9800 GT

[Video_freak]

Hi there everyone, I'm new here so I apologize if a thread like this one has already been made. I'm currently running a BFG 7600 GT OC in an HP m7640n. I was thinking of upgrading to a 9800 GT, since someone offered me $50 for my 7600. tigerdirect.com has some pretty good deals; a XFX 9800 GT for $100 and an eVGA 9800 GT with a dual slot cooler for $115. The dual slot cooler seems nicer because it's supposed to keep the card cooler and quieter, which is important to me since I find the 7600 GT's little fan extremely annoying while under load. My question is pretty much whether or not the dual slot cooler is worth it (I have room for it and it probably won't get SLIed anyway.

Also, I'm not sure if I really need to upgrade from my 400 watt Coolmax cx400b. The card is supposed to come with a dual molex to PCI-e 6 pin adapter, but I heard you're supposed to avoid it if possible. I'm pretty sure I'm under 400 watts for consumption because I run an AMD X2 64 bit 5000+ (2.6 GHz) and a single HDD.

My computer has 2 GB DDR2 533 MHz RAM right now. I was wondering if it was worth upgrading to 4 GB (I think my mobo is limited to 533 MHz). Will I even be able to use all 4 GB in a 32 bit OS?

This computer will mostly be used for everyday use, but I'll also do some gaming on it. I'm not sure if a single 9800 GT will be able to run Crysis well over a 1280x1024 display. I think I'll be overclocking the card, especially if I get the dual slot cooler. Should I get a more powerful card? If so, please tell me what the best deal is right now.

Thanks for any help/suggestions!

Oh yeah, the OS is Windows Vista Ultimate, SP1 and 32 bit.

 

[dagger]

Get another 2gb of ram. 2gb isn't enough. With 32bit os, you'll be limited to around 3.2gb after vram and component I/O addressing. 400w, if stable, should be enough for a 9800gt and AMD dual core cpu. Molex-pcie adaptors are fine, as long as the psu itself can handle the load. 9800gt can handle High in Crysis at playable fps at 1280x1024, but not very high.

 

[Video_freak]

What card would you recommend for 1280x1024 instead of a 9800 GT? A GTX+? I'm pretty sure that if I get anything more powerful than that, my CPU will bottleneck my GPU.

 

[dagger]

What card would you recommend for 1280x1024 instead of a 9800 GT? A GTX+? I'm pretty sure that if I get anything more powerful than that, my CPU will bottleneck my GPU.

See this chart:

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Powercolor/HD_4830/9.html

And yes, anything higher than 9800gtx will likely start to bottleneck.

 

[Video_freak]

Is a difference of 5 fps really worth the extra $50-$60 plus a more powerful PSU. Since I'll probably be upgrading within a year anyway, I think I'll just stick to the 9800 GT, unless someone foresees a price drop in the GTX+

Would it be worth to install Vista 64 bit just for gaming? Other than the RAM increase, is there a real advantage?
I have a dual boot system right now, with the other OS being XP Media Center Edition 2005 32 bit. Should I just play on that OS instead of Vista (for games that aren't DirectX 10)?

 

[dagger]

Is a difference of 5 fps really worth the extra $50-$60 plus a more powerful PSU. Since I'll probably be upgrading within a year anyway, I think I'll just stick to the 9800 GT, unless someone foresees a price drop in the GTX+

Would it be worth to install Vista 64 bit just for gaming? Other than the RAM increase, is there a real advantage?
I have a dual boot system right now, with the other OS being XP Media Center Edition 2005 32 bit. Should I just play on that OS instead of Vista (for games that aren't DirectX 10)?

Keep the 32bit OS. 3.2gb is enough. Use Vista, speed difference with XP is not noticeable.

 

[swifty_morgan]

Playing games in Vista vs xp....... VISUALLY........ are more appealing. Something to think about for your upgrade.

 

[Video_freak]

I already run Vista, but I also have XP on my HDD as a dual boot. I was just wondering if it would be faster in XP than Vista is all. 32 fps should be good enough...

 

[Hameedo]

Don't be fooled by this chart .. I think it actually represents your average frames using (High) settings .. I have 9800GTX+ OC~800/2400 and E8400 OC~3.6 .. and the frames dip into the 25s during heavy situation .

My settings are Very High - 1024 X 768 4XAA 16XAF .

You know what I think ? If you want to play at 1280x1024 , then High settings is your pick . Otherwise , use 800x600 or 1024x768 NOAA to play at Very High visual quality .

 

[Video_freak]

Ok, thanks for the tip. I'll probably test Crysis before buying it, and I'll just settle for other games, since my computer really wasn't built for gaming at all...

 

[xnem3s1sx]

Dagger, you really don't need 4gb of ram, not for gaming at least, if your running a lot of programs, then maybe, but there is no need for more than one really, not for anything that didn't come out within the past 12 months. And I'm not just saying this, http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ram,1190.html <look at the gaming charts, in older games, the differnce between 1 and 2 is negligible, if existent, so the same would be true for modern games, but with 2 and 4gb

 

[dagger]

Don't be fooled by this chart .. I think it actually represents your average frames using (High) settings .. I have 9800GTX+ OC~800/2400 and E8400 OC~3.6 .. and the frames dip into the 25s during heavy situation .

My settings are Very High - 1024 X 768 4XAA 16XAF .

You know what I think ? If you want to play at 1280x1024 , then High settings is your pick . Otherwise , use 800x600 or 1024x768 NOAA to play at Very High visual quality .

Results of 8800gts at 1280x1024, High, and Very High:
High: min 33, max 62, avg 52
Very High: min 18, max 34, avg 29

Dagger, you really don't need 4gb of ram, not for gaming at least, if your running a lot of programs, then maybe, but there is no need for more than one really, not for anything that didn't come out within the past 12 months. And I'm not just saying this, http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ram,1190.html <look at the gaming charts, in older games, the differnce between 1 and 2 is negligible, if existent, so the same would be true for modern games, but with 2 and 4gb

Vista takes up 1+gb of ram, intensive games like Crysis can take 2gb by itself after a few hours of gameplay. You won't use up all 4 without multitasking, but 2gb can be easily overshot.

 

[Video_freak]

I'm running Vista right now, with Firefox (maybe 5 tabs), Trillian, and Word 2007, and I'm using under 800 MB of RAM. I don't think I'll be upgrading RAM, but I'm really debating between a 9800 GT and a GTX+.

Any recommendations?

 

[dagger]

I'm running Vista right now, with Firefox (maybe 5 tabs), Trillian, and Word 2007, and I'm using under 800 MB of RAM. I don't think I'll be upgrading RAM, but I'm really debating between a 9800 GT and a GTX+.

Any recommendations?

That's because you have page file turned on. The PC will use page file off hdd even when ram is not ran out yet. Hdd activity and slower operation is a sign of this. When you're browsing the web or typing in Word, hdd should be completely idle.

 

[Video_freak]

Ok, I'll consider upgrading RAM to 4 GB then (it's a cheap upgrade anyway).

My biggest question is whether it's worth getting a 9800 GTX+ over a regular GT. If the prices were to go down in January or something, I'd be willing to wait until then to buy a GTX...

Anyone have insight?

 

[dagger]

Ok, I'll consider upgrading RAM to 4 GB then (it's a cheap upgrade anyway).

My biggest question is whether it's worth getting a 9800 GTX+ over a regular GT. If the prices were to go down in January or something, I'd be willing to wait until then to buy a GTX...

Anyone have insight?

What prices can you get for each? 9800gtx+ is certainly faster, but it may or may not justify the higher price, which varies depending on where you live.

 

[Video_freak]

I live in the bay area, near San Francisco. I can get an XFX 9800 GTX+ for about $170 from tigerdirect.com (no taxes woot). I might just do that, and then buy one or two more when I build a PC.

 

[dagger]

I live in the bay area, near San Francisco. I can get an XFX 9800 GTX+ for about $170 from tigerdirect.com (no taxes woot). I might just do that, and then buy one or two more when I build a PC.

So that's US. I wouldn't think it's worth the extra over 9800gt. Factory overclocked version, with dual slot aftermarket cooler, for $95 after rebates.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127381
There is also 4850 for $130 ar.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102775
If you're feeling rich, there's 9800gx2 to really blow them away for $275.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133231

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3341&p=13
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3341&p=14
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3341&p=15
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3341&p=16
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3341&p=17
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3341&p=18
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3341&p=19

 

[Video_freak]

I was thinking of getting this card and overclocking myself. Fan seems quieter than a Zalman...
eVGA 9800 GT with dual slot cooler, $115.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4131689&CatId=3670

This site works better for my because I don't have to pay taxes on it, but I do on newegg...

And here's the GTX+ I was looking at...
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4276732&CatId=3670

 

[dagger]

I was thinking of getting this card and overclocking myself. Fan seems quieter than a Zalman...
eVGA 9800 GT with dual slot cooler, $115.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4131689&CatId=3670

This site works better for my because I don't have to pay taxes on it, but I do on newegg...

And here's the GTX+ I was looking at...
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4276732&CatId=3670

That's strange. Newegg doesn't charge me any taxes. I live in NY though.
A quick search shows 9800gtx+ is $140 ar on Newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162014

 

[Video_freak]

Yes, NY is privileged in the eyes of newegg. I saw that $140, and it's nice plus it comes with a USB TV Tuner, but I just don't trust Galaxy, to be perfectly honest. I rather spend around $20 (difference after taxes) and get the XFX from tigerdirect.com.

Am I wrong?

 

[dagger]

Yes, NY is privileged in the eyes of newegg. I saw that $140, and it's nice plus it comes with a USB TV Tuner, but I just don't trust Galaxy, to be perfectly honest. I rather spend around $20 (difference after taxes) and get the XFX from tigerdirect.com.

Am I wrong?

If you thought there's a difference in quality, then yes, you're wrong. Those "manufacturers" don't actually manufacture the gpus, more like distributors. They buy gpus from ATI/Nvidia, on reference boards required by ATI/Nvidia. The only thing that's different hardware wise is the aftermarket cooler that they may decide to put instead of the standard stock cooler.

Aside from that, there's difference in costumer service and warranty. 2 years for the Galaxy. It's up to you if costumer service is worth the extra. On that part, remember that there's a real possibility that their costumer service may be better than the other brand. You just don't know yet.

 

[Video_freak]

The cooler, service, and warranty were the things I was fearful of at Galaxy. Then again, the coolers seem to all be the same. I guess I might as well just try and it see. I just read some bad reviews on newegg about it, that's why I'm a little worried.

After taxes, it's just about the same price. It's weird that you don't get taxed though, because newegg has been taxing NY since June of this year.

 

[dagger]

The cooler, service, and warranty were the things I was fearful of at Galaxy. Then again, the coolers seem to all be the same. I guess I might as well just try and it see. I just read some bad reviews on newegg about it, that's why I'm a little worried.

It's the identical stock cooler. There is no difference. If you look at the newegg reviews, some had the blue "This user purchased this item from Newegg" next to it. The single bad review does not. In other words, the person may have purchased it somewhere else, or more likely, just a fake review from some fanboy who want to badmouth unknown brands. At the bottom, it says "3 out of 34 people found this review helpful," which means most people don't believe this creep, and you shouldn't either.

And I don't get taxed.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2328647,00.asp

 

[Video_freak]

Ok, you've made a very good point.
So basically what I've found on tigerdirect were a $170 BFG 9800 GTX+ that includes the game Far Cry 2. I also found a $35 500 watt PSU from Ultra (with a lifetime warranty). That totals to about $205 after rebates.

The card we found on newegg looks good, but it's $180 before rebates, so thats at least $15-$16 in taxes. Add the taxes for a PSU from newegg, and it might just come out to be above the tigerdirect price.

Do you think there's any way I can find a better deal on newegg? Btw, thanks for all the time you've put into helping me, it means a lot.