Confusion about Point Of View 8800GT with 128 bit Memory Interface

Thursday, July 31st 2008

German website Computerbase.de is reporting, that there are several users out there, who have received GeForce 8800GTs, which do not have the usual 112 Shaders and 256 bit memory interface you would expect from this model. Their cards seem to have only 96 shaders and an 128 bit interface. While the 128 bit interface is clearly advertised, the 96 shaders are not. This would make the card even slower than a 9600 GSO. The problem is, that these cards are still being sold as 8800GTs and you won't know that you have gotten a slower one, until you check it after installation. The card in question is from Point Of View with the model number R-VGA150868.

UPDATE: Looks like one affected user has heard back from Point Of View, he will get his card replaced. All shops selling this card should clearly advertise it as 128-bit variant. The number of shaders on the R-VGA150868 product is intended to be 112, not 96. That's why Point of View offered to replace the card.

Update no. 2: Both Point Of View and NVIDIA have commented on the issue. Point Of View states that they are only the first to offer this card at such specs and other manufacturers will follow. Meaning, that all 8800 GTs will suffer this change. NVIDIA on the other hand is not aware of any such change and has underlined, that Point Of View is acting alone on this one.
Source: Computerbase.de (german)

posted by Darksaber - 8:58 AM | Related News |

User comments

by ShadowFold (9:03 AM) - Reply

How is that possible? Is it a 9600GT with a 8800GT ID? Either way thats just terrible on PoV's part :shadedshu

by alexp999 (9:10 AM) - Reply

When my dad got his POV 8800GTS, it actually had more shaders than his Asus 8800GTS. wtf?? This is just wierd, you expect progression but not stepping backwards!

by ShadowFold (9:11 AM) - Reply

by: alexp999
When my dad got his POV 8800GTS, it actually had more shaders than his Asus 8800GTS. wtf?? This is just wierd, you expect progression but not stepping backwards!

They used the extra ones on the GT's to make your GTS so now they dont have enough shaders :p

by alexp999 (9:15 AM) - Reply

lol, I wonder if this is all POV 8800GT's for if this is a one off?? Could just be a monumental cock-up at the factory.

by regan1985 (9:25 AM) - Reply

they should offer a see upgrade i wonder if they will,and i wonder how many people dont notice

by Mussels (9:28 AM) - Reply

ouch.... really, this aint good.

by Zehnsucht (10:58 AM) - Reply

One wonders how they even passed quality check. I mean, surely they would have a test system running a quick perfomance chart on all assembled boards?

by marsey99 (11:03 AM) - Reply

wtf are pov doing selling a card of those specs as a 88gt?

by chron (1:09 PM) - Reply

their lack of quality control can go both ways for us. Either it can bring nice little gems like said gts with more shaders than asus, or monumental fuckups like these 8800gt's. Perhaps in an attempt to cut cost and compete, they've got rid of a lot of quality control steps in the process lol

by wolf2009 (1:14 PM) - Reply

by: alexp999
When my dad got his POV 8800GTS, it actually had more shaders than his Asus 8800GTS. wtf?? This is just wierd, you expect progression but not stepping backwards!

did it perform better ?

by alexp999 (1:22 PM) - Reply

by: wolf2009
did it perform better ?

I have no idea, they are setup in SLi, havent tried them separatly.

by wolf2009 (1:28 PM) - Reply

by: alexp999
I have no idea, they are setup in SLi, havent tried them separatly.

how many shaders does it have ? and if you could please benchmark it.

by 1c3d0g (1:39 PM) - Reply

Everyone knows a GeForce 8800GT has 112 unified shaders and a 256-bit memory interface. Selling anything less and still naming the GPU the same is called FRAUD! :shadedshu Someone let the dogs loose on PoV...

by newtekie1 (1:41 PM) - Reply

by: alexp999
When my dad got his POV 8800GTS, it actually had more shaders than his Asus 8800GTS. wtf?? This is just wierd, you expect progression but not stepping backwards!

That isn't anything surprising. There was a brief period during the transition to the G92 where nVidia released the 8800GTS(112). Which was the G80 based 8800GTS with 112 shaders enabled instead of 96. http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=41924

by alexp999 (1:49 PM) - Reply

by: newtekie1
That isn't anything surprising. There was a brief period during the transition to the G92 where nVidia released the 8800GTS(112). Which was the G80 based 8800GTS with 112 shaders enabled instead of 96. http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=41924

Is it the same chip? does that mean a bios flash would unlock the extra shaders?

by newtekie1 (2:03 PM) - Reply

by: alexp999
Is it the same chip? does that mean a bios flash would unlock the extra shaders?

Yes, it is the same chip. No, I BIOS flash will not enable the extra shaders, they are physically disabled.

by devguy (2:42 PM) - Reply

by: newtekie1
That isn't anything surprising. There was a brief period during the transition to the G92 where nVidia released the 8800GTS(112). Which was the G80 based 8800GTS with 112 shaders enabled instead of 96. http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=41924

Yeah, I remember that. The good old g80 SSC versions. Here's one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130317 . Edit: jeez, it is so weird to see that card ~150$ after MIR and the fact that the SSC version is cheaper than the standard card.

by [I.R.A]_FBi (3:03 PM) - Reply

i think erocker had one?

by Darkrealms (6:11 PM) - Reply

Thats not good! Hasn't POV recently been trying to break into the US market as well?

by disavowed (8:11 AM) - Reply

POV did a similar thing with the 7600GS. Wasn't pleased to find that out when I bought one when I was looking for a half decent passively cooled card back in 07.

by suraswami (5:56 PM) - Reply

i think POV might have thought since 9600GT has a greater model number when compared to 8800GT it must be faster. The htf will 8800gt run faster than the 9600gt. So reduced the shaders and interface on 8800gt so the 9600gt will become faster. Thats my theory.

by newtekie1 (11:59 PM) - Reply

by: suraswami
i think POV might have thought since 9600GT has a greater model number when compared to 8800GT it must be faster. The htf will 8800gt run faster than the 9600gt. So reduced the shaders and interface on 8800gt so the 9600gt will become faster. Thats my theory.

It is pretty well known that the theory of bigger number means faster card doesn't work, especially in the graphics card industry. We wouldn't think the 8400GS is better than the 7900GTX would we now?:laugh: The uninformed might make that mistake, but they get what they deserve then. If you don't do the research before buying, you deserve to get ripped off.

by suraswami (12:11 AM) - Reply

by: newtekie1
It is pretty well known that the theory of bigger number means faster card doesn't work, especially in the graphics card industry. We wouldn't think the 8400GS is better than the 7900GTX would we now?:laugh: The uninformed might make that mistake, but they get what they deserve then. If you don't do the research before buying, you deserve to get ripped off.

there are only 2 caegories - dum or rich.

by [I.R.A]_FBi (12:14 AM) - Reply

or both

by candle_86 (12:57 AM) - Reply

by: 1c3d0g
Everyone knows a GeForce 8800GT has 112 unified shaders and a 256-bit memory interface. Selling anything less and still naming the GPU the same is called FRAUD! :shadedshu Someone let the dogs loose on PoV...

really like these other cards from days past 9800SE 128bit 6800LE 128bit 6800XT 128bit 6800 128bit this isnt the first time and ive seen worse, a few years ago i ran into a 6800LE 64bit card.

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