Installing new 7900GT

[grahamjenks]

A shiny new 7900GT is waiting at home for me to install after work - I currently have a 6800GT. When I swap them over is their any particular need to re install my drivers?

Also whats the best way to quickly check if my new card is a faulty one (as many seem to be....) - ATI tool and artifact checker? (It's not a pre overclocked card which have apparently had more problems.)

 

[grahamjenks]

Well installed fine - and doesnt seem to show any problems, yet.....

 

[grahamjenks]

What are your system specs mate? Would be great to know how much of a performance increase you get as I am currently using a 6800GT.

Specs are San Diego 3700 running at 2.6 ghz - 7900GT running at stock - 2x512mb ddr 3200 samsung ram - 2 sata hard disks.

Decent improvement noticed over 6800GT. Mainly in oblivion and fear running at 1280x1024 - with settings tweaked can keep both to a minimum of 30fps. I've not run 3D mark yet - but will try and post back if and when I do.

 

[grahamjenks]

I've a 450Watt psu - doesnt seem to be getting to hot. My system shouldn't be overloading it. Used an online calculator - can't remember the address now - but that listed aprox 380Watt requirement including all my spec - so shouldn't be a problem. Not had any artifacts.

Got a slightly disappointed 3618 in 3DMark06 - about 1400 up on my 6800GT - plenty of tweaking to be done and then I can get the zalman cooler and start overclocking the 7900GT

 

[grahamjenks]

Yeah - I will be - I fitted the old zalman gpu cooler on my 6800GT no problems - but thinking it might not quite be up to the job on a 7900GT.

Is the zalman the best cooler to get - are the artic accelero's any good - I've read somewhere the X1 doesnt fit 7900GTs but they are releasing a S1 that does.

It is only single core cpu - and my memory probably isn't the best.