How does the 8800 Ultra stack up?

[PaulieG]

So, I've found the 8800 Ultra for less than $200. I'm wondering how the Ultra stacks up against the 9800 GTX, 8800 GTS 512, and HD4850. I've read quite a bit of conflicting information on various websites. What do you guys think? Let's keep the response intelligent. Please no "The 4850 is just better because it just rocks" comments.

 

[Scrizz]

IMHO

8800ultra>9800gtx
8800ultra>8800gts
8800ultra≈HD4850

8800ultra does not have the nifty decoding features on the newer gpus
and its larger?
it's just cool to have an ultra

that's my point of view

 

[timta2]

I agree. The Ultras memory bandwidth is still pretty sick. If I needed a new card and had $200 it would be tough choice between a 4850 (or 4870 although I know they are more) and the Ultra. With the pricing on those two I think a 9800 or 8800 should be out of the question.

 

[farlex85]

How much less than $200? From my understanding it is indeed faster than the 8800gts 512 and 9800gtx, although once everything gets oc'd the 9800gtx pull ahead, and the gts 512 gets pretty close. 4850 is probably around the same plane as the 9800gtx, I think a little faster maybe. Pretty much it comes down to if the price is right. Like $150, sure. $170, maybe. $200, I'd go for another.

 

[ascstinger]

tigerdirect, they are 199 i think. Unless he found one somewhere else for even cheaper

 

[{JNT}Raptor]

You can match them up here and get a view at their specs.

GPU Comparison Chart

Heres a review at Toms Hardware with some comparison charts.

Hope It helps.

 

[kid41212003]

I did alot of research about this too. I saw the deal on tigerdirect few weeks ago, it was $199.

It appeared that Ultra scale really well under high resolution.

In some becnhmarks, you can see that alot of cards can keep up with Ultra, but when it comes to 1900x1200, all the cards couldn't keep the min FPS high enough.
Ultra gives you a steady FPS in game no matter what kind of resolution.

8800GT, 8800GTS, 9800GTX, 9800GX2 can have the same performance with Ultra at some setting and resolution, but when it comes to 1900x1200 and up, that's when you can see the true power of the Ultra, and its 768MB of GDDR.

An old soldier, but reliable in any conditions compare to a new soldier that only good in come cases.
8800Ultra vs newer cards. This is my conlusion after reading through ALOT of benchmarks.

But I ended up didn't buy it from tigerdirect, because it consume quite alot electric.

 

[AddSub]

I had a 8800GTX and it was a great GPU (a bit slower than Ultra). I have a GTX 260 now and it is faster than the 8800GTX, BUT for only $200 you are getting a monster GPU.

By the way, EVGA is having a special deal on their site where you can get a EVGA 8800 Ultra Superclocked for $199. (link below)

http://www.evga.com/articles/428.asp

 

[PaulieG]

I had a 8800GTX and it was a great GPU (a bit slower than Ultra). I have a GTX 260 now and it is faster than the 8800GTX, BUT for only $200 you are getting a monster GPU.

By the way, EVGA is having a special deal on their site where you can get a EVGA 8800 Ultra Superclocked for $199. (link below)

http://www.evga.com/articles/428.asp

They are backordered.

 

[trt740]

So, I've found the 8800 Ultra for less than $200. I'm wondering how the Ultra stacks up against the 9800 GTX, 8800 GTS 512, and HD4850. I've read quite a bit of conflicting information on various websites. What do you guys think? Let's keep the response intelligent. Please no "The 4850 is just better because it just rocks" comments.

it's on par with the 9800gtx+ and beats it in somethings because of it bigger bit bus, when overclocked. It's close for sure.

 

[Scrizz]

it's on par with the 9800gtx+ and beats it in somethings because of it bigger bit bus, when overclocked. It's close for sure.

notice he said +

 

[3870x2]

i have a feeling in the future, the GTX wont perform as well. Sure it has a large bandwidth, but its pretty dated. It would be nice to have, as a souvenir of a time when nvidia was hardcore.

 

[niko084]

9800gtx is slightly faster than an 8800ultra in some things, hd4850 is also obviously.

I strongly urge to not buy a dated 8800 ultra, its a giant space heater and for the most part outdated, which is why its not $800 anymore. There have been a few 8800GTX's sell in my area privately for around $140-$150...

 

[Hayder_Master]

8800 ultra it is very cool and it is better than 9800 gtx and 8800gts , and in some games like crisis it is better than 4850 too

 

[Solaris17]

the 8800Ultra is a damn good card but since you can get a 9800GTX for like $170 on the egg id honestly go with that the ultra is on par with the 9800GTX maybe even a little better but with the die shrink and new coding the 9800 is more future proof though theirs no denying that the ultras bandwidth is still considered king it just might not be a reasonable investment for any kind of prolonged use.

 

[niko084]

the 8800Ultra is a damn good card but since you can get a 9800GTX for like $170 on the egg id honestly go with that the ultra is on par with the 9800GTX maybe even a little better but with the die shrink and new coding the 9800 is more future proof though theirs no denying that the ultras bandwidth is still considered king it just might not be a reasonable investment for any kind of prolonged use.

Another bonus is that the 9800GTX also overclocks better, and thats where it really takes the lead fairly solid. Let alone a 9800GTX +

 

[wolf2009]

Another bonus is that the 9800GTX also overclocks better, and thats where it really takes the lead fairly solid. Let alone a 9800GTX +

I agree . Dont buy ultra, buy gtx , 260 that is !

 

[zithe]

Good luck finding a second one lol. If you ever want to SLI/Crossfire, 4850 would be the way to go IMO.

 

[Bundy]

I'm a happy Ultra owner. If there was one bad thing about them it would be the fan settings in BIOS. Mine is factory OC (and quite a good performer) but I need Rivatuner to keep it stable.

The Ultra will run Crysis on DX10 at 1680 x 1050 but TBH, changing the settings from very high to high improves frame rates so much the PQ seems better in DX9 anyway.

 

[Raven166]

yea 9800gtx+ is pretty much on par with the ultra

 

[PaulieG]

Does anybody want to buy a pair of BFG Tech 8800 GTXes for $150 each? I was think of getting an 9800 GX2...

Please post this in the FS section. It does not belong in this thread.

 

[Tarjanian]

Sorry, just going with the flow...

 

[HeavyH20]

I have had a number of cards, but not the 8800 Ultra. 8800 GTX and GTX (G80), 8800 GT, GTS (G92). I skipped over the 9800 series since they were simply reworked 8800 series cards. The current 200 series does represent a major step forward, however. That aside, I have found the 8800 cards have done very well. I get about 18K in 3DMark06 without any card OC. Keeps up with all the current games decently, as well. I would hazard that $150 is a good price point for the 8800 Ultra. $200 is too close to a GTX 260 to not go that route.