6800GS_IN, 9800Pro_OUT

"Ed Forsythe" wrote in message
...
"McGrandpa" wrote in message
...

"Ed Forsythe" wrote in message
...
Hi McG,
6800 GS = $200, 7800 GTX = $400+ Even if you're PCIe now, the 6800 GS is
a far better PP ay $170.. Do you have anything that the 6800 GS won't
run? If you're looking for bragging rights you've got it goin'! Deuce
7800 SLI Yahoooey!! I've never been accused of being frugal but I'm far
wiser now than when I paid $5000 for an IBM MicroChannel system :-))

So how long did your Micro Channel system stay in use?
Well, those 'awhile back dollars' were harder earned. I have always
been fairly frugal, with 4 kids and all that goes with em. Turning point
in life, kids are all out with kids of their own and I'm now in my 50's.
I kinda think it's my turn now
$900 for the pair of eVGA 7800GTX 256 ACS3 cards. Back in August the X2
4800+ was $985. I could have waited on that bit, but didn't as I figured
I might end up talking myself out of it SO for just a mobo, 2 vid
cards and a cpu I've dropped 2 grand. And, no, never had the GS's,
just a 6800GT AGP. Then, stage II of the planned upgrade. pci-e sli
mobo and pair of 7800GTX512's. The GTX512's never materialized, and I've
had to juggle stuff around to get a pair of matched GTX 256 cards.
I'm not desperate, nuts or ignorant. This is just what I want to do. I
likely will go back to being frugal after this I'm thinking this rig
will last a year or two!
McG.


"McGrandpa" wrote in message
...

"DRS" wrote in message
...
McGrandpa wrote:
"Ed Forsythe" wrote in message
...

Hi Troops,
After much deliberation I finally decided to deep six my venerable
9800Pro/128 and replace it with a 6800GS/AGP.

[...]

I think you'd enjoy a 6800GT 256 a lot more, if you can find one.

What on earth makes you say that? The 6800GS is the replacement for
the 6800GT. It's cheaper, cooler and its performance varies from a
bee's dick under the GT to up to 40% faster depending on the
benchmark. And those 6800GS cards are 256Mb.

About availability; not all stores are lacking in 6800GT's:
NewEgg (original URL was WAAAY too long)

http://tinyurl.com/z5y9v

It's a given the GS is less expensive. And also, the 7800GS is right
there in the price range with the 6800GT's that are left.

Well hell, I've just talked myself right away from all the 6800's!!!

My new 2nd 7800GTX will be here tomorrow anway

McG.

You're my hero McG - Reminds me of me when I was your age youngster.;-)
I'm 76 and I've become a wee bit more patient. *BUT* I'm going to do a
major upgrade before I load Vista. New PCIe MB, AMD's best CPU (unless
Intel

AMD's best should be about to get better, if I read things right. For the
moment, BEST would be an FX60, and that's a dual core also.

pulls a rabbit out), 2G DDR2 memory, New almost high end vid card s.
New sound card (not really necessary but I'm still running a SB Live!).
The rest of my stuff is OK. Lian Li full tower AL case, PC Power &
Cooling 510W Deluxe PS. WD Raptor 74G + 2 WD 160G HDDs, 2 Plextor DVD/CD
burners. I hate to trash my 1G of OCZ PC4000 memory - maybe I'll put it on
eBay. BTW, anyone want to buy an ATI 9800PRO/128 with a Zalman 9700? CU
cooler.


Youngster My doctor is 86 and calls me that, and it gets a smile outta
me too I've always wanted to have a really nice system. Been building
my own since about '85. Started out doing it all on the cheap, buying used
and bargain parts as I could. This rig was to be special from the
beginning. When I first heard of AMD building a dual core cpu that runs as
cool as any Athlon 64 single core, I wanted one. Then came the scaled name
scheme, so I picked the top of the list. Had to wait for it to become
available, then had to special order one and wait about a month. Everything
else was easy. I actually started this build back in August with an AGP
mobo with clear plans to go PCI-e and get a pair of matched cards and run
them in SLI. I have a new PCI-e mobo, a new 7800GTX256 ACS3, a new 550W
dual +12v rail SLI ready PSU. All I need is for Mr. Brown to drop off my
carton with my other new 7800GTX256 ACS3 )) Yeah, I could have gotten
the pair at one time from NewEgg. Shoulda gone there first huh?
Then it's ON! LOL!
McG.

"Ed Forsythe" wrote in message
...
Thanks for the helpful advice troops ;-) I'll mull everything over but, as
of now, I'm still torn between eVGA, XFX, and BFG. I'm leaning toward XFX
because it has dual DVI+ the capability to power one LCD with dual DVI
input for higher resolutions. Of course your monitor must have dual DVI
inputs. A word of advice - Wait until the 3rd week in March before making
*any* vid card purchase. That's when the new stuff will be released and
the old prices will drop considerably. It's going to be hard 'cause I'm
ready now

Depends on what you're waiting for the price to come down on Ed. As I've
learned the hard way this past year, there may not be any to wait on by the
time you're ready!
McG.


"Ed Forsythe" wrote in message
...

Hi Troops,
After much deliberation I finally decided to deep six my venerable
9800Pro/128 and replace it with a 6800GS/AGP. I'm trying to decide
between the eVGA and the XFX cards. Both are clocked and have 350MHz
cores and 1000MHz memory. The only difference is that the XFX has dual
DVI while the eVGA has 1-DVI and 1-VGA. I'm favoring the XFX because I
may add another LCD display eventually.
Prices: NewEgg ZipZoomFly (All prices include S/H)
eVGA 213.69 194.99 (incl $20 mail in rebate)
XFX 223.69 219.99
While I like to shop at NewEgg it seem that ZZF has the best prices.
There is a BFG 6800GS, $229 @ NewEgg (350 core, 1050 clock) but it's OOS.

The reason I chose the 6800GS is that I have an ABIT IC7-Max3 MB (AGP)
and I want the greatest increase in speed over the 9800Pro without
breaking the bank. I plan on replacing the MB with PCIe, DDR3 memory, and
PCIe Vid card after Christmas.

I'm looking for comments/opinions eVGA, XFX, and BFG. Which is most
likely to allow increasing the pipes from 12 to 16? Any and all comments
are welcome ;-)

Ed F.

Which MB did you select McG?

"McGrandpa" wrote in message
...

"Ed Forsythe" wrote in message
...
"McGrandpa" wrote in message
...

"Ed Forsythe" wrote in message
...
Hi McG,
6800 GS = $200, 7800 GTX = $400+ Even if you're PCIe now, the 6800 GS
is a far better PP ay $170.. Do you have anything that the 6800 GS
won't run? If you're looking for bragging rights you've got it goin'!
Deuce 7800 SLI Yahoooey!! I've never been accused of being frugal but
I'm far wiser now than when I paid $5000 for an IBM MicroChannel system
:-))

So how long did your Micro Channel system stay in use?
Well, those 'awhile back dollars' were harder earned. I have always
been fairly frugal, with 4 kids and all that goes with em. Turning
point in life, kids are all out with kids of their own and I'm now in my
50's. I kinda think it's my turn now
$900 for the pair of eVGA 7800GTX 256 ACS3 cards. Back in August the X2
4800+ was $985. I could have waited on that bit, but didn't as I
figured I might end up talking myself out of it SO for just a mobo,
2 vid cards and a cpu I've dropped 2 grand. And, no, never had the
GS's, just a 6800GT AGP. Then, stage II of the planned upgrade. pci-e
sli mobo and pair of 7800GTX512's. The GTX512's never materialized, and
I've had to juggle stuff around to get a pair of matched GTX 256 cards.
I'm not desperate, nuts or ignorant. This is just what I want to do.
I likely will go back to being frugal after this I'm thinking this
rig will last a year or two!
McG.


"McGrandpa" wrote in message
...

"DRS" wrote in message
...
McGrandpa wrote:
"Ed Forsythe" wrote in message
...

Hi Troops,
After much deliberation I finally decided to deep six my venerable
9800Pro/128 and replace it with a 6800GS/AGP.

[...]

I think you'd enjoy a 6800GT 256 a lot more, if you can find one.

What on earth makes you say that? The 6800GS is the replacement for
the 6800GT. It's cheaper, cooler and its performance varies from a
bee's dick under the GT to up to 40% faster depending on the
benchmark. And those 6800GS cards are 256Mb.

About availability; not all stores are lacking in 6800GT's:
NewEgg (original URL was WAAAY too long)

http://tinyurl.com/z5y9v

It's a given the GS is less expensive. And also, the 7800GS is right
there in the price range with the 6800GT's that are left.

Well hell, I've just talked myself right away from all the 6800's!!!

My new 2nd 7800GTX will be here tomorrow anway

McG.

You're my hero McG - Reminds me of me when I was your age youngster.;-)
I'm 76 and I've become a wee bit more patient. *BUT* I'm going to do a
major upgrade before I load Vista. New PCIe MB, AMD's best CPU (unless
Intel

AMD's best should be about to get better, if I read things right. For
the moment, BEST would be an FX60, and that's a dual core also.

pulls a rabbit out), 2G DDR2 memory, New almost high end vid card s.
New sound card (not really necessary but I'm still running a SB Live!).
The rest of my stuff is OK. Lian Li full tower AL case, PC Power &
Cooling 510W Deluxe PS. WD Raptor 74G + 2 WD 160G HDDs, 2 Plextor DVD/CD
burners. I hate to trash my 1G of OCZ PC4000 memory - maybe I'll put it
on eBay. BTW, anyone want to buy an ATI 9800PRO/128 with a Zalman 9700?
CU cooler.


Youngster My doctor is 86 and calls me that, and it gets a smile outta
me too I've always wanted to have a really nice system. Been
building my own since about '85. Started out doing it all on the cheap,
buying used and bargain parts as I could. This rig was to be special
from the beginning. When I first heard of AMD building a dual core cpu
that runs as cool as any Athlon 64 single core, I wanted one. Then came
the scaled name scheme, so I picked the top of the list. Had to wait for
it to become available, then had to special order one and wait about a
month. Everything else was easy. I actually started this build back in
August with an AGP mobo with clear plans to go PCI-e and get a pair of
matched cards and run them in SLI. I have a new PCI-e mobo, a new
7800GTX256 ACS3, a new 550W dual +12v rail SLI ready PSU. All I need is
for Mr. Brown to drop off my carton with my other new 7800GTX256 ACS3
)) Yeah, I could have gotten the pair at one time from NewEgg.
Shoulda gone there first huh?
Then it's ON! LOL!
McG.

Ed Forsythe writes:

*BUT* I'm going to do a major upgrade before I load Vista.

You'll _need_ a major upgrade before Vista, if you want to maintain
the same performance. Vista sets new records for processor time
wasted on pretty graphics.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

That's what I said?? Think I'd better go back to the ATI group. It's a
kinder world - just kidding S.

"Mxsmanic" wrote in message
...
Ed Forsythe writes:

*BUT* I'm going to do a major upgrade before I load Vista.

You'll _need_ a major upgrade before Vista, if you want to maintain
the same performance. Vista sets new records for processor time
wasted on pretty graphics.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

"Ed Forsythe" wrote in message
...

"McGrandpa" wrote in message
...

"Ed Forsythe" wrote in message
...
"McGrandpa" wrote in message
...

"Ed Forsythe" wrote in message
...
Hi McG,
6800 GS = $200, 7800 GTX = $400+ Even if you're PCIe now, the 6800 GS
is a far better PP ay $170.. Do you have anything that the 6800 GS
won't run? If you're looking for bragging rights you've got it goin'!
Deuce 7800 SLI Yahoooey!! I've never been accused of being frugal but
I'm far wiser now than when I paid $5000 for an IBM MicroChannel
system :-))

So how long did your Micro Channel system stay in use?
Well, those 'awhile back dollars' were harder earned. I have always
been fairly frugal, with 4 kids and all that goes with em. Turning
point in life, kids are all out with kids of their own and I'm now in
my 50's. I kinda think it's my turn now
$900 for the pair of eVGA 7800GTX 256 ACS3 cards. Back in August the
X2 4800+ was $985. I could have waited on that bit, but didn't as I
figured I might end up talking myself out of it SO for just a mobo,
2 vid cards and a cpu I've dropped 2 grand. And, no, never had the
GS's, just a 6800GT AGP. Then, stage II of the planned upgrade. pci-e
sli mobo and pair of 7800GTX512's. The GTX512's never materialized,
and I've had to juggle stuff around to get a pair of matched GTX 256
cards.
I'm not desperate, nuts or ignorant. This is just what I want to do. I
likely will go back to being frugal after this I'm thinking this
rig will last a year or two!
McG.


"McGrandpa" wrote in message
...

"DRS" wrote in message
...
McGrandpa wrote:
"Ed Forsythe" wrote in message
...

Hi Troops,
After much deliberation I finally decided to deep six my venerable
9800Pro/128 and replace it with a 6800GS/AGP.

[...]

I think you'd enjoy a 6800GT 256 a lot more, if you can find one.

What on earth makes you say that? The 6800GS is the replacement for
the 6800GT. It's cheaper, cooler and its performance varies from a
bee's dick under the GT to up to 40% faster depending on the
benchmark. And those 6800GS cards are 256Mb.

About availability; not all stores are lacking in 6800GT's:
NewEgg (original URL was WAAAY too long)

http://tinyurl.com/z5y9v

It's a given the GS is less expensive. And also, the 7800GS is
right there in the price range with the 6800GT's that are left.

Well hell, I've just talked myself right away from all the 6800's!!!

My new 2nd 7800GTX will be here tomorrow anway

McG.

You're my hero McG - Reminds me of me when I was your age youngster.;-)
I'm 76 and I've become a wee bit more patient. *BUT* I'm going to do a
major upgrade before I load Vista. New PCIe MB, AMD's best CPU (unless
Intel

AMD's best should be about to get better, if I read things right. For
the moment, BEST would be an FX60, and that's a dual core also.

pulls a rabbit out), 2G DDR2 memory, New almost high end vid card s.
New sound card (not really necessary but I'm still running a SB Live!).
The rest of my stuff is OK. Lian Li full tower AL case, PC Power &
Cooling 510W Deluxe PS. WD Raptor 74G + 2 WD 160G HDDs, 2 Plextor DVD/CD
burners. I hate to trash my 1G of OCZ PC4000 memory - maybe I'll put it
on eBay. BTW, anyone want to buy an ATI 9800PRO/128 with a Zalman 9700?
CU cooler.


Youngster My doctor is 86 and calls me that, and it gets a smile
outta me too I've always wanted to have a really nice system. Been
building my own since about '85. Started out doing it all on the cheap,
buying used and bargain parts as I could. This rig was to be special
from the beginning. When I first heard of AMD building a dual core cpu
that runs as cool as any Athlon 64 single core, I wanted one. Then came
the scaled name scheme, so I picked the top of the list. Had to wait for
it to become available, then had to special order one and wait about a
month. Everything else was easy. I actually started this build back in
August with an AGP mobo with clear plans to go PCI-e and get a pair of
matched cards and run them in SLI. I have a new PCI-e mobo, a new
7800GTX256 ACS3, a new 550W dual +12v rail SLI ready PSU. All I need is
for Mr. Brown to drop off my carton with my other new 7800GTX256 ACS3
)) Yeah, I could have gotten the pair at one time from NewEgg.
Shoulda gone there first huh?
Then it's ON! LOL!
McG.


Which MB did you select McG?

Gigabyte GA-K8N-SLI. I originally wanted the one that has wireless
networking built in. Everyone I went to just gave me a blank look when I
told em which one. This one ain't shabby, but is short a few odds and ends
that can be useful.
http://www.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard...GA-K8N-SLI.htm is
the one I have running right now on the desk here.

http://www.giga-byte.com/Motherboard...0Ultra-939.htm
is the AGP based board I just gave to my son, along with the eVGA 6800GT
256. And 2x1gb PC3200 DIMMs. Well, had to make room for the new stuff,
right?

http://www.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard...%20Pro-SLI.htm
is the 'Pro' version, only difference I see between mine and this is this
one has Firewire ports.

http://www.giga-byte.com/Motherboard...-K8NXP-SLI.htm is
the one that I actually wanted and started out looking for. Dual power
system (not as good as Asus 8phase but better than stock), has 8 sata ports,
802.11g/b onboard as well as all the other stuff

All Gigabytes nForce4 SLI chipset mobos:
http://www.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard...Force4+SLI.htm

I wanted SLI, and I'm doing my best to see that it happens!

McG.

"Ed Forsythe" wrote in message
news
That's what I said?? Think I'd better go back to the ATI group. It's a
kinder world - just kidding S.

"Mxsmanic" wrote in message
...
Ed Forsythe writes:

*BUT* I'm going to do a major upgrade before I load Vista.

You'll _need_ a major upgrade before Vista, if you want to maintain
the same performance. Vista sets new records for processor time
wasted on pretty graphics.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.


Nah, I read that one too. Just as many 'fanbois' there as here or anywhere
really

I don't like *just* hardware. I like, and buy and use; hardware that
WORKS.

AMD *after* the xP's, with the Athlon 64 and up... have hardware that
really works good! And they ain't little fryin pans any more, yaknow?
Nice. Now, the high end video cards. Wow, they can get warm quick these
days. I've had to re-think air-flow through my case. Replacing the three
80mm case fans with quiet 120mm fans. The X2 4800+ has topped 99F a couple
times. )))
McG.

That's not a good way to look at it, because a 6800GT can overclock even
higher.

Keep in mind the 6800GT itself is already one generation old, about as fast
as the X800XL or XT depending on the game, so it's not necessarily a good
target to shoot for. For example, you'd still find yourself limited to
800x600 in F.E.A.R. to get smooth framerates - a step up from a slideshow,
but still a letdown at the same time.

--
"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."

"Ed Forsythe" wrote in message
news
Of course you're correct. *BUT* the 6800GS will OC to 6800GT speeds. Even
if you are unlucky enough to get one that won't it will still run any game
out there acceptably fast unless you're capable of competing against
FataIlty ;-)

Have you played FEAR with a 6800GT? I have. It's a bit better than you
make it out to be.
McG.

"First of One" wrote in message
...
That's not a good way to look at it, because a 6800GT can overclock even
higher.

Keep in mind the 6800GT itself is already one generation old, about as
fast as the X800XL or XT depending on the game, so it's not necessarily a
good target to shoot for. For example, you'd still find yourself limited
to 800x600 in F.E.A.R. to get smooth framerates - a step up from a
slideshow, but still a letdown at the same time.

--
"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."

"Ed Forsythe" wrote in message
news
Of course you're correct. *BUT* the 6800GS will OC to 6800GT speeds.
Even if you are unlucky enough to get one that won't it will still run
any game out there acceptably fast unless you're capable of competing
against FataIlty ;-)

McGrandpa writes:

Nah, I read that one too. Just as many 'fanbois' there as here or anywhere
really

I didn't read it. I was told this by people at MS who were trying to
use the OS. They need to upgrade to much faster video cards in order
to get some parity of performance.

AMD *after* the xP's, with the Athlon 64 and up... have hardware that
really works good! And they ain't little fryin pans any more, yaknow?
Nice. Now, the high end video cards. Wow, they can get warm quick these
days. I've had to re-think air-flow through my case. Replacing the three
80mm case fans with quiet 120mm fans. The X2 4800+ has topped 99F a couple
times.

What are you running on the machine when the card heats up?

My video card stays around 43° C all the time, except when I play The
Sims 2, which does a lot of 3D work, but even then it only gets up to
60° at worse. Flight Simulator hardly has any effect at all, and
SimCity4 also seems to put no load on the card.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.