Search for a cool upper mid-range video card

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spittledip

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2005
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Hey,

I have been considering an x1800xt or a 7900gt, but I am concerned with excess heat. It seems that the x1800xt just runs too hot, and the 7900gt has inadequate cooling. I do not want to add after market cooling b/c I do not want to void the warranty or spend any more money on these things (If I am spending 250, why should I have to spend extra on cooling??). Any suggstions? Any upper mid-range cards that run cool or have adequate cooling? thanks in advance
 
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josh6079

Diamond Member
Mar 17, 2006
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I would wait just a little bit more. The X1900 refreshes are coming VERY soon and their cooling/performance/price ration will, I think, stomp the X1800XT's and 7900GT's. Just a guess, but I bet they'll be the card for you when they get here.

If not that, then definately the G80's. If there is an 8800GT, it might be overpriced at first, but I bet it will be worth the wait as well.

If you really can't stand to wait just about one more month, I would suggest the X1800XT. They are not going to give you a stock card that crashes all of the time or artifacts (unless it is a bad batch evga 7900)-- The stock coolers for both are loud, but I'd rather have the hot air leaving my case than staying in it with my other hardware. Heat isn't going to be an issue with both of them unless you start to overclock a lot.
 
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spittledip

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2005
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Originally posted by: josh6079
I'd rather have the hot air leaving my case than staying in it with my other hardware.
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This is what I thought too. actually haven't even considered the 1900GT- they seem a bit pricey for performance except for that 100 dollar rebate at Newegg for the 3dconnect. I also was not aware that the 1900s were about to go down in price. Thanks for the replies everyone
 
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josh6079

Diamond Member
Mar 17, 2006
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Wreckage

Wreckage

Banned
Jul 1, 2005
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josh6079

Diamond Member
Mar 17, 2006
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Originally posted by: Wreckage
I would not consider a X1900XT as running "cool" as the OP was looking for.
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Just because "most" don't run as cool as the 7900's doesn't mean that he should be concerned. The slightly higher temps are fine with those cards, and it doesn't get expelled into the rest of the case. It's not that the temps are making it unstable for stock frequencies.

He also was looking for something less than $250.
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True.

That's why I recommended the X1800XT/upcoming X1900 refreshes/and upcoming G80 cores. The 7900GT is good, but when compared with almost level performance, better IQ, and twice as much RAM that is more efficient due to its ring-bus memory interface as well, the X1800XT alone offers more for less. Once the new X1900's hit, even the X1800XT will be phased out by the refreshed offerings and when G80 hits nothing will compete IMO.
 
Wreckage

Wreckage

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Jul 1, 2005
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Originally posted by: josh6079

That's why I recommended the X1800XT/upcoming X1900 refreshes/and upcoming G80 cores. The 7900GT is good, but when compared with almost level performance, better IQ, and twice as much RAM that is more efficient due to its ring-bus memory interface as well, the X1800XT alone offers more for less. Once the new X1900's hit, even the X1800XT will be phased out by the refreshed offerings and when G80 hits nothing will compete IMO.
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The OP already stated that the X1800XT is too hot for his needs. His choice of course, I would say that for around $250 (or less in the case of the card I linked) the 7900GT offers the best combination of less heat, power usage, stability and features.
 
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josh6079

Diamond Member
Mar 17, 2006
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Originally posted by: Wreckage
The OP already stated that the X1800XT is too hot for his needs. His choice of course, I would say that for around $250 (or less in the case of the card I linked) the 7900GT offers the best combination of less heat, power usage, stability and features.
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You also left out the part where he said the 7900GT has insufficient cooling

Originally posted by: spittledip
and the 7900gt has inadequate cooling.
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Look, you're going to recommend an Nvidia card no matter what, I'm going to recommend an ATI card and Nvidia card. The 7900GT is nice, but IMO doesn't win against an X1800XT. And one thing is almost for sure is that niether will win against what will be hitting the market in about a month or less. That said, the 7900GT is a good card with amazing overclocking potential and for a more experienced buyer would be a great investment. The X1800XT just offers more up front for less IMO.
 
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akshayt

Banned
Feb 13, 2004
2,227
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HIGH END
1900XT 512mb- Recommended
1800XT 512mb
7900GT 512mb
All these cards may be around +-300$ and the 1900XT may start around 330$ or so

Performance Mainstream
1800XT 256mb-Recommended
1900GT 256mb
7900GT 256mb
These cards should start around +-200$, 1900GT comes around 180$
1900XT 256mb, can't say anything becauase don't know the price and it is probably not available at the moment
 
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Ulfhednar

Golden Member
Jun 24, 2006
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The X1800 and X1900 cards run hotter than hell, but all the air is exhausted out of the back. If that's still a problem then I would suggest the 7900GT.
 
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spittledip

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2005
4,480
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81
As I think about it and read reviews and stuff, I am wondering, how hot is too hot? Do these cards run so hot that they wear out very quickly? And can someone give me a general "unsafe" temperature range for video cards? Thanks
 
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Nightmare225

Golden Member
May 20, 2006
1,661
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Originally posted by: spittledip
As I think about it and read reviews and stuff, I am wondering, how hot is too hot? Do these cards run so hot that they wear out very quickly? And can someone give me a general "unsafe" temperature range for video cards? Thanks
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Any card at stock speeds is supposed to be safe, engineers at both NVIDIA and ATI stress test these cards to make sure they don't wear down because of the heat. The only thing you should worry about, and this isn't even that big an issue, is the heat affecting the rest of your computer.
 
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spittledip

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2005
4,480
1
81
Hm, Maybe I will go with a KO and add one of those exhaust fans in the pci slot next to the video card to get the hot air out. I prefer the performance of an x1800xt, but I also like that the 7900gt consume much less power. Hopefully the KOs will drop in price soon
 
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coldpower27

Golden Member
Jul 18, 2004
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It's unfortunate but both the X1900 XT and X1800 XT 512, will disppate more then 2 times the energy of the 7900 GT. In terms of temperatures that varies on the cooling used as well as room temperature.

Hell even the X1900 GT disappates 50% more energy then the 7900 GT. That's the price you have to pay for ATI's feature set this generation.

And if your worred about warranties, Nvidia is where it is at, eVGA from what I recalled allows you to change to an after market heatsink without voiding the warranty as well as offering a Lifetime Warranty and 3 Month HW Upgrade Program...
 
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spittledip

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2005
4,480
1
81
Originally posted by: coldpower27
It's unfortunate but both the X1900 XT and X1800 XT 512, will disppate more then 2 times the energy of the 7900 GT. In terms of temperatures that varies on the cooling used as well as room temperature.

Hell even the X1900 GT disappates 50% more energy then the 7900 GT. That's the price you have to pay for ATI's feature set this generation.
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Yeah, exactly. I found this link that compares the cards' power consumption: http://xtreview.com/review134.htm
 
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