Upgrade status

[ScottyGrayskull]

So, as some of you may know I decided to upgrade my computer. Actually, it was more of a need due to some issues I was having. Intended to replace the cpu, mobo, ram and video card. I wanted to keep my current video card, but it's AGP which most good motherboards don't seem to support anymore. Money was tight for buying all the things, but copulatingduck was gracious enough to send me an old pci-e video card he had: a nVidia GeForce 6800 GT I believe. Not exactly top of the line, but more than adequate.

However, when the card arrived it was dead. Duck wasn't sure if it worked or not when he sent it. No big deal really, except that until I get some money together to buy one my only graphics option is a 12 year old 4MB S3 Virge card. I'm pretty sure onboard video on current motherboards is better than that (and no, my motherboard doesn't have onboard video... didn't think I'd need it ).

So there you have it. Checking around with some friends to see if anybody has a PCIe card they're willing to part with, but chances are I'll have to wait a bit and order it when I can. :S

It does look like the problem with the old hardware might have been just excessive dust. There was quite a bit wedged into nooks and crannies when I was taking the system apart. So if I put that all back in it might just work. I honestly don't want to change the whole system around twice in the next week though, so I'm just going to wait.

So it doesn't look like I'll be making my nontriumphant return to TF2 anytime soon. :'(

[jorge]

At least you have a PCI-e-hole. 

[Ceceil Felias]

I have an 8600GTS I'm willing to sell for $70.

That's the only thing that I don't need already at the moment, though.

[Vandamguy]

kors got an ol ATI x800 layin about , you feelin that ?

[IdiotWithGuns]

At least you have a PCI-e-hole. 

LOL At least you have a PCI-e-hole. 

[ScottyGrayskull]

@ Ceceil & Vandam: Thanks guys, but it sounds like Versus will have me covered.

It's going to take a bit because he won't be able to send it for another week, but I'm going to be pretty occupied during that week so I won't mind too much.

[copulatingduck]

@ Ceceil & Vandam: Thanks guys, but it sounds like Versus will have me covered.

It's going to take a bit because he won't be able to send it for another week, but I'm going to be pretty occupied during that week so I won't mind too much.

Gonna lol some moar if that one's DOA too.

[ScottyGrayskull]

Gonna lol some moar if that one's DOA too.

Especially since I'll be paying the shipping to get it ASAP, and it's in his computer at home now.

That WILL warrant a ban... in the butt.

[Ianki]

[quote author=CopulatingDuck link=topic=790.msg20365#msg20365 date=1215713840]
Gonna lol some moar if that one's DOA too.

Especially since I'll be paying the shipping to get it ASAP, and it's in his computer at home now.

That WILL warrant a ban... in the butt.
[/quote]

he'll be banned from you butt?  he wont be happy.

[copulatingduck]

[quote author=ScottyGrayskull link=topic=790.msg20369#msg20369 date=1215714131]
[quote author=CopulatingDuck link=topic=790.msg20365#msg20365 date=1215713840]
Gonna lol some moar if that one's DOA too.

Especially since I'll be paying the shipping to get it ASAP, and it's in his computer at home now.

That WILL warrant a ban... in the butt.
[/quote]

he'll be banned from you butt?  he wont be happy.

[/quote]

What what?

[ScottyGrayskull]

So, I came into a bit of money yesterday, and of course decided to use it on computer upgrades.

Picked up my needed video card, as well as some additional memory and one of those fancy schancy gaming mice you all keep going on about.

So, if all goes well, you lot should be killing me again this week!

[ToiletDuck]

very nice ;D ;D ??? : ??? :o

[ConsFEARacy]

So, I came into a bit of money yesterday, and of course decided to use it on computer upgrades.

Picked up my needed video card, as well as some additional memory and one of those fancy schancy gaming mice you all keep going on about.

So, if all goes well, you lot should be killing me again this week!

That's the same 8800GT I have!!! Didn't have any trouble at all...until I bought another one and went SLI. I've got that problem sorted out now, my BIOS just needed updated. I did have Vista when I first got it as well, and the performance in TF2 was well below par. This seems to be a common problem with the 8800GT, Vista, and TF2 according to the Steam Support Forums and some Google searches. I went back to XP, I was going to anyways, and it worked great...it was just TF2, though, everything else worked fine.

These cards are also known to get a bit hot when under load. The fans come stock running at 30% speed, but increasing the speed is easy. I never had any trouble, though, I have an Antec Nine Hundred case, nothing gets too hot in there!

I think all that sounded worse than it was meant to. You should have no trouble at all, but just in case you ever did. For the price, I don't believe there is a better video card. And yes, I'm saying that over the 4850 because of the performance when going with dual cards.

[Budr]

I have an Antec Nine Hundred case, nothing gets too hot in there!

What's the noise level like? I'm in the market for a new case but recently I've started to be bothered by the ambient noise of my box.

[ConsFEARacy]

[quote author=ConsFEARacy link=topic=790.msg21383#msg21383 date=1216046087]
I have an Antec Nine Hundred case, nothing gets too hot in there!

What's the noise level like? I'm in the market for a new case but recently I've started to be bothered by the ambient noise of my box.
[/quote]

If you are bothered by noise, I would say the Nine Hundred is a no go. You can turn the fans down, but they can still make a lot of noise. At full speed, oh my! This thing sounds like a hurricane!

[ScottyGrayskull]

These cards are also known to get a bit hot when under load. The fans come stock running at 30% speed, but increasing the speed is easy. I never had any trouble, though, I have an Antec Nine Hundred case, nothing gets too hot in there!

Yeah, I was tossed between an 8800 and a 9600 because I've read the 9600's are not only better on power, but run quieter and cooler. Settled with the one that performs better in the end though. The rest of my hardware runs pretty cool and quiet though (at least compared to my old stuff), so hopefully it'll balance out.

[ScottyGrayskull]

So... another update.

Got the shiny new 8800GT in the mail yesterday... and it didn't work either. Got the same lack of display and beep code as Duck's card.

So, I'm thinking the problem is with either the power supply or motherboard rather than the gpu. Personally I'm leaning towards the power supply. The 8800GT requires the 12V plug to supply 26 amps to it, but if I'm reading the docs for my psu correctly the 2 12V plugs give 16 and 18 amps. So it would make sense that the fan works even though the card doesn't.

Since I just bought this psu a few months ago, I don't want to buy another one until I'm certain that's the issue. I'm going to try to get a friend with a better psu to let me test with that to see if things boot.

So almost certainly no FNF for me tomorrow. :'(

[ToiletDuck]

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?s...re=CORSAIR

GOGOGO

[IdiotWithGuns]

Get ready to pay your crazy electric bill.
I ll say it will add anywhere 30 to 50$ to your electric bill if the pc runs 24/7
Nice psu tho

[Ceceil Felias]

I'd recommend picking up a Thermaltake Power Express if you can find one. Not too pricy and nice for upgrading to a high-end PCI-E card.

EDIT: Found out where they're lurking on Newegg. Here ya go. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6817153069