Curse

CKaz · Feb 01, 2006, 05:06 PM // 17:06

I'm ready to jump on a new card, I know I'm missing out a lot in GW and played wc3:ft with friends last night, a tower defense, and I was rendered unplayable by the end (low options, removed sound too as a ground to a halt)

sapphire came up @newegg but I waited kicking around other options (like my pc controlling my tv/working as a tivo - in the end I'll let tivo be tivo)

I'm not too worried about overclocking/maximizing every ounce, this should be plenty more than my current old geoforce can take

I have a AGP but have to verify (or rather figure out) what 'X' it goes up to

I'm hoping most my gaming slow/snafus relate to the card, when I'm home I'll post up more stuff (p4 1.6ghz 512mb winxp off-hand for now). HD space/size might be coming into play but I don't think so outside of when things load up/wind down. My verizon DSL is wonky at times but I dont think its an issue regularly either.

thanks for thoughts -
CKaz

Josh · Feb 01, 2006, 05:22 PM // 17:22

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=81344

PNY Verto GeForce 6 6600GT AGP8x 128MB GDDR3

* Superscalar GPU architecture
* 500MHz core clock
* 128-bit high-speed DDR3 memory interface
* 900MHz memory data rate
* 16GB/sec. memory bandwidth
* 4.0 billion texels/sec. fill rate
* 375 million vertices/sec. setup
* 8 pixels per clock (peak)
* 16 textures per pixel (max in a single rendering pass)
* Dual 400MHz RAMDACs
* Maximum display resolution 2048 x 1536 @ 85Hz
* Flat-panel display support with resolutions up to 1920 x 1200

CKaz · Feb 01, 2006, 06:04 PM // 18:04

I should add I'm in the US, shipping could be an issue noting it's in pounds

Huh and newegg doesnt seem to have sapphire anymore, maybe that ship sailed

Oh and when I said 'best' doesn't have to be the very very top performer, looking for bang for buck (ie best one on the cheaper end of the spectrum)

koneko · Feb 01, 2006, 06:06 PM // 18:06

Do not buy the PNY 6600GT.

I had to get the fan/heatsink that came with it replaced with a 3rd party solution because the one that came with the card was garbage.

CKaz · Feb 01, 2006, 06:08 PM // 18:08

thanks, that's the kind of stuff I'm looking for - you got a recommend?
or maybe I should think combo (buy this 6600 card and this fan/heatsink) if it's a regular problem

Josh · Feb 01, 2006, 06:18 PM // 18:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by koneko

Do not buy the PNY 6600GT.

I had to get the fan/heatsink that came with it replaced with a 3rd party solution because the one that came with the card was garbage.

You got a different package maybe? And also from a different website.

They deliver to the US as well, it's just I'm in the UK so I browse the UK version, they are actually based in the U.S but they have UK warehouses too...

CKaz · Feb 01, 2006, 06:58 PM // 18:58

ok thanks Josh, and I'll look at the US offering for them

pkodyssey · Feb 01, 2006, 07:52 PM // 19:52

Get the BFG Version of the 6600. I have been running it for 4 months straight at MAX resolution and all settings. Runs a little hot but looks great.

Loviatar · Feb 01, 2006, 08:11 PM // 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkodyssey

Get the BFG Version of the 6600. I have been running it for 4 months straight at MAX resolution and all settings. Runs a little hot but looks great.

THE 6600 STINKS.

the only one recommended (for only a few dollars more) is the 6600GT

newegg has one by Leadtek which has a 3 year warranty and that company has been my choice since my GF2 card years ago.

not had to RMA one but did get a PNY 4200 model (not mx) which fried but got a fast swap

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814122206

is what i have now for several months with no problems

CKaz · Feb 01, 2006, 08:39 PM // 20:39

ah maybe I was bad to simply say 6600 - yes I was looking at a particular flavor of it with the sapphire as well and think it was GT, hmm I guess $80ish for the oem version there a little ways back was a pretty good deal!

oh maybe cause I'm a goofball and it has been too long, thoughts on these regarding performance and running hot? this is -9600- gt...
[think it was better than xt]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102510
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102600

retail usually suggest better cooling or really just different packaging/pack-ins?

Since 6600 is closing the gap in cost (as I sat on the fence

) is this the next recommend? thanks

0siris · Feb 01, 2006, 09:00 PM // 21:00

If you are getting the 6600GT i would highly recommend XFX.

I have the stock fan and with a slight overclock (550/1100) the card runs very smoothly. I would buy another in a heartbeat

twangansta · Feb 01, 2006, 09:07 PM // 21:07

Torric it is impossible to get 950 on your core clock on a 6600gt.

Personally I have an XFX 6600gt, the only complaint I have is that the fan is loose and is always very loud during bootup (I have an open case), but besides that it is most likely the best card for a mainstream gamer.

Xaniera · Feb 01, 2006, 09:33 PM // 21:33

I've had a GeForce 6800 for several months now, it runs GW at max settings unless there are large amounts of enemies nearby. Also, this is with the card running at only half power. My old hand-me-down computer has a 4x AGP slot, while the card can do 4x or 8x. Besides the fact i can't get the full performance out of it due to my motherboard, it's a great videocard. Note: It requires an extra standard 4-pin connector from your power supply, if you aren't used to that. Here's an url: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814140067

Edit: Good call going nVidia and not ATI. While I can't find anything wrong with ATI's cards, their video drivers are way below par. My dad's media center PC was completely screwed up by an automatic ATI driver update. Took him forever to find the problem, and once he did he couldn't find a version of the older driver that seemed to work ok. I believe he later took solemn vows never to have anything to do with ATI again...

koneko · Feb 01, 2006, 10:38 PM // 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh

You got a different package maybe? And also from a different website.

Standard PNY retail box. Newegg.

This is the new cooler that was installed. It's very quiet, but didn't fit very well (at which point the person that was helping me to install it and I took a X-ACTO knife and cut away at parts of the plastic to make it fit better, but that's beside the point).

Did I mention that PNY has virtually no customer support? So. Um. Yes. Any other brand than PNY that makes the 6600GT would be better.

Josh · Feb 01, 2006, 11:01 PM // 23:01

Who needs PNY Customer Support when you have other Tech Forums and GWGuru?

And of course, if you have the money for a 6600GT or 6800XT or whatever, sure, get that.

Just make sure it's AGP.

XFX GeForce 6800 GS / 256MB GDDR3 / AGP 8x / Dual DVI / TV Out / Video Card
$220 / £124
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=P450-8562

AND WITH A LIFETIME WARRANTY - YOU CAN'T GO WRONG?

{ PERFORMANCE }

GPU/VPU
NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GS

RAMDAC
Dual 400 MHz

Fill Rate per Second
5.1 billion pixels

Vertices per Second
531 Million

{ MEMORY }

Video Memory
256MB

Memory Type
256-bit
GDDR3

Core Clock
350 MHz

Memory Clock
1000 MHz

Memory Bandwidth
32GB/sec.

{ CONNECTIONS }

Interface Type
AGP

Interface Speed
8X

Connector(s)
Dual DVI
TV/S-Video

Multiple Monitors Support
Yes

Loviatar · Feb 01, 2006, 11:11 PM // 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by twangansta

Torric it is impossible to get 950 on your core clock on a 6600gt.

.

that is the effective clock speed of the ddr3 graphics ram (3x)

as the link shows on mine at 1000

Res Surection · Feb 02, 2006, 12:32 AM // 00:32

get one of these 3 man
1)NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GT
2)ATi Radeon X800 256MB PCI Express Video Card
3)ATI Radeon 9800 XT w/ 256MB

Res Surection · Feb 02, 2006, 12:32 AM // 00:32

always get pci's

Josh · Feb 02, 2006, 12:34 AM // 00:34

Dude...Res Surection, stop spamming every topic with spam and s***.

PCI? There 1 of the oldest if not THE oldest graphic card slots...

PCI-E (Express) are the latest, and AGP are the next commonly used.

Baring in mind also every card you listed above there, NONE are PCI.

EternalTempest · Feb 02, 2006, 12:51 AM // 00:51

If you could swing the 6800 GS AGP, I would go for it. If your can't afford it, I play GW on Nvidia 5700 Ultra and I know that the 6600 AGP would run it very nice but not as "future" proof for latter games compared to the 6800 GS.

If it turns out you have an PCI-E (not PCI) slot instead of AGP, then you will have a lot more choices open to you.