8800GT on the way out. What next?

ssilvermuk

Junior Member
Jul 10, 2009
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For the last few years I've been happily running an nVidia Geforce 8800GT in a system based on an ASUS PFK Premium motherboard and a Core 2 Duo E6150 overclocked to 3.2GHz.

Over the last couple of weeks the card has started to fail. At least, I think it has based on the freezes, blue screens and error messages relating to the video driver (yes, I've tried reinstalling it.)

Anyway, I'm looking for a sensible low-cost replacement for it. I don't think I need much more power than the 8800GT as I don't play 3D games. I do a lot of video editing and audio work, and the card has always coped happily with it. My main concern is that the new card should be as quiet as the 8800GT.

All suggestions gratefully received

SS
 

jacktesterson

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2001
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I see 768MB 460's going for $70 ish lately.

I'd go for that. Get you a lot more power and Directx 11 for little more money.
 

Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
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OP - can you double check your CPU model. As far as I know, the one you listed doesn't exist.

I would say that for your purposes, something like a GT430 or GT440 would be ideal. Anything more than that is wasted, not just because you don't game, but because your CPU will bottleneck a more powerful card if you did game. For example, this GT440: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814134138, or this cheaper GT430: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...yMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo

If you want silent, this GT430 looks good: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...scrollFullInfo
 
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nenforcer

Golden Member
Aug 26, 2008
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^^^^^ What Adam said.

I ditched my pair of 9800GT in SLI for a GTX 460 768MB last october and couldn't be happier.

It's much cooler and quiter than the 2 9800GT's and whole lot more powerful.
 

TheVrolok

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
24,254
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Best way to go if you want it on the cheap. Probably looking at around $40 give or take.

Hell, I happen to have my old 8800GT sitting in the box my 285 came in. Loved the card so much, I couldn't get rid of it. PM me if you're interested.
 

blckgrffn

Diamond Member
May 1, 2003
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GTX 260 in the FS/FT forum right now for $50 shipped. I think that's the minimum step I would take.

A GT430/440 if you really don't game at all. Way less card to feed, all the modern goodies.
 

jacktesterson

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2001
5,493
3
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OP - can you double check your CPU model. As far as I know, the one you listed doesn't exist.

I would say that for your purposes, something like a GT430 or GT440 would be ideal. Anything more than that is wasted, not just because you don't game, but because your CPU will bottleneck a more powerful card if you did game. For example, this GT440: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814134138, or this cheaper GT430: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...yMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo

If you want silent, this GT430 looks good: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...scrollFullInfo


I personally would never invest in a 430/440 new when you can get a 460 for same price used. Once he upgrades his CPU and/or monitor, he will be much better off to with a 460.

Those fanless video cards also require good air flow. I've got a little 5450 sitting with a Athlon II 405e and that card gets really warm, even with 3 case fans.

Edit: I did miss the "does not game" part, but I'd still go with the 460 for $60-70 vs a fanless 430/440. Just my 2 cents.
 
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Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
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I personally would never invest in a 430/440 new when you can get a 460 for same price used. Once he upgrades his CPU and/or monitor, he will be much better off to with a 460.

Those fanless video cards also require good air flow. I've got a little 5450 sitting with a Athlon II 405e and that card gets really warm, even with 3 case fans.

Edit: I did miss the "does not game" part, but I'd still go with the 460 for $60-70 vs a fanless 430/440. Just my 2 cents.

Really depends if the OP is willing to go used. Also the 460 will draw more power at idle and particularly at load.

I agree about super cheap passive cards. I have a passive 5450 and I agree it runs too hot. But the passive 430 I linked has a huge heatsink so it will probably run cooler.
 

blckgrffn

Diamond Member
May 1, 2003
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Really depends if the OP is willing to go used. Also the 460 will draw more power at idle and particularly at load.

I agree about super cheap passive cards. I have a passive 5450 and I agree it runs too hot. But the passive 430 I linked has a huge heatsink so it will probably run cooler.

Exactly - and deal with a fan that might have been running for a couple years so far too.

Not that what I suggested was really much better :)

I had a Gigabyte 9600GSO that was passively cooled but actually had a good heatsink. Ran (still runs!) very nicely, and these cards work great paired with a 7V 12CM fan that is mounted on the door - many cases seem to have the option of that these days.
 

tweakboy

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2010
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There is a huge performance difference from the old 8800 GT 2007 chip.

Your couple generations behind. For your rig and CPU and setup, I recommend grab a GTX 460 1GB for 140 dollars ,, you will be set and your 3d work and video will be flawless.
 

jacktesterson

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2001
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There is a huge performance difference from the old 8800 GT 2007 chip.

Your couple generations behind. For your rig and CPU and setup, I recommend grab a GTX 460 1GB for 140 dollars ,, you will be set and your 3d work and video will be flawless.

There has been 1GB 460's under $100 used in FS forums lately
 

Denithor

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2004
6,300
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I'll 2nd/3rd/4th/whatever the suggestion of a GTX 460. Had a Galaxy model with one fan, whisper quiet and stayed nice and cool. About the same performance as a GTX 280 so much higher performance than your 8800 GT.
 

lopri

Elite Member
Jul 27, 2002
13,209
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126
Another vote for GT 440. No need for 6-pin power connector and it's as fast as or faster than G92-based stuff (But be sure to get GDDR5) Comes with all the modern features. I would avoid the route of going for used boards that are power hungry (such as GTX 260) if you're happy with the performance level of 8800 GT.
 

KompuKare

Golden Member
Jul 28, 2009
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I vote Bake it!

Been there, done that. Results? Generally only worth it for the novelty.

- The 8400M lasted about two months for the first bake, and a few weeks for the subsequent final successful bake.

- My 8800GT lasted about four months after the first bake (well and I seriously underclocked it to about 60% or stock speed), and about three weeks on the 2nd and 3d (the final) bake.

Better solution: chuck all the G92, G86, G84 and nForce 7150s into the bin as soon as they show any signs of the infamous Nvidia defect and never buy any of their junk again...
 

buklau

Member
May 4, 2012
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Is it possible that your card is filled with dust bunnies on the heatsink and dried TIM? How about take a look at those two first to ensure the crash you experience was not due to overheating?
 

greenhawk

Platinum Member
Feb 23, 2011
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getting one second hand would be easiest. Last I noticed people were parting with their 8800gt's for $25 pp.

though if the system is old, sure it is not the power supply on the way out? the power hungry video card would be one of the first to notice bad power at load.
 

blckgrffn

Diamond Member
May 1, 2003
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getting one second hand would be easiest. Last I noticed people were parting with their 8800gt's for $25 pp.

though if the system is old, sure it is not the power supply on the way out? the power hungry video card would be one of the first to notice bad power at load.

This too. If your PSU is as old as everything else, I'd replace it too. Nice 620 Antec for $35 at NewEgg right now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371031