8800GTX is running out of steam at 1900x1200, suggestions?

[CurseTheSky]

Really, it's not a huge issue. In some games, my 8800GTX is dipping into the lower FPS ranges with most of the settings cranked up. I'd like to keep the setting close to max, but if I have to sacrifice some of them, I will.

I'm also noticing the card is running at 62c idle, 80c load (gaming). I'm considering overclocking it a bit to stretch out it's lifetime, but I'm concerned about the temperatures.

What would you guys do? I really don't want to shell out the money for a new card just yet (maybe next generation), but I also don't want to dump a ton of time and money into this card. Should I try overclocking it (and if so, what do people use for NV cards - NV control panel or RivaTuner?), and if so, should I look into some better cooling options? I removed the heatsink almost a year ago and applied some MX-2; I also blow out the dust regularly.

This card has been great, but now that I'm running a 24" monitor, things are getting a little choppy.

Thanks.

 

[n7]

80c load is normal, as that's the temp where the drivers are set to trigger the fan to keep the temps around that range.

OCing might help a bit, but not likely enough.

Here's my testing of my upgrade to a GTX 280 along with 260 numbers, albeit at a higher resolution.
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...yword1=gtx+260+gtx+280

 

[CurseTheSky]

Excellent review. The performance gain isn't quite as great as I had hoped, but again, you're at "the next step up" resolution wise. Either way, it's a decent gain over the aging G80.

I was really hoping something like a HD4850 with an Accelero S1 Rev 2 would get some decent performance gains, but it looks like I should be looking into a HD4870 or GTX260 at the least. I'll probably try to overclock it a bit and see what it does for me. If I can hold out one more generation, I think I can really justify what I spent on the card.

 

[Centurin]

Just out of curiosity, when is Nvidia slated to release their next gen card (whatever that happens to be atm)?

 

[ViRGE]

The GTX280 was the next gen card. If you want something newer, wait a year.

 

[bryanW1995]

gt200b is supposed to be a die shrink to 55nm, allegedly coming in the next couple of months. figure 10-15% clockspeed increase. amd is also planning a die shrink, though they're going to either 40 or 45nm by early next year. neither of these shrinks are supposed to be a great speed boost, however. you have two choices, both of them crappy: upgrade to a slightly faster 4870 or gtx 260 for ~ $100 net after selling the 8800gtx, get a bigger upgrade to gtx 280 for more like $225-$250, or really punish yourself and spend closer to $400 for a 4870x2.

I just saw a nice link to an evga gtx 260 for $219 AR and coupon code here in video, plus it comes with a free copy of crysis. If you're willing to deal with the hassle of mir's and selling a "free" game then you just might net out around $50 or so out of pocket on this card. If I were you I'd go this route and oc the hell outta the card to extend its usable life a bit. evga warranties oc'd cards, too.

edit, here's the thread link: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2227375&enterthread=y

 

[angry hampster]

You say you don't want to shell out the money for a new card, but what about *two* new cards? You've got an SLI board, why not utilize it? You can sell your GTX for about $175 (as per the latest FS threads on this board). Then, pick up a pair of 8800GTs for ~$110 each. Total investment is under $50 and you'll nearly double your framerates.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814133232


Comparisons here including the 880GTX, current-gen cards, and 8800GT SLI:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3334&p=11

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: angry hampster
You say you don't want to shell out the money for a new card, but what about *two* new cards? You've got an SLI board, why not utilize it? You can sell your GTX for about $175 (as per the latest FS threads on this board). Then, pick up a pair of 8800GTs for ~$110 each. Total investment is under $50 and you'll nearly double your framerates.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814133232


Comparisons here including the 880GTX, current-gen cards, and 8800GT SLI:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3334&p=11

Well then, why not just get a 2nd 8800-GTX for SLi?; they are pretty cheap now - it requires selling nothing - and he will also really increase frame rates!

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: angry hampster
You say you don't want to shell out the money for a new card, but what about *two* new cards? You've got an SLI board, why not utilize it? You can sell your GTX for about $175 (as per the latest FS threads on this board). Then, pick up a pair of 8800GTs for ~$110 each. Total investment is under $50 and you'll nearly double your framerates.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814133232


Comparisons here including the 880GTX, current-gen cards, and 8800GT SLI:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3334&p=11

Well then, why not just get a 2nd 8800-GTX for SLi?; they are pretty cheap now - it requires selling nothing - and he will also really increase frame rates!

Because it'd cost him $125 more. It'd definitely be easier to do that, but it would require a significant amount more power and I was trying to keep things cheap.

 

[QuixoticOne]

At that resolution (or higher) don't even buy any new card with less than 1GBy/GPU.
Even 768MB is a little low when you crank up the AA and play in 19x12 and high detail textures in a lot of games.
I can only imagine that if you're at 19x12 today in a year or two you might be at 2560x1600 or whatever.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: QuixoticOne

Even 768MB is a little low when you crank up the AA and play in 19x12 and high detail textures in a lot of games.

In what games?

There is no indication that 1GB provides any more playability at 1920x1200 for the majority of today's games. 768 is more than enough because he'll be GPU limited anyway.

OP, you could always sell the card for $120+ and upgrade to a 4870/GTX 260. Although those cards are still not fast enough for 1920x1200. Alternatively, if you can pick up a 2nd 8800GTX on the cheap, that could also work. I'd probably turn some settings down and wait until 55nm refresh of GTX 280, or whatever else is around like $399 4850 1GB X2.

8800GTX vs. GTX 260 vs. 4870

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation

Originally posted by: QuixoticOne

Even 768MB is a little low when you crank up the AA and play in 19x12 and high detail textures in a lot of games.

In what games?

There is no indication that 1GB provides any more playability at 1920x1200 for the majority of today's games. 768 is more than enough because he'll be GPU limited anyway.

OP, you could always sell the card for $120+ and upgrade to a 4870/GTX 260. Although those cards are still not fast enough for 1920x1200. Alternatively, if you can pick up a 2nd 8800GTX on the cheap, that could also work. I'd probably turn some settings down and wait until 55nm refresh of GTX 280, or whatever else is around like $399 4850 1GB X2.

8800GTX vs. GTX 260 vs. 4870

Crysis chews up the framebuffer. And i notice you qualify "in today's games". What about tomorrow's - like Alan Wake?
- i do see a slight difference in smoothness at 19x12 between using a 512MB GPU and one equipped with 1GB; very slight to be sure - but there

i have an 8800GTX and i would NOT recommend a 4870/512 for such an incremental upgrade. GTX280 or 4870x2 would provide a more substantial improvement.

for $389, i got a GTX280 .. i paid $469 for my X2 - look for a sale

i would not bother with any 4850 or GT260 or 4870/512 as an "upgrade" from a GTX.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I'm actually considering getting a different motherboard as well. This one is alright for overclocking, but lacking in many areas. I'll probably be looking into a P45 board (or I may just wait until next year and see what i7 has to bring), but I doubt I'll be keeping this long enough to consider SLI as a good investment.

From all the advice I see here, my best bet is probably to overclock it a bit, turn down some settings, and see what the next generation of cards (or the 55nm refresh) brings to the table. I'd much rather save the $150 now and spend it on a card later.

Thanks you all.

 

[Qbah]

Crysis is a PoS engine. Looks amazing but runs like crap. Warhead seems to optimize things significantly (and looks better at it!), so I really don't see any sense in giving vanilla Crysis as an example. As for the OP, try to OC first. If that won't help the first measurable upgrade would be a GTX280 imo. I wouldn't bother with anything lower. Also, there's HD4870x2, though for a bit more than a GTX280 (but you get more performance for it too).

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Crysis chews up the framebuffer. And i notice you qualify "in today's games". What about tomorrow's - like Alan Wake?

Ya of course. But Crysis is such a dogshow - it doesn't scale with CPU speed, it doesn't really scale with SLI or CF. It's the worst coded videogame in the last 2 years I can think of. The graphics are good but not that much better than Call of Duty 4 which runs phenomenally on my lowly 320mb 8800. Also, for someone on a budget it's always best to buy graphics cards for today's games and update more frequently than buy top of the line and hold it for 2-3 years.

I am not sure what Alan Wake is going to be like but i've read that it will likely benefit from quads, which OP doesn't have. By the time AW is released I am willing to bet any card out now other than HD4870 X2 will be spanked. Also, I never make purchasing decisions for games that arent' even out yet (HL2 delay anyone?)

I agree with you that coming from 8800GTX, I'd look into GTX280 which is why I thought it'd be a good idea to wait for the 55nm version. But with 280's price right now, its performance increase over 4870 / 260 (which cost 'just' $230-250) is hardly justifiable imo.