Need new Card for ASUS P5W DH Deluxe

[UltimaBoB]

I've been running 2 ATI 1950GTX's in crossfire for the last 16 months. I have a E6700 CPU and a creative X-fi sandwiched between my GPUs. I have an Antec P180 case.

I have recently been having trouble with my computer. The tech is currently testing it, but feels that the sound card may have been getting overheated by the wtin GPUs (it is in the middle of them). He also thinks the two GPUs might have slowly deteriorated due to heat.

I have NO third party fans, thermal glue or compund, cooling, etc... Just my Enermark 550 watt PSU and my case. I don't want to get any 3rd party cooling or make things complicated.

If I need to get a new GPU, I don't want anymore crossfire or SLI. What is my best choice then given my mobo and my heat situation - that being that I don't want o overheat using just stock cooling?

Is an NVidia 8800 Ultra my best best? It just seems so much more expensive than the 8800 GTS G92. Is it that much better? Seems like NVidia currently has ATI beat for pure power - is that true?

BTW I am using a Samsung 2693HM 26" LCD @ 1920 x 1200

 

[Golgatha]

Get an 8800GTS 512MB card. It will take less cooling and power than your current setup, and run faster too.

Also, I have this motherboard and am wondering what's keeping you from putting the X-Fi in the bottom PCI slot? What other PCI expansion cards do you have?

 

[UltimaBoB]

I'm not very computer savvy - mostly internet forum "learning".

I work in Korea and don't speak Korean - so I have Korean techs work on my computer with some translating via the staff at the school I work at. Therefore, information flow is limited.

I believe the tech that is currently working on my box is looking at that option - of moving the cards - assuming I understood his borken English and hand gestures right. I only have the network card, sound cardm, and two 1950XTXs so maybe he can.

He'll get back to me as to whether my XTXs are busted on Monday. I'm just preparing if that is the case.

If I do replace them then you think the G92 GTS is close enough to the Ultra that it isthe better buy? I agree it will be more power. My crossfired XTXs matched the original 8800GTXs on some things such as 3DMark06. But crossfire doesn't always work so it will be nice to have just one card.

Can you see me having any heating issues without getting after-market or additional cooling if I go with the GTS G92?

BTW The HD 3870x2 has been suggested to me, but that strikes me as just more of the same crossfire problems - even if it is "pseudo" crossfire. It strikes me that the rule of: always get a single GPU set-up unless you have the top card onthe market and STILL need more power applies.

 

[rgallant]

[ have the network card,]
whats wrong with the two on board?

 

[UltimaBoB]

I don't know much about comps.

I have a Marvel Yukon Ethernet adapter according to windows. I figured that was a NIC card - physically. But perhaps it is just part of my mobo.

Hopefully, if there is space, the tech will rearrange my boards.

I've been having huge CPU problems that are not driver based as they happen in safe mode and when I reinstall windows. Game autoconfigs tell methat my CPU is too weak when it is strong. Every program draws 5x the normal CPU load and I am always at 100% CPU.

The tech thinks that my GPUs are overheating things since I don't have enough cooling. He said it was probably fine at first and that is why the builder didn't feel I needed more cooling than stock. But over time, things degraded and heated up more and became a problem. The initial builder didn't make enough allowances for how things would degrade over time. My cooling had no margin for error - according to the current tech. Anyways, he is testingt now and my 1950s maybe shot. iN THAT CASE, A SINGLE NEW gpu SHOULD REPLACE THEM.

 

[rgallant]

Originally posted by: UltimaBoB
I don't know much about comps.

I have a Marvel Yukon Ethernet adapter according to windows. I figured that was a NIC card - physically. But perhaps it is just part of my mobo.

Hopefully, if there is space, the tech will rearrange my boards.

I've been having huge CPU problems that are not driver based as they happen in safe mode and when I reinstall windows. Game autoconfigs tell methat my CPU is too weak when it is strong. Every program draws 5x the normal CPU load and I am always at 100% CPU.

The tech thinks that my GPUs are overheating things since I don't have enough cooling. He said it was probably fine at first and that is why the builder didn't feel I needed more cooling than stock. But over time, things degraded and heated up more and became a problem. The initial builder didn't make enough allowances for how things would degrade over time. My cooling had no margin for error - according to the current tech. Anyways, he is testingt now and my 1950s maybe shot. iN THAT CASE, A SINGLE NEW gpu SHOULD REPLACE THEM.

-The small board at the top is the Wifi ,if thats what you mean

-The P180 I have never owned, but people say they are one of the best at cooling ,do you not have 3 fans with a switch low med and high that came with the case?, also if you take out the mid hard drive cage ,a forth fan can be added ,I would have all four at med.giving you 2 in three out (2+1psu) for the long term
but why it's a big problem,finding your problem for the Techs,pull out one card and run it -same problem-switch with other card ,use another card ,try cards in another board.
-but at 100% cpu, a driver, viris is more likely than hardware failure ,it should just not boot
[when I reinstall windows] .do they have a spare Hard drive, to load a clean install to test or the E6700 is not running at's right speed or cards or PIC-E
-does the bios look ok.time correct re bad battery on Mobo.
-check the sticks of memory
-but if in fact it is a video card problem, did it blow both cards ,if not, use the good one until the new video cards come out ,as I would have a hard time seeing anyone tell you a 8800 Ultra is a good option.next option is the 8800gts 512 great card.
-also you should have or at least read about RivaTuner and Speed Fan.CPU-Z To keep a eye on the system as you did not quote any temps or speeds or voltage for anything.