I just did a complete system upgrade, and for the gfx card decided to go with the sapphire 256mb radeon x800 for $170. Figured that should hold me over until more next-gen cards are released. I didn't have time to run any game benches, so I'll just be using 3dmark05 for now.
The card I got came clocked at 390 core/700 mem. I noticed it had 2ns memory, so I gave it a nice OC. The gpu, although not sitting under what I'd call a high quality cooler, also had some decent OC ability. The cooler is made out of copper, and while it gets the job done, the fan gets noticeably loud when running 3d apps, although not so loud that I'd call it intolerable.
System specs:
A64 Venice @2.52 ghz
2x512mb OCZ VX @500 mhz, 2-2-2-7
radeon x800 256mb PCIE
catalyst 5.7 drivers
390 core/700mem
3dmark05: 4114 (pic)
FarCry (1024x768, 4x8x, maxed out settings)
-volcano demo from techreport: 78.5 fps
-pier demo from techreport: 51.7 fps
440 core/970 mem
3dmark05: 4825 (pic)
FarCry
-volcano: 96.1 fps
-pier: 64.5 fps
The core had no artifacts at 440mhz, and while I could push it higher, the temp under load was already 80C, so I decided not to push my luck with it. So far, it seems like a nice card for the money.
Edit: added some FarCry benches
Update: Removed the original cooler, and installed a zalman vf700cu. The difference is like day and night. The core can go all the way to 459mhz before it gets artifacts, and not from the heat but from the lack of more voltage. With the new cooler, I run the core at 450mhz, and the temp under load never goes above 56C, not to mention that the cooler is so quiet I cant even hear over my case fans, which are pretty quiet themselves, at 12cm.
I also get the benefit that the chipset is located so close to the gfx card on the DFI Ultra-D, that it gets some air from the vf700 too, and I dont have to listen to that whiny little fan anymore when the system is under load.
The card I got came clocked at 390 core/700 mem. I noticed it had 2ns memory, so I gave it a nice OC. The gpu, although not sitting under what I'd call a high quality cooler, also had some decent OC ability. The cooler is made out of copper, and while it gets the job done, the fan gets noticeably loud when running 3d apps, although not so loud that I'd call it intolerable.
System specs:
A64 Venice @2.52 ghz
2x512mb OCZ VX @500 mhz, 2-2-2-7
radeon x800 256mb PCIE
catalyst 5.7 drivers
390 core/700mem
3dmark05: 4114 (pic)
FarCry (1024x768, 4x8x, maxed out settings)
-volcano demo from techreport: 78.5 fps
-pier demo from techreport: 51.7 fps
440 core/970 mem
3dmark05: 4825 (pic)
FarCry
-volcano: 96.1 fps
-pier: 64.5 fps
The core had no artifacts at 440mhz, and while I could push it higher, the temp under load was already 80C, so I decided not to push my luck with it. So far, it seems like a nice card for the money.
Edit: added some FarCry benches
Update: Removed the original cooler, and installed a zalman vf700cu. The difference is like day and night. The core can go all the way to 459mhz before it gets artifacts, and not from the heat but from the lack of more voltage. With the new cooler, I run the core at 450mhz, and the temp under load never goes above 56C, not to mention that the cooler is so quiet I cant even hear over my case fans, which are pretty quiet themselves, at 12cm.
I also get the benefit that the chipset is located so close to the gfx card on the DFI Ultra-D, that it gets some air from the vf700 too, and I dont have to listen to that whiny little fan anymore when the system is under load.
