14 DAY TRIAL // Upgrading one's computer in order to be able to cope with the requirements of the latest-gen games (DirectX 10) is on every gamer's mind these days. However, there aren't too many users out there who can actually afford spending a hefty amount of money on a top-range graphics card, and this is the reason why NVIDIA has just announced the release of the GeForce 8800 GT model, which provides advanced video processing functions at a very attractive price point, at least as far as mainstream gamers are concerned.
Thus, in addition to 112 stream processors, each individually clocked at 1. 5GHz, and a 256-bit memory interface running at 900MHz, the GeForce 8800 GT is designed for the new PCI Express 2.0 bus standard and is backwards compatible with the original PCI Express standard, which means that, at least in theory, it should provide a higher bandwidth for data-intensive graphics rendering processes.
The GeForce 8800 GT also provides advanced features in the realm of HD, as it employs NVIDIA's second-generation video processing engine to deliver high-quality playback of HD DVD and Blu-ray movies on everyday PCs. More importantly, the new programmable video processing engine carries out all the high definition H.264 video decoding processes, freeing the CPU to perform other tasks and significantly reducing power consumption, heat, and noise.
Another interesting fact about the 8800 GT is that it's actually superior, to some extent, to the GTS model. Thus, the processing core of the GT is built on a 65-nanometer process (versus 90 nanometers) and runs far more efficiently. Moreover, the GT also offers more shader units to process pixels and vertices (112 vs. 96 in the GTS), as well as allowing for higher clock speeds.
"When we introduced the GeForce 8 Series family, our most savvy customers and press demanded a product with 64 stream processors and a 256-bit memory interface to deliver more performance at the popular $199 to $259 price point. Today we decided to raise the bar and deliver GeForce 8800 GT with 112 stream processors, a fast 256-bit memory interface, and our second-generation PureVideo HD technology, giving our customers an incredible value proposition." said Ujesh Desai, general manager of GeForce desktop GPUs at NVIDIA. "At this price point, gamers are getting more performance and features than ever before."
The new 8800 GT GPUs are available from various manufacturers (as for example Biostar and Gigabyte), and - as you've been able to see from Mr. Desai's statement - will retail for $199 (the 256 MB version) and $259, respectively (the 512 MB version).
