Upgrading my GFX card...

[PaulTa]

So I have a 7900GS KO, which has been serving me just fine. I do have a chance to upgrade though. There is a guy on overclock.net who says that his brother gets OEM Nvidia cards (he's already sold a few to moderators over there who have given him good trader/seller feedback). I told him that I'd be interested in a 7950GT that he's getting in a week or two, but he says that it doesn't have a stock HSF on the GFX card. This guy says he'll install a Zalman VF900 or FC-ZV9 for me since it doesn't have stock cooling. The whole caboodle, the GFX card new and a brand new Zalman VF900 or FC-ZV9 will cost me 205 shipped.

My question is (I already have an opinion, but I wanted some feedback from you guys) this a good deal? Should I make sure to jump on this?

-Paul

By the way, it's the 512MB variant.

[Tazz]

Its an OEM card and doesn't come with a cooler.... Sounds fishy to me...

[PaulTa]

Yeah, I felt the same way a little bit, but he seems legitimate. I'm going to ask him if he can send me some pics when he gets it, and then maybe I can post those here and we can scrutinize them. :p

[zagood]

Honestly, I'd wait for the next salvo of dx10 cards. The difference between the 7900GS and the 7950GT will be noticeable, but you'll get more for your money from, say, a 8600. Heck, the 8800GTS 320mb is under $300.

-z

[PaulTa]

I know, but I don't plan on going to Vista for Dx10 for a long time, and by that time I'll have enough money to buy the triple super duper quad sli GFX card. I like the idea of having a quiet Zalman cooler on my card too.

[Hutch]

Wait a couple weeks for the 8600GTS... For same the price it offers double the performance compared to the 7950GT.

[PaulTa]

http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=4775

These guys say slightly faster, and it will probably retail at around 200$ mark. That's the same I'm paying only I get a GFX cooler that's way better.

Do you have a different source?

[zagood]

Yeah, saw that link earlier on AT. Also looks like they're going 128bit. Given those numbers, I'd go with the 7950 since you're not interested in DX10. No warrantee though, so if that's important to you it's something else to consider.

-z

[PaulTa]

No warranty just gives me an excuse (if something breaks) with the girlfriend to shell out for a newer and better GFX card. :D

Thanks for the input zagood. I had a feeling that this was a good deal, and since I'm going to sell my 7900GS KO for about 130 bucks I will only end up paying 70 bucks for a 7950GT KO and a Zalman cooler. That seems to be a pretty good deal, in my opinion. :)

[madmat]

With a Core2 Extreme 6800 the 8600GTS is getting 5700 3DMarks in '06? Pah, that's not faster than the 7950. I'm getting 6100 (http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=710436) with my cheezy little X2 3800 and 7950GT.

[PaulTa]

http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=4883&s=2

Just to add insult to injury for the 8800GTS...

I'm starting to think that a person with no vested interest in DX10 is better off with a high end DX9 solution, which is only getting cheaper now a days.

[PaulTa]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814161048R

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on that. I can't go over 250 bucks to save my life without selling my kidneys right now, and I really have no reason to go DX10 anyways.

What do you think? Stupid impulse buy, or decent impulse buy?

[templar_m1a1]

Not bad, at least you can run AA and HDR at the same time.

[PaulTa]

I've read that the only difference between this card and an XTX is a 200mhz memory clock and 512 onboard. Since I don't run anything over 1280x1024, this should get the job done methinks.

[madmat]

I have just one question... why?

[PaulTa]

I don't see enough of a difference between 1024x768 and 1280x1024 to justify the jump to 1600x1200... if that wasn't what you were asking why at, it was an impulse buy. :p

[Sir_ReeL]

I have that same brand and model from retail box. Running a 22" Viewsonic@1680X1050. I know it's old, but I get 600+ fps in Quake3!

Strange how we think alike...be afraid..._ReeL

[madmat]

How much did it set you back? Was it the open box? I tend to shy away from stuff like that since it's usually something that's been RMA'd.

[Sir_ReeL]

Mine? New retail, still shrunkwrapped. $199. after rebate. Tiger Direct, abt. 1 month ago. Had to look around, they had the same sku# at 3 different prices._ReeL

[madmat]

No, Pauls. He linked to the open box card.

[PaulTa]

Yeah, it was open-box. I grabbed that because I can install the drivers and software from the internet easily, and I saved myself a nice chunk of change. I was a little nervous about making an open-box purchase, but I've seen it done a hundred times on the internet and no horror stories yet. I don't need any of the packaged goodies what so ever... hopefully I made the right decision.

Set me back 219 shipped.

[PaulTa]

I'll give it the good "three times over" when I get it, since I can still return it to newegg if it's dysfunctional within fifteen days.

[Rattle]

I dont see why you wouldnt do this instead if you really want a 256 x1950xt
the cores are the same 25mhz dont mean squat....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102067

or this retail for $15 more before rebate with the better cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161048

hell you can get a open box x1950xt 256 from sapphire for $170 you paid retail price for open box card doesnt make sense. sorry just trying to help
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102067R

[PaulTa]

Mine has the same cooler as that second one, which I should have ordered because of the only 20$ price difference... damned impulse buying. My order still hasn't been shipped, it's at "stage three" on newegg. Should I get on with customer service and see if they can change my order from the OEM one to the retail?

[Rattle]

unless you can buy some sort of warranty from newegg for $20 thats the same as the man. warranty. I mean if you card dies in 6 months your out $200+ for only saving $20

[PaulTa]

Yeah, I hear ya. But I believe the manufacturer warranties it beyond the newegg time, and if worst comes to worst I'd have an excuse to get a new graphics card... *whistles innocently*

[Rattle]

most warranties are 3 years some 1

newegg only warrants it first 15 or 30 days unless you pay for a year or more if they have the option.

[PaulTa]

Psh, in three years I should have the Ultra-Uber XTXTX10005000XT card. :p

[Rattle]

yeah but you see it matters to some people, my old AGP 6800gt BFG is retail it has had 3 owners after me in 2 + years since I bought it. All the rigs its been in are friends rigs handed down and then again. I can rma it cuz it was a retail .....

dig ??

[PaulTa]

Strange how we think alike...be afraid..._ReeL


We might be seperated twins or something...... :p

[Sir_ReeL]

I'm way too old for that. I was going to make some comment about father-son, but figured that would be disrespectful. Different senses of humor, different levels of feeling insulted. Have no reason to piss you off, accidently.