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Old May 3rd 07, 03:48 AM posted to alt.comp.periphs.videocards.nvidia,alt.comp.periphs.videocards.ati
First of One[_2_]
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Default Which is better? GeForce 8600 GTS/Radeon X1700SE...

"Tom & Cindy" wrote in message
...
I am thinking that this second option is the way to go. It looks like the
HP has the right slot for it,


Both the Dell and HP machines you listed should have a PCIe x16 slot. In
fact, based on past experience Dell uses more standardized components than
HP.

but I am still a little concerned about the power supply. What I am
reading is that the 8800 GTS, while not as power hungry as the GTX, still
requires a 400 watt PS. Will I kill my computer if it has only 350 watts?


http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/vid...gts-640_6.html
The 8800GTS uses 102W under maximum load. 350W PSU likely won't work. 375W
should be okay by estimate, without going into detailed accounting of the
amperage limits on each rail...

Maximum power draw occurs under maximum load (i.e. during an intense game).
The worst you will see are visual artifacts or system freeze. No hardware
damage will result.

In 2D the card by default reduces its clock speed and voltage, drawing only
about 55W under casual use (web, email, etc.), so power won't pose a
problem.

Also, I am a bit confused by all of the different brands. When I started
on this quest, I thought I would be buying an NVIDIA card. But now I see
that while NVIDIA makes the chipset, that other companies actually make
the cards?


The truth is somewhere in between... nVidia designs the chipset and board,
gets the chipset fabricated on contract by TSMC, then sells the chipset to
Flextronics for board production. The various vendors like PNY, BFG and eVGA
buy the cards from Flextronics, slap their logos on the card and sell the
cards to the distributors.

Do I have that right? When I see ratings for the 8800 GTS, are they the
same regardless of whether they are PNY, BFG, Evga, etc? Or is there a
brand I should prefer and/or stay away from?


See above. Most cards are physically identical. However, board vendors may
choose to do their own stability testing and clock the cards higher than
nVidia's reference specs. Items of distinction are clock speeds, length of
warranty (which may affect resale value), and any type of custom heat sink.

BFG, eVGA, LeadTek, PNY, all good brands. The eVGA card I linked to earlier
also happens to be the cheapest, I think.


I really appreciate your help, this is becoming quite the learning
adventure for me.

Cindy


"First of One" wrote in message
...


The other option is equip either machine with the cheapest card available
and pick up an 8800GTS for $260 after rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130082 It's much
faster than a 8600GTS and this particular brand carries a lifetime
warranty.

--
"War is the continuation of politics by other means.
It can therefore be said that politics is war without
bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed."

"Tom & Cindy" wrote in message
. ..
Hi All,

We are about to buy a new computer and are looking at a Dell and an HP.
I don't want to start a Dell vs HP argument, but one of the components
that I am weighing into my decision is the graphics card. I realize
that neither of these is probably great, but want the best I can get.

The Dell XPS 410 has the Nvidia GeForce 8600 GTS w/ 256 MB memory.
The HP m8000y has the ATI Radeon X1700SE w/ 512 MB memory.

While I have been able to find some info on the GeForce, I know nothing
about the Radeon.

Or, would I be better off just getting the cheapest card option
available and buying my own?
I believe the Dell has a 375 watt PS and the HP has a 350 watt PS. What
could I get for either of those machines that would be better than the
above? I really lust for the GeForce 8800 GTX, but I have read that I
would need a much greater PS, and is a little pricier than I can go. (it
is an available option on the Dell, but is $700 more--and I thought it
needed a greater power supply anyway......)

Please go easy on me, I am not extremely well versed.......I just know
enough to be dangerous. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.


Thanks,

Cindy