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Graphic card confusion.

TheSwede

TheSwede

TheSwede

Soldato
Joined
27 May 2007
Posts
3,416
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Front of the monitor
Slightly confused n00b here..

I have been recommended by hp7909 to buy the 8500GT for my PC build.. [I am not a hardcore gamer, only strategy games such as Civilization, SimCity4 and the like].. the card will be connected to my Acer 1913 and to my PHILIPS 26PF3320/10 26" HD Ready widescreen LCD TV [link for spec opens a PDF file]. Which is all fine since it will probably be a huge improvement compared with my Ti4200 :eek:

What is confusing me though is that I had a read through in this section regarding the 8500GT and other users been suggested to pick the "passive cooled 8500GT".. I had a look at OcUK's 8500GT cards and none of them says it passive.. how will I know which one is and is not? :confused:

Btw, when I got the suggestion about the card hp7909 did not know what TV I was going to connect it to, only that I was going to use it for a HDTV/LCD TV also.. will the 8500GT be ok for this? :confused:

Really appreciates your help here guys! :)

Cheers
Tom
 
Ops my bad! :o

I should have mentioned that the recommendation for the 8500GT is for a new rig I am going to build, with a Gigabyte Ga_P35C_DS3R mobo.. going from AMD and AGP to Intel and PCI Express..

Thanks for your reply Sir Random! :)

Cheers
Tom
 
Thank you for your replays guys! :) Very much appreciated!

Reason I am asking is that I want my PC be as quite as possible and I read post that mentioned the card was very loud, and other users suggested for him to go for the passive card instead..

Now I know what the 8500GT's here at OcUK are and can proceed from there.. :)

hp7909 said:
Best to drop OcUK a web note to confirm :(
Click to expand...
I have sent them a web note and awaiting confirmation.. will let you know what the outcome is..

Once again, thank you all very much for your help! :)

Cheers
Tom
 
Darg said:
You definitely don't want something a little more powerful that will be able to play 3D games well too?

If you will actually only ever be using it for Civ and sim city then the 8500 would be fine but if you are tempted by Bioshock or crysis then you should consider atleast the 8600GT or X1950Pro.
Click to expand...
To be honest, not heard of either Bioshock or crysis.. but then again I am a bit out on the loop when it comes to games nowdays.. but yeah you do have a point there..

Never used ATI cards so don't have a clue about them.. nVidia is the only graphic cards thats been in my PC's.. is it much difference between them in performance? [I aint opening a can or worms with that question am I? :eek: ]

In any case, I want the PC as quite as possible so if either the 8600GT or the X1950Pro comes with silent cooling then I am all ears.. fact is I will have a search and see what I can come up with! :)

Thanks for your replay!

Cheers
Tom
 
squiffy said:
If it's for HTPC duties alone a 128MB PCI-E is more than suitable, just get passive model (ATI X300-X700, Nvidia 7300GS/GT) 8500/8600 has HD acceleration.
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Nope, its going to be my main PC and used for other things also.. i.e. games, internet, Dreamweaver/PhotoShop and connected to a 26" LCD TV for watching films/DVD's..

Found this one, its a this week only offer.. any good? Also, there is 256 and 512MB versions.. [and the description on both the cards are exactly the same so that don't help me much! :( ] whats the difference? [doh! Just different speed.. should have learn not asking question when I am dead tired..] Which one would you recommend of the ones available here though?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-066-PC&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=404

There was quite a few silent ATI cards, more then there is silent 8500/8600 cards though.. but as I mentioned.. don't have a clue about ATI so def need some help if I would go for them instead! :rolleyes:

Cheers
Tom
 
Last edited:
Sorry for double posting, just thought I would post my reply on the webnote just in case anyone might be interested in regards to the ASUS 8500GT [passive or not]..

hp7909 said:
EDIT: Best to drop OcUK a web note to confirm :(
Click to expand...
This is the reply I got from them..
Thank you for your webnote.

Unfortunately unless listed on the website I can not guarantee that the item you will receive will be passive.

However it appears that the cards we currently have available for shipping are passive I can not guarantee this.
Click to expand...
Not very reassuring I must say.. the ones in now seems to be passive but it can not be guarantee that they are.. :(

In regards to the AtI V nVidia, even if there is more passive ATI cards [the X1950Pro], are they DX10 capable as the 8xxx series?

Cheers
Tom
 
Sir Random said:
If OcUK's current stock is passive, I'd say there's a very good chance of getting one if you order now. You could wait until monday and ask Gibbo to check it out for you, he's good at taking care of things like this.
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Thank you Sir Random! Only one little problem.. how will I be able to get hold of Gibbo and ask him to check it out for me?!? Not sure if he will be reading this post of all the 100/1000's posts that been created this weekend.. or would a web note reach him?!?

But in your opinion a 8500GT would do the job ok.. or should I go for a 8600GT/S?!? Me confused.. lol

Cheers
Tom
 
As mentioned earlier.. right now mostly Strategy games,, but as Darg said.. if I ever want to play 3D games I need a bit more kick.. argh! My head is a mess! lol

Can probably stretch to a 8800GTS.. I have seen a few 8800GTS 320MB [which i am sure will be enough if I get one].. one is a Sparkle for £179 and a BFG for £182 [overclocked].. heard that BFG is not a bad card, plus lifetime warranty.. Don't know much about Sparkle cards though.. [even if the cards are from the same factory, everything else differs..].. anyone have/had a Sparkle card?!?

Cheers
Tom
 
Hmmm I just found a 8800GTS 640MB at a competitor going for £132!! :eek:

Only "problem" is I have never heard of the company that made it.. Zotac.. Link to the 8800 card on their site is here.. http://www.zotac.com/gf8800.htm

Anyone know anything about them? Is it worth to buy or may it be cheap fan, ram or other components that would make it a loss in the long run?!?

Any input would be appreciated!

Cheers
Tom

Edit: Found a review of the 8800GTS 320 card.. might give some indication about it? http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=4716
 
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Biffa said:
I wouldn't have too much of a problem buying from a new supplier like Zotac, most of them use reference boards anyway with a few differentiating stickers.

But if you look at the fine print on the seller its "Usually dispatched within 4 to 6 weeks." If you can wait a month for one you should be fine :P

Zotec is actually part of the "PC Partner Family" which Sapphire also belong to.
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Thank you for your replys guys!

Actually I can wait a month since I am not going to do my new build until after the Intel prices gone down in end of July.. I think I will put in an order on it and see what happens! Hey, I might be lucky! :p

Cheers
Tom

Edit: Order made --> Delivery estimate: 14 Jul 2007 - 2 Aug 2007 <-- Lets see how long time it takes before I get an email telling me that they made a misstake! :rolleyes:
 
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Cyber-Mav said:
you should get the 8600gt as a minimum, atlest with that you get full purevide hd support and also its good for playing most games with at that rez.
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Thank you for your input.. much appreciated! :)

Depending on the outcome from the purchase of the 8800GTS 640MB I will probably either go for a 8800GTS 320MB or a 8600GT [all depending on my finance at the time of purchases!].. I just have to wait and see what happens.. to be honest I will be well chuffed if I actually get the 8800 for 132 quid! :eek:

Cheers
Tom
 
squiffy said:
8800GTS for Civ 4 is overkill. What other games are you going to play? In fact if it's a HTPC you should get 8500/8600 as these offer HD acceleration (8800 doesn't) probably get one sometime also.
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Its not a HTPC, just a new PC that I will build.. but will be connected to a LCD TV also, due to me downgrading my living space.. and I will probably start playing Doom3 [liked the first one when it come out.. yeah I know.. thats ages ago! :eek:] so thought I would try numbero 3 also.. now when I can get a decent rig put together.. might try Oblivion [sp?] also, heard some good things about that game..

Cheers
Tom
 
Need you opinions so thought I would bring up my old thread instead of making a new one!

Been surfing around and found this, Gainward BLISS 8600GT SilentFX 512MB, I have tried to figure out what the difference is between this one and a normal 8600GT but except for the memory difference I am drawing a blank! :confused:

If someone could educate me of the difference between them and if a price around £110 inc delivery is good for this kind of card I would greatly appreciate that! Or would I be better of to buy a 8600GTS? [Trying to keep my costs down for my new rig, can't still not decide if I am going for a 8600GT/S or a 8800GTS! :rolleyes: ]

Thank you for your help! :D

Cheers
Tom
 
Thank you for your replay Aceshigh!

How is these cards compared with nVidias card, especially if I decide to go for the 8600 which has purevide hd support [i.e. the Gainward BLISS 8600GT SilentFX 512MB]... would a ATi card be just as good when I connect it to my 26" LCD HD Ready widescreen TV?

If that is the case would this card be better then the two above?

HIS ATI Radeon X1950 Pro ICEQ 3 V2 TURBO SILENT Heatpipe 512MB GDDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (H195PRQT512DD-R)

Cheers
Tom
 
TheSwede said:
How is these cards compared with nVidias card, especially if I decide to go for the 8600 which has purevide hd support [i.e. the Gainward BLISS 8600GT SilentFX 512MB]... would a ATi card be just as good when I connect it to my 26" LCD HD Ready widescreen TV?

If that is the case would this card be better then the two above?

HIS ATI Radeon X1950 Pro ICEQ 3 V2 TURBO SILENT Heatpipe 512MB GDDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (H195PRQT512DD-R)
Click to expand...
Sorry to bump, but could anyone enlighten me about the above?

Cheers
Tom
 
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