GeForce Question

[TalonX]

What the heck is the difference between the BFG and XFX versions of the 7800 GS?

One is $210, the other $280.

Thanks.

[Krusty]

You'll have to compare the clock speeds. Some companies clock their cards at higher speeds than others. That means they perform better, and so they cost more.

[38ruk]

Talon dont you have a core duo machine? If so i wouldnt be looking at a 7800gs as they only come in AGP . I would be really suprised if your new machine has a agp slot . later

[Krusty]

There are a noticable amount of motherboards that support conroe and have AGP slots, just as an FYI.

[TalonX]

What kind of card do I want with the Core 2 Duo processor.

Not AGP?

[Tigger29]

Most modern motherboards support PCI Express video cards instead of AGP video cards.  You'll need to look up the specs for your motherboard to see which types it supports.

Most support one or the other, but a few have both slots...  they cannot be interchanged, as the physical slots they fit into are different (among other differences)

[TalonX]

How about the XFX NVIDIA GeForce 7900GS  or GT?

[Krusty]

You would need to know if your motherboard has a PCIe graphics slot or an AGP graphics slot. The 7900 is only available in PCIe. If you have AGP it makes no sense in getting it.

[38ruk]

i would list the machine you bought, i'm presuming it's a prebuilt like dell of HP ? Or if you have the motherboard make and model list em . If you are positive that its a PCI express slot then what price range are you looking for , and list how big of a power supply you have IE 450W 500w.....ect...

[38ruk]

Originally posted by Krusty
There are a noticable amount of motherboards that support conroe and have AGP slots, just as an FYI.

I'm aware , but ive rarely seen a new manufactured pc come with an agp slot . Maybe i presumed wrong but i was thinking this was a dell or the like .

[TalonX]

You are right, it's a Dell.

I believe the power supply is 375 Watts.

I am sure I need the pci.  I am looking at the 7900 GS or GT.

I'd pay up to $300 for a vid card.  I just want to be sure I get one that runs AH well.

Thanks.



2 Gigs Ram.  

They seem to recommend the 7900 GS (256 meg) as alternative card.  Another option is the XTI Radeon 1900 XTX  (512 meg)

[eagl]

There is a difference between pci and pci-e.  you do NOT want a pci video card.

You also do not want to assume anything.  Your computer may not even have a video card expansion slot, so you need to carefully check your system specifications before buying anything.

Also, a 375 watt power supply may not be enough.  Many of the newer video cards require more than 400 or 450w.  For comparison, I've read that the newest 8800 series video cards draw over 300 watts just for the video card alone.

[whels]

I love BFG cards.  the only US video card maker.
i wont buy any other cards but BFG, ive had great
support from them when needed.

whels

[Krusty]

Anything above 7800 and you're going to want 500W or so, from what I've heard. They guzzle juice like your CPU does (and probably perform as well as it too!)

[TalonX]

Well, I appreciate all the input.  It was very helpful.

I ended up buying the 7900 GS.  It says it will run with 350W power supply.   That said, in the spirit of Tim Taylor, I bought 650 W power supply if needed.