nv 8800 2d performance abysmal

[FoxEye]

With my trusty 7800gt, 2d desktop work (browsing mostly) used hardly any cpu cycles. AMD core temps normally around 34 C.

After installing evga 8800gt, browsing now costs as much as 75% cpu, and temps are sitting stable on 46 C. This is simply rubbish.

Some googling suggests that my 8800 experience is not abnormal. If that's true, I'll be trying to swap for a 4670 in the MM...

I'm also hearing that for a lot of people, Aero performance in Vista is faster than 2d performance in XP, because of rubbish 2d drivers.

 

[Margaret]

I haven't had any 2D issues on my nVidia cards since April 2007. (when I got x64 Vista)

7900GT, 8800GTX, 8800GT.

 

[Rroff]

Something is messed up - that is NOT normal. I get 0% CPU useage normally in windows and 2-3% when browsing - even with winamp running and typing this reply and a bunch of other stuff idle in the background I'm not seeing more than 2% mostly 0.

 

[Rroff]

Occasionally explorer will get its knickers in a twist and sit there using 50-100% CPU while not appearing to do much - check whats using CPU if its showing a process other than system using it up.

 

[FoxEye]

It's in Linux, btw. Windows temps are just as high but cpu usage is lower.

Linux, with proper nvidia drivers, is giving 75% cpu use in Firefox. Scrolling on a page of pictures is a lot slower than with the 7800gt. Lot slower.

I think I might also have to replace the stock cooler/ get some more airflow. I had a AC1 on the 7800gt, and only stock single slot cooling on the 8800gt. Probably not a fair comparison.

But I still might go ahead and swap for a 4670. 8W idle can't be beat, whereas the 8800gt is 35W idle. And after this seasons glut of games, I probably won't do much gaming until next year

Should have thought of that before I bought the nv haha.