Pros & Cons
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- Maybe the fastest single-GPU card on the market?
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- But only barely faster than a less expensive model, and not nearly as fast as two cards of the same total price.
XFX GeForce 9800 GTX Specs
| GPU Engine Clock Speed: | 740 |
| Graphics Memory: | 512 |
| Memory Clock Speed: | 2.2 |
| No. DVI Output(s): | 2 |
| System Interface: | PCIe |
| Video Outputs: | HDMI |
The price and performance of graphics cards based on the G92 GPU from Nvidia has been fantastic—from its debut in the
The 9800 GX2 fills in the extreme upper price range nicely, but the older 8800 GTS, GTX, and Ultra cards, all based on the G80 processor, are now a bit out of place. Why spend the money for those when newer, often faster, more efficient chips based on G92 can be had for less? With the new G92-based 512MB GeForce 8800 GTS running around $250 these days, there's a big gap between it and the 9800 GX2. Not to mention, you can only do triple-SLI with a GeForce 8800 GTX or Ultra, both of which are too big and hot and expensive when compared to less expensive G92-based parts.
Nvidia's solution? Release yet another graphics card based on the G92 chip. It's much like the 512MB GeForce 8800 GTS—only an inch-and-a-half longer, with two power connectors, juiced-up clock speeds, and, while they're at it, support for triple-SLI and the upcoming HybridPower in new Nvidia motherboards.
The 9800 GTX carries a price tag of $349, but is it worth it? We'll find out. —