Is this a bargain? Inno3D 8800GTS 640MB 570/1800 for £227.97

[timread]

I've been thinking of upgrading my aging 6800GT for a while, but as I game at 1680x1050 and would prefer using high-max AA/AF settings, it seems that the 640MB 8800GTS is the way to go, over the 320MB.

So far, I've been hoping that the factory-overclocked BFG 8800GTS 640MB OC2 would come down in price a bit (it's around £275 most places). However, I just spotted that Ebuyer have an Inno3D 8800GTS 640MB, clocked at 570/1800, for the great price of £227.97, here: http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/124829

This makes it close in clock speed to the OC2, and a massive £50 cheaper. I'm not very familiar with Inno3D - aren't they one of the budget/reference brands, like Club3D? Only it appears that they're trying to move into the enthusiast segment in 2007, with custom cooling etc (they brought out an 'iChill' custom cooled range). Anyone else here think this is a great deal? Anyone run Inno3D cards? Are they OK?

[Blitzen]

Yes they are one of the budget brands.
I dunno anyone who has used these before but usually if its from a budget place the RMA procedures leave ALOT to be desired.

Remember...there is nearly always a catch if things look that much cheaper.

If something looks to good to be true then it nearly always is.

[DratUK]

Yes I have run Inno cards, in fact I have the GTX variant no problems.
However heres the but as Blitzen has pointed out check the RMA first, by that I mean the warranty RMA terms by Ebuyer. Inno dont have, as far as I know European representation for service, although I maybe wrong.

Thats part of the reason for the highr cost of BFG and EVGA, longer warranties and European service centres.

[tinners]

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/produ...oductID=633319
The Gainward is on todayonly at £222 this weekend.

or a Leadtek at £230 if youre after more well known brands
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=496748

[DougMcDonald]

I used to have an Inno3d GeForce2 and had no issues (obviously a while back!)

Also had a leadtech GF4 400Ti which had no issue either.

The leadtech card came with some extra crud in the driver package which was supposed for overclocking and a little bit rubbish if im honest. This could well be sorted by now.

I have to say that since the GF4 I do slightly regret not paying £20 more and getting something a little better branded (not top of the brands, but somewhere in the middle) it lacked a little on the overclocking side of things, and whilst the specs are similar, i get the feelin that maybe some of the components could be marginly lower quality and be almost to the limit out of the box.

Overall, they should be fine, but perhaps not as much room as some others for GPU overclocking

[Lanky123]

Do some manufacturers get higher grades of GPU than others or is it just the memory and cooling that is likely to vary?

[redlight]

Buy the Leadtek you wont regret it.
StaffsMike persuaded me with his words of wisdom.
Get it OC it and be happy.
Buying a preoverclocked one is a waste of money you can do it yourself for free.
They dont need to be overclocked anyway unless you want to extend your epenis with 3DMark scores.
Warranty who cares are you really going to keep the card for more than two years?

[timread]

Eek. In a moment of weakness, I've ordered the BFG 8800GTS 640MB OC2 after seeing it had come down in price on the Scan Today Only page. I figure for 10% more over the general price the 640meggers were going at (£230-ish), it's worth getting the solid warranty and significant overclock over the stock speeds.

Thanks for the advice guys - hope I'll feel I made the right choice