It's time for a new video card......

fw

Member
Jan 10, 2005
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Hey gang,

thought I'd ask the collective for some advice. My 7800GT is starting to crap out (showing checkerboard patterns during some boots) and it's time to replace it. Here is my present system:

Antec P180, Asus A8N-SLI Premium, AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ with Scythe Ninja in passive mode, 2GB PC3200, Seasonic Super Tornado 400W, 2 160GB SATA NCG RAID 1, 2 250GB SATA, eVGA 7800GT 256MB with Zalmann VF700 AlCu, 4 Yate Loon D12-SL12 120mm for airflow, Win XP Pro

System is used for some gaming, video editing, photoshop and standard family PC stuff. We are planning to upgrading to a 22" Widescreen LCD in the near future. I don't upgrade components everytime a newer widget comes out, but when I do buy parts I like to buy something that will allow some longevity (18-24 months). I would like to go ahead and upgrade the video card to a 8800GTS 640MB with the coming of Vista, DX10 and the new widescreen LCD in the near future. My concern is the power requirements of the 8800GTS compared to the 7800GT and the possible need of also upgrading the PSU. My system is rock-stable and I don't overclock, and future stability is a concern.

Will a 8800GTS work in my situation? If not, what would y'all recommend.

TIA,

Frank
 

secretanchitman

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2001
9,352
23
91
8800GTS would be perfect for you. if you want to spend a bit less money, wait till next month for the 8600GTS/8600GT/8500GT.
 

nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
9,031
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The 8800GTS would be a good card for you. I had the exact same combo A8N-SLI Premium/X2 4400+ prior to this rig, and that is a great setup.

If you're happy with the rest of your setup, I would go for the GTS and I probably would probably upgrade the PSU as well.

On a slighly different topic, the long term failure rate of the 7-series cards is somewhat disturbing IMO. Front page of AT video, and you have your thread which involves a 7800GT that is artifacting, and this guy's thread which mentions a broken 7900GS (in sig). Interesting that you would still both buy NVIDIA cards.
 

fw

Member
Jan 10, 2005
187
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Originally posted by: nitromullet
The 8800GTS would be a good card for you. I had the exact same combo A8N-SLI Premium/X2 4400+ prior to this rig, and that is a great setup.

If you're happy with the rest of your setup, I would go for the GTS and I probably would probably upgrade the PSU as well.

On a slighly different topic, the long term failure rate of the 7-series cards is somewhat disturbing IMO. Front page of AT video, and you have your thread which involves a 7800GT that is artifacting, and this guy's thread which mentions a broken 7900GS (in sig). Interesting that you would still both buy NVIDIA cards.

Thanks for the response. The more I research, the more like the 8800GTS is the way to go.

As for the PSU, I'm going to try the present PSU first (Seasonics are pretty beefy and underrated), as the cost of the 8800GTS alone is enough to send the WWMBO into a tizzy. Luckily I can use the old "...but Honey, it's not the top of the line, those cost $600" line......LOL!!

In terms of going back to nvidia - 2 reasons: My MB is a nvidia/SLI MB and I have spent many an hour long ago chasing driver problems with ATI. Besides, I bought the 7800GT used a year ago, so who knows how bad it was beat up/overclocked by the first owner before I got it.

Thanks again and keep it coming.....

Frank

 

nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
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"WWMBO"? Obvioulsy, you're referring to your better half, but I've never seen that one before...
 

fw

Member
Jan 10, 2005
187
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Originally posted by: nitromullet
"WWMBO"? Obvioulsy, you're referring to your better half, but I've never seen that one before...

Good guess....... WWMBO is short for "Woman Who Must Be Obeyed". 19 1/2 years now and counting......
 

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
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Originally posted by: fw
Originally posted by: nitromullet
"WWMBO"? Obvioulsy, you're referring to your better half, but I've never seen that one before...

Good guess....... WWMBO is short for "Woman Who Must Be Obeyed". 19 1/2 years now and counting......
:Q
:thumbsup:
 

nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
9,031
36
91
Originally posted by: fw
Originally posted by: nitromullet
"WWMBO"? Obvioulsy, you're referring to your better half, but I've never seen that one before...

Good guess....... WWMBO is short for "Woman Who Must Be Obeyed". 19 1/2 years now and counting......

I've always liked WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor), which is most commonly used when discussing home theater equipment. :)

As far as the 7800GT going bad a year after you purchased it, it's still kind of an odd failure. I've had numerous cards (from various manufacturers) arrive DOA or die on me soon after. I don't think I've ever had a card go bad on me after a month though. It seems that once they have gone through "burn in", short of a fan failure, they will last forever.

I'm sure you'd rather have an 8800GTS anyway though, so I doubt that is your major concern.
 

CloE

Member
Mar 2, 2007
199
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if the card from BFG or EVGA, dead card could mean free upgrade, if the broken card is old enough that can't be replaced with same model.
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
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I would also clean the card, removing all the dust in the HSF. That definitely would cause artifacting.