Get a 7900GT?

[imported_rod]

Hey all,
I hate all those "NEED AN ANSWER NOW !!11!!111!1!111!!!" threads, but for once, it's me posting it.

BtW: I live in Australia, so don't be shocked about how high the prices are.

I was just doing a search on computer parts today, and I saw that the best computer shop in the city is getting in stock of the 7900GT tomorrow. I dropped in after Uni today, and they said that they expect them to all be sold by monday.

The item is

VC XFX GF 7900GT 256MB/DUAL-DVI/PCIe/UDER [Arrives 24/3] $529.00

But I can get if for $509 (US$365)

I think it is specifically the:"XFX GeForce 7900GT 256MB DDR3 Extreme Edition (PV-T71G-UDE (R,7))" with a double lifetime warranty.

Memory Clock: 1.5 GHz
Dual Link DVI - Supporting digital output up to 2560x1600: Yes
Clock rate: 520 MHz
Chipset: 7900 GT
Memory: 256 MB
Bus Type: PCI-E
Memory Type: DDR3
Memory Bus: 256 Bit

Anywayz, I'm just hoping that you guys can confirm that this is a good card to get, that no-one has been having major problems with them or anything. Also, I think the core is factory overclocked from the standard 450MHz to 520MHz, so there should be a bit of extra performance there.

Sorry for the long post.
RoD

 

[Bobthelost]

Good time to buy? If you wait then it'll drop in price given time, but that's always true. It's a great looking card i prefer the eVGA warranties because you can swap out the heatsink without voiding it. But if you're not going to do that, then buy away.

 

[imported_rod]

I tried waiting for the 7800GT, and the first stock sold out in about 3 or 4 days. All the stock since then has cost more than it originally did 3 months ago.

BtW: thats for the tip about the eVGA, but I dont plan on replacing the fan, and the only nvidia 7xxx cards they have at the moment are XFX (or ASUS, but they're EXPENSIVE).

BtW: How loud are XFX cards generally?
Also, I'm guessing that this is a single PCI slot design... Anyone know for sure?

RoD

 

[Bobthelost]

My XFX 7800GT wasn't loud, but i wanted a really low noise PC. Haven't heard any complaints from people so they are probablly fiarly quiet.

7900GT range is single slot.

If you want to upgrade, have the money and can find them in stock then buy!

 

[imported_rod]

Awesome, thanks.

Just 1 more thing. What are some good applications to use to benchmark these? I have 3Dmark05 + 3Dmark06.

 

[Bobthelost]

As good a way as any i know of. (Remembering they are just a tool to make sure that the card is functioning correctly rather than as a goal in themselves of course)

 

[imported_rod]

Yeah ok. I think CS-Source and Lost Coast have inbuilt benchmarking software aswell.

RoD

 

[R3MF]

yes, get one.

 

[imported_rod]

Awesome, thanks.

Anyone actually have one?

RoD

 

[arcenite]

Realistically there is no good time to buy computer hardware (with the exception with opteron cpus and the fact that they were once $270). The price will always go down, and most likely it will go down the day after you buy it (happens to me all the time)

 

[imported_rod]

Just wondering - do you think my Rig will bottleneck this card at all?

I'm just worried about my 1GB ram reducing the potential of this card.

RoD

 

[Wall7486]

Overclock that Winnie and you'll be fine.

 

[imported_rod]

So only 1GB ram won't be much of an issue?

RoD

 

[Luckyboy1]

Hey, I have an online flight M8 from Australia. He goes by the online name of Dubbo after some outback town!

Whatcha trying to run better with that card? And yes, to a point, even overclocked, you'll be a bit CPU bound on that one.

Ever been to http://www.overclockers.com.au/

Great bunch of Rues there!

 

[imported_rod]

Mainly playing BF2 at the moment, but HL2: Aftermath will be here soon. I can get my CPU to 2.4GHz at stock volatage on stock cooling. That's the speed of a 3800+ - surely a 3800+ is enough to drive a 7900GT!

BtW: I think there's an Air Force base at Dubbo.

Looked at "http://www.overclockers.com.au/" a bit. I'm not heavily into OCing anyway.

RoD