Crashing Problem... - Page 9

Pickers · 25-07-2009, 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zirax

An ATI card with Nvidia is no issue, I used to do it with the NForce 4 motherboards and an ATI X1900XTX. Given what you will be using the machine for, I would just go passive, either brand is not going to make a difference really.

What case do you have? For passive cooled stuff you will need some airflow around the case.

We have got an antec fusion case, although admittedly at the moment its in a cubby hole. The Air flow seems alright however, with two big fans running at lowest speed.

Mark · 25-07-2009, 10:54

Snap! My media PC is also in an Antec Fusion case. I've been very impressed with them - keeping a fully-loaded Q6600 in the 50-55c range. Only problem I had was that one of the Antec TriCool fans in the side of mine died (I replaced both with Noctua fans). There is a vent in the top of the case lined up with the graphics card slot which should help with air flow there.

Cubby hole could be a problem though - they tend to trap hot air unfortunately. I've got mine on an open glass TV stand so it gets plenty of air.

divine · 25-07-2009, 11:13

When looking for cards, considering the usage (you use this for media dont you, or have i imagined that?), look at which ones have the best AV features. For example a quick look at that 4550 mentioned some stuff about HD/BluRay playback, whereas i'm not sure how the 9400/9500GT compares in that department.

That's where I would focus my comparisons as power wise, nothing in that price range is going to set the world on fire anyway.

Pickers · 25-07-2009, 11:28

they all seem to outspec my 7800 gtx upstairs ;P

divine · 25-07-2009, 11:30

They might have bigger numbers but they're all massively massively slower than a 7800GTX.

Trouble is, the numbers you need to compare GPUs are not the numbers they advertise with. Ultimately the speeds in MHz they advertise are only comparable between cards using the same chip.

Your 7800GTX (assuming 512mb) for example has a 54.4GB max bandwidth with a 256bit bus, with a pixel fillrate of 8,800MP/s, texture fillrate of 13,200MT/s and a vertex fillrate of 1,100MV/s

9400GT for example has... 12.8GB bandwith with a 128bit bus, with pixel fillrate of 2,200MP/s and texture fillrate of 4,400MT/s

Pickers · 25-07-2009, 11:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by divine

They might have bigger numbers but they're all massively massively slower than a 7800GTX.

now I'm confused... I'm thinking it will still be a BIG BIG step up from the geforce 6xxx onboard gfx I'm currently using anyway yes?

It would be nice to be able to play games well on it too... hmm.

divine · 25-07-2009, 12:07

It will be a step up from the onboard because that'll be a GeForce 6100 or 6200 or something.

It won't be even near the performance of your 7800GTX though for example unless you increase budget slightly. That said, it would depend what games you wanted to play really.

Pickers · 25-07-2009, 12:21

well I think noise becomes an issue with higher spec cards doesnt it.
I dont need a high powered gaming machine.. I mean, pheebs does intensive design work and the onboard manages that, so just a little extra beef so the odd casual game could be played would be nice.. I think Mark's recommendation should be ok... dont need super high settings on any games I do play.

divine · 25-07-2009, 12:28

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/S...4650_OC/6.html

That might help you pick out a card from the 9400GT/9500GT/HD4550/HD4650

Pickers · 25-07-2009, 13:01

right
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/512Mb...PCI-E-VGA-Card

25-07-2009, 11:13	#83
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	When looking for cards, considering the usage (you use this for media dont you, or have i imagined that?), look at which ones have the best AV features. For example a quick look at that 4550 mentioned some stuff about HD/BluRay playback, whereas i'm not sure how the 9400/9500GT compares in that department. That's where I would focus my comparisons as power wise, nothing in that price range is going to set the world on fire anyway. __________________

25-07-2009, 11:28	#84
Pickers Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2,692	they all seem to outspec my 7800 gtx upstairs ;P __________________ Pictures

25-07-2009, 11:30	#85
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	They might have bigger numbers but they're all massively massively slower than a 7800GTX. Trouble is, the numbers you need to compare GPUs are not the numbers they advertise with. Ultimately the speeds in MHz they advertise are only comparable between cards using the same chip. Your 7800GTX (assuming 512mb) for example has a 54.4GB max bandwidth with a 256bit bus, with a pixel fillrate of 8,800MP/s, texture fillrate of 13,200MT/s and a vertex fillrate of 1,100MV/s 9400GT for example has... 12.8GB bandwith with a 128bit bus, with pixel fillrate of 2,200MP/s and texture fillrate of 4,400MT/s __________________ Last edited by divine; 25-07-2009 at 11:37.

25-07-2009, 12:07	#87
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	It will be a step up from the onboard because that'll be a GeForce 6100 or 6200 or something. It won't be even near the performance of your 7800GTX though for example unless you increase budget slightly. That said, it would depend what games you wanted to play really. __________________

25-07-2009, 12:21	#88
Pickers Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2,692	well I think noise becomes an issue with higher spec cards doesnt it. I dont need a high powered gaming machine.. I mean, pheebs does intensive design work and the onboard manages that, so just a little extra beef so the odd casual game could be played would be nice.. I think Mark's recommendation should be ok... dont need super high settings on any games I do play. __________________ Pictures

25-07-2009, 10:54	#82
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Snap! My media PC is also in an Antec Fusion case. I've been very impressed with them - keeping a fully-loaded Q6600 in the 50-55c range. Only problem I had was that one of the Antec TriCool fans in the side of mine died (I replaced both with Noctua fans). There is a vent in the top of the case lined up with the graphics card slot which should help with air flow there. Cubby hole could be a problem though - they tend to trap hot air unfortunately. I've got mine on an open glass TV stand so it gets plenty of air.

25-07-2009, 12:28	#89
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/S...4650_OC/6.html That might help you pick out a card from the 9400GT/9500GT/HD4550/HD4650 __________________

25-07-2009, 13:01	#90
Pickers Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2,692	right http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/512Mb...PCI-E-VGA-Card __________________ Pictures