Need to decide between 8800GTS or x1950pro Silent

[gamephile]

Well I've been in Japan for about a month and a half doing english teaching and due to some recent computer parts breaking, I'm in the mood for buying. Currently my video card is a POS ati x300 that was meant as a filler until I could afford something better. Well that time is now. I'm cursing Nvidia and Ati for producing lousy mid-range parts that are pushing me to this decision.

I have a friend of a friend who is in Singapore right now and is coming back soon. She could potentially pick up parts for me at much cheaper prices than I can get in Japan. (She leaves Singapore Sunday, so tiem is running out for a decision.)

Case in point, a standard 8800GTS in the states? $300. Japan? $385 USD equivalent. Singapore shops have them for about $315. The other option on the table is the powercolor x1950pro Silent. The one with the huge heatpipe cooler that doesn't need fans.

I'm concerned about noise for one. I've built a pretty quiet system and I'd like to keep it that way. I know the 8800GTS cooler is quiet to some, but how does it compare with a scythe S-flex fan? Or the more common Antec Tri-cooler fan? I have mine set at the medium speed, which is about as loud as I want.

My 2nd concern is case heat. How much will the 8800GTS add to my overall case temperature? Will it make overclocking any more difficult than with a simpler card?

Also I run a 1680x1050 display currently. I don't game much, but that's kinda because my card is worthless for it.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Laminator]

Actually, a standard 8800GTS 640MB in the states is $350. If she can get you an 8800GTS 640MB for $315 USD, that is a hell of a deal.

 

[n7]

8800 GTS.

Its fan won't be audible over your case fans till around 80% fanspeed, which only happens in games really.

And bear in mind, even @ 100%, 8800 series cards's fans are still not loud.

 

[tuteja1986]

The country is as huge with Computer gaming... They are all about the Sony playstation and Nintendo. Well GPU a 2900XT and 8800GTS 640Mb would go arround 48,000 JPY and below 38,000 JPY for 8800GTS 320mb which isn't that great of card.

See if you can get :
X1950pro 512mb : 16K - 18K yen
X1950XT 512mb : 26K yen
X1900XT/ X1950XT 256mb : 23K yen << this jpu i recommend ; ) excellent Midrange card
7900GT 256mb : 23K yen


Also Singapore's not so cheap anymore ;( not as cheap as what you can get in Japan.


check this website : http://www.users-side.co.jp/

the computer shops translated the website for english users :!
Reasonable price but if you want cheaper than you need to go for search hunt or find some japanese pc gaming nerd and ask em where they their stuff :! I remember this cheap ass shop but i can remember the shops name but they sold product that was even some cases cheaper than newegg.

 

[gamephile]

I wish it was talking about the 640mb, sadly no, the 315 price is for a 320mb.

Tuteja, I went to the site you linked but the prices there aren't that great. 40,000yen for a 320mb GTS isn't what I would call a good deal.

Also dont the 1950XT's have problems with noise?

 

[tuteja1986]

Originally posted by: gamephile
I wish it was talking about the 640mb, sadly no, the 315 price is for a 320mb.

Tuteja, I went to the site you linked but the prices there aren't that great. 40,000yen for a 320mb GTS isn't what I would call a good deal.

Also dont the 1950XT's have problems with noise?

Does sound really matter ;( !!

 

[gamephile]

Does what matter? The price or the noise. In my case I consider both important.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: gamephile
Does what matter? The price or the noise. In my case I consider both important.

The card is utterly silent until you start gaming a little, then it spins up to audible levels but not loud by any means. The fan will never hit 100%.

 

[gamephile]

Man I am torrrrrn. So the 8800GTS sound like a winner, now comes the convincing myself that it's worth it when it's almost the same price as a freaking xbox 360.

Also out of random curiosity cmdrredd, are you running Vista or Linux? If not what amount of ram is your system able to use?

 

[Ylurien]

I`m pretty much in the same boat as you (Also live in Japan too )

But what I think you ought to do at this point, because of your timing here, is to wait at least until Nvidia announces what their next-gen release is going to be. Basically, the world is waiting to confirm which of the following 2 big rumors is true:

1. The G92 or G90, whichever is released in mid-November, will be a high-end card, much more powerful than even the 8800GTX Ultra.
2. The G92 or G90, whichever is released in mid-November, will be a rough equivalent to the 8800GTS but will run quieter, cooler, and cost less.

At least that`s my interpretation of the current situation. I don`t imagine we`ll have to wait much longer than another month before Nvidia makes the announcement if they really do intend to put them on sale in mid-November as rumor has it.

 

[chizow]

The G80 fans shouldn't be audible over the fans you mentioned until @85-90% fan speed. With proper case cooling and good ambient temps I've never had them spin up that high, although I do run mine at 85% always to avoid any problems with my overclock. Inaudible @85% with 5 Antec 120mm Tri-Cools at Low, the stock Tuniq 120mm Fan turned all the way down, and the 200mm that came with my 900. Case cooling has certainly come a long way from the 60-80mm fans of a few years ago.

You should have good air flow with the P150, although I believe it lacks a side case fan? I've found that makes a pretty big difference for both the video card and north bridge cooling with good top and rear exhausts to pull the hot air away from that area. Antec also makes a pretty nifty Spot Fan that can basically install anywhere you have a screw hole which can help push hot air away from hot spots. Still, the lack of a side blower shouldn't impact your ability to OC your CPU or GPU too much, but definitely monitor your temps as you look for stability. For an OC'd C2D under load 55C is pretty hot and for an OC'd G80 75-80C under load as general guidelines if you're having problems.

 

[gamephile]

Well I took the plunge on the 8800GTS sorta... we'll see if this friend of a friend has time to buy a video card before she leaves singapore. I insisted on the EVGA version, I know that every company's card is the same reference design, but the unlimited warranty they provide was worth being specific over. If she can't pick the card up then I may well wait until November.

Ylurien why and where are you in Japan? I'm in Yamanashi-ken, Tsuru-shi (about 1 hour away from the capital, Kofu)

Chizow, what do you use to measure your CPU temps? I'm always curious when I hear peoples temp recommendations.

 

[Laminator]

Core Temp is the way to go for CPU temperatures.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Rivatuner is a good way to monitor the temperature, core/memory clock, VID level, etc etc.