Opinions on PNY GeForce 9800 GT EE 1024MB Graphics Card

newmanm

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Hi,

My computer specs are here:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00757531&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=3239117

I have the 4200+ dual-core model. The only upgrades I've made are to go to 4 GB RAM and to install an nVidia 6600 video card. I've just ordered a new power supply (OCZ 700 watt) and am looking to upgrade the video card. I've been told the 9800 series will work with my computer but wanted to make sure. I was looking at the following video card:

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5274327&Sku=P56-9824

Will this definitely work with my computer? Is it a good deal and is it a good price? Is there something better for a similar price? I prefer to stick with Nvidia chipsets as I've had problems with ATI. I know nothing about the newer cards as to compatability with my system. Any advice or suggestions would be really helpful.

Thanks,

Mark
 
Solution
With your current cpu x2 4200+ I would not buy anything faster than HD4770, HD4830/50 or HD5750 from ATI on the gforce side 9800GT/9800GTX+/250GTS. Anything faster would not be able to run at full potential because of the CPU limit.
I am actually running a 8800GT (predecessor to 9800GT) with a Opteron 170 dual core @2.2ghz (socket 939) at 1680x1050 and I am happy with it it plays games like Assassin´s Creed and Bioshock just fine. Then again I have not tried Crysis.

newmanm

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That could be a problem. The PSU I ordered is only 25 amps for the +12 volt rail. I guess I need to look for something else. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Mark
 

newmanm

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The PSU I ordered was the OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W. It was on sale for $40 CDN after rebate. Seemed to good to pass up. The details including specs are here:

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=35456&promoid=1101

I don't know much about amps so I'm not sure if it's safe to buy this video card or look for something else. I spoke to a friend who said it's an okay deal but he's not crazy about PNY and the warranty is only 1 year. He also seemed to think that around Christmas I should be able to get a comparable card for less. I'm not that panicked and can afford to wait if a better deal comes along.

Thanks,

Mark
 

efeat

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The 9800 GT doesn't really need 26 amps. In fact, it doesn't even use half that.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-radeon-power,2122-6.html

It's a bit older of an article, so it doesn't have the 9800 GT specifically, however it does test an 8800 GT, which is identical in all ways to the 9800 GT except for its name.
At max load, the 8800 GT/9800 GT (1024 MB) consumes a measly 6.7 amps. The 512 MB version uses significantly less, which is puzzling, but I'm far from an expert on this sort of thing. Regardless, every single card tested consumed much less than its stated box requirements. Not even the 4870x2 used 26 amps.

If you go to http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_gtx_295_us.html and look at the gtx 295's "specifications" tab and scroll down, you'll see the thermal and power section. Nvidia rates the gtx 295 at using a maximum of 289 watts. 289 watts / 12 volts = ~24.1 amps. Nvidia themselves don't even declare the gtx 295 as needing 26 amps.

I have no idea why the box requirements for the 9800 GT state 26 amps, that's just misleading and outright false. The 9800 GT truly does not need that many amps.

However, the terms "high powered" and "high quality" are not synonymous when it comes to power supplies. You can have an 800w piece of junk PSU that won't power your card, yet a good 400w PSU will. Like rolli said, if the unit you ordered is a quality one, you should be good to go.

Edit: Ninja'd

Edit 2: Re-worded second paragraph.
 

newmanm

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Hi,

As rolli59 pointed out, I am in Canada so shipping is cheaper if I order from a Canadian company. If I did purchase this unit from TigerDirect.ca there is a 30 day no questions asked return policy, plus there is a TigerDirect store near me. But thank you for the link. I appreciate any help anyone can give me!

Thanks,

Mark
 

newmanm

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Hi,

Wow, now my head is starting to spin. I originally settled on the 9800 because I didn't know if the newer cards work work with my system configuration. Now it sounds like a lot of better cards might work as well. I don't know if I should consider another card. My friend doesn't think PNY is all that great so I'm not sure if I should look for something else. Thank you so much for all the info. It gives me a lot to think about!

Thanks,

Mark



 

That psu is plenty it actually has more than 1 25amp +12 volt rail it has 2 great buy for 40 CDN
 

efeat

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Indeed. That's a great deal for that PSU. It won't power a pair of 5970s, but it'll run anything reasonable you stick in your case.
 

newmanm

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Hi,

You're right, it is cheaper I'm just not sure if: a) the card will work with my PSU and b) if this is a card worth getting. As I said earlier, my friend isn't high on PNY (although maybe others think they are good). I'm getting so much information now that I'm not sure what to do now. I'd like to get a good card that will be compatible with my system. I don't know if the newer generation of cards will work with my computer. Until I know for certain that a card will work for me and isn't junk I won't make the purchase. If you guys are confident this card will work and is a good deal then I will strongly consider it. Thanks to all you guys - you're being very helpful!

Mark



 

newmanm

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Hi,

So based on my computer specs (which I linked to at the top of the page) and the new PSU, what kind of video cards do you think I should be looking at? I was looking to spend around $100-$120 if there is a good deal but of course cheaper is always better! Any suggestions you could make would be great!

Thanks,

Mark


 

newmanm

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Hi,

So do you think I should stick with the 9800 or is there something better in the $100-120 dollar range? My computer's specs are linked to at the top of the page. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark



 
With your current cpu x2 4200+ I would not buy anything faster than HD4770, HD4830/50 or HD5750 from ATI on the gforce side 9800GT/9800GTX+/250GTS. Anything faster would not be able to run at full potential because of the CPU limit.
I am actually running a 8800GT (predecessor to 9800GT) with a Opteron 170 dual core @2.2ghz (socket 939) at 1680x1050 and I am happy with it it plays games like Assassin´s Creed and Bioshock just fine. Then again I have not tried Crysis.
 
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frozentundra123456

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I saw this card in best buy and couldn't figure out the 26amp reqiurement. The card does not even require an external power connector, but some cards that did require an external connector stated a requirement of less than 26 amps.
 

efeat

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Well said. Top end video cards would spend a lot of their time just waiting for the old 4200+ to feed them data. OP, Stick with one of the cards rolli listed, any of them would perform well for you and anything more would be a waste. The Radeon 4770 for $116 or (if you want a little more oomph) the Radeon 4850 for $126 would be my recommendations.
 

newmanm

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Hi,

I was wondering if there were cards that might be overkill with my CPU. Thanks for the link to the chart comparing the cards - it's very useful. I see that the 9800GTX and the 250GTS are a couple of steps above the 9800GT. Would the 250GTS even be compatible with my system? I'm not sure if the newer cards will even work with my computer. If not I guess I can decide between the 9800GT and 9800GTX depending on the price difference. Either way, it sounds like I will be getting a good card that will run on my system. As I've indicated earlier I'm a noob at this and don't want to get stuck with a card that either isn't compatible with my system or is a piece of junk.

Thanks,

Mark



 

newmanm

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Thanks for the suggestions. I'm more comfortable with the nVidia chipset as I've never had a problem with them and I've had bad luck with ATI cards. The 9800GT/GTX+and 250GTS are cards that I will look into. It sounds like regardless of which card I choose it should provide good results. The only question is value for the money. If I can find a good deal on the higher end cards I would go with one of them. If not then I'll go with the 9800GT.

Thanks,

Mark



 

newmanm

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Would the 250 still be compatible with my system? I'm not familiar with the newer cards.

Thanks,

Mark