8600GTS 512mb, hot?

[enko]

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...nufacture=eVGA

Umm, it's Monday and I'm about to go grab my coffee, but that seems like a hot deal?

[zoomzoom]

Seems like a good deal to me.

[Oversized Rooster]

That is an excellent deal for a NEW card.

But with taxes and shipping you will reach $250.

And mind you...there are 8800GTS 320MB cards on sale on RFD for below $300.

If I were in that position, I'd get a used 8800GTS instead. The performance difference is very significant.

[enko]

Hmm, I will peruse the BST section

320mb vs 640mb... it's all about resolution right? I run at 1680x1050... Would it be a bad choice to get a 320mb card?

[Oversized Rooster]

Hmm, I will peruse the BST section

320mb vs 640mb... it's all about resolution right? I run at 1680x1050... Would it be a bad choice to get a 320mb card?

320MB is enough. Try to get a card that is known to overclock well.

The reference speeds for the 8800GTS are 500MHz core and 1600MHz memory. Most people get a good OC above that. For instance, I've got my card running at 675MHz core and 2050MHz memory which is 8800GTX territory.

[enko]

Which card do you have?

[Oversized Rooster]

Which card do you have?

I have the 320MB BFG "OC" card. It's the factory-OCed one with 550MHz stock core. They have an even more overclocked "OC2" model but I didn't bother with it.

With the stock cooler, I had it running perfectly stable at 650/2000.

Then I modded it with a Thermalright HR-03 plus cooler (best possible air cooler for the 8800) and I'm at 675/2050. I have not bothered to go higher because I don't want something happening to my lucky card. This one OCes much more than the average. I use a 92mm Antec TriCool fan to cool it.

My temps are VERY low. With the HR-03 cooler, the difference between idle and load temps is often between 2 and 4 degrees only. With the stock cooler, you can easily reach 70 Celsius while the HR-03 will keep you at around 45-50 no matter what.

With this card, I've broken 11000 points in 3DMark06.

[enko]

How are noise levels of the fan stock, and with the upgraded cooler?

I have a 7800GT OC right now, pretty notorious for being insanely loud, even at idle since the fan speed doesn't adjust. I upgraded the cooler, much better, but still.... I'm obsessed with silence (while not gaming).

[Oversized Rooster]

The stock cooler is actually very efficient for a factory solution. It uses a heatpipe even!

By default, all 8800GTS cards run the cooler fan speed at 60% (something around 1600rpm). You cannot hear it. Even at load, it stays at 60%.

I've played around with the fan speed of the stock cooler using RivaTuner, and I've found that you can increase it to 70% (about 2000rpm) at which point you start hearing the hiss of air. But it has no whine to it.

Anyway, if you leave it at stock, you will not hear it. There are other fans in a system that are louder always.

The stock cooler uses a heatpipe and fins. Its performance is only hampered by the small fan and "sealed" configuration. If those fins were uncovered, and you attached a fan on top, then you'd get excellent performance out of it.

[enko]

Does the BFG warranty transfer when you buy used?

[Oversized Rooster]

BFG warranty is only valid for the original purchaser. But if you find a BFG card with the original receipt, then you're all set.

EVGA cards come with a double lifetime warranty. That covers a second owner.

XFX cards also have a double lifetime warranty. But the warranty even covers mods to the card.

But naturally, as you may imagine, EVGA and XFX cards cost more initially.

[Negotiator]

I don't know about 8600gts, but for 8600gt, 512mb of memory is a waste. There is no significant improvement from 256mb version, hardly even noticeable. Maybe for 8600gts it's another story... Given you can get 8600gts 256mb version for around $180, it's a real question of whether to spend another $40 for no real improvement.