Author Topic: Pipelines - How important for AH2? (Read 832 times)

StarOfAfrica2 · « **on:** February 12, 2006, 12:10:28 AM »

Looking at finally upgrading my video card.

Of course I'm a cheap bastige.

I've pretty much decided its going to be a Geforce 6800. I've narrowed the manufacturers down to Leadtek, MSI or eVGA. My question is, how much are the extra 4 pipelines worth in the 6800GT over the 6800GS? I can buy a GS considerably cheaper than a comparable GT. The only difference I can see is 12 pipelines vs 16. The GS is going to be so far beyond what I've got now that I'm really not sure I'd notice the difference. So just how important are those extra pipes for AH2?

*edit

Just for giggles, consider also the 6800XT. Even cheaper yet than the GS and still has 12 pipelines. Slower processor speed. But it uses the same chip, so the GPU should clock up to match the GS speeds.

OOZ662 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2006, 12:27:42 AM »

The below computer runs full sliders/full vis range, 512 textures at 30-70 FPS.

*$89.00 Gigabyte GA-8IPE1000PRO-G Socket 478 Intel 865PE ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
*$229.00 XFX PVT40KND Geforce 6800 128MB DDR AGP 4X/8X Video Card - Retail
*$196.99 Intel Pentium 4 3.0C Northwood 800MHz FSB Socket 478 Processor Model RK80532PG080512 - OEM
*$69.99 Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS SB0350 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - OEM
*$82.55 CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400 - Retail

Note that it's a regular 6800; the apparently "inferior" one. Running Omega drivers. Also note that AH is more CPU dependant than video card dependant.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2006, 03:15:46 AM »

I realize the CPU is more important for AH2, but thats why I'm asking if those extra pipes make any difference on the video card.

I was totally unsatisfied with the socket 754 MOBO I had, but dont want to throw away the brand new 64 bit processor I just bought. So I bought a 754 MOBO that has PCIe video slot, and I'm going to buy a video card that can last through my next MOBO/CPU upgrade. It doesnt matter if I buy the 6800XT, the 6800, the 6800GS, the 6800GT or the 6800Ultra. They all use the same GPU chip. But from what I've read if you buy the 12 pipeline model you cant unlock the other 4. So do I spend 150 bucks for a 6800XT, 190 bucks for a 6800GS with the same pipes but faster GPU and memory, or spend 250 bucks for a 6800GT with all 16 pipelines open?

These are all 256MB x16 PCIe video cards.

OOZ662 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2006, 03:36:49 AM »

Well, just going from what I've heard, the speed of an AGP video card, much less a PCIe, is much more than that of the CPUs these days. I have no knowledge of what pipelines even are, so I'll just stop at that. Guess I was kinda useless.

Ghosth · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2006, 05:02:13 AM »

ATI RADEON X800GT 256MB PCI EXPRESS DDR3 DUAL DVI HDTV #X800GT256MB

256 mb, 8 pipelines, Pci-E 160$ at Mwave.

Will know more when it arrives next week.

Kev367th · « **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2006, 10:07:16 AM »

Pipelines explained -

http://www.overclock.net/faqs/28489-what-gpu-pipelines.html

Basically more pipelines = less time per frame = faster fps.

I use a 6800GT built by BFG, awesome video card.

{edit} Well I did use a 6800GT by BFG, just ordered a 7800GS built by BFG, currently no AGP 7800GT's are being done/considered by nVidia.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2006, 01:59:46 PM »

Thanks Kev. Pretty much what I had about decided. Whats the point in buying the faster 6800 and buying the cheap model with only 12 pipes?

The 7800s still have some bugs to work out. I'll be happy with the 6800. After all, I've gone this long with my 5900.

Kev367th · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2006, 03:03:31 PM »

Some of the 6800GS can have the 4 disabled pipelines unlocked using Rivatuner, you effectively get a 6800GT then.

7800GS needs new verison of Rivatuner to be able to unlock the disabled 4 pipes. If it works you end up with a 7800GT.

Plenty info on the web for unlocking the disabled pipelines, just do a search for 6800GS + unlock.

38ruk · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2006, 06:35:54 PM »

Quote

The 7800s still have some bugs to work out.

I have a 7800gt and havent seen any bugs in AH or windows .

Edit , as far as a pipe mod to unlock the extra quad , the pipes are disabled in the hardware on my 7800GT as well as on the 7800gs, (laser cut) the odds of using rivatuner on these card is next to zero . Nvidia learned from the 6800gs i guess .

Kev367th · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2006, 10:07:16 PM »

7800GS is that new people are specualting that the extra pipes will need either a BIOS flash or Rivatuner, possibly both.
Until Rivatuner supports it, it's unknown.

Still going to be a step up from my 6800GT, same pipes (16), faster core, faster mem, overclocks better. Should be slightly faster than a 6800ultra.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2006, 12:03:41 AM »

Actually no.

With the 6800 GS Nvidia has gone a new route. In the old 6800 AGP line, you could unlock the extra pipelines. Not so with the PCIe versions.

With the new lines, Nvidia has created 2 separate chipsets. One full version with all the pipes, and another one with fewer pipes as a budget chip. They dont just turn them off. The chip is built in the factory with fewer pipes. No more softmodding video cards to unlock pipes.

http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=ODgy

I would guess that this is the route they will take with all future chips as well.

Casper1 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2006, 08:13:30 AM »

SOA - might want to check out this:

http://shop.ati.com/searchresults.asp?dept_id=39

Radeon® X800 Pro PCI Express® 256MB - REFURB*

Price: $179.00

I bought an AGP version of this card (REFURB) about 6 months ago, and aI love it. Its in perfect shape.

Comes with a full 3-year warranty from ATI, just like new.

If you dont have an issue with ATI cards, I think this is a better option than any Geforce6800.

This card will more than adequately run top notch graphics in relevantly new games, given you have the CPU and RAM to back it up.

Just a suggestion!

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2006, 11:50:24 AM »

I dont have a problem with ATI cards per se. Well ok I do, but my reasons arent .......... reasonable?

I just had alot of bad experience with ATI in the past and I promised myself I wouldnt ever intentionally own another one. They have tempted me lately though I have to admit. But still the 6800GT tends to be either the equal of the x800 or better. Given nearly equal performance, I'll take the Nvidia card. I tend to be a bit stubborn where such things are concerned.

LePaul · « **Reply #13 on:** February 13, 2006, 05:21:31 PM »

Same here, SOA. As much as I try to like them, the nVidia's have always given me a more trouble-free ride.

38ruk · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2006, 09:55:58 PM »

Ive owned both ati and nvidia . I havent had any real complains against ati since the first radeon 64 ddr. I did return an early 9700pro because of the studder bug. The last nvidia card i had before this 7800gt was a ti4600, an i never had a problem with it . Ati has come along way since the first radeon , ive had no issues with 9600pro 9800pro x800pro . Usually it comes down to what games you play , Ati and nvidia are a coin toss in D3D , Nvidia is better in openGL . In AH i really dont think their is much of a difference between the two , My x800pro (12 pipes) ran great and so does this 7800 (20 pipes), i used to think Ati had better Antialiasing , but the 7800's AA is just as good as my x800 . If i were in the market right now , id look for a x800gto2 , some have the extra 4 pipes (16) unlocked from the factory, but from what ive read if they arent unlocked , they are almost guaranteed to be functional . http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102646

It has an r480 core that is is same as the X850xtpe, read the reviews their are people getting PE speeds and all came with 16 pipes out of the box . Wow this was long sorry (medicated ) 38