GeForce 9800 GT is currently the simplest model inside nVidia’s GeForce 9800 family. But in reality it is a GeForce 8800 GT with a new sticker. In this review we will compare the performance of this 1 GB model from Palit with current high-end video cards and also with the original GeForce 8800 GT with 512 MB and GeForce 8800 GTS with 320 MB.

GeForce 9800 GT and GeForce 8800 GT are identical: both use the same graphics chip (G92-270-A2, we will talk a little bit more about it later) – which has 112 shader processors – and run under the same clock rates: 600 MHz for the graphics chip, 1.5 GHz for the shader processors and 1.8 GHz (900 MHz x2) for the memory, which is accessed thru a 256-bit interface. The only difference between them is the addition of HybridPower feature on 9800 GT (which allows the video card to be turned off when you are not playing games to save energy, if you have a compatible motherboard). Another minor feature is that GeForce 9800 GT has an SPDIF in connector for routing digital audio to the HDMI output (a DVI-to-HDMI adaptor must be used, and this video card comes with one), although if you pay close attention to the printed circuit board from GeForce 8800 GT you can clearly see the place for the addition of this connector, even though it doesn’t come soldered on the card.

If you want to learn more about the architecture used on GeForce 9800 GT please read our GeForce 8 Series Architecture article. Everything that is said in this article about GeForce 8800 GT can be read as “9800 GT”, since both cards are identical.

We will talk more about the differences between GeForce 9800 GT and other current high-end video cards, but before let’s take an in-depth look on GeForce 9800 GT 1 GB from Palit, which is called “GeForce 9800 GT Super+1GB” by the manufacturer.

You can have an overall look on the reviewed card on the pictures below. We didn’t like the golden plastic cover. In our opinion it made the product to look cheap; a traditional shiny black would make the product to look more serious. But that is just our opinion. At least the color matches the memory heatsink present on the back of the card and with the copper heat-pipes that are partially exposed on the top of the card.

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Figure 1: Palit GeForce 9800 GT Super+1GB.

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Figure 2: Palit GeForce 9800 GT Super+1GB.

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Figure 3: Palit GeForce 9800 GT Super+1GB.

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Figure 4: Palit GeForce 9800 GT Super+1GB.

Pay attention for the SPDIF in connector on the left-hand side from Figure 4. As mentioned, this plug allows you to redirect digital audio to the HDMI plug, which is available thru the use of a DVI-to-HDMI adaptor. This video card comes with both the SPDIF cable and the DVI-to-HDMI adaptor.

This video card requires the installation of one 6-pin auxiliary power connector. The product comes with the necessary adaptor for you to convert a standard peripheral power plug into a 6-pin power plug if your power supply doesn’t provide one of them or if you are installing two cards in SLI and your power supply has only one auxiliary power cable for video cards.