[Pc_Support] eVGA GeForce 6800GS PCIe 256MiB DDR for $169 - $15 Rebate

[Bryan J. Smith]

Okay, here's a good $150 deal on an eVGA GeForce 6800GS PCIe for
those with PCIe:  
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130267&CMP=BAC-dealmac

As you'll note from my recent nVidia GeForce 6/7 series blog:  
http://www.evga.com/products/moreinfo.asp?pn=256-P2-N386-AX&family=17

This is a 425MHz NV42 "PCIe native" core (unlike only 350MHz for AGP
NV40 core) with 12/5 pixel/shader pipelines and 256-bit 1000MHz DDR3
memory.  That clearly blows away the 6600 series, even GT, with
33-40% less pipes and 128-bit memory, while saving you only a little.

NOTICE:  There is someone on NewEgg.COM claiming he got a 350MHz
6800GS, and not a 425MHz version.  That should _only_ be the NV40 AGP
version, _not_ the NV42 PCIe version.  I'm curious if people are
putting their reviews on the wrong product, or if this really
happened.  Although a few others are complaining about DoAs too, and
that's typically been atypical for eVGA (although it could be the
NV42 itself), so I leave it to you.

BTW, I checked the vendor page for the PCIe version (256-P2-N386-AX)
and it's supposed to be 425MHz:  
http://www.evga.com/products/moreinfo.asp?pn=256-P2-N386-AX&family=17

They even have new "overclocked" versions at 450+MHz.

Only the AGP version (256-A8-N387-TX) is 350MHz:  
http://www.evga.com/products/moreinfo.asp?pn=256-A8-N387-TX&family=17

It's just a good deal IMHO, and 6800GS is _now_ the nVidia
"price/performance" leader for PCIe without stooping down to a
6200/7300 at $50-75.  Virtually _no_reason_ to go 6600GT IMHO, not
even on PCIe -- unless there is something wrong with NV42 itself.

-- Bryan

P.S.  It also means I probably won't hesitate to get a 2nd PCIe video
card when I upgrade my wife this summer if 6800GS are already $150
now.  So I'll probably sell my 1.5 year old GeForce 6800GT AGP
currently in use by my wife at that time.  Although I'm tempted to
use it as a late release gaming rig dedicated to a TV -- maybe just
keep it in its existing Athlon XP2600+ cube.  So many computers, so
many components, so much to over-use and over-stock into systems that
are rarely used (and could benefit others far more than my limited
2-4 hours/month gaming budget can afford).

-- 
Bryan J. Smith     Professional, Technical Annoyance
b.j.smith at ieee.org      http://thebs413.blogspot.com
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*** Speed doesn't kill, difference in speed does ***