XFX Geforce 6800 performance and power requirement

ohbeone · 05-17-2005, 01:21 PM

Okay so I've been looking on newegg because graphics card prices have been dropping. I've been planning on getting the 9800 pro 256MB which goes for $175. I just saw that they are selling an XFX geforce 6800 128 MB for only $189 after $30 rebate. It looks like this is a way better card after seeing toms hardware figures on all the AGP cards and you can unlock 16 pixel pipelines on it. I have sort of a 2-fold question :
1. Will the 6800 128MB kick the 9800 pro 256MB's butt?
2. Will the 6800 work okay on my 250 W power supply?

I currently have a geforce FX 5200 and I know people who have 9800 pro and x800 XT running on 300 W or less. Your input is GREATLY appreciated.

system specs :
gateway 510 G gamer
P4 2.8 with HT 1MB cache 800 FSB
512 MB RAM
SB audigy 2

**Sarkast** · 05-17-2005, 02:13 PM

My answers to your two questions would have to be like this:

1) Yes
2) No

Maybe the people you know have quality brand name 300W PSUs with very little other load on the PSU - but i can assure you in 99% of all cases its not a good idea to try a 6800 Series card with anything less than 400W and 20 Amps on the 12V rail.

ohbeone · 05-17-2005, 04:59 PM

Thanks for the input!
I haven't ever looked into PSU's. couple more questions now :

1. How do I insure the model I buy has 20 Amps on the 12V rail?
2. Will I need to look into any extra cooling or will the PSU and 6800 already have ample cooling?

Can you make any recommendations or offer any links on where to get good info? Thank you.

**Sarkast** · 05-18-2005, 08:45 AM

First of all - dont buy a generic brand. I say this because we deal with dozens of power related issues on TSF every day and many can be solved by using a quality PSU.
When you buy a power supply from a reputable company you usually find all the information you need on their site - or a picture of the PSU label which contains all the information you need to look for.

Here is an example:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103908

When you scroll down to output you will find 26A (Ampere) @12V. Thats the important information. The PSU above is a very nice model by the way.

Now to the cooling - the PSU comes with 2 fans (this one) - most do now. Some come with 1x 120mm fan which is excellent too.

Your video card will have its own cooling solution which is usually sufficient. You have to make sure you have proper case cooling though. With the video card putting out 50W of heat - your CPU maybe 100W plus all the other components you should at least have 1 or 2 case fans drawing air into the case - and 1 or 2 (plus the PSU) removing it from the case in the back.

If you have additional questions just keep asking.

**MD_Willington** · 05-18-2005, 11:39 AM

You should look for something similar to this:
+3.3V = 28A
+5.0V = 30A
+12.0V = 20A+
+5VSB = 2A

These are the power supplies I recommend the most.
Tagan / Epower TG-380, TG480, EP-450XP-C1B
Antec True380, True430, SL400, SL450

05-17-2005, 01:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
ohbeone Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2 OS: XP	XFX Geforce 6800 performance and power requirement Okay so I've been looking on newegg because graphics card prices have been dropping. I've been planning on getting the 9800 pro 256MB which goes for $175. I just saw that they are selling an XFX geforce 6800 128 MB for only $189 after $30 rebate. It looks like this is a way better card after seeing toms hardware figures on all the AGP cards and you can unlock 16 pixel pipelines on it. I have sort of a 2-fold question : 1. Will the 6800 128MB kick the 9800 pro 256MB's butt? 2. Will the 6800 work okay on my 250 W power supply? I currently have a geforce FX 5200 and I know people who have 9800 pro and x800 XT running on 300 W or less. Your input is GREATLY appreciated. system specs : gateway 510 G gamer P4 2.8 with HT 1MB cache 800 FSB 512 MB RAM SB audigy 2

05-17-2005, 02:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sarkast TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NY Posts: 2,715 OS: WinXP	My answers to your two questions would have to be like this: 1) Yes 2) No Maybe the people you know have quality brand name 300W PSUs with very little other load on the PSU - but i can assure you in 99% of all cases its not a good idea to try a 6800 Series card with anything less than 400W and 20 Amps on the 12V rail. __________________ P4 2.4@2.9 / XP-90 / Albatron PX865PE Pro V2.0 / Kingston Hyper-X 512MB Dual Channel CL2-2-2-5 / Geforce4 MX440x8 64MB / WD80GB 7200RPM 8MB / Thermaltake 420W PSU --> SEE IT ALL GLOW <-- MBM5 - SpeedFan - PSU Calculator - MemTest86 - ThrottleWatch

05-18-2005, 08:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
Sarkast TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NY Posts: 2,715 OS: WinXP	First of all - dont buy a generic brand. I say this because we deal with dozens of power related issues on TSF every day and many can be solved by using a quality PSU. When you buy a power supply from a reputable company you usually find all the information you need on their site - or a picture of the PSU label which contains all the information you need to look for. Here is an example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103908 When you scroll down to output you will find 26A (Ampere) @12V. Thats the important information. The PSU above is a very nice model by the way. Now to the cooling - the PSU comes with 2 fans (this one) - most do now. Some come with 1x 120mm fan which is excellent too. Your video card will have its own cooling solution which is usually sufficient. You have to make sure you have proper case cooling though. With the video card putting out 50W of heat - your CPU maybe 100W plus all the other components you should at least have 1 or 2 case fans drawing air into the case - and 1 or 2 (plus the PSU) removing it from the case in the back. If you have additional questions just keep asking. __________________ P4 2.4@2.9 / XP-90 / Albatron PX865PE Pro V2.0 / Kingston Hyper-X 512MB Dual Channel CL2-2-2-5 / Geforce4 MX440x8 64MB / WD80GB 7200RPM 8MB / Thermaltake 420W PSU --> SEE IT ALL GLOW <-- MBM5 - SpeedFan - PSU Calculator - MemTest86 - ThrottleWatch Last edited by Sarkast; 05-18-2005 at 08:46 AM.

05-18-2005, 11:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
MD_Willington Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: WA State & BC Posts: 587 OS: XP	You should look for something similar to this: +3.3V = 28A +5.0V = 30A +12.0V = 20A+ +5VSB = 2A These are the power supplies I recommend the most. Tagan / Epower TG-380, TG480, EP-450XP-C1B Antec True380, True430, SL400, SL450 __________________ Mainboard: PCC M848ALU / ECS L7S7A2 / ECS 748-A, HDD: Western Digital 40Gb, RAM: 2-256Mb DDR266 by Micron 4x AGP Card: 3DForce4-MX440, CDRW: Liteon 52x32x52, PSU: Antec True430, CPU: XP2200+ (AXDA2200DUV3C) *It's OK to be ignorant; it's not OK to play stupid.* *Never assume you are entitled to an answer. You are not.*

05-17-2005, 04:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
ohbeone Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2 OS: XP	Thanks for the input! I haven't ever looked into PSU's. couple more questions now : 1. How do I insure the model I buy has 20 Amps on the 12V rail? 2. Will I need to look into any extra cooling or will the PSU and 6800 already have ample cooling? Can you make any recommendations or offer any links on where to get good info? Thank you.