Gainward BLISS 8800GTS 1024 Mb
Efficiency of the cooling system and overclocking
We tested the efficiency of the cooling system using the game Oblivion at the maximum settings, and Riva Tuner which we used to take the readings. We got the following results:
The graphic processor warmed up to 63 C, and the cooling system remained really quiet, so our comprehension about the efficiency of the cooling system has not come true. But if there were no dead space under the fan, the efficiency of the cooling system would be better. For comparison, we bring in GeForce 8800GTS 512 with a standard cooling system which allowed the graphic chip heat up to 71 C. Now regarding the overclocking. In our review of the related video card Palit 8800GT Sonic we complained just about that indicator because the video card overclocked worse than its "colleagues". It would be reasonable to assume that Gainward BLISS 8800GTS as well built on a PCB of a similar design nor demonstrates outstanding success at overclocking. But that proved wrong and the new product by Gainward overclocked much better than any of GeForce 8800GTS 512 or 8800GT which took part in that review. For instance, from the nominal 729/1836 MHz for the graphic processor and 2106 MHz for the video memory the new product was able to cope with 800/2050 MHz and 2050 MHz for the graphic processor and the video memory, respectively. We note that the new product is factory-overclocked since the frequencies recommended by NVIDIA are 650/1625 MHz for the GPU and 1944 MHz for the video memory. We only have to guess whether the specimen of the previously tested Palit video card was faulty or the new product by Gainward proved really successful.
Benchmarking and conclusions
Since the major distinction of Gainward BLISS 8800GTS is the amount of video memory, we tested it in only the most popular tests. You can take a look at the results of the remaining tests for related video cards in our previous review. We ran tests of Gainward BLISS 8800GTS using the following test configuration:
| Test configuration |
| CPU | Intel Core 2 Quad QX6850 3.0 GHz |
| Motherboard | Foxconn N687AA (NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI) |
| RAM | Corsair Dominator DDRII-800, 2x 1024 MB, 5-5-5-15 2T |
| Operating system | Windows XP+SP2+DirectX 9.0c / Windows Vista for DX10 tests |
| Power supply unit | HIPER 880 W |
As contenders to the new product we selected GeForce 9800GTX since it is based on the same G92 graphic chip with 128 universal processors. We also took GeForce 8800GT 512 MB to see the worth of 1024 MB video memory of the new product. And, to make it all right, we used Radeon HD3870.
We used the following driver versions:
- ForceWare 169.21 (Windows XP/169.25; Windows Vista) - for Gainward BLISS 8800GTS and GeForce 8800GT;
- ForceWare 174.74 - for GeForce 9800GTX;
- Catalyst 8.3 - for Radeon HD3870.
| Video card | GPU frequency, core / shader unit, MHz | Effective frequency of the video memory, MHz |
| Gainward BLISS 8800 GTS | 729/1836 | 2106 |
| GeForce 9800 GTX | 675/1674 | 2200 |
| Radeon HD3870 | 777 | 2250 |
| GeForce 8800 GT | 600/1500 | 1800 |
Traditionally, we are examining the test results starting with 3DMark tests which were run under Windows XP.
At 3DMark 05, Gainward BLISS 8800GTS 1024 Mb ranked second lagging a bit behind Radeon HD3870, and at 3DMark 06 the new product by Gainward ranked first leaving all the rivals behind. Not bad indeed. However, it is hard to make any judgments regarding video cards without running gaming tests. Since we are going to find out the advantage of 1024 MB video memory, we selected the matching tests. OK, off we go.
At Crysis, the new product by Gainward in most cases runs faster than its rivals, which is certainly due to the 1024 MB of video memory. At 1024x768, where the video memory capacity is not really important, GeForce 9800GTX takes a lead due to the new drivers. However, as the resolutions go up and so do loads upon the video memory, the new product by Gainward takes a lead.
At Call of Juarez, Gainward BLISS 8800GTS goes on par with the more expensive GeForce 9800GTX. Note that the new drivers have made the 512 MB GeForce 9800GTX really fast, and the issue of video memory lack is a thing of the past. The example with GeForce 8800GT demonstrates how GeForce video cards behave with lack of video memory when used with old drivers.
That is quite sufficient to describe the "pros" of the new product since 512 MB of video memory is normally enough for games played under Windows XP.
Final Words
In general, the new product by Gainward has left positive impressions. Unfortunately, there were unpleasant surprises (you can't call the flaw at the point of fastening the cooling system it somehow differently), but that is not a fact that all specimens of this model suffer from that. The major advantage of Gainward BLISS 8800GTS is 1024 MB of video memory which allow the new product to be always afloat at demanding games powered by Windows Vista. Most users will find the quiet and efficient cooling system used by engineers at Gainward a no less important advantage. The good overclocking capability of the new product will certainly appeal to overclocking fanciers, although it depends on a particular specimen.
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