Why should i not buy a new XFX 7900GT?

[crazylegs]

Hi all,

I am desperate to upgrade my GPU (from 6600GT-mianly for Oblivion- but play lots of games!) originally i was tempted by a 2nd hand 7800GT but have found a nice deal on new 7900GT (just in budget- kinda!).

Is there any reason why i should not go for this card?

It is at the upper of my price level so please dont reconmend a more expensive card... only thing holding me back may be my cheap 500W PSU but i figure for just 1 GPU and NOT SLi i should be fine... right?

Only other thing that got me was how small the HSF looks on it but i hear that it is supposed to be quiet and keep the card cool - probably because its all copper?

Thanks all

EDIT: Also is it OK to use a 2x4 pin --> 1xPCIe Power connection Adaptor? As i don not think my PSU has a PCIe Output...!?!

 

[Topweasel]

Originally posted by: crazylegs
Hi all,

I am desperate to upgrade my GPU (from 6600GT-mianly for Oblivion- but play lots of games!) originally i was tempted by a 2nd hand 7800GT but have found a nice deal on new 7900GT (just in budget- kinda!).

Is there any reason why i should not go for this card?

It is at the upper of my price level so please dont reconmend a more expensive card... only thing holding me back may be my cheap 500W PSU but i figure for just 1 GPU and NOT SLi i should be fine... right?

Only other thing that got me was how small the HSF looks on it but i hear that it is supposed to be quiet and keep the card cool - probably because its all copper?

Thanks all

EDIT: Also is it OK to use a 2x4 pin --> 1xPCIe Power connection Adaptor? As i don not think my PSU has a PCIe Output...!?!

It uses less power then my 7800GTX so I think you should be fine on the PSU end.

Should be a fantastic card for you. good luck

 

[crazylegs]

Thanks for the info!

Cant wait to combine new GPU with new Opty 146.... hours of OCing fun

 

[morgash]

ur PSU will be fine for it no probs there.
the dinky HSF on these 7900gt's works because they are the new manufacturing process aka smaller dies which means less heat. since this is clocked much lower than the 7900gtx it can get away with that cooler with no probs. lastly, negative ghostrider on the 2 4-pin molex connectors. PCI-E connectors are six pins total so thats not gonna work. jus buy urself an adapter. on a side note these 7900gt's OC like a beast. with a vf700Cu i got mine to 625/1950 stable as a rock. 40C idle/ 53C load. if u plan on OC'in or voltmodding(as i did) then buy a decent aftermarket cooler. the vf700's are cheap and work great on the gt's so think about investin a little more in ur cards health.

Morgash

 

[crazylegs]

Thanks morgash... will look into seperate cooler if i OC heavily... sure the stock cooler can handle a bit of an OC

Oh and i was talking about an adaptor (it converts 2 2pin molex -->into--> 1 PCie)... not just trying to ram the 2 4pin molex plugs into the PCIe power slot on the card !!

 

[morgash]

o lol, yeah the adapter will work fine. had no idea thats what u were talkin about.

 

[morgash]

also make sue u get some ramsinks. RAM doesnt like being OC'ed without some form of cooling and the stock cooler provides almost none.

 

[stelleg151]

you actually shouldnt even need the extra power connector, only if u oc, as the thing doesnt really use more than 50 watts or so. (pcie connection can give 75)

up to you though.

 

[crazylegs]

cool thanks for the heads-up!

been looking at the VF700 and c it comes with RAM heatsinks

also seen there is now a VF900

 

[Golgatha]

Originally posted by: crazylegs
cool thanks for the heads-up!

been looking at the VF700 and c it comes with RAM heatsinks

also seen there is now a VF900

The VF900 isn't worth the extra money to overclock a 7900GT. The VF700 is plenty.

 

[crazylegs]

my thoughts also but i have seen it for practically the same price... so assume if they both cost the same that the VF900 is the better option?

 

[Keysplayr]

You should be fine. I believe the card is supposed to come with the PCI-e six pin adapter shown HERE

That is if you're buying a retail product.
I heard these are not that quiet, but bearable according to other 7900GT users in here.
You can do a little investigating to see if XFX allows an aftermarket cooling solution while maintaining the warranty. I think eVGA allows this, but don't quote me, you should check their website.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: stelleg151
you actually shouldnt even need the extra power connector, only if u oc, as the thing doesnt really use more than 50 watts or so. (pcie connection can give 75)

up to you though.

Are you sure about that? We all know what happens when you "don't" connect that power connector. A warning from the cards BIOS. So I would suggest not to ignore that.

 

[crazylegs]

Sweet thanks for that link showing the adaptor included... but if it does not come with 1 i am NOT going to run it without the additional power plugged in (only cost like £1...if that)!

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: crazylegs

Is there any reason why i should not go for this card?

Reason #1 - X1800XT 256mb - $270 or $300 512mb version

Reason #2 - If you are going to buy an aftermarket heatsink, your 7900GT would put you near $350 or so. That's very close to the price of $419 PowerColor X1900XT If you are going to spend above $300 on a graphics card, might as well get X1900XT.

What about performance?
X1800 vs. 7900GT - Oblivion
X1800XT vs. X1900XT vs. 7800GTX 512
*Note: 7800GTX 512mb 550/1700 - roughly the performance of 7900GT overclocked.
Very extensive benches - includes 7900GT o/c vs. x1800xt

if you are not going to be overclocking, X1800XT > 7900GT hands down. But if you got a deal on 7900GT for less than $300 and plan on overclocking, then it'd take that card.

 

[Zebo]

It's the best bag for the buck card in years if you overclock past GTX levels. Otherwise get ATI for D3D gaming.

 

[morgash]

if u include overclocking itno the equation NO x1800 series can stand against the 7900gt. at my speeds i can rival if not surpass a x1900xt in most if not all games. 7900gt is on the bang per buck lvl if not higher than the old x800gto2 or the 9500pro. gotta love it man. and do NOT run it without the PCI-e connector. under load it pulls much more power than the PCI-E slot alone can dish out.

*EDIT* also the VF700 is PLENTY but if they r the seem price then why not hehe. the vf900 is technically gonna cool better, i just had a extra vf700 sittin around and it works great so i saw no reason to get a vf900

 

[crazylegs]

yeh the deal i can get for the 7900GT is £199 DELIVERED brand new retail - am UK resident but think this is £280ish

this is cheaper than most places retail 7800GT and seeing as i will OC seems much better value than any ATI offerings...

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: crazylegs
yeh the deal i can get for the 7900GT is £199 DELIVERED brand new retail - am UK resident but think this is £280ish

this is cheaper than most places retail 7800GT and seeing as i will OC seems much better value than any ATI offerings...

That's an awesome deal. Go for it. I'd also recommend VF700 for the price as morgash
suggested.

 

[Canterwood]

If you're buying from 'lowestonweb' then be prepared for a wait.
They're always out of stock and the listed arrival dates keep on getting further away.

That said, I've recently purchased a BFG 7900GT, and to be honest I was very disappointed.

The stock cooler doesn't throttle back at all, and continuously runs at full speed, which in my quiet rig was very loud and very annoying.
For a card this expensive, that was hugely disappointing.
I had to purchase a Zalman VF900 cooler which added even further to the cost.

Secondly the performance was poor compared to the X1800XT 256mb, which was priced at £193 at the time.
I've had to overclock the card just to get it to decent and competitive speeds.
In hindsight, I wish I'd gone with the cheaper and faster X1800XT, and regret not doing so.

 

[Arkane13131]

i like my VF900

aside from that... if you have just a cheap 500w psu... you must check the power rating on the 12v rails to be sure your not starving the 7900gt... (though it does use alot less power than the 7800 series)

also if you are not going to volt mod and overclock the 7900gt just buy the x1800xt for the same price.

but im glad i volt modded mine

 

[crazylegs]

Dont worry i will be volt modding as soon as i get this card and lay my hands on a conductive pen

Dont think the rails are great on my lush Qutec PSU... but... the rest of my system is pretty basic i.e. 1 HD, 1 Optical, AMD64 3000+ (soon to be Opty146 hopefully), no case fans but cool ambient temps...

thanks again guys n girls

 

[Sonikku]

Reasons not to go with XFX 7900GT

-Hard to find in stock
-Even if you find it in stock, lot's of luck getting one for MSRP
-X1800XT is certain to be at stock for less cash
-X1800XT is the best bang for your buck with Oblivion

 

[pookguy88]

In Canada the X1800XT 512meg is just as hard, if not hader, to find stock for compared to the 7900GT

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: morgash
if u include overclocking itno the equation NO x1800 series can stand against the 7900gt.

You sure about that? X1800XT

at my speeds i can rival if not surpass a x1900xt in most if not all games.

Hmmm, even if that were true (IMO it's not) you're leaving the poor little X1900XT at stock speeds. Not the fairest of comparisons.


OP- If you can get the 7900GT for less than an X1800XT, I'd say go for it. They seem to oc very well. For the same price I'd grab an X1800XT though. They also oc very well and have software voltage adjustments which are considerably less hassle than hardware voltmods (although the pencil mods aren't too bad). You also get the added feature set of the X1*** series cards.