Need recommendations for video cards

[osrk]

Hey I'm rebuilding my folding computer. I have about $600 to play with for video cards. I'm looking for something with a high ppd but low wattage. Initial investment isn't as big as upkeep. I'm looking for 4 of them. Not a 9800 gx2 though.

 

[Kendrak]

Well, you wont get as much ppd now, however in the future it may get a large bump.

The HIS IceQ 4850s are a special low power design that take a fair bit less power than their normal 4850 kin. With $600 it will take some serious shopping to get 4, but doable.

My 4850 is pushing 3600ppd now, up from 3k a few weeks ago.

This might give ya a good idea:

http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?id=2709&cid=3&pg=9

 

[EvilAlchemist]

I love my HIS 4850 ICEQ Turbos .... IMO the best ATI cards you can get right now!

 

[Tobit]

Very nice looking card too, I like that.

 

[osrk]

What about a 9800 GTX+? It would have a high PPD but I've heard conflicting power reports. Some say it has a higher consumption then a 9800 gtx others say lower. Anyone shed any light on this?

 

[Kendrak]

From what I've seen, stock to stock the + draws less.

However many of the + cards are not stock and OC-ed This drives up the power draw. It makes up for it with more ppd however.

9800's will be good for ya. the 4850's just pull less power, and hopefully in the future will do the same/more ppd.

 

[osrk]

Actually from a PPD/W standpoint what would be better

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130325 (8800 GTS (G92))

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130416 (9800 GTX+)

 

[Kendrak]

Actually from a PPD/W standpoint what would be better

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130325 (8800 GTS (G92))

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130416 (9800 GTX+)

They are the same thing with the + having a die shrink and a higher clock. The + should be a bit better. Probably takes more power, but will give a bit better production. They are both going to be crazy close and we are splitting hairs.

 

[Zero82z]

Actually from a PPD/W standpoint what would be better

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130325 (8800 GTS (G92))

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130416 (9800 GTX+)

Probably the GTX+. The major difference is the shader clock, which is 1836MHz for the GTX+ versus 1625MHz for the GTS. Considering the die shrink, I would estimate the power usage between the cards to be similar, which would give the GTX+ better PPD/W. Definitely very little difference though; the difference in PPD is unlikely to be more than a few hundred at most.

 

[osrk]

I'm thinking I'mma go with the GTX+. Both cards only have one 6 pin connector so that tells me the power draw is either the same or less for the GTX+. Even a 10-20W saving on each card would be considerable considering i'll have 4 of them. Now how get a rebate on each card...

 

[Tigerbiten]

My 9800GTX+ has twin 6 pin connectors.
I'm ableto get the shaders upto 1998 Mhz.
At which point it pulls ~80 watts and crunches at just under 6k PpD.
My Q6600 + dual GTX+'s pulls 350 watts from the wall for ~16k PpD.
That a nice 45 PpDpWatt.

Luck ............

 

[sirmonkey1985]

Probably the GTX+. The major difference is the shader clock, which is 1836MHz for the GTX+ versus 1625MHz for the GTS. Considering the die shrink, I would estimate the power usage between the cards to be similar, which would give the GTX+ better PPD/W. Definitely very little difference though; the difference in PPD is unlikely to be more than a few hundred at most.

dont forget a simple overclock on the 9800GTX+ also puts the shaders at 1998mhz.. which is an even bigger boost.. atleast on my 8800GT between stock 1700 shader and 1900mhz which i use now = about 900PPD difference.. thats with out overclocking my gpu.. setting my gpu at 760 w/ shader lock on at 1900 its about a 1000 PPD difference from stock.. and overclocking my memory to 1000mhz from 900 mhz gives me 1100 over stock..

so the overclocks do make a difference in the long run..

and then after writing this i see tiger beat me to the overclocking comment..

and the 55nm core should use less power then the 65nm g92.. all be it probably not that much of a difference but when your folding 24/7 30-40 watts can make a difference and the end of each month..