Video cards from NVIDIA are traditionally regarded as one of the best in the market in terms of combining quality, performance and price. This pattern was formed quite a long time ago. It can be traced, in particular, on the example of the video card NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT, which was introduced to the market by the brand in 2007. Its impressive characteristics and performance are among the main factors of the continuing demand for this device today in Russia and abroad. Why is the corresponding graphics adapter especially noteworthy?
Device Overview
The NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT is a device that replaced the 8800 GTX graphics card, which is classified as more productive and expensive. Devices differ in several ways. Firstly, it is a memory bus. The GeForce 8800 GT card has a corresponding component with a width of 256 bits, the previous model - 384. The RAM of the newer device is 512 MB (with the exception of some models - we will consider this nuance a bit later), for the 8800 GTX - 768 MB. In some specifications, the GeForce 8800 GT is ahead of its predecessor. So, this video card has 56 texture units, while the model 8800 GTX - 32.
As we noted above, this graphics adapter was released by NVIDIA in 2007. It is legitimate to consider it an outdated model of a video card, however, due to its high performance, this device is still popular in Russia. The device was produced by several brands under the NVIDIA license. Among the most famous manufacturers of the video card in question are Palit, Leadtek, Galaxy, XFX, Asus.
The differences between them are small - mainly they relate to the design of devices, less often - indicators of the nominal frequency of the main hardware components. In some cases, cards with increased RAM can be issued, for example, such as Asus EN8800GT. In this video adapter - 1 GB of RAM.
It is difficult to single out the best video cards and those that are much inferior to them in the line of specific factory models of the device. The prices of graphics cards produced by different companies are also comparable.
Among the direct competitors of the device from NVIDIA is the Radeon HD 2900 XT graphics card from AMD. A little later we will examine the results of the device’s tests - in comparison with the performance indicators of both intra-brand analogues and solutions from AMD.
Characteristics
The next aspect of the GeForce 8800 GT research that interests us is the characteristics. The hardware component that is key in terms of video card performance is the G92 processor. This chip operates at a frequency of 600 MHz. The processor is made in accordance with the process technology of 65 nm. The G92 chip has 16 rasterization units.
Regarding RAM, NVIDIA supplies video cards in two versions to the market. In the first version, the GeForce 8800 GT - 512MB, in the second - 256. Both versions are equipped with RAM modules of the DDR3 type. The frequency of the shader units of the video card is 1500 MHz.
Options and appearance
As we noted above, the appearance of video cards depending on the specific manufacturer may vary slightly. If we consider the sample from XFX, then the graphics adapter comes with: in fact, the video adapter itself, adapters, an additional power cord, a driver disk. Also necessary for the correct installation of the GeForce 8800 GT driver can be downloaded on the Internet. As some users note, the XFX graphic adapter comes with a disc on which the Company of Heroes game is recorded.
The cooling system of the video card covers the entire space of the device. Its structure contains copper and aluminum components. Using copper parts, heat is removed from the processor, after which it is removed to the radiator and dissipated by the fan. Directly below it is a slot for additional power. The image on the screen is output via DVI-connectors.
If we talk about the modification of the video card released by Palit, the corresponding graphics adapter includes 16 chips. Actually, the same amount - on a branded device from NVIDIA. RAM modules are located on different sides of the video card - 8 pieces each, they are placed in a semicircle. The reverse side of the device from Palit is covered with a protective plate, which is part of the structure of the cooling system. It has tabs for RAM modules. On the front side of the device is another plate, it is similar in shape to a boomerang. It can be noted that the radiators for RAM do not interact with the fan for the processor. In turn, the cooler for the graphic chip is made in the shape of a star, and the fan itself is installed in the center of the structure.
Intrabrand competition
The closest intra-brand competitor of the device considered is the GeForce 8800 GTS graphics adapter, also developed by NVIDIA engineers. What are the main differences between the two?
So, the competing solution has more than universal processors - 128. In the GeForce 8800 GT - 112. In terms of texture blocks, the competitor is also ahead of the video card in question. He has those in the amount of 64 pieces. Both devices, however, have the same bus - 256 bits. Both have the same processor installed - G92. Some economic advantages - during the period of active sales, were the GeForce 8800 GT. The price of this device was lower than that set for a competing solution. Now both devices are quite difficult to find on the shelves of official salons - as a rule, these video cards are sold under private announcements, and cost about the same - about 1,500 rubles.
Overclocking a video card
The feature of the 8800 GT is that it can be successfully overclocked. At the same time, the brand manufacturer is loyal to the corresponding procedure, even if it is carried out by the factory where the video card is produced. A factory-overclocked graphics adapter can be made even more powerful by hand. The nominal frequencies of the processor installed on the video card can be increased by about 40-50 MHz, the corresponding figure for memory modules is by 100 MHz.
The limit values for the frequency of the graphic chip, which were achieved by specialists who tested the video card, are about 730 MHz. It can be noted that the shader unit of the device operates at frequencies that are set independently of those that are controlled by the user during acceleration. So, experts were able to bring the corresponding indicator to the level of about 1800 MHz. As for the memory frequency, it is realistic to ensure its growth during overclocking to about 1 GHz.
Experts recommend that users performing the procedure in question work with the processor especially carefully. So, with an excessive increase in its frequency, the video card may begin to work with noticeable failures, making comfortable work on the PC impossible.
Cooling system
The video card in question is equipped with one of the most effective cooling systems, at least at the time of its launch on the market. This hardware component is of great importance: the device can work stably at high frequencies - achieved, for example, due to overclocking, only if it is equipped with a cooling system of the necessary power and efficiency.
As tests conducted by IT experts show, the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT is well protected from overheating. So, when you start demanding games - it is possible to heat up by about 10 degrees relative to operating indicators. In some cases, for example, when launching demanding games, the GPU temperature can be fixed at about 85 degrees. Experts recommend using RivaTuner to measure the temperature during various experiments with the video card.
Some experts consider the cooling systems on video cards directly from NVIDIA and those brands that use the same hardware component - in particular, XFX - to be less efficient than those installed, for example, on 8800 GT adapters manufactured by Palit. So, tests of graphics cards from this brand showed that even in active load mode, the corresponding devices do not heat up more than 65 degrees. True - a similar result is accompanied by a rather noticeable noise level of the fan.
It is worth noting that at a minimum load - for example, when working in ordinary Windows applications that form a 2D image, while games - require activation of the 3D mode, the considered video cards from NVIDIA operate at a lower frequency. In this case, the cooling fan significantly slows down, as a result of which the noise level of the corresponding hardware component is reduced. Thus, the efficiency of the device cooling system is very high. However, its main hardware component - the fan, as we noted above, sometimes noticeably noises.
Performance
We’ll explore how productive the GeForce 8800 GT is. Comparison of key indicators of the device’s speed can be done, for starters, with the performance of its closest competitor in the line - the 8800 GTS graphics adapter, as well as the previous model - 8800 GTX.
In the game Call of Duty, two direct intra-brand competitors show almost the same results, however, they are ahead of the 8800GTX graphics card. According to IT experts, this is due to a wider memory bus.
In turn, in the game Call of Juarez, all three devices show the same results. When the game starts in the resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels, the GeForce 8800 GT becomes the leader.
In the Crysis game, the 8800GTS video card occupies a leading position. As the screen resolution increases, the previous model of the line approaches the leader, the 8800 GTX graphics adapter. In turn, this video card shows the best results in the game Need For Speed Pro Street Racing. When working with a resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels, it leads with a significant margin. The GeForce 8800 GT graphics card is in last place when testing performance in the marked game.
However, in Need For Speed Carbon, the 8800 GTX is inferior in performance to the 8800 GTS. In turn, in the game Oblivion, the 8800 GT graphics card is more productive than its direct competitor in the line. According to experts, this is due to higher frequencies of the shader unit of the device in question.
It is noteworthy that in the game Prey performance indicators of video cards approximately correspond to their clock frequencies. Thus, it cannot be said which of the NVIDIA 8800 series are the best video cards, and which are definitely lagging behind in speed. Depending on the games, different devices may be leaders in performance.
Advantages and disadvantages of the device
The most strengths of the GeForce 8800 GT video card (many user reviews confirm this), experts say:
- high clock frequency - both nominal and set in the process of factory or user overclocking;
- an effective cooling system;
- functionality (in terms of supporting various video devices connected to a graphics adapter, as well as software standards for video stream processing).
Among the most noticeable disadvantages of the video card is the relatively high noise level of the fans in the heavy load mode of the GPU.
Comparison with market competitors
So, we studied the basic information that reflects the performance of the graphics adapter in comparison with intrabrand competitors. However, the video card in question is intended to be, first of all, competitive in relation to products of other brands. First of all - from AMD. If we compare the products manufactured by this brand with the Geforce 8800 GT, the analog of this video card is the Radeon HD 2900 XT device. Which of the two competing graphics cards from the two largest global brands is more productive?
Let's try to answer this question based on the results of testing the speed of the corresponding video cards in games - as in the case of comparing the power of models competing within the brand.
So, in the game Call of Duty 2, the 8800 GT video card is significantly ahead of the competitor in the modes in which anti-aliasing is activated, as well as anisotropic filtering. In Prey and FEAR games, NVIDIA's graphics adapter also leads. Relatively close results of the considered video cards show ProStreet. However, with the activation of anisotropic filtering, as well as smoothing, the GeForce 8800 GT video card becomes the indisputable leader.
In games that are based on DirectX 10, the device from NVIDIA is also ahead of the competition. It can be noted that the intra-brand competitors of the video card under consideration - 8800 GTS, as well as 8800 GTX do not always outperform AMD solutions in all cases. So, the first device is inferior in performance to the Radeon HD 2900 XT graphics card, the second, in turn, is ahead of the market competitor. Thus, when comparing the test results - both between intra-brand competitors within the 8800 line and between devices from different manufacturers, the 8800 GT is among the leading models. Its performance corresponds to the 8800 GTX device. At the same time, at the time of the launch of the GeForce 8800 GT, the price of this device was higher than that of the 8800 GTX.
Compatibility
The graphics adapter in question, as we noted above, was launched on the market in 2007. Then the most common were operating systems such as Windows XP and Vista. Is the device compatible with modern OS? Is the GeForce 8800 GT suitable for Windows 7, for example?
It can be noted that drivers for the 8800 GT video card are available on the Internet, intended for installation not only in Windows 7, but also in the newer Windows 8. The manufacturer has released the corresponding software for computers 32 and 64-bit. Moreover, you can find drivers for the 8800 GT graphics card not only for Windows, but also, for example, for Linux. Thus, the video card under consideration from NVIDIA is sufficiently universal from the point of view of involvement in a particular operating system.
PC performance requirements
The optimal functioning of a video card requires its installation in a computer, which must correspond in its components to the level of performance of the graphics adapter. What can be the desired PC configuration options in terms of ensuring its compatibility with the 8800 GT device? Experts recommend installing the video card on a PC in which:
- A processor is installed that is comparable with performance with the Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 chip;
- RAM modules with a capacity of 2 GB or higher were installed;
- there is a motherboard that is close in characteristics to the ASUS P5B device;
- There is a sufficiently fast hard drive - for example, WD Caviar SE.
The PC in the marked configuration will also have optimal compatibility with the overclocked 8800 GT graphics card.
Summary
So, the graphics card GeForce 8800 GT - at the time of its release was considered one of the best products in the relevant market segment. First of all, in the aspect of combining price and speed. The test results reviewed by us indicate that the solution from NVIDIA works more efficiently than the main analogue from the closest competitor of the company in the world market of graphic adapters - AMD.
The advantages of the 8800 GT are largely determined by its continued popularity in Russia. The 8800 GT is capable of loading many modern games. Device drivers, as we noted above, are for the most common operating systems - Windows 7, Windows 8, Linux. Now this device is available at minimal prices - though not from official dealers, but from private sellers.