Need new video card: 400 to spend

[talith]

Ok so im looking into a new video card. The geforce 6800 GT is catching my eye but the thing is im not sure which brand to buy. I want to go with the BFG brand, but so far i have not found it in stores yet. The only one i have found at all actually is the nvga version. Im wondering what are the differences between such brands as Verto, nvga, BFG, ect. Should i be picky of what brand i buy?

[Someone Stupid]

Do you mean evga? Never heard of nvga. Evga was a launch partner for the 6800 and use good memory on their boards from what I've read. Try online (EDIT for BFG), if your in the US www.newegg.com, if your across the pond, I've heard good things about www.overclocks.co.uk.

[talith]

Yes, sorry i meant Evga

[Yoshi]

Gor $400 this is your best bet

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-133-116&depa=1

But if you can squeez out another $80 this is the best card out right now

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-125-149&depa=1

[talith]

any reason for choosing PNY over BFG? BFG seems to be the talk around these forums.

[Yoshi]

BFG is a little better, but cost $470

[ShadeZeRO]

I'm sure MK will be coming around to say something, but since he's not here ill just say it for him :cool:

"BFG has a rock solid lifetime warrenty and they come pre-oced!" and some other good things about them.

BFG is a better name brand. PNY is the average thing, and EVGA is a reference board.

Taste and Preferences buddy, taste and preferences...

[Midknyte]

LOL!. Thanks SZ. I was getting some Zs. (ok, bad joke)

here's a whole bunch of reviews:
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=168657&highlight=6800

BFG rev2 with the dual fan setup is sweet. The PNY and eVGA are vanilla 6800GTs.

Gainward 6800GT GoldenSamples are awesome too.

[talith]

How is the BFG geforce 6800 GT cooling wise? Does it run ok out of the box? How about when overclocked, would you recomend an additional cooler or do you think dual fan heatsink is plenty? Hope its ok since after spending 400 no money left for cooler.

[Midknyte]

Did you read the reviews in the link I posted? that should give you an idea of how each card performs.

The BFG OC rev2 cooling is pretty good. All copper with dual fans. It is preoced with a lifetime warranty. That's hard to beat.

The Gainward golden sample has a copper cooler with dual fans also.

Leadtek has a huge copper heatsink, front and back.

[missiveusa]

How is the BFG geforce 6800 GT cooling wise? Does it run ok out of the box? How about when overclocked, would you recomend an additional cooler or do you think dual fan heatsink is plenty? Hope its ok since after spending 400 no money left for cooler.
The BFG 6800 GT runs below 60 C most all the time, even OC'd to 1080 MHz/ 380 MHz, only hitting the mid 60's under heavy load for long periods. It's a geat card with the best lifetime warranty in the business. BestBuy or Chembro sells the GT for $399.

BTW: If you don't see the GT on BestBuy's website, go to their retail outlet, chances are they'll have it on the shelf. I found one months ago when they were very scarce. I'm sure they're more available now.

[talith]

lol, iv been looking everywhere for one of these cards. Bestbuy only had one geforce 6800 OC, no GT. Compuserve didnt have any BFG cards, only PNY. Microcenter only had the Evga card. Best buy is even sold out on thier site. Otherwise i would order one from there. This card is tough to get lol