely new. It's based on the GTS design, yet the fan is angled slightly different, pushing more air over and closer to the GPU. Quite interesting. We'll check out temperatures on the next page though.
The silicon powering that 8800 GTS 512MB is based on NVIDIA's newer 0.65nm silicon. Much like the 8800 GT you'd probably ask. So is this a respin product? And again I would answer "Yes and no, but not exactly". See, this GPU architecture is 95% the same as the good old G80 (GTS/GTX/Ultra) core yet with three exceptions
The first being the fabrication process. It was moved from 90nm towards 65 nm, meaning a smaller die-size, likely resulting in lower core voltages, more energy efficiency and perhaps better clock speeds.
The second being the fact that the 8800 GTS has an increased amount of shader processors over the GTS series (while being a cheaper product). For example a 8800 GTX has 128 of these processors, the old GTS has 96, the new 8800 GT has 112 activated Shader processors yet the 8800 GTS 512MB version has 128 shader processor.
The more the merrier of course. Interesting, because if you take a peek at the clock speeds you'd might even think it can beat a GTX. Well, at the end of the pipeline there this thing called ROPs and that's where the old GTS (16 ROPs), this one has 20 and thus is a little castrated compared to the GTX (24 ROPs). There's a new optimization of ROPs' compression algorithm being applied on the GT though, which makes it a bit more efficient.
Next to that, this product is utilizing enough memory, yet the GTX is addressing the memory bus faster (384-bit) opposed to the 8800 GTS with 256-bit. The performance differential is small though, as our benchmarks will show. But the interesting thing is, that when you look at the GPU specifics and compare them to the GTX, this GTS should be faster. Yet the ROP limitation and lower specced memory addressing prohibits that ... but very little in reality.
Despite several rumors, the card will be released in a 512MB version only (for now).
The memory clocks for the reference products (baseline) will be 1600 MHz, the core frequency 650 MHz and for the freaks, the shader domain is clocked at 1625 MHz. Now how does that relate to the GTX, you ask? Well, have a good look at the chart below:
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As you can see, the GTS 512Mb is specced much higher than the GTX. Yet it'll lack an additional 256MB and faster 384-bit memory bus. And these last two factors will slow it down a little.
BFG GeForce 8800 GTS the Water Cooled Edition
So then, H20 my bro! In the BFG box we'll find a 100% reference based NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS 512MB yet with two distinct differences, this one has a water-cooling block the size of a whale on it, and it's a pre-tested and qualified vanilla 8800 GTS sample. That means pre-qualified to run faster while remaining stable, and that (here's the word again) is sexy.
Obviously what you'll notice immediately is that the water-cooling block that covers all the memory chips and GPU core. That block seems to originate from Danger-den, it's looking pretty cool for sure. A nice single slot design and each card will be hand-built by a BFG technician with Arctic Silver thermal compound and includes the fittings of your choice (1/4, 3/8 or 1/2) custom tailoring it to your water cooling needs. Let's have a peek at the entire lot.
Bundle wise BFG did a okay job, they include:
- GeForce 8800 GTS 512 MB Water Cooled edition
- Driver CD
- A seriously outdated analog HDTV block (3-way RCA component) -> manufacturers please supply a HDMI dongle if you put HDMI ready on the box !!
- 6-pin to Molex power cable
- 3 couplings (two standard, one small for SLI).
- a couple of clamps.
- manual
- VGA->DVI dongles x2
What you need to remember about the water cooled edition it that you only buy the GeForce 8800 GTS with water-block. So you need to connect the card to your existing water-cooling setup, or actually invest in a new water-cooling kit.
I already stated it on the first page of this review. The card also comes pre-overclocked at 700 MHz on the core, 1728 MHz on the shader processors and 1950 MHz on it's memory. Pretty snazzy.
$ffffffffff NVIDIA specific display adapter information
$ffffffffff ----------------------------------------------------------------
$0100000000 Graphics core : G92 revision A2 (128sp)
$0100000001 Hardwired ID : 0600 (ROM strapped to 0600)
$0100000002 Memory bus : 256-bit
$0100000003 Memory type : DDR3 (RAM configuration 00)
$0100000004 Memory amount : 524288KB
$0100000100 Core clock domain 0 : 702.000MHz
$0100000101 Core clock domain 1 : 1728.000MHz
$0100000006 Memory clock : 972.000MHz (1944.000MHz effective)
$0100000007 Reference clock : 27.000MHz
This standard overclock is going to make a big difference, it will get the performance close or equal to the 768 MB GeForce GTX, that's a guarantee.
Bare in mind though, this graphics card requires a PC water cooling system or kit that features tubing with a 1/4, 3/8, or 1/2 inner diameter. When ordering this product, be sure to select the correct part number based on your tubing size.
- 1/4" fittings for 1/4" inner diameter tubing
- 3/8" fittings for 3/8" inner diameter tubing
- 1/2" fittings for 1/2" inner diameter tubing
What is pretty darn cool is that BFG is offering you a Lifetime Warranty if you reside in the USA and 10 years in Europe (EU legislation) with this graphics card. And at this price-level that's a mighty nice investment.
