Different kind of video cards..?

Hello,

I'm wondering about the differences between some video cards, though they are almost identical except some things. For example :

eVGA e-GeForce 6800 Video Card
256MB, PCI-Express x16, DVI
eVGA - 256P2N384TX

XFX XTreme GeForce 6800 XT Video Card
256MB, PCI Express x16, Dual DVI
XFX - PVT42EUDE3

The only difference is the 3rd line. What does it mean?

Also on another note, I want to buy a video card to play The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. I searched the Shopping for GeForce 6800 (the recommended one), and these 2 are the first two results I found. Will either of them work?

 

I would recommend getting a 6800GT instead of the two you mentioned. Its a faster card ranging from $200-280 at http://www.newegg.com/

 

Both of those cards will work for Oblivion, the 3rd line is nothing more then the part number. Keep in mind that your first card (the evga) has 12 pixel pipelines while the XT will only have 8. In other words, the first card (evga) IS a 6800GT, as Squeaner suggested you buy. The second card (xfx), is NOT, as it is a dumbed down version of the 6800GT (4 less pixel pipelines). One more thing you should consider is the evga card comes with a lifetime warranty that supports over-clocking, the xfx card will not. The only other companty that warranties their cards for the lifetime of the card is BFG I believe.

 

Will correct myself before someone else does. 6800 GT = 16 PP, 6800 = 12, 6800 XT = 8. >_< Have heard unlocking the PP on 6800 too 16 and unlocking the shader is possible though. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused!

 

never buy those xt, se, le cards (xt cards for ATI are good tho) they are just weak versions of the good cards. rather than a 6800gt, id go with a 6800gs, from benchmarks it runs near 6800 Ultra speeds but performs better (better memory, 256-bit interface) and the pci-e version is only like 150 or less. You can SLI them too for less than the price of 1 7800gt. I also agree with tubnotub about getting eVGA, they have great cards. BFG is also very good and they often have factory overclocked cards for not much extra price.

 

The XFX 6800 XTreme has a Double Lifetime Warranty, the double part is: buy the card you have lifetime warranty, then if you sell it to someone else they can register & also have lifetime warranty.
I just ordered one, I dont think any pipes are unlockable, it appears to be Hardlocked if theres a way to unlock it, I will!

Of the two cards posted the XFX 6800 XTreme is getting better Benchmarks, it's a newer card, better & faster memory it also supports Open GL2.0 , Dual DVI, it Looks cool too.
The EVGA model posted is older slower memory,only supports Open GL1.5 & seems to have heat issues.

I'm probably going to order a second XFX, $99, to run in SLI & OC the crape out of em.

Either card is good price offers very similar game play
If those 7800 or 7900 wernt so expensive I'd buy those, Oh well, a couple yrs they will be the economy models!

 

Actually since I live in Canada, I couldnt buy from newegg.com

Instead, I ordered this :

BFG GeForce 6800GS OC 256MB 256BIT GDDR3 AGP VGA DVI-I TV-OUT Video Card

Good enough? Also I'm not into overclocking (whatever that means lol) coz I have no idea how to do it anyway.

 

good choice, bfg is awesome and plue it has a copper heatsink which should keep ur temps in check