Ok, I think I'll do this.

I have looked around in the forum, and the GTX 260 seems to be a better buy than the GTX 280 and has about 90% of the performance. Am I correct?

If so, there are at least three variants of the 260, XFX, EVGA, and BFG. The EVGA often says "Core 216". The BFG says "OC".

Before I plunk down the cash, does anyone have any wisdom to offer on the selection?

Thanks!!

Ok, I think I'll do this.

I have looked around in the forum, and the GTX 260 seems to be a better buy than the GTX 280 and has about 90% of the performance. Am I correct?

Yes, the GTX260 is probably the best buy at the moment.

If so, there are at least three variants of the 260, XFX, EVGA, and BFG. The EVGA often says "Core 216". The BFG says "OC".

Before I plunk down the cash, does anyone have any wisdom to offer on the selection?

Thanks!!

The GTX260 comes with either 192 or 216 shaders and each of those can be factory overclocked various amounts.

I have both types of card. My 192 cards are stock speed and return the biggest WUs in just under 8 hours while my 216 cards (BFG OCX) are heavily factory overclocked and complete the same big WUs in a shade over 6 hours.

Its fair to say you'll pay more for a more powerfull card. If you can stretch to an overclocked 216 then get one but go with what you can afford.

These GTX200 series cards are huge, so make sure you have enough room in your case and that your power supply is up to the job, most would recommend at least a 500w power supply.

Check to see if you have two free 6 pin connectors for the powersupply.

the GTX 280 takes one 6 pin and one 8 pin (two additional 6 pin connectors with a "Y" connnector) ...

If the GTX 260 is way at the top end, you may find you can get the low end 280 ...

The trouble with the pricing and the selection of all the different over-clocks it is hard to make a real informed choice though ...

I agree, GTX 260 looks good. Definitely go with the "Core 216"-Version. OC's as you like. In principle these cards are all similar, apart from the clock speed. If you can find one with a 55 nm chip (instead of 65 nm) go for that one, but since it's the same name I don't think they'll be advertised as such.

MrS

---

Scanning for our furry friends since Jan 2002

I agree, GTX 260 looks good. Definitely go with the "Core 216"-Version. OC's as you like. In principle these cards are all similar, apart from the clock speed. If you can find one with a 55 nm chip (instead of 65 nm) go for that one, but since it's the same name I don't think they'll be advertised as such.

MrS

How do you tell if its got the 55nm or 65nm chip? Presumably they have a different chip number and/or part number on them.

I'm waiting for the GTX295 to come out, hopefully the price of the GTX260 and GTX280 will come down then.

I agree, GTX 260 looks good. Definitely go with the "Core 216"-Version. OC's as you like. In principle these cards are all similar, apart from the clock speed. If you can find one with a 55 nm chip (instead of 65 nm) go for that one, but since it's the same name I don't think they'll be advertised as such.

MrS

How do you tell if its got the 55nm or 65nm chip? Presumably they have a different chip number and/or part number on them.

I'm waiting for the GTX295 to come out, hopefully the price of the GTX260 and GTX280 will come down then.

GPU-Z!

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/

You can do the same thing with CPU-Z!

I agree, GTX 260 looks good. Definitely go with the "Core 216"-Version. OC's as you like. In principle these cards are all similar, apart from the clock speed. If you can find one with a 55 nm chip (instead of 65 nm) go for that one, but since it's the same name I don't think they'll be advertised as such.

MrS

How do you tell if its got the 55nm or 65nm chip? Presumably they have a different chip number and/or part number on them.

I'm waiting for the GTX295 to come out, hopefully the price of the GTX260 and GTX280 will come down then.

GPU-Z!

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/

You can do the same thing with CPU-Z!

Yes but that means you've already installed it in a machine. I was thinking of telling what sort it was before walking out of the shop.

Yes but that means you've already installed it in a machine. I was thinking of telling what sort it was before walking out of the shop.

If you do not specify and select the components yourself then expect the low end item of the model number ... if it is a 9800, expect it to be the least capable 9800 going.

Stock, pre-built machines use the lowest common denominator parts. You can tell by the sticker or device manager (for windows, I forget what linux calls it) can tell you the basic model number of the card ...

That is why I usually build my own off of parts, if you can screw in a screw it is not that hard to build a computer ... it just takes a little time and caution... the first time you need to read all the instuctions FIRST ... after that you know what not to do ...

Frys, available on the west coast ... :)

Has a wonderful return insurance policy so if the MB fries you get it replaced ... of course if they can prove negligence all bets are off ... I have had enough MB go bad that it is proven its worth for the high end MB ... for the real cheap MB, I usually skip it because it is likely I would be ready to upgrade about the time the failure happened anyway ...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130434

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130433

Try these...

---

Consciousness: That annoying time between naps......

Experience is a wonderful thing: it enables you to recognize a mistake every time you repeat it.

Has a wonderful return insurance policy so if the MB fries you get it replaced ... of course if they can prove negligence all bets are off ... I have had enough MB go bad that it is proven its worth for the high end MB ... for the real cheap MB, I usually skip it because it is likely I would be ready to upgrade about the time the failure happened anyway ...

Will keep that in mind for future purchases. :P

I just broke a push pin bracket for my new heat sink. The stock intel does 60c and I was hoping for lower temps on a sun beam tech core conact freezer.

http://www.sunbeamtech.com/PRODUCTS/cooler/Core-ContactFreezer/p11a.jpg

Long story short, I applied too much thermal paste and was getting 80c, removed, clean, reapplied paste but somewhere around the process the push pins broke.

Intel stock might be the worst, but its more durable than alot of the after market sinks I've seen.

Long story short, I applied too much thermal paste and was getting 80c, removed, clean, reapplied paste but somewhere around the process the push pins broke.

Intel stock might be the worst, but its more durable than alot of the after market sinks I've seen.

I have had good luck with Zalhman (sp?) when I have gone with non-stock coolers.

I don't over-clock, in that I can never seem to get it right or stable ... maybe it is me, or maybe I should not over-clock because the imps are out to get me ... whatever ... so I have found that the stock Intel fans are good enough for me. Never had a chip melt on me anyway ... :)

Yes, too much paste is probably worse than too little in many cases ... just supposed to be enough to fill in the gaps and to remove the air in there ... air of course is one of the best insulators going ...

How do you tell if its got the 55nm or 65nm chip?

Benders links are good - seems like evga tells us which cards are 55 nm. Alternatively if you're in a shop you can take a look at the back of the card. The 65 nm version has memory chips there, which are (as far as I know) covered by a back plate. The 55 nm version has all memory chips on the front side of the PCB, so the back is naked.

MrS

---

Scanning for our furry friends since Jan 2002