I’ve been thinking about getting a new video card, and i’ve been intrigued by card’s based on the latest NVidia 8800gt chip, and the AMD/ATI Radeon 3870. The 8800gt cards are distinctly faster, but they are distinctly more expensive. The 3870 is cheaper, still plenty fast, and also uses less power at idle, which can be a good thing for keeping things quiet when not gaming.

Or I should say the 3870 was cheaper. Soon after it came out, it sold out, and the re-order prices at places like Newegg were almost as much as the low end of prices for the 8800gt (which is also in short supply). Right now, Newegg has 8800gt’s at the stock 600MHz clock speed in stock for $269, while a 3970 is in stock for $249.

Looking more broadly, there is a greater variation of prices, and better deals, especially if you are willing to wait for a few days or weeks.

In Stock Now

• Fry’s/Outpost: EVGA GeForce 8800GT 512MB, 600MHz $269.99
• Fry’s/Outpost: XFX GeForce 8800GT ALPHA DOG XT EDITION, 512MB, 640MHz $279.99 — also comes with Company of Heros. Supposed to have a better fan than most 8800gt cards.

Backordered

• MWave: PNY Geforce xlr8 8800 gt, 512mb, 600MHz $240 — ETA 12/4
• Amazon: PNY Geforce xlr8 8800 gt, 512mb, 600MHz $249
• Dell Home: XFX 8800gt, 512MB, 600MHz $255.99 ($319.99 – $64 instant savings) — ships in 1-2 weeks
• Buy.com: XFX 8800gt 512mb, 650MHz $256.99 (free shipping) — unknown ETA
• Buy.com: XFX 8800gt 512mb, 600MHz $233.99 (free shipping)

I’m leaning towards the PNY from MWave for $240, since the price is good and it looks like it could be in soon. I’d go for the higher-clocked XFX cad from Buy.com if there was any sort of ETA on it, since the price is good and I think it’s a “Alpha Dog” model with the improved fan. If I could find some stackable Dell coupons, I’d order from them, unfortunately, I missed a 20% cash-back promotion for paying with PayPal at the Dell store by a couple of days.

I’m thinking I could order this weekend and be done with it, but I wonder if there aren’t better deals in the middle of the week.