8800GT Overheating.. Upgrade ?

ch0ke · 18 Jan 2011 at 17:23

hi just a quick one my computer keeps rebooting etc card is running idle at 86c which is high it runs everything i sort of want gamewise, whats the best bang for buck card at the minute and what can i replace it with like for like new cheapest

(gonna just buy a new one and return it on warrenty etc)

thanks

ch0ke · 18 Jan 2011 at 17:50

well ive also just read that BFG will not honour my lifetime warrenty haha so would like a card new from overclockers that will be the same as the 8800gt performance wise ?

Nocky24 · 18 Jan 2011 at 17:52

Budget? Or are you just looking for similar performance?

arc@css · 18 Jan 2011 at 17:53

What res do you game at?

ch0ke · 18 Jan 2011 at 17:56

i just want the cheapest possible card that will give the same performance as the 8800gt now that i can order from overclockers now.

(1680x1050)

arc@css · 18 Jan 2011 at 17:58

I'll have a look for a card in a sec but if you haven't already, cleaning the card can work miracles. Many others on the forum have found this also to be one of the best courses of action you can do initially.

ch0ke · 18 Jan 2011 at 18:18

blasted it cleaned etc..still running really hot needs replacing anyone ? cheapest possible card that will give the same performance as the 8800gt on overclockers ?

Nocky24 · 18 Jan 2011 at 18:18

arc@css said:
I'll have a look for a card in a sec but if you haven't already, cleaning the card can work miracles. Many others on the forum have found this also to be one of the best courses of action you can do initially.

+1

I had this happen with a 4870X2, worked great again after a good clean.

Cheers for the friend request btw. Accepted

If you can give us a rough idea on budget and your current system spec, it'd help no end if cleaning it doesn't work.

ch0ke · 18 Jan 2011 at 18:23

q6600 stock
4gig ram
8800gt

ive cleaned with compressed air etc taken it out as well reseated still 80c + and rebooting during games

i just want something cheap as possible that will resemble the 8800gt or any ideas im not skint i just think it runs everything i possibly want at this mo

arc@css · 18 Jan 2011 at 18:25

Nocky24 said:
+1

I had this happen with a 4870X2, worked great again after a good clean.

Cheers for the friend request btw. Accepted

If you can give us a rough idea on budget and your current system spec, it'd help no end if cleaning it doesn't work.

You're welcome.

@OP - I am not certain on this but I 'think' an nvidia 450gts would be approximately the same in performance as the 8800gt. Personally though I would look at upgrading to at least a 460gtx, for not much more cash.

I used this site, which the OP might useful, to show performance comparisons, though obviously not all combinations are available.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/GPU11/188

Edit : I strongly recommend overclocking your cpu to at least 3ghz and pairing it with one of these :

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-068-GI&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1830

If you didn't want to spend that much then something like this should provide a reasonable boost; it certainly would be no worse than your current card anyway. I'd say in the worst case scenario it would give at least a small increase in fps :

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-120-HT&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1673

If you're after more video memory then you could opt for the 1gb versions.

ch0ke · 18 Jan 2011 at 18:48

thanks i might go overclocking then better have a good read ha

arc@css · 18 Jan 2011 at 18:52

To change your cpu from 2.4 to 3.0 just enter the BIOS, change the FSB to 333. Job done.

Watch your fps fly, particularly in online / source games.

ch0ke · 18 Jan 2011 at 20:19

is that all i have to do i thought you had to change the voltage etc ?

seems very simple ha

arc@css · 18 Jan 2011 at 20:26

ch0ke said:
is that all i have to do i thought you had to change the voltage etc ?

seems very simple ha

For most cases, no, you should just have to change the FSB (you'll reach a point where on stock settings it won't budge for one reason or another. That's when you need to start tinkering deeper). It does depend on the version you have. Try using CPU-Z and see what revision you have. If it's a B3 then I doubt you'll get a 'good' overclock on it, maybe up to 3ghz, unlikely any more - though this is fine for most if not nearly all of today's games. If it's a GO revision then I have seen one or two overclock very high, with some pushing 4ghz, though overclocking is also mobo dependent too.

You can also use a temp monitoring program like Coretemp to see what temps you get, right now my four cores are at : 40 / 37 / 33 / 38 with the cpu @ 3.4 on stock voltage.

Try changing the FSB but make sure you check the temps.

ch0ke · 18 Jan 2011 at 20:36

downloaded that cpu-z its a "G0" revision think ill order a freezer 7 as well as a new graphics then cos its all stock

my motherboard is an abit IP35

thanks pal

arc@css · 18 Jan 2011 at 20:39

You're welcome.

Yes, if you are intent on clocking the chip then a decent cooler is required. Ask in the cooling and overclocking section on the forums for recommendations. The cooler I have is good but what with it being old tech there might be something of comparable price that performs better. Enjoy.

LSEdwards · 18 Jan 2011 at 20:48

ch0ke said:
q6600 stock
4gig ram
8800gt

ive cleaned with compressed air etc taken it out as well reseated still 80c + and rebooting during games

i just want something cheap as possible that will resemble the 8800gt or any ideas im not skint i just think it runs everything i possibly want at this mo

Have you taken the cover off the card and cleaned the dust from the heatsink?

arc@css · 18 Jan 2011 at 20:50

LSEdwards said:
Have you taken the cover off the card and cleaned the dust from the heatsink?

Good point. I was going to mention this earlier. When I cleaned my 4870X2, initially I only gave it a squirt or three of compressed air. Although this made a slight difference, it wasn't until I took her apart completely that I was able to remove all dust and believe me, there was a lot.

ch0ke · 18 Jan 2011 at 20:54

no i didnt take it apart i wouldnt know how ?? i just went nuts with the compressed air for a min or so on it got right in there tho ? its still running 77-80c idle

will it be easy to fix myself with an aftermarket cooler ?

LSEdwards · 18 Jan 2011 at 20:58

ch0ke said:
no i didnt take it apart i wouldnt know how ?? i just went nuts with the compressed air for a min or so on it got right in there tho ? its still running 77-80c idle

will it be easy to fix myself with an aftermarket cooler ?

If you take the card out there will probably be 2 screws on the end which are visible and possibly two more under the label on the top. Once you find the screws the cover should lift off easily. In the heat sink and around the fan you'll probably find a load of dust. I cleaned my 8800 for the first time in 4 years and the temps fell 10 degrees immediately.