Message boards : Graphics cards (GPUs) : Final New GPU Machine Questions
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Ok, I think I'll do this. | |
ID: 5122 | Rating: 0 | rate:
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Ok, I think I'll do this.Yes, the GTX260 is probably the best buy at the moment. If so, there are at least three variants of the 260, XFX, EVGA, and BFG. The EVGA often says "Core 216". The BFG says "OC".The GTX260 comes with either 192 or 216 shaders and each of those can be factory overclocked various amounts. I have both types of card. My 192 cards are stock speed and return the biggest WUs in just under 8 hours while my 216 cards (BFG OCX) are heavily factory overclocked and complete the same big WUs in a shade over 6 hours. Its fair to say you'll pay more for a more powerfull card. If you can stretch to an overclocked 216 then get one but go with what you can afford. These GTX200 series cards are huge, so make sure you have enough room in your case and that your power supply is up to the job, most would recommend at least a 500w power supply. | |
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 Paul D. BuckSend message Joined: 9 Jun 08 Posts: 1050 Credit: 37,321,185 RAC: 0 Level  Scientific publications      | |
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Check to see if you have two free 6 pin connectors for the powersupply. | |
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ExtraTerrestrial Apes Volunteer moderator Volunteer tester  Send message Joined: 17 Aug 08 Posts: 2705 Credit: 1,311,122,549 RAC: 0 Level  Scientific publications  | |
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I agree, GTX 260 looks good. Definitely go with the "Core 216"-Version. OC's as you like. In principle these cards are all similar, apart from the clock speed. If you can find one with a 55 nm chip (instead of 65 nm) go for that one, but since it's the same name I don't think they'll be advertised as such. | |
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MarkJ  Volunteer moderator Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 24 Dec 08 Posts: 738 Credit: 200,909,904 RAC: 0 Level  Scientific publications | |
I agree, GTX 260 looks good. Definitely go with the "Core 216"-Version. OC's as you like. In principle these cards are all similar, apart from the clock speed. If you can find one with a 55 nm chip (instead of 65 nm) go for that one, but since it's the same name I don't think they'll be advertised as such. How do you tell if its got the 55nm or 65nm chip? Presumably they have a different chip number and/or part number on them. I'm waiting for the GTX295 to come out, hopefully the price of the GTX260 and GTX280 will come down then. | |
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Thamir Ghaslan Send message Joined: 26 Aug 08 Posts: 55 Credit: 1,475,857 RAC: 0 Level  Scientific publications | |
I agree, GTX 260 looks good. Definitely go with the "Core 216"-Version. OC's as you like. In principle these cards are all similar, apart from the clock speed. If you can find one with a 55 nm chip (instead of 65 nm) go for that one, but since it's the same name I don't think they'll be advertised as such. GPU-Z! http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/ You can do the same thing with CPU-Z! | |
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MarkJ Volunteer moderator Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 24 Dec 08 Posts: 738 Credit: 200,909,904 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications | |
I agree, GTX 260 looks good. Definitely go with the "Core 216"-Version. OC's as you like. In principle these cards are all similar, apart from the clock speed. If you can find one with a 55 nm chip (instead of 65 nm) go for that one, but since it's the same name I don't think they'll be advertised as such. Yes but that means you've already installed it in a machine. I was thinking of telling what sort it was before walking out of the shop. | |
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Paul D. Buck Send message Joined: 9 Jun 08 Posts: 1050 Credit: 37,321,185 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications | |
Yes but that means you've already installed it in a machine. I was thinking of telling what sort it was before walking out of the shop. If you do not specify and select the components yourself then expect the low end item of the model number ... if it is a 9800, expect it to be the least capable 9800 going. Stock, pre-built machines use the lowest common denominator parts. You can tell by the sticker or device manager (for windows, I forget what linux calls it) can tell you the basic model number of the card ... That is why I usually build my own off of parts, if you can screw in a screw it is not that hard to build a computer ... it just takes a little time and caution... the first time you need to read all the instuctions FIRST ... after that you know what not to do ... Frys, available on the west coast ... :) Has a wonderful return insurance policy so if the MB fries you get it replaced ... of course if they can prove negligence all bets are off ... I have had enough MB go bad that it is proven its worth for the high end MB ... for the real cheap MB, I usually skip it because it is likely I would be ready to upgrade about the time the failure happened anyway ... | |
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Thamir Ghaslan Send message Joined: 26 Aug 08 Posts: 55 Credit: 1,475,857 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications | |
Will keep that in mind for future purchases. :P I just broke a push pin bracket for my new heat sink. The stock intel does 60c and I was hoping for lower temps on a sun beam tech core conact freezer. http://www.sunbeamtech.com/PRODUCTS/cooler/Core-ContactFreezer/p11a.jpg Long story short, I applied too much thermal paste and was getting 80c, removed, clean, reapplied paste but somewhere around the process the push pins broke. Intel stock might be the worst, but its more durable than alot of the after market sinks I've seen. | |
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Paul D. Buck Send message Joined: 9 Jun 08 Posts: 1050 Credit: 37,321,185 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications | |
Long story short, I applied too much thermal paste and was getting 80c, removed, clean, reapplied paste but somewhere around the process the push pins broke. I have had good luck with Zalhman (sp?) when I have gone with non-stock coolers. I don't over-clock, in that I can never seem to get it right or stable ... maybe it is me, or maybe I should not over-clock because the imps are out to get me ... whatever ... so I have found that the stock Intel fans are good enough for me. Never had a chip melt on me anyway ... :) Yes, too much paste is probably worse than too little in many cases ... just supposed to be enough to fill in the gaps and to remove the air in there ... air of course is one of the best insulators going ... | |
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ExtraTerrestrial Apes Volunteer moderator Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 17 Aug 08 Posts: 2705 Credit: 1,311,122,549 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications | |
How do you tell if its got the 55nm or 65nm chip? Benders links are good - seems like evga tells us which cards are 55 nm. Alternatively if you're in a shop you can take a look at the back of the card. The 65 nm version has memory chips there, which are (as far as I know) covered by a back plate. The 55 nm version has all memory chips on the front side of the PCB, so the back is naked. MrS ____________ Scanning for our furry friends since Jan 2002 | |
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Message boards : Graphics cards (GPUs) : Final New GPU Machine Questions
