buying 8800GTS what's more important: SP or rambus?

[LuminoZ]

Well my ATI card in my sig died and I wanna try an Nvidia card this time around... I can't justify dropping a 9800 in my current rig; so I'm looking at the 8800GTS'.

I did of bit searching and couldn't find a definitive answer to my question; What is more important to have: more stream processors or a faster ram interface for all out performance?

I've been looking at BFG's and EVGA's offerings on newegg.com, so if anyone can enlighten me or point me to some reading that would be most excellent.

EVGA 8800's (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%2050001402%20106791921%201067924922&bop=And&Order=PRICED&CompareItemList=N82E16814130327%2CN82E16814130337% 2CN82E16814130317)

[largon]

Don't even bother considering the 640MB/320bit versions. They're older and slower compared to the newer G92 core (512MB/256bit).

[Diddyu]

Yes, its confusing, but the 512MB version isnt related to the other two. Its currently the best bang for your buck, you could get an ultra but theyre atleast twice as expensive, and in my opinion, they arent worth it.

[nd4spdbh2]

just to let you know... all the 9800GTX is, is an a slightly overclocked 8800gts 512mb

[ratbuddy]

just to let you know... all the 9800GTX is, is an a slightly overclocked 8800gts 512mb

With faster memory chips :)

[LuminoZ]

Well I ordered a the EVGA G92 GTS today. what is the story about repasting the heatsink!? is it worth it?

[NettieZoom]

Generally it is worth it as you may see a drop in temps by as much as 5C or so, ofcourse your mileage may vary :)

[jason4207]

The best thing you can do to get temps down is to take manual control of the fan speed w/ Riva Tuner

[nd4spdbh2]

Generally it is worth it as you may see a drop in temps by as much as 5C or so, ofcourse your mileage may vary :)

more than that with a good cooler IE, thermalright HR-03GT...

but the stock cooler on the g92 gts is a very good cooler, most ppl stick with it.


and yes the 9800gtx does have slightly faster ram... stock clocks for g92 gts = 650/1650/2000 w/ 128sp's ...... 9800gtx = 675/1688/2200 w/ 128sp's

so a 3.8% oc on the core and shaders and 10% faster ram.... granted it looks like ppl are getting higher ocs from them than the 512 gts's but still...

[Mr. Roboto]

The hr-03 I used to have on my 7900GT lowered temps by 10c idle, 25c load. It's so worth it. I still haven't gotten around to replacing the heatsink on my 8800GT though.

[Socket eh?]

You're going to be surprised at how much stronger the card is. Everything runs a lot smoother compared to a X1900.

[LuminoZ]

Well I just got the thing - looks amazing, can't wait to fire it up. I've got the heatsink off for repasting.

Should I just do the core or should I do everything!?

[jason4207]

Just do the core, and re-use the stock thermalpads on the other components.

[LuminoZ]

Pasted and installed.... Waiting for the damn drivers to download...

I've never used riva tuner before but I'm assuming that If I use that I WON'T NEED forceware coolbits? correct?

[MadMan007]

Just do the core, and re-use the stock thermalpads on the other components.

Yea I wish there was a way to get some equivalent ununsed thermal pads for the other chips on those cards. That thermal pad/mesh/paste they use is thick and even just remounting it the contact isn't as solid as it come from the factory imo. On my old GTs 640MB I tried to smoosh the pad/mesh/paste in from the sides to make it have some squishing room upon remounting. Still not as good as it comes originally though.

[phil178821]

to OC just go with rivatuner and then stress test either by gaming or running atitools artifact test (my preference). you will be really happy with the G92.


on a side note.. madman007.. that avatar is just disturbing.. :)

[MadMan007]

Blame Silversinksam he forced it upon me. I'm scared to change it because he has all teh powa :cry: ;)

[phil178821]

Blame Silversinksam he forced it upon me. I'm scared to change it because he has all teh powa :cry: ;)

hahahahha:clap:

[LuminoZ]

So Rivatuner and me aren't friends how well does ATItool work with Nvidia cards?

[phil178821]

whats wrong with rivatuner? now there could be issues using atitool.. i did try it with my 640mb GTS but it didnt seem to keep speeds set and all.

so what problems are you running into with rivatuner?

[cabose1227]

rivatuners the best for ocing nvidia cards, whats wrong with yours?

[Hazaro]

AtiTool haet G92

Use RivaTuner

[LuminoZ]

Well I was following the guide on 3dguru, and I couldn't get RT to show me where to input threshold settings for fan speeds. I'll have to try dinking with it again here in a few minutes.

Any ideas?

the guide (http://www.guru3d.com/article/article/449/)

[phil178821]

open rivatuner.. first time is should say building registry or something like that.. so now its open.. you see a few boxes and in one it says something along the lines of "foreware detected" with the label "driver settings" above it. in the corner of that box you see customize and a button to click,

click it and choose the first icon which says system settings and is a picture of a graphics card.

there you see tabs, one for over clocking, which is straight forward, and one for fans. (as well as 2 more, for compatibility and overlay). you can enable over clocking and direct fan control, just make sure you check a box saying apply at reboot. then they should last :).


hmm by threshold are you referring to temperature dependent? not sure if thats possible. i found with my 640 mb around 80% is fairly quite and offers about the same temps as 100%.

[phil178821]

looking at the images in that link, it looks card specific and NOT 8800GTS. just explore, you should find it, besides reflashing your card bios with new speeds, rivatuner is the OCing software to use imo :)

[LuminoZ]

Well all I'm looking to do is set a "when the core gets to X temprature, the fan goes this fast thing" Anyone know where to accomplish that with RT? Or should I just set the thing at one speed and call it good?

[phil178821]

i think you have to go for one speed. it seems the auto settings on the cards just means one fan speed is picked, not variable. not sure if there is a way. like i said above, with the 640mb gts, 80% was like the best temps at a fairly unnoticeable sound if you have some case fans going. maybe its different on the G92s

[jason4207]

Try reading this:

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=555695

There is another link contained in that thread that details how to flash the gfx card BIOS to do just you want as well if you want to go that route.

[LuminoZ]

Thanks for the links. I got it all setup great. My only question now is; how do I stop RT from turning on G15 LCD display it has!? I have to disable it every startup in the G15 options, which sux.

[pak]

you should be able to disable it in the G15 settings program.

--pak

[LuminoZ]

Yeah, that is what I have been doing... But like I said every time I reboot I have to disable it...