8800GTX Quetions

[warcrow]

Hola guys,

Qucik question for you. I'm going to be in the market for a DirectX 10 card within the next few weeks. I have some questions that I hope some of you can answer:

1) Is there a general consensus on which manufacture and bundle to get? I'm not interested in HTPC (sp?), added software likes games, or utilities. I do not plan on overclock. I just wanted a solid card with a solid warranty. I currently have a MSI 7900GTX and before that I have an EVGA 6800 Ultra. Both have been great without issue, so I'm leaning towards both companies.

2) Is there someone, say within the next 2 months, that is coming down the pike that I should wait for? I poked around and it seems that nVidia or AMD have not announced anything--but it there rumor?

Thanks in advanced, guys.

 

[CalvinHobbes]

There are rumors of a fall refresh from Nvidia. Not sure if AMD is doing anything at that time.

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: CalvinHobbes
There are rumors of a fall refresh from Nvidia. Not sure if AMD is doing anything at that time.

Which mean, a price drop for the 8800GTX. I hope it's not just going to be a 8800 Ultra Supreme XTX or something.

 

[asdftt123]

I believe the general consensus would be that EVGA, BFG, or XFX all make quality cards with good support and warranties. I would look into them. BTW, I absolutely love the pic of you and your wife =)

 

[n7]

Heya warcrow, long time no see!

Basically the same question asked here: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...y&keyword1=WHICH+BRAND

Should give you a pretty good idea of people's opinions, including mine on warranties.

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: asdftt123
I believe the general consensus would be that EVGA, BFG, or XFX all make quality cards with good support and warranties. I would look into them. BTW, I absolutely love the pic of you and your wife =)

Well thank you!

Yes, I think EVGA is a solid choice. Thanks for the input.

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: n7
Heya warcrow, long time no see!

Basically the same question asked here: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...y&keyword1=WHICH+BRAND

Should give you a pretty good idea of people's opinions, including mine on warranties.

n7!

Thanks for the link!

 

[warcrow]

BTW, does anyone like any cases for this card? I've looked at the Antec 900--but it's pretty ugly.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: warcrow
BTW, does anyone like any cases for this card? I've looked at the Antec 900--but it's pretty ugly.

Funny you should ask, I posted this earlier today in another thread about 8800GTXes and cases:

I highly recommend a Lian Li PC-7A Plus II. I just picked up one yesterday.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811112068 (the black one is $89 right now)

Here are a few reasons I recommend this case:

1) At less than $100, it's practically free for a Lian Li. If you've never owned a Lian Li case, you will never go back once you do.
2) It's not too big. It can fit on a desktop easily.
3) normal, upright ATX mobo orientation - your heatpipes will all work as they should

-and now for the important (video related reasons)

4) It will fit a monster size PSU should you need it, as there is nothing obstructing the PSU from the rear of the case all the way to the back of your top optical drive. Even with a DVD-ROM installed in the top I'm pretty sure that you could fit a PCP&C 1KW or Enermax Galaxy in there.
5) It will fit an 8800GTX without modification

A few notes on my install:

The hard drive cage at the bottom is completely and easily removable by simply unscrewing two screws. This is not necessary to install a GTX, but it if you look at the link I provided you will see that by doing this you create a HUGE open space for the video card(s) with a nice 120mm fan right in front. I'm pretty sure that you could run a quad SLI 7800GX2 setup in this case. For this reason, I completely removed the bottom HD cage and installed a single DVD-R drive at the top and my three HDs in the slots directly below it. I still have the two floppy bays open should I want to install another HD, floppy, or card reader.

I used a Lian Li drive bezel for the optical drive, so the rig looks pretty. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16841101023

I also made sure that I picked up the PC-7A Plus II (the "II" is important, as it denotes dual 120mm fans and the grille on the side of the case that allows you to mount an optional (it should be included IMO, but it's not) BS-02 to cool your video card from the side. The stock setup on the BS-02 has the fan facing outward as an exhaust, I flipped the fan around on mine so it works as an intake to blow fresh air on the video card.

I agree with you about the Antec 900... Not only is it ugly, but Antec cases feel cheap to me, especially considering the fact that they aren't cheap.

This link my be useful to you as well:

http://www.maximumpc.com/forum...&postorder=asc&start=0

 

[Polish3d]

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Originally posted by: warcrow
BTW, does anyone like any cases for this card? I've looked at the Antec 900--but it's pretty ugly.

Funny you should ask, I posted this earlier today in another thread about 8800GTXes and cases:

I highly recommend a Lian Li PC-7A Plus II. I just picked up one yesterday.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811112068 (the black one is $89 right now)

Here are a few reasons I recommend this case:

1) At less than $100, it's practically free for a Lian Li. If you've never owned a Lian Li case, you will never go back once you do.
2) It's not too big. It can fit on a desktop easily.
3) normal, upright ATX mobo orientation - your heatpipes will all work as they should

-and now for the important (video related reasons)

4) It will fit a monster size PSU should you need it, as there is nothing obstructing the PSU from the rear of the case all the way to the back of your top optical drive. Even with a DVD-ROM installed in the top I'm pretty sure that you could fit a PCP&C 1KW or Enermax Galaxy in there.
5) It will fit an 8800GTX without modification

A few notes on my install:

The hard drive cage at the bottom is completely and easily removable by simply unscrewing two screws. This is not necessary to install a GTX, but it if you look at the link I provided you will see that by doing this you create a HUGE open space for the video card(s) with a nice 120mm fan right in front. I'm pretty sure that you could run a quad SLI 7800GX2 setup in this case. For this reason, I completely removed the bottom HD cage and installed a single DVD-R drive at the top and my three HDs in the slots directly below it. I still have the two floppy bays open should I want to install another HD, floppy, or card reader.

I used a Lian Li drive bezel for the optical drive, so the rig looks pretty. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16841101023

I also made sure that I picked up the PC-7A Plus II (the "II" is important, as it denotes dual 120mm fans and the grille on the side of the case that allows you to mount an optional (it should be included IMO, but it's not) BS-02 to cool your video card from the side. The stock setup on the BS-02 has the fan facing outward as an exhaust, I flipped the fan around on mine so it works as an intake to blow fresh air on the video card.

I agree with you about the Antec 900... Not only is it ugly, but Antec cases feel cheap to me, especially considering the fact that they aren't cheap.

This link my be useful to you as well:

http://www.maximumpc.com/forum...&postorder=asc&start=0

my p180 fits gtx fine

 

[WaTaGuMp]

My GTX houses itself in the case below, I even have room for the kitchen sink in it.




http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119039