BFG warranty replacement, is it comparable?

[flyercan]

My 8800GTS 320MB OC2 died and they are sending me a 9600GT OC 512. Is this at least equal or better than the former champ?

 

[flyercan]

My 8800GTS OC2 was as good as an 8800GT 512 and that shows as good as a 9800GT

 

[flyercan]

Oh I agree that the 8800gt is better than an 8800GTS 320, but I didn't have just an 8800GTS 320. I had an OC2 580mhz. If the straight 8800GTS 320 was that close to the 8800GT then my OC2 must have went a nice way above it. They are sending me an OC 9600GT though so I am hoping it at least equals my OC2. Another thing is that my 8800GTS 320 OC2 was part of an sli setup. They are willing to take the other one on trade for another 9600GT OC.

 

[megamanx00]

Yes, it's comparable. For one, the 512MB on the 9600GT helps it in alot of games. Also, the G94 architecture, based of the G92, is more efficient than the 80 architecture. The 9600GT is pretty close to the 9800GT/8800GT at stock speeds. In older games that don't use more than 320mb of vram, your old 8800GTS 320 may be a little faster, but for newer games the 9600GT will certainly be ahead.

 

[flyercan]

Very good points indeed. Well it's here! gonna shut down and install it to compare.

 

[flyercan]

OK. I always went back to the Aquamark3d test to compare performance with nvidia cards. They always got better scores till the 9 series nvidia cards. Is there an understandable explanation for this? There are 2 separate scores in the test that bring up the total score. GPU and CPU. This test gives both video cards almost identical GPU scores. Strange thing is that when I use a 9 series nvidia card the CPU score gets cut in half. I was getting 12,000 with the 8800GTS and now with the 9600GT OC I am only getting 5,400 for a CPU score. Doesn't make any sense. I get the same reaction when using an ATI GPU.

 

[flyercan]

Using 3DMark06 my 8800GTS OC2 gets a score of 8805 and the 9600GT OC gets a score of 8708. Do the 100 point spread make a big diff or is this minimal? I wish I had a 9800GT to try in this system. I am not ready to complain to BFG, but I did expect to get equal performance or better in a warranty replacement, not less.

 

[pauldh]

Don't worry about synthetics. It's not a bad exchange IMO. The two would trade blows with the 9600GT taking higher resolutions or fsaa. The only out of the box 8800GTS 320MB that would top the 9600GT is the super high clocked XFX Fatality. Then you could still just OC your 9600GT if you want.
Compare the cards here (slow to load but packed full of data): http://en.expreview.com/2008/04/02/g80-vs-g92-hi-end-geforce-gfx-cards-round-up.html/13

 

[flyercan]

Don't worry about synthetics. It's not a bad exchange IMO. The two would trade blows with the 9600GT taking higher resolutions or fsaa. The only out of the box 8800GTS 320MB that would top the 9600GT is the super high clocked XFX Fatality. Then you could still just OC your 9600GT if you want.
Compare the cards here (slow to load but packed full of data): http://en.expreview.com/2008/04/02/g80-vs-g92-hi-end-geforce-gfx-cards-round-up.html/13

Nice data chart, but neither my old nor my new card is on it. There are no OC cards listed there. The 320 listed is only 513Mhz and mine was 580Mhz. The 9600GT listed is a stock 650Mhz and the one they sent is a 675Mhz.


That said, It's all good now. I found the problem that caused the drop in score.
After I physically installed the new 9600GT OC 512 card I upgraded the drivers as well, then did the performance tests. I then swapped back with the other card I have(second of sli pair 8800GTS320 OC2). It got a low score as well. Not by the GPU, but of the CPU again. I was shocked, but considered the driver so i re-installed the old driver. It didn't work so I went older a couple of more times till I got to 182.50. BAM! Got my scores back! Even the 9600GT OC has an almost identical high score in aquamark(13,000). SORRY... I meant 113,000
Still around 100 points less than the 8800GTS OC2 in 3DMark06 1.02, but I can live with that. Their lifetime warranty is awesome!!! If not for that I would be out a videocard. :0)

I do think COD4 was taking a hit in the fps department with the new nvidia drivers so I am sticking with the old ones till I see aquamark put out decent scores again on the new drivers. I know aquamark is old, but COD4 isnt. If both were negatively affected then there is something wrong.

I was told to call BFG if I didn't receive another identical videocard than what I sent back to re-complete my sli setup and they would get me to send back the working old one and send another new one identical to what they sent me. I did that and I have the new RMA# and even a shipping label giving me prepaid shipping this time! These guys are awesome!

Thanks guys for all the input on the matter.

PS: I get a pci slot back!! 2 with the second card! LOL

 

[pauldh]

I think you may be putting a little too much value in the synthetic scores. I'd suggest letting game performance/IQ/stabilty dictate which driver you use. But, at least you are doing your homework in checking performance. Keep in mind with clock speeds, you can always raise them yourself. I know mine went way beyond 600MHz core.

As soon as you mentioned SLI my thought was ...oh man you should have requested 2 replacements. Was then glad to see you already did that. If you maximize your playable settings, 9600GT SLI should noticeably outperform 8800GTS 320MB SLI.

BTW, I'm not just guessing here but rather have some time spent using both solutions. Actually have a pair of GTS 320's, 8800GS, 9600GT and 8800GT, but never was able to get them into a shootout story before the comparison became less meaningful.

Enjoy those cards. Thanks for sharing the RMA success story.

 

[flyercan]

UPDATE!!!
BFG has shipped the second new card as promised!
But it's not a 9600GT OC!
It's a GTX 260 896mb OC XE... LOL
I called just to inform them and not to complain, but they offered to send me another GTX 260 896mb OC XE and I ship back the 9600GT OC!!!
OMFG!
I am starting a BFG cult. LOL
I will be so loyal to them now married couples will be jealous.

They are sending me the second 260 in advance this time so no screw ups. This is something they don't do for Canada so I am privileged.
I told the guy I wont ask for a shipping label this time. Wont push my luck that far.

 

[pauldh]

That's huge... Good for you!