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Video Card Discussion - Page 2

post #21 of 70
1/20/08 at 9:34am
Thread Starter 
I changed my original answer to reflect "socket 775 boards". Yes, I am experienced, but not with the latest nForce chipsets. My specific problems were with the boards mentioned above...and poor drivers. I eventually gave up.

PM sent.
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post #22 of 70
1/20/08 at 9:48am
Oh believe me, I'm certainly not experienced with the latest nVidia chipsets or even 680i...or multi GPU set-ups either. Don't wanna be...waiting for Zelly to send me a 8800GTX, know that bastid is up in here when I'm at work!

Just thought you intimated that you were experienced with Intel SLi...Now where's that shazza cat pix with the weird eyes?!?

Uh oh, now I'm going to read the PM like my son musta felt when he got sent to the Principles Office last Wed...



Zoid
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post #23 of 70
1/20/08 at 11:12am
@ Buck ... back to the SLI issue. I wasn't challenging you, just wanting to know if you had experience with SLI, as you came across pretty certain about not recommending it - which is fine, as that's your opinion.

I've been using SLI for about 3 years now. I like it, but wouldn't necessarily recommend it to everyone. nVidia drivers work pretty well, but there is still some tweaking that needs to be done for certain games - once you figure out how to set it up, it can make some nice improvements when running at higher resolutions and all the goodies set at high settings. I think I also enjoy the tinkering part of it.

With the power of today's video cards ... even the 8800 series, let alone the upcoming ones, SLI is probably overkill for most. I found that games like BIOSHOCK, S.T.A.L.K.E.R., and COD4 all ran wonderfully with just one 8800 GTX.

I will do SLI in my next desktop, and will no doubt put a 3rd card in there just for kicks to see how it works.

Peace.
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post #24 of 70
1/20/08 at 12:02pm
Thread Starter 
I know, but my original answer was not clear. Again, I apologize.

I try to take an unbiased approach to answering questions. I am a numbers kinda guy.

SLI configs today do work well, although not perfect. They'll only get better with driver maturity.
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post #25 of 70
1/20/08 at 2:09pm
If only SLI would scale as well as Crossfire, then it would be ok.

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post #26 of 70
1/20/08 at 4:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buck47 View Post
Dude - I can't honestly recommend anyting right now. Both of the dual-gpu cards will be available within the next month. I hope they have the drivers worked out.

Once game benches come out, along with the driver reviews, I'd feel better about a recommendation.

I'm a bit surprised we haven't seen any 3870x2 benches/reviews yet. Then again, maybe ATI got word that the 9800GX2 was going to spank their card...hence the early release and lack of benches thus far.

I am not a proponent of multi-card setups. Too much money for too little gain, and borderline 'gimmicky'.

I'd be willing to buy any single card config that will pull a 30fps avg w/Crysis at max settings.
*waits patiently for new rig components *
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post #27 of 70
1/20/08 at 4:55pm
Not a Desktop Vid Card question but Laptop.

Would you guys pick something up with the 8600GT 512mb in it? I have a 6800go 256mb right now and still can play everything. Granted not what you guys are used to but it still plays. I only ask because the 6800 was the top card in the 6*** run were as the 8600 is mid level in the 8*** run.
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post #28 of 70
1/20/08 at 6:13pm
Thread Starter 
Does the 8600mGT have SM 4.0 and HDR?
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post #29 of 70
1/20/08 at 8:55pm
Depends on what you want to play, and what resolution you are driving. The 8600 GT in my MacBook does a good job with gaming ... but I use it primarily for Guild Wars and less demanding games like Tomb Raider Anniversary.
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post #30 of 70
1/20/08 at 10:29pm
Thread Starter 
Tony is better qualified to answer mobile-type questions. I think I'd be content wtih an 8600 mobile card. I have gone through the x1400 ati, 7900gs,7900gtx, fx2500 and have a fx3500 on the way, and I have been happy with all but the ati card,
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post #31 of 70
1/22/08 at 1:43am
Here's one Buck that I've searched for and couldn't get a definitive answer.

EVGA 8800GT x2 in SLI: Respectable idle and load temps, plus the temp threshold.

Oh, and we all know EVGA is a great card, due to step-up programs, warranty, etc. I just wanted to add that HP uses them in their Blackbird systems as well.
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post #32 of 70
1/22/08 at 8:52am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MnemonicSyntax View Post
Here's one Buck that I've searched for and couldn't get a definitive answer.

EVGA 8800GT x2 in SLI: Respectable idle and load temps, plus the temp threshold.

Oh, and we all know EVGA is a great card, due to step-up programs, warranty, etc. I just wanted to add that HP uses them in their Blackbird systems as well.
THIS is one of the better GT threads I've come across relating to temps and aftermarket cooling.

I would also check out EVGA's support forums. EVGA released a new GT BIOS for better fan control.

Hope this helps...
Buck
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post #33 of 70
1/22/08 at 4:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buck47 View Post
THIS is one of the better GT threads I've come across relating to temps and aftermarket cooling.

I would also check out EVGA's support forums. EVGA released a new GT BIOS for better fan control.

Hope this helps...
Buck
Thanks Buck.

I was aware of the BIOS update, however I am already at a revision that has superceded it.

S1 looks interesting, but I don't think it will fit in my Blackbird with the GPU door in place. The brackets don't allow enough room to do so.

Here's a few photos:





So any other suggestions for a fan-less solution?
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post #34 of 70
1/22/08 at 4:37pm
Can you remove the side bracket?

By the looks of it, you really don't need it.
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post #35 of 70
1/22/08 at 4:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GBrilliantQ View Post
Can you remove the side bracket?

By the looks of it, you really don't need it.
I probably don't need it, but it's a new shiny thing, you know? I'm not ready to do any changes yet.

However, if there is a solution like the S1, but only covers the card and doesn't stick out like a steak sandwich supreme from Del Rancho... that would be great.

I've been looking, but I think I'm typing in the wrong thing. Is "passive" what I'm looking for?
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post #36 of 70
1/22/08 at 5:10pm
Thread Starter 
A passive cooler is usually heatsink only and relies on case air circulation to vent heat.

I understand your position on not wanting to tear into something new. I am usually hesitant myself. I would still consider removing the bracket, and install one of the coolers reviewed here.
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post #37 of 70
1/22/08 at 5:58pm
Well, bad news. Brackets aren't coming off, they are one whole piece with the door lock mechanism. That means I can't have a door either, and the tunnels are what the Blackbird was designed for.

I'd use a passive cooler if it was smaller. The cooling of the case is how it works.

I get 80 degress Celsius on load with Crysis. I'm not sure if that's decent, but I'm not happy with it. HP says to crank the GPU fan to 100%, but that's extremely noisy...

I might just reseat the coolers and apply some AS5 and see what happens then.
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post #38 of 70
1/22/08 at 8:22pm
Thread Starter 
There have to be a few active coolers that do not extend past the PCB. Have you looked at any of the Zalmans?
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post #39 of 70
1/25/08 at 10:05pm
What about a decent software program that can help me increase fan speed in threshold breaking chunks, for example I could set the fans on my GPUs to run at 80% when the temp reached a certain level. I know Rivatuner does this, but for some reason one card shows two temps while the other card doesn't show any.

I've been to the Rivatuner forums, searched around, asked, and so far nothing. The programmer doesn't like to help "noobies."

Someone had the same problem and they were told to change Rivatuner's registry settings in Rivatuner, and I did that myself... but no change.

Not looking to overclock here, just to cool my cards down a bit more.

Thanks.
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post #40 of 70
1/25/08 at 10:17pm
Thread Starter 
SpeedFan

lemme find a link
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