xfx 7950gt SILENT -209.00$

[happy medium]

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=321117

 

[ahmurat]

Thank you soooooooooooooooooooooooo much! I've been waiting for this baby to come down in price for ever. Now that the 8800GTS can be had for a $290 it was supposed to come down.

 

[ShockwaveVT]

Note that this is the 256MB version, not the 512 MB.

 

[GZeus]

Thanks for the heads-up OP.

Too bad its the 256mb. I really wanted to jump on this for my HTPC - if it comes down another $40-50 I will, even with the 256mb.

For those still wanting it, Buy.com has it for $204.63 with free ship. Link

I can't seem to find the 512mb version for sale anywhere - unless you count 'Deaz4Real' through Amazon at a wallet breaking $405!!

EDIT: I must be blind: 512mb version @ Newegg $290+ship OOS

 

[ahmurat]

and then comes the question of how good of a deal will this be within a month when the mid 8 series nvidia cards roll...
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=31&threadid=2014641&enterthread=y

 

[Smartazz]

How good will a $290 7950GT be compared to an 8800GTS is the real question.

 

[GZeus]

The appealing feature of this unit is its fanless design. Hopefully we will see some fanless 8800's before too long. A screaming video card in my HTPC is a non-starter for me. I'll live with my fanless XFX7600 for now.

Toms Review of 8800GTS OC (320MB) with comparisons to 7900GTX - not the same but gives an idea perhaps if you then reference Toms other GPU charts.

 

[ahmurat]

Originally posted by: GZeus
The appealing feature of this unit is its fanless design. Hopefully we will see some fanless 8800's before too long. A screaming video card in my HTPC is a non-starter for me. I'll live with my fanless XFX7600 for now.

Is that the XFX Fatal1ty 7600GT ?
How is your 2D video performance? I'm mostly interested in 720p high bitrate (as in apple quicktime trailers) performance. Thank you.

 

[inthell]

i wonder if its HDCP

 

[GZeus]

Yes, it is HDCP - another factor that adds to its appeal. On the other hand, I think all the 8800 series are HDCP (someone please correct that if I'm wrong!).

As for the 7600, I wish I could give you an answer right now. Currently I have all the parts and no CPU. I'm trying to wait for the April $ drop but I'm weakening by the day.

Back to the Tom's charts - the 7900GTX seems to kick the crap out of a 7950GT, and the 8800GTS OC (320MB) seems to kick the crap out of the 7900GTX. So the winner, by TKO is the 8800GTS CO.

 

[nikkai]

Originally posted by: GZeus
The appealing feature of this unit is its fanless design. Hopefully we will see some fanless 8800's before too long. A screaming video card in my HTPC is a non-starter for me. I'll live with my fanless XFX7600 for now.

Toms Review of 8800GTS OC (320MB) with comparisons to 7900GTX - not the same but gives an idea perhaps if you then reference Toms other GPU charts.

That'd be one hot mother...

 

[Smartazz]

The 8800's are so quiet, it sounds like they are fanless.

 

[GZeus]

Originally posted by: Smartazz
The 8800's are so quiet, it sounds like they are fanless.

For real? I haven't had the opportunity, but the way the fans were on the 7900 series I have a hard time taking that at face value. Not trying to imply your FOS - your screen name doesn't exactly inspire confidence , I just keep thinking about my 7900GTs and can't imagine the 8800 are that much quieter.

 

[Ataraxia]

Question:

Why do you need anything so powerful for like.. an HTPC? I'm assuming your not playing games but more rather DVDs and recording TV shows etc...

 

[hytek369]

looks like a nice card, the 256mb is the deal breaker for me

 

[GZeus]

Originally posted by: Ataraxia
Question:

Why do you need anything so powerful for like.. an HTPC? I'm assuming your not playing games but more rather DVDs and recording TV shows etc...

Actually, I do intend to game with it. Nothing too intense, but enough so that a better GPU would be noticeable over the 7600 I have set aside right now. Add the HDCP compliance and the fanless design... its tempting.
But, I think I'll wait for the 8800 series to age a little instead and get by with the 7600.

As for heat, this card was used in a Maximum PC HTPC build a few months ago and they had no trouble with the heat in a HTPC case.

 

[gamepad]

Does anyone know what kind of power supply this card needs?

I'm guessing my 300watt power supply won't cut it?

 

[John]

Originally posted by: gamepad
Does anyone know what kind of power supply this card needs?

I'm guessing my 300watt power supply won't cut it?

Depends on the brand/quality/model of the psu and the rating on the +12v rail. For example the Dell E521 305w psu will run this card without breaking a sweat.

 

[hube235]

ooo, nice