Videocard upgrade 8800gt

**godspeeed** · 07-30-2009, 09:49 AM

Hello,

I have a Geforce 8800 GT 1GB. What would be a decent upgrade for a 250-300 budget? Is it even worth the upgrade? (I would be selling the 8800 100$ to a good friend)

PCI-E 16x compatible I have a Intel DX38bt SLI mobo with a 600watt OCZ powersupply. Core 2 Quad 6700 processor and 4GB intel Xtreme DDR1600mhz.

Thanks!

**emosun** · 07-30-2009, 02:58 PM

A very very good friend to give you 100$ for an 8800.

With that power supply , I would say you can only do a maximum of a gtx 260 before you need a better power supply. However 600w is the bare minimum I would ever go on the 260. Stick with good brands like evga and good dual slot exhaust coolers.

**godspeeed** · 07-30-2009, 08:01 PM

i feel sorry for his 7950.. and he actually is a pretty good friend.

is it a significant upgrade going from 8800 to the gtx260?

predat0r · 07-30-2009, 08:09 PM

which do you think is better? gtx 260 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121321
or hd 4870 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150394

**emosun** · 07-31-2009, 11:18 PM

The 4870 , it's on par with a 280 actually , but not with your power supply. I would stick with the 260 with that unit , it'll be significant over an 8800.

Phædrus2401 · 07-31-2009, 11:22 PM

The GTX260 and Radeon 4870 are about equivalent, actually. The 4870 runs a bit hotter though, so go with the GTX260.

**emosun** · 08-01-2009, 12:02 AM

4870 is in the gtx280's area. I didn't really think it was on par with a 280 at first but later on found out it is in that area.

predat0r · 08-01-2009, 09:22 AM

so a 4870 is better than a gtx260 correct?

Phædrus2401 · 08-01-2009, 01:38 PM

Eh... In game benchmarks the 4870 and the GTX260 score about the same, usually within about 4fps of each other, some higher some lower. For the same price either one will work. It comes down to brand preference really. I got my 4870 because at the time it was $20 cheaper than the GTX260, now they're about the same. Your call.

**godspeeed** · 08-01-2009, 02:51 PM

I will be buying from them:

http://www.microbytes.com/computer/o...100000_2100003

Im a little confused with all the different clock speed vs memory and everything. What would you suggest?

**godspeeed** · 08-01-2009, 02:59 PM

http://www.evga.com/products/moreInf...family=Geforce 200 Series Family

Phædrus2401 · 08-01-2009, 03:22 PM

Comparing clock speed and memory speed and shader count and stream processors and such isn't really effective unless you're comparing two cards in the same class. For instance the Radeon 4870 has a 750mhz core clock, 3.6GHz memory (.9x4), and 800 stream processors, but is comparable to the GTX260 which has a 576MHz core clock, 2GHz memory, and 216 stream processors.

Basically, what's your budget and what power supply do you have (brand, model, wattage), we'll help you pick something out.

**godspeeed** · 08-01-2009, 10:49 PM

PCI-E 16x compatible I have a Intel DX38bt SLI mobo with a 600watt OCZ powersupply. Core 2 Quad 6700 processor and 4GB intel Xtreme DDR1600mhz.

I have the 8800 GT right now and Im looking for a decent upgrade, for around 300$.

How can the GT260 match the 4870 based on the specs you showed??

Phædrus2401 · 08-01-2009, 11:21 PM

The stream processors on the GTX260 have a higher clock speed, also the GPU architecture is a bit better.

OCZ has a variety of 600w power supplies, which particular one do you have? Some of their models are good, others are crap.

**godspeeed** · 08-02-2009, 08:10 AM

http://www.ocztechnology.com/product...m_power_supply

hopefully its just perfectly sitting between good and crap :P

Phædrus2401 · 08-02-2009, 08:53 AM

Yup, sitting between good and crap would be a good description, mtbf>100,000 and active PFC, but not 80+ certified and has multi rail configuration. The efficiency is "typical" 80%, but that means that it will occasionally drop below 80%.

For safety I would get at most a GTS250 or Radeon 4850, a GTX260 or 4870 would work on that power supply, but I don't know for how long before one of the two parts gave out.

The GTS250 is a bit better than the 4850 so go for that.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143191

**godspeeed** · 08-02-2009, 02:04 PM

I could swear that there is a sticker with 80 on it on the side. The folks on the forums recommended that I get the certification and I did. Let me double check the brand then...

Where can I find a crash course on videocards? Im really not up to date!

thanks

**emosun** · 08-02-2009, 02:42 PM

Video card quick list

07-30-2009, 09:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
godspeeed I helped the forums. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 298 OS: Win 7 RC	Videocard upgrade 8800gt Hello, I have a Geforce 8800 GT 1GB. What would be a decent upgrade for a 250-300 budget? Is it even worth the upgrade? (I would be selling the 8800 100$ to a good friend) PCI-E 16x compatible I have a Intel DX38bt SLI mobo with a 600watt OCZ powersupply. Core 2 Quad 6700 processor and 4GB intel Xtreme DDR1600mhz. Thanks! __________________ Nietzsche: God is dead 1887 God: Nietzsche is dead 1900

07-30-2009, 02:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 7,078 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Videocard upgrade 8800gt A very very good friend to give you 100$ for an 8800. With that power supply , I would say you can only do a maximum of a gtx 260 before you need a better power supply. However 600w is the bare minimum I would ever go on the 260. Stick with good brands like evga and good dual slot exhaust coolers. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

07-30-2009, 08:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
godspeeed I helped the forums. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 298 OS: Win 7 RC	Re: Videocard upgrade 8800gt i feel sorry for his 7950.. and he actually is a pretty good friend. is it a significant upgrade going from 8800 to the gtx260? __________________ Nietzsche: God is dead 1887 God: Nietzsche is dead 1900

07-30-2009, 08:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
predat0r Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 40 OS: windows vista 32bit	Re: Videocard upgrade 8800gt which do you think is better? gtx 260 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121321 or hd 4870 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150394

07-31-2009, 11:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 7,078 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Videocard upgrade 8800gt The 4870 , it's on par with a 280 actually , but not with your power supply. I would stick with the 260 with that unit , it'll be significant over an 8800. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

07-31-2009, 11:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,892 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Videocard upgrade 8800gt The GTX260 and Radeon 4870 are about equivalent, actually. The 4870 runs a bit hotter though, so go with the GTX260. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

08-01-2009, 12:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 7,078 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Videocard upgrade 8800gt 4870 is in the gtx280's area. I didn't really think it was on par with a 280 at first but later on found out it is in that area. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list Last edited by emosun; 08-01-2009 at 12:03 AM.

08-01-2009, 09:22 AM	#8 (permalink)
predat0r Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 40 OS: windows vista 32bit	Re: Videocard upgrade 8800gt so a 4870 is better than a gtx260 correct?

08-01-2009, 01:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,892 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Videocard upgrade 8800gt Eh... In game benchmarks the 4870 and the GTX260 score about the same, usually within about 4fps of each other, some higher some lower. For the same price either one will work. It comes down to brand preference really. I got my 4870 because at the time it was $20 cheaper than the GTX260, now they're about the same. Your call. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

08-01-2009, 02:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
godspeeed I helped the forums. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 298 OS: Win 7 RC	Re: Videocard upgrade 8800gt I will be buying from them: http://www.microbytes.com/computer/o...100000_2100003 Im a little confused with all the different clock speed vs memory and everything. What would you suggest? __________________ Nietzsche: God is dead 1887 God: Nietzsche is dead 1900

08-01-2009, 02:59 PM	#11 (permalink)
godspeeed I helped the forums. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 298 OS: Win 7 RC	Re: Videocard upgrade 8800gt http://www.evga.com/products/moreInf...family=Geforce 200 Series Family __________________ Nietzsche: God is dead 1887 God: Nietzsche is dead 1900

08-01-2009, 03:22 PM	#12 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,892 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Videocard upgrade 8800gt Comparing clock speed and memory speed and shader count and stream processors and such isn't really effective unless you're comparing two cards in the same class. For instance the Radeon 4870 has a 750mhz core clock, 3.6GHz memory (.9x4), and 800 stream processors, but is comparable to the GTX260 which has a 576MHz core clock, 2GHz memory, and 216 stream processors. Basically, what's your budget and what power supply do you have (brand, model, wattage), we'll help you pick something out. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

08-01-2009, 10:49 PM	#13 (permalink)
godspeeed I helped the forums. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 298 OS: Win 7 RC	Re: Videocard upgrade 8800gt PCI-E 16x compatible I have a Intel DX38bt SLI mobo with a 600watt OCZ powersupply. Core 2 Quad 6700 processor and 4GB intel Xtreme DDR1600mhz. I have the 8800 GT right now and Im looking for a decent upgrade, for around 300$. How can the GT260 match the 4870 based on the specs you showed?? __________________ Nietzsche: God is dead 1887 God: Nietzsche is dead 1900

08-01-2009, 11:21 PM	#14 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,892 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Videocard upgrade 8800gt The stream processors on the GTX260 have a higher clock speed, also the GPU architecture is a bit better. OCZ has a variety of 600w power supplies, which particular one do you have? Some of their models are good, others are crap. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

08-02-2009, 08:10 AM	#15 (permalink)
godspeeed I helped the forums. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 298 OS: Win 7 RC	Re: Videocard upgrade 8800gt http://www.ocztechnology.com/product...m_power_supply hopefully its just perfectly sitting between good and crap :P __________________ Nietzsche: God is dead 1887 God: Nietzsche is dead 1900

08-02-2009, 08:53 AM	#16 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,892 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Videocard upgrade 8800gt Yup, sitting between good and crap would be a good description, mtbf>100,000 and active PFC, but not 80+ certified and has multi rail configuration. The efficiency is "typical" 80%, but that means that it will occasionally drop below 80%. For safety I would get at most a GTS250 or Radeon 4850, a GTX260 or 4870 would work on that power supply, but I don't know for how long before one of the two parts gave out. The GTS250 is a bit better than the 4850 so go for that. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143191 __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

08-02-2009, 02:04 PM	#17 (permalink)
godspeeed I helped the forums. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 298 OS: Win 7 RC	Re: Videocard upgrade 8800gt I could swear that there is a sticker with 80 on it on the side. The folks on the forums recommended that I get the certification and I did. Let me double check the brand then... Where can I find a crash course on videocards? Im really not up to date! thanks __________________ Nietzsche: God is dead 1887 God: Nietzsche is dead 1900

08-02-2009, 02:42 PM	#18 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 7,078 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Videocard upgrade 8800gt Video card quick list __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list