The Holiday Stop Gap: GeForce 6800 GS
by Derek Wilson on November 7, 2005 9:00 AM EST- Posted in
- GPUs
Introduction
It's about that time again. It's been a few months since NVIDIA introduced something exciting and ATI has been launching (and paper launching) parts left and right. From the GT and GTO (which have been on shelves for a while) to the many X1000 series parts (many of which haven't shown up yet) ATI has not been quiet. And today NVIDIA brings the fight back to their door with another product launch that's available on the day it's announced.
At the same time, this is no X1800 XT killer: NVIDIA is launching its GeForce 6800 GS today.
What we did focus on here is how the new 6800 GS compares to the current NVIDIA lineup. Coming in at a low cost with very good performance, this new 12 pipe part packs quite a punch when it comes to value. Unfortunately, while the part is available right now, it doesn't seem to be supported by that many manufacturers. We also aren't certain how long the 6800 GS will last either. This has all the makings of a holiday gift from NVIDIA that won't last very long.
Is NVIDIA actually offering this new part out of the goodness of its heart? Or does the 6800 GS only get to exist long enough to hedge sales of ATI parts during the holiday season? In the end it really doesn't matter that much: the 6800 GS is a good part no matter how long it sticks around.
It's about that time again. It's been a few months since NVIDIA introduced something exciting and ATI has been launching (and paper launching) parts left and right. From the GT and GTO (which have been on shelves for a while) to the many X1000 series parts (many of which haven't shown up yet) ATI has not been quiet. And today NVIDIA brings the fight back to their door with another product launch that's available on the day it's announced.
At the same time, this is no X1800 XT killer: NVIDIA is launching its GeForce 6800 GS today.
What we did focus on here is how the new 6800 GS compares to the current NVIDIA lineup. Coming in at a low cost with very good performance, this new 12 pipe part packs quite a punch when it comes to value. Unfortunately, while the part is available right now, it doesn't seem to be supported by that many manufacturers. We also aren't certain how long the 6800 GS will last either. This has all the makings of a holiday gift from NVIDIA that won't last very long.
Is NVIDIA actually offering this new part out of the goodness of its heart? Or does the 6800 GS only get to exist long enough to hedge sales of ATI parts during the holiday season? In the end it really doesn't matter that much: the 6800 GS is a good part no matter how long it sticks around.
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flynnsk - Monday, November 7, 2005 - link
lol talk about fangurlshttp://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant....">http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...p;Store_...
imaheadcase - Monday, November 7, 2005 - link
You include shipping into "available today".Let me guess you got kicked out of Best Buy for yelling you can get hardrives for $1 less online..
bob661 - Monday, November 7, 2005 - link
I have NO idea what you guys are looking at.Quantity in Basket: none
Code: 190443
Price: $229.00
FedEx Ground: $5.90
In Stock - Usually ships in 1-2 days
bob661 - Monday, November 7, 2005 - link
Again, here's the http://tinyurl.com/clxpf">link.ViRGE - Monday, November 7, 2005 - link
It'll be up to ATI I suppose. As it is right now, Nvidia's products tend to fall in price quickly over the first month, so as Derek pointed out, the 6800GS is going to be a ~$220 card in a bit. I'm not sure ATI has enough latitude to get the X800XL's prices that low across the board.HighCalibreHooch - Monday, November 7, 2005 - link
Whatever happened to the 6800XT?It was announced some time ago, and oOne of my favourite vendors lists it as coming mid-November.
pxc - Monday, November 7, 2005 - link
It comes faster than stock: 470MHz core, 550MHz memory (1100MHz effective)https://pnyestore.pny.com/AWWebStore/Products.asp?...">https://pnyestore.pny.com/AWWebStore/Products.asp?...*PNYPRODUCTS
(or is it 425MHz? 5.1GT/s fillrate implies a 425MHz core even though 470MHz is listed: http://www.pny.com/products/verto/performance/6800...">http://www.pny.com/products/verto/performance/6800...
unfortunately the 6800GT PCI-E with 16 pipelines is only $250AR now ($30 cheaper):
http://www.buy.com/prod/PNY_FX_6800_GT_256MB_PCI_E...">http://www.buy.com/prod/PNY_FX_6800_GT_...Graphics...
yacoub - Monday, November 7, 2005 - link
I'll never understand why companies bother with this type of release. It has less pipelines and less engines, yet costs about the same as a 6800GT which has more of both. Why would anyone get this when they can grab a 6800GT?Same thing with those GTO cards when there's the X800XL or whatever.
yacoub - Monday, November 7, 2005 - link
oops, not GTO, I mean "X1600 series, when there's the GTO series and X800XL that are just as fast if not faster."Donegrim - Monday, November 7, 2005 - link
Same performance, much cheaper. It's obvious.