Video Card ??

[Cain]

I want fast, powerful, cool, and preferably quiet.....

what do I want??

[Cain]

[{CLR}geneSW]

well, lets see here... the 8800 cards generally run hot to begin with, but you can use rivatuner to up the fan speed and get those temps under control. I don't have any personal experience with the 9800 series of cards, but if I had to narrow it down to 4 cards (2 512 cards and 2 1gb cards) i'd probably go with...

8800 gts (640mb)
Newegg.com - EVGA 640-P2-N829-AR GeForce 8800GTS SSC 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

9800 (512mb)
Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
BFG GeForce 9800 GTX 512MB GDDR3 PCIe 2.0 Video Card BFGE98512GTXE SLI and HDCP Ready 2 Dual-Link DVI-I HDTV Out-Best Computer Online Store Houston Buy Discount Prices Texas-Directron.com

9800 (1gb)
eVGA GeForce 9800 GX2 1GB DDR3 PCI-E 2.0 Video Card 01G-P3-N891-AR SLI Ready Dual DVI-I and HDMI-Best Computer Online Store Houston Buy Discount Prices Texas-Directron.com

This is all based off of what I looked at on the website. I haven't looked at comparison charts yet, so this is just first impressions. Take it for what you will.

[Warhead]

you want it all eh?

Newegg.com - BFG Tech BFGE98512GTXH2OCWE GeForce 9800 GTX 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

i wish i was rich.....

[{CLR}geneSW]

you want it all eh?

Newegg.com - BFG Tech BFGE98512GTXH2OCWE GeForce 9800 GTX 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

i wish i was rich.....

if he's doing watercooling that'll be great! good find. I wonder if they have a 1gb model like that though.

[bobytt]

Cain in 16 days are coming the new generations of ATI and NVIDIA, both of them are times more powerful than exciting one. If i was you i was going to hold on for 2 and a half weeks , and to get something that is going to be some sort of future proof.

ATI 4870 is looking decent and NVidias GT280 is look like a beast , but if its too expensive (600$) you can go with GT260 which still is faster than 9800GX2.

[{CLR}geneSW]

can you provide links or those bob? i'd like to get a look at those if you don't mind.

[WalkinTarget]

The ATI 4870 is looking like a powerhouse for under $350. That is a LOT of card for that money, considering early benchies show it to be 40% faster than a 9800GTX. Granted, the Nvidia cards will probably be a bit faster than that still (figure 55-65% over a 9800GTX) but nowhere NEAR that price of $339.
I'm OK waiting for the dust to settle, as nothing I play stresses my 8800 card, but it is a great time for ATI to make a serious dent in Nvidia's summer schedule and start a price war that benefits the consumers.
No more 9800GTX cards that aren't even as fast as the older 8800GTX cards (that have been out for 2 years now)!!

[juneau]

I think it's going to be tough to get all of those requirements. Super powerful yet cool? Unless Ati and Nvidia having something really special up there sleeves i can't see that happening.

/wanders of to see his 8800GTS idling at 64c.

@Seiko

VR-Zone : Technology Beats - AMD To Launch RV770 On June 18th
Official Specifications of GeForce GTX 200 Series - VR-Zone IT & Lifestyle Forum!

[K PhaNTOM]

seriously, why is the 8 series so friggin hot? my 8800GT idles at 66! What the hell, literally!

(although i think its XFX's fault, they are known for bad cards... shoulda read the reviews)

[imlittlev]

why didnt anyone suggest 9600 GT? just one is good!

[Ghost_Rain]

why didnt anyone suggest 9600 GT? just one is good!

Those 9600 cards are a joke.

[juneau]

Those 9600 cards are a joke.

They're ok. But if you want serious power you need a 88 or 98 series card.

[jaspurr]

I think it's going to be tough to get all of those requirements. Super powerful yet cool? Unless Ati and Nvidia having something really special up there sleeves i can't see that happening.

/wanders of to see his 8800GTS idling at 64c.

@Seiko

VR-Zone : Technology Beats - AMD To Launch RV770 On June 18th
Official Specifications of GeForce GTX 200 Series - VR-Zone IT & Lifestyle Forum!

The fan on my 8800 GTS was like the hair dryer from hell so I had to remove the case sides to help keep it cool. I gotta find a new case or better cooling system.

[Ghost_Rain]

The Reason I say the 9600 Graphic card are a joke is because I got my son one and with in 30 mins the temp on the card was at 85 so it when stright back to the shop andI got him an 8800GTS 512meg card and it total bang on with the temp.