nVidia AGP question

[oso_fast]

Hey guys,

I'am in the planning stages of upgrading the computer one last time before i do a complete system overhaul. Iam thinking about purchasing the nVidia line of GPU's becuase of the support of PS3.0. Until now, the cards that iam thinking about are, the 7800gs, 6800gs, 6800gt, 6800u.

Now iam trying to do the upgrade with the least amount of other upgrades (e.g. psu and increased cooling). I have a 380W antec truepower, running the system (2600+@2.5, 1 sata, 2 ide, 4 fans in total).

From what i can tell, the 7800gs/6800u have 16 pixel pipelines compared to the 12 on the 6800gs/6800gt. Is it possible to unlock the 6800gs or even the gt's pipelines?

Also, following onto the power issue, which one of these can i get to work on my system as it is, without upgrading the psu.

I am leaning towards the 7800gs simply because it has 16 pipelines and its performance is better (5-10% better??) then the other cards listed here.

Unfortunatly, i can't use Newegg for purchases (canadian), so it seems as though ncix or any other vendor that'll ship/located in canada will do the trick.

Thanks in advance,

[Bios24]

6800NU/GS are 12-pipe, 6800GT/U is 16-pipe. *Some* AGP 6800NU/GS video cards can be modded to 16-pipe, YMMV. I've found the 6800GS has similiar performance to a GT and can surpass an Ultra with overclocking. It's the best bang for the buck IMHO. If you've got the extra money, the 7800GS is currently the fastest AGP card out.

You're PSU might be cutting it close, especially for the 7800. What's the amperage on your 12v rail? Even if you can spring for a $50 PSU with a better 12v rail you may be better off.

[nd4spdbh2]

DONT go with a 6800NU if anything.... my 6600gt AGP 128mb 128bit overclocked (588/1272) stock 500/900 WOOPS THE CRAP out of my friends PCIE 6800NU 256mb 256bit card...

In 3dmark03 stock i get 7900 ocd i get 9500... my friends 6800NU gets 8200 stock...

IN 3dmark 05 stock i get 3200 ocd i get 3800...my friends 6800NU gets 3400 stock.

why not just upgrade ur system in its entirety..... agp is dying...

[oso_fast]

it would seem almost like a waste, since dx10 is coming out soon (within the year i think), along with vista (recommened 2gb ram). I'd rather hold off upgrading until next year.

[Mr. Roboto]

DONT go with a 6800NU if anything.... my 6600gt AGP 128mb 128bit overclocked (588/1272) stock 500/900 WOOPS THE CRAP out of my friends PCIE 6800NU 256mb 256bit card...

In 3dmark03 stock i get 7900 ocd i get 9500... my friends 6800NU gets 8200 stock...

IN 3dmark 05 stock i get 3200 ocd i get 3800...my friends 6800NU gets 3400 stock.

why not just upgrade ur system in its entirety..... agp is dying...

wait, so how do you whoop the crap out of it? His scores beat yours.

[anhvo12345]

my overclocked unlocked 6800le do like around ~4k on 3dmark05

[chevro1et]

If anything, get the 6800gs... check my sig. They *were* on sale at NCIX for a few weeks straight for ~$230 cdn, but not anymore :( The 7800gs is just WAY too expensive for what you get.

[nd4spdbh2]

wait, so how do you whoop the crap out of it? His scores beat yours.

ocd my card beats his by quite a bit.... he cant overclock his... doesnt have the cooler for it and its a really bad overclocker, and has ****ty regular DDR ram.

[chawks2]

WTF? When/where did you hear 2G is the recommended RAM for Vista?

[oso_fast]

one of the posts here i've read said that about the 2gb.

Anyways, a new runner for possible video cards.

so now its these:
prices are in canadian dollars
7800gs (cost approx 400 for superclocked edition)
7800gs (cost approx 350 for normal edition)
x800xl (cost approx 250)

the x800xl is on par with the 6800gt from the reviews i've seen. Unless someone advises me otherwise, i think that the x800xl would probably be the best choice.

Any comments?

[MeatTheEB]

why not just upgrade ur system in its entirety..... agp is dying...

That's a depressingly archaic statement. ;)

[chevro1et]

one of the posts here i've read said that about the 2gb.

Anyways, a new runner for possible video cards.

so now its these:
prices are in canadian dollars
7800gs (cost approx 400 for superclocked edition)
7800gs (cost approx 350 for normal edition)
x800xl (cost approx 250)

the x800xl is on par with the 6800gt from the reviews i've seen. Unless someone advises me otherwise, i think that the x800xl would probably be the best choice.

Any comments?

Do you want Shader Model 3.0 and HDR support? The x800xl does NOT support these...
7800gs is pretty pricey for what you get, but I have read that they OC like mad. If you do go that route, do not get the superclocked one, get the other, and OC it yourself.

[MechaWyvern]

Have to agree with Chev. The x800xl is a nice card, but no SS 3 kinda killed that choice IMO. I JUST bought a 6800gs for basicly the same reason you did, to prolong my systems life another 1-2 years. I think the 6800gs or 7800gs (if you have the $) would be the best choice.

[n0aH]

I have a 7800gs and love it..but i doubt your PSU could habdel it. If you get a 6800gs you can unlock the other 4 pipes fairly easy with riva tuner on most of them ive heard. Your PSU should be alright with that card as well

[oso_fast]

Well it seems as though the 6800gs is the most reasonable upgrade path for me. Is there any specific line of the 6800gs (e.g. evga or bfg etc) that is more likely to unlock the 16 pipelines?
Also how hard is it to install the artic cooling silencer?

[chevro1et]

There is no way to up the odds for unlocking the card. The ATI Silencer is very simple to install.

[n0aH]

I would go with eVGA. They have a great Stup-Up program plus lifetime warranty on all there cards