8800 cards

[jtdragon]

Need some help, want to get a 8800 card but wonder if my system can handle it. I have a Dell E510 runing a 3.2 cpu with a 550 w power supply, one hard drive, Two DVD drives and a 7900 gt oc card. 2 Gig ram.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Why wouldn't it handle it? Just go ahead and get one.

[Fulmar]

Originally posted by MrRiplEy[H]
Why wouldn't it handle it? Just go ahead and get one.

8800 cards require a lot of amps compared to the 7xxx series of cards.  If he drops $350+ on a new 8800 card and plugs her in, he'll get into windows but his computer will shut down as soon as he plays any type of game.  I dunno about you, but if I stick that amount of money into my computer, I'd like to research things first.  

Jtdragon, you'll have to open up the case and read the amperage ratings on the power supply itself.  Just list all the numbers on the grid etc.

Should look something like this:


Give me the numbers for that and we can figure out if your power supply can handle a 8800 card.  Also, which 8800 card are you look at?  the 320mb GTS, 640mb GTS, or the 768 GTX?  Each card draws different power ratings.  Your power supply may be 550 watts, but it may not have enough amps.

Also, the 8800GTX is 12"+, you'll have to measure to see if it fits in your case.  the 8800GTS's should fit fine.

[Krusty]

Had a lotta folks complain about the crappy drivers on the 8000 series. Might want to go Ge1790 or X1950 instead (just a suggestion)

[Fulmar]

Originally posted by Krusty
Had a lotta folks complain about the crappy drivers on the 8000 series. Might want to go Ge1790 or X1950 instead (just a suggestion)

Vista drivers are always shakey.

[Krusty]

I think this is not specific to Vista.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Originally posted by Fulmar Your power supply may be 550 watts, but it may not have enough amps.[/B]

Hmm.. Voltage x amps = watts unless something changed last time I checked.

It's true that some sub-par quality powers do not produce enough amps to +5v line but present supplies should do as a rule. I use a $40 500W supply on my box with zero problems.

[Hoarach]

If you are looking for a new power supply though, I would highly recommend the Ultra X-Finity. I myself bought a 500W one through circuitcity and paid $60 because I had a gift card. I have yet to have any problems with it and it runs very quiet while keeping the case pretty cool at the same time. I have a higher end card I believe in my 7600GS and it powers it pretty easy.  Between the 8800 and the 7600 is probably a big jump though.

[jtdragon]

my power supply numbers  not like what you show, will resreach it.
looking at 8800GTS card.

My 7900 ran AH great with setting close to Max. now with the new maps have to move slides will to the right to have any playable FR.

Maybe this will help

ATX Form factor
6.00" Wide X 3.25" Tall X 5.75" Deep
One ATX 2.03 connector (24 pin)
One 12V connector for P4 motherboards
Four IDE 4 PIN connectors
One Floppy 4 PIN connector
Two SATA connectors
Voltage: 115 / 220-240 VAC
Frequency: 47 Hz to 63 Hz
Inrush current: 90amps cold, 120 amps warm, measured at 264 Vrms
Input current: 7 amps maximum / 115 Vrms, 60 Hz. 3.5 amps maximum / 230 Vrms, 50 Hz
Over-voltage protection: +3.3V, +5V,+12V1, 12V2
Over-current protection: +3.3V, +5V,+12V1, 12V2
Short circuit protection: The power supply is prevented from output over current.
Output Min. Load  Max. Load  Load Reg.  Ripple & Noise  
+3.3V 0.5A 30A ±5% 50mV P-P  
+5V 1.0A 28A ±5% 50mV P-P  
+12V1DC 1.0A 14A ±5% 120mV P-P  
+12V2DC 1.0A 15.0A ±5% 120mV P-P  
-12V 0A 0.5A ±10% 120mV P-P  
+5Vsb 0A 2.0A ±5% 50mV P-P

[FireDrgn]

You only need the high amps on the 8800 if you have a 6800 or faster cpu.
and u will need 26 amps but if  u look at power supps list ed for the 8800 none of them under 700 watts put that out anything that does is pricey i thought

I have 6700 cpu overclocked to 3.4
2 gigs of 1200 mhzmemory  cant use at that speed unless u overclock or buy faster cpu based on front side bus   mine runs at 1000 mhz
8800 gts
680i motherboard
and only have a 15 amps on v2

runs great

vista and the new drivers will make u crazy they suck
i run aces hi in xp compatability mode

I get 115 fps without vert sync on......it stays at 60 with vert sync on

my 7900 never came close to 115




mabye some one can help me...  the gts only has 320 mb of memoy but when i play ACEs hi  it says i have 1010 video and 1000 ram i dont remember it spliting my ram like that before

[FireDrgn]

i am running 500 w thermalake  15 amps on v2

[Fulmar]

Originally posted by MrRiplEy[H]
Hmm.. Voltage x amps = watts unless something changed last time I checked.

It's true that some sub-par quality powers do not produce enough amps to +5v line but present supplies should do as a rule. I use a $40 500W supply on my box with zero problems.

It depends on the distribution of amps across the rails.  They are divided up amongst possible multiple 12 volt rails, the 5 volt rails and other motherboard connections.  Some multiple rail systems are not good for some setups.  Lets say your wattage is 700W, but you have 4 12V rails.  You can only achieve a max number of amps on the 12 V rails your using.  The unused amps on the non used rails are not available for the rest of the system.  Also you have to pay attention to the efficieny rating on the power supplies.  As the power supplies increase in load percentage, some produce less amps.  And a lot of power supply companies like to fudge their numbers.  It always good to read individual reviews on power supplies.

I've witnessed too many power supply disasters in my day, thankfully none of my own really.  I've run the gauntlet of cheap expensive power supplies.  Only had to replace one due to it beginning to die.  However, I can think of a fair number of people I've known personally that have lot a motherboard, cpu, wedding photos etc. of run of the mill power supplies.

[Kev367th]

Skuzzy should really do a sticky on PSU's, until then

once again -

Its the +12V rail(s) that really matters.

My Enermax is a 550W with 22A on each +12V rails (2 of them) and has no problems running an 8800.

[Fulmar]

Originally posted by FireDrgn
i am running 500 w thermalake  15 amps on v2

You must have multiple +12V rails then.