6800GT to 8800GTS 320MB Upgrade question

[saiku]

Hi all,

I'm excited to see the $300 8800GTS. I have a 21" CRT that recommends that I run it at 1600x1200. I currently run my games at 1024x768 with most settings at medium (DoD:S and CoH being the main games). My rig is like this

ASRock VSTA Dual with 2GB of DDR-400 RAM
Intel E6400 @ stock
EVGA 6800GT (stock)
Windows Vista Ultimate

My mobo supports plunking in the new PCI-E card. According to AT reviews, I will take a max performance hit of 5% if I use PCI-E card. I want to run my games at 1600x1200 with eye candy turned way up.

I do not want to end up spending on a new MOBO as much as possible because that would mean I have to cough up 160 bucks on 2GB RAM too (DDR2).

1. Does it make sense to put the 8800GTS into this setup?
2. Will I be limiting my new 8800GTS severely because of my CPU or mobo?

Please help me end my agony!

It turns out the 8800 GTS cards will not even work on my ASROCK 775 Dual VSTA... see thread below....

 

[Stumps]

you should be OK assuming that you have a decent enougth PSU....the 8800 will be a huge improvement over the 6800GT, so that small drop in performance from using PCI-E 4x shouldn't be a problem at all.

your CPU is plenty fast so it won't be much of a bottleneck.

 

[chizow]

If its only 5% then yes it makes sense but....

I coulda swore I saw in that Gateway QX6700 OC'd review that the GTX took a huge performance hit when run in the 2nd PCI-E slot (limited to 4x). I'd double check, but either way, should be a big improvement like Stumps said.

 

[saiku]

Thanks for your feedback, guys. Alas, I forgot to mention my power supply ..an ANTEC 380S which does not have a 6 pin connector available for the 8800 GTS. Is there some adapter which I can use to connect my 4 pin to the video card?

 

[lavaheadache]

The card will come with an adapter

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: saiku
Thanks for your feedback, guys. Alas, I forgot to mention my power supply ..an ANTEC 380S which does not have a 6 pin connector available for the 8800 GTS. Is there some adapter which I can use to connect my 4 pin to the video card?

hmmm a 380 watter, It might work...but I doubt it, I wouldn't try it personally, you might be better off with a 450w or better...something with a decent 12v output.

 

[saiku]

Stumps, what will happen if it does not work? Any damage to the card itself?

 

[saiku]

Originally posted by: lavaheadache
The card will come with an adapter

Great!

 

[happy medium]

That PSU only has 1 -18amp rail. I don't think it will work sorry.

 

[mezrah]

Originally posted by: saiku
Stumps, what will happen if it does not work? Any damage to the card itself?

Depends...the card may get damaged, it may not. You need to get a new PSU anyway. Your current one just wont' cut it with the 8800. If you're going to spend $300 on a video card, you want to protect that investment with a better power supply.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

The BFG site recommends 26A minimum.

 

[saiku]

Can someone please recommend a PSU for my rig please (with the 8800 GTS in mind) ?
My rig (again)

ASRock VSTA Dual with 2GB of DDR-400 RAM
Intel E6400 @ stock
EVGA 6800GT (stock) - to be replaced by 8800GTS
Windows Vista Ultimate
3 Hard Disks (2 IDE / 1 SATA)
2 DVD drives

 

[happy medium]

Personally, I like this Enermax for 100.00$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194003

 

[Reckoner]

Originally posted by: saiku
Can someone please recommend a PSU for my rig please (with the 8800 GTS in mind) ?
My rig (again)

ASRock VSTA Dual with 2GB of DDR-400 RAM
Intel E6400 @ stock
EVGA 6800GT (stock) - to be replaced by 8800GTS
Windows Vista Ultimate
3 Hard Disks (2 IDE / 1 SATA)
2 DVD drives

Enhance 5150-gh

I'm using this in my new build, and no problems thus far. 500W for $69 isn't too shabby, and it's received good reviews from what I've researched.

 

[Entropism]

http://www.buy.com/prod/Corsair_HX520W_..._Power_Supply/q/loc/101/203270716.html

The Corsair 520w. It's as silent as a power supply can get, it's reliable, and efficient. OH, and cheap from Buy.com too.

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats

Originally posted by: saiku
Can someone please recommend a PSU for my rig please (with the 8800 GTS in mind) ?
My rig (again)

ASRock VSTA Dual with 2GB of DDR-400 RAM
Intel E6400 @ stock
EVGA 6800GT (stock) - to be replaced by 8800GTS
Windows Vista Ultimate
3 Hard Disks (2 IDE / 1 SATA)
2 DVD drives

Enhance 5150-gh

I'm using this in my new build, and no problems thus far. 500W for $69 isn't too shabby, and it's received good reviews from what I've researched.

wow!:thumbsup:

 

[saiku]

I dont understand PSUs well. Does this PSU (
Foxconn AX500 ) look like it will fit the bill? The specs dont show 26A on the 12v rail. Am I misreading it?

Here's what it says about output

Output +3.3V@30A, +5V@28A, +12V1@15A, +12V2@15A, -12V@0.5A, +5Vsb@2.0A

I'd like to keep the PSU price around the $75 mark. Plus, I can barely find info on the ENHANCE models not to mention I'm leery of buying from sites that I never heard of (EWiz). The Corsair looks good but I'm already stretching my budget buying a $300 video card.

 

[blckgrffn]

Originally posted by: saiku
I dont understand PSUs well. Does this PSU (
Foxconn AX500 ) look like it will fit the bill? The specs dont show 26A on the 12v rail. Am I misreading it?

Here's what it says about output

Output +3.3V@30A, +5V@28A, +12V1@15A, +12V2@15A, -12V@0.5A, +5Vsb@2.0A

I'd like to keep the PSU price around the $75 mark. Plus, I can barely find info on the ENHANCE models not to mention I'm leery of buying from sites that I never heard of (EWiz). The Corsair looks good but I'm already stretching my budget buying a $300 video card.

I'll vouch for ewiz - maybe some slow cheap shipping, but great experience outside of that. I would go for the enhance, personally...

 

[CCityInstaller]

Originally posted by: saiku
I dont understand PSUs well. Does this PSU (
Foxconn AX500 ) look like it will fit the bill? The specs dont show 26A on the 12v rail. Am I misreading it?

Here's what it says about output

Output +3.3V@30A, +5V@28A, +12V1@15A, +12V2@15A, -12V@0.5A, +5Vsb@2.0A

I'd like to keep the PSU price around the $75 mark. Plus, I can barely find info on the ENHANCE models not to mention I'm leery of buying from sites that I never heard of (EWiz). The Corsair looks good but I'm already stretching my budget buying a $300 video card.

That PSU has dual 12V rails for a total output of 30Amps (15A+15A). It would be sufficient for what you need. As far as the Enhance units, they seem to be the best in their price class.

 

[StrangerGuy]

One big nvm.

 

[flevio]

idont believe this would work.. 775 dual vsta is not compactive with 8800 series
i dont know if the 320mb edition change anything..

http://forums.nvidia.com/lofiversion/index.php?t21611.html
Dear ASRock America Customer,

Sorry, nVIDIA GeForce 8800GTS PCIe graphics card is not compatible with 775Dual-VSTA. Please try with another (model) graphics card.

ASRock America Technical Support
Email: supportjt@asrockamerica.com

just google it ..u will find more of this..

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: flevio
idont believe this would work.. 775 dual vsta is not compactive with 8800 series
i dont know if the 320mb edition change anything..

Link ?

 

[saiku]

Originally posted by: flevio
idont believe this would work.. 775 dual vsta is not compactive with 8800 series
i dont know if the 320mb edition change anything..

http://forums.nvidia.com/lofiversion/index.php?t21611.html
Dear ASRock America Customer,

Sorry, nVIDIA GeForce 8800GTS PCIe graphics card is not compatible with 775Dual-VSTA. Please try with another (model) graphics card.

ASRock America Technical Support
Email: supportjt@asrockamerica.com

just google it ..u will find more of this..

Oh no! I just ordered 8800GTS 640MB and a Rosewill 500W powersupply yesterday. !!

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: saiku

Originally posted by: flevio
idont believe this would work.. 775 dual vsta is not compactive with 8800 series
i dont know if the 320mb edition change anything..

http://forums.nvidia.com/lofiversion/index.php?t21611.html
Dear ASRock America Customer,

Sorry, nVIDIA GeForce 8800GTS PCIe graphics card is not compatible with 775Dual-VSTA. Please try with another (model) graphics card.

ASRock America Technical Support
Email: supportjt@asrockamerica.com

just google it ..u will find more of this..

Oh no! I just ordered 8800GTS 640MB and a Rosewill 500W powersupply yesterday. !!

Go ahead and spring for a new mobo, then sell the old stuff to recoup some $$$

 

[blckgrffn]

Too bad he missed the DDR2 deal...