My card sucks- point in the right direction-- PLEASE!!!

[Comdrpopnfresh]

The 6800XT (XFX branding) sucks. The performance is okay, except in CSCZ, I get black boxes where bullets hit, and in maps where it rains, where the rain hits a black square appears.... But I'm sure that just means I need a driver update... and some quality settings changed.....
But the fan on this thing! The ambient tempertaure in my case is like 46* C, and the core on the card runs at like 66- IDLE!!! The fan is always at 100%, whether I change it in nTune, or RivaTuner...... I bought the components I did for quiet... this thing is ruining it... Its louder than the PSU fans, the stock AMD fan, and the case fan combined!....

I have a A8n32-Sli Deluxe mobo with a X23800+ proc. I need help picking a card that is powerful, quiet when not at full load (such as idle), and runs cooler.....

It doesn't matter if it takes up two slots, because I leaft two open next to it (so I have three open).
MY BUDGET IS $150!!!
Because I have an nforce4 chipset and mobo- Should I stick with nvidia?

I'm really confused about specs- I don't know which count or not- Gddr2 or Gddr3- is there much of a difference?

I think I cannot use a card with that DHES however..... Next to my graphics card is a rectangular opening for air to come into the case..... there is a duct attached which carries air straight to the CPU heatsink.... I'm afraid the exhaust is going to be taken in, and my CPU temp will increase (it already idles at about 50* with no OC, and C'n'Q on, but thats a topic for a different thread....)
heres a link to my case....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129155

seeing the pictures may help make the decision....

ANY IDEAS? I need to move quickly, because I only have like 10 days left for a refund form newegg (less shipping and their 15% restocking...)

 

[Treyshadow]

No it doesn't matter if you stick with nvidia. However a 7600GT is a good choice.

Other good options are the ATI X1800GTO and ATI X850XT

Or you could find 30 more bucks and go with an X1800XT 256 MB as it is alot more card for not that much more mula. Oh, and yes it works fine with your nforce 4 board.

 

[spittledip]

Originally posted by: Treyshadow
No it doesn't matter if you stick with nvidia. However a 7600GT is a good choice.

Other good options are the ATI X1800GTO and ATI X850XT

Or you could find 30 more bucks and go with an X1800XT 256 MB as it is alot more card for not that much more mula. Oh, and yes it works fine with your nforce 4 board.

There are X1800XTs out there for 180 bucks? Link it up please!

 

[XJustMeX21]

the blocks i believe are a driver issue what drivers are you using? and i believe that card may be able to be unlocked for some more performance.

 

[ImDonly1]

X850XT by Sapphire is on NewEgg for $110-ish.

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

Originally posted by: XJustMeX21
the blocks i believe are a driver issue what drivers are you using? and i believe that card may be able to be unlocked for some more performance.

the latest from the XFX website... atitool says the fan is at 0%, and the fan speed is unresponsive to any program....
I was playing CSCZ, and it froze up it was so hot- took 30 minutes of sitting off with the case open to get the video to display..

For the 7600GT- any brand suggestions?

I'm actually thinking that a DHES system would be good- because my Mobo temp is warmer than my CPU! So I think exhausting the hot air might help. I also have a slot open... I might just have to put some sort of divider so the exhaust air doesn't get pulled right back into my airduct (any suggestions would be great- take a look at the Case pictures in my original post...)

so between the 7600GT, the 850XT, and the other suggestions, which is the overall bang for the buck?
Does it matter is the shader 3 isn't supported (don't think ti is on the ati cards....)

any mor einput would be awesome

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

keep in mind I am looking for something thats quiet and cool, but not so much that I have inadaquate or decreased performance....

 

[LittleNemoNES]

How about this?: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814161004

 

[imhungry]

Yes, the black boxes in Counter Strike = a driver issue.

Use something from the 8x.xx series or 78.0x. SOLID.

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

Originally posted by: imhungry
Yes, the black boxes in Counter Strike = a driver issue.

Use something from the 8x.xx series or 78.0x. SOLID.

I installed the latest driver, and turned all the settings as high as they'd go. 200fps! LOL. But this card is still to hot and loud, so its gotta go

phew... the price on that 1800GTO is alittle steep. lol I'm trying to stay under $!%)! lol
thanks for the idea though...

still haven't gotten nay input about brands... Now I know to stay away from XFX. lol

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814141025
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127217
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130017
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102505
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814161166
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102688
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814161160

Which of these? I've narrowed it down by price... and some reviews-- looking for somethign quiet and cool, and super preformance for the money

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

bump

 

[Cookie Monster]

MSI one due to the low noise cooler, and beefy cooler that will surely cool your card. 7600GTs are also fast for a very small/mid range card

 

[akshayt]

Get 1800XT or even 7900GT or even 1900GT instead, all these will be around 200$. A tad lower will could be X1800XL

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

I called XFX to ask about the temperature. The techy said that its normal to idle at 66* C, and max at about 90* C! WTH? He said the temps can go to about 115* C before you get problems!?! I don't want to boil water here..... the thign was running at 87* C witht he case off, and UNDERclocked to 200mhz core / 800mhz memory and I was reaching 90* C after playing CSCZ for an hour! I also got large black squares/boxes where shots hi, and where rain hit the ground.... Witht he latest drivers.... and the #D settings changed around a bunch of times...
the ambient temperature in my case is 45*, and the room temperature is about 32* C. This is why i'm getting one of the cards with DHES- probably the 7600GT form MSI- because its on sale right now.... I think It will keep my case temp down too. I've never seen a comp before where the mobo temp is reported to be higher than the CPU!
I even

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

I'm definitly not getting anything in ATI branding below a 1800GTO- because anything under that doesn't support SM3.0
I'm sure the 7600GT from MSI is hdcp compliant too- so that'll mean I can hold on too it longer....

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: Comdrpopnfresh
I'm definitly not getting anything in ATI branding below a 1800GTO- because anything under that doesn't support SM3.0
I'm sure the 7600GT from MSI is hdcp compliant too- so that'll mean I can hold on too it longer....

HDCP compliant does not equal hdcp compatible...besides which, the GTO thrashes it when you turn on AA/AF...and can do AA+HDR if we are playing e-penis games

 

[996GT2]

eVGA 7600GT KO, better cooler, OC's like crazy (optimal settings on my card was 608/1622)

Also eVGA has a lifetime warranty that covers just about everything (including overclocking and heatsink changes)

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: Comdrpopnfresh
I called XFX to ask about the temperature. The techy said that its normal to idle at 66* C, and max at about 90* C! WTH? He said the temps can go to about 115* C before you get problems!?! I don't want to boil water here..... the thign was running at 87* C witht he case off, and UNDERclocked to 200mhz core / 800mhz memory and I was reaching 90* C after playing CSCZ for an hour! I also got large black squares/boxes where shots hi, and where rain hit the ground.... Witht he latest drivers.... and the #D settings changed around a bunch of times...
the ambient temperature in my case is 45*, and the room temperature is about 32* C. This is why i'm getting one of the cards with DHES- probably the 7600GT form MSI- because its on sale right now.... I think It will keep my case temp down too. I've never seen a comp before where the mobo temp is reported to be higher than the CPU!
I even

That's definitely not right, my card idles at 55c, with fan on LOW, and stock clocks (6800nu). My case, though, runs 36c. Maybe you should think about fixing your case's cooling?

 

[OCNewbie]

I second the eVGA 7600GT KO (not CO). If you can find a good deal on one of the X1800's that'd also be a good choice as well. Some of them can unlock to more shaders, etc. too, not sure which ones though. I do believe that the X1800's run quite hot though, is that right, and have loud cooling solutions? Or is that just the X1900's?

Also, what power supply do you have? I figure that may be an issue with one of the X1800's, not sure.

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

Originally posted by: Raduque

Originally posted by: Comdrpopnfresh
I called XFX to ask about the temperature. The techy said that its normal to idle at 66* C, and max at about 90* C! WTH? He said the temps can go to about 115* C before you get problems!?! I don't want to boil water here..... the thign was running at 87* C witht he case off, and UNDERclocked to 200mhz core / 800mhz memory and I was reaching 90* C after playing CSCZ for an hour! I also got large black squares/boxes where shots hi, and where rain hit the ground.... Witht he latest drivers.... and the #D settings changed around a bunch of times...
the ambient temperature in my case is 45*, and the room temperature is about 32* C. This is why i'm getting one of the cards with DHES- probably the 7600GT form MSI- because its on sale right now.... I think It will keep my case temp down too. I've never seen a comp before where the mobo temp is reported to be higher than the CPU!
I even

That's definitely not right, my card idles at 55c, with fan on LOW, and stock clocks (6800nu). My case, though, runs 36c. Maybe you should think about fixing your case's cooling?

the cooling is great, I just have 2 ATI 550pro tv tuners which have processors, tuners, and memory modules which run at 59*..... and an x-fi sb card that puts off a lot of heat. I have the onyl exhause port filled with a 120mm tri-speed fan

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

I have a 450watt antec smartpower psu. I'm liking the evga 7900gt ko... but will botht he card and my case (in turn the cpu as well) run cooler with it in as opposed to this nightmare of a xfx card? I was thinking I might have to get a dhes card. but th eonly 7600gt with it actually intakes form outside and fills the case with hot air- for that expense, and with two slots taken up, I think I might as well go with a one-slot circulating design. Does the eVGA warranty really cover overclocking? and heatsink changes? Interesting...


::EDIT:: Does it have much overlcockign headroom? I mean its already factory overclocked from the stock speeds...

::EDIT:: Whats the difference between the CO and KO anyhow?
Definity going with the eVGA 7600GT now, the only 1800GTO in my price range is still too much, and I don't think its worth it. The unlocking pipes is intriguing, but i'm sure it voids the warranty, and I like warranties- Plus, a LIFETIME warranty is hard to pass up.... and all the reviews are good.....

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: Comdrpopnfresh
I'm definitly not getting anything in ATI branding below a 1800GTO- because anything under that doesn't support SM3.0
I'm sure the 7600GT from MSI is hdcp compliant too- so that'll mean I can hold on too it longer....

HDCP compliant does not equal hdcp compatible...besides which, the GTO thrashes it when you turn on AA/AF...and can do AA+HDR if we are playing e-penis games

but honestly, these are high midranged cards... with AA and HDR on, chances are i'll be pulling like no more than 60fps.... an I hear the 7600 is cooler.... I'm still extremely undecided on the choice.. i decided its between the 1800 and the 7600 because I want SM3.0... But between the two I'm still undecided......

 

[Cookie Monster]

7600GT is about equal with a X1800GTO even with AA/AF. In openGL titles/some d3d games like TR:legend, AOE3, etc, the 7600GT is faster. The X1800GTO should be faster in oblivion, bf2 and cod2.

An X1800GTO is more power hungry and hotter than the 7600GT. Its a bigger card too sine it uses the R520 cores.

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster
7600GT is about equal with a X1800GTO even with AA/AF. In openGL titles/some d3d games like TR:legend, AOE3, etc, the 7600GT is faster. The X1800GTO should be faster in oblivion, bf2 and cod2.

An X1800GTO is more power hungry and hotter than the 7600GT. Its a bigger card too sine it uses the R520 cores.

great info! definitly sounds like the 7600gt is a winner for what I want! Anyone have any other brands or models that top the EVGA 7600gt ko for the same price ? I found out the KO uses the EVGA copper cooler instead of the standard Nvidia reference 7600gt cooler which sucks- doesn't cool enough and is to loud. I'm feeling the 7600gt ko form evga is how i'm going... if anyone has any objects- speak now or forever hold yuor peace! lol