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inserting video card.

Post Date: 2008-07-29
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chiefdiablo View Drop Down
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Posts: 57 		  Quote chiefdiablo Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: inserting video card.
    Posted: 29 Jul 2008 at 12:53pm
Anyone tried buying the computer from DSO and putting in their own GTX 280 since you can save about 300 bucks now?  I obviously like the peace of mind DSO gives with the customer service, I just wish their prices came down with the market.
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SunfighterLC View Drop Down
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Posts: 1527 		  Quote SunfighterLC Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Jul 2008 at 1:13pm
It wouldnt be too hard to do. Just make sure you have the 6 and 8 pin connectors plugged into the correct spots on the power supply.
 
I had 2 GX2s before i went to the 280s, so for me it was even easier as the power cords were already in place, it was just a matter of cleaning out the old drivers and pulling out the old cards, which is simple as there is only a simple lever to press that releases them from their slot.
E8500@ 4.03Ghz
XFX 790i Ultra
1000W Corsair HX
2 280 GTX EVGA FTW
4GB OCZ Reaper 1800Mhz
250-80-300GB VR HD
Logitech Z-2300 2.1 Speakers
Asus Xonar 7.1
Hanns-G HG 281D 28" HDMI Monitor
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Posts: 57 		  Quote chiefdiablo Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Jul 2008 at 1:18pm
Thanks for the quick response.  My biggest concern is having killer machine and screwing it up.  I actually built a machine 8 years ago with a friend and forgot much of the process.  It took me a month to find optimal drivers for the card.  Obviously DSO would optimize it for me...just not sure it is worth 300 bucks extra for that component alone.  Thanks again.
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Posts: 57 		  Quote chiefdiablo Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Jul 2008 at 2:40pm
Thanks again harleyman.  Another question.  I havent seen alot of discussion here about which video card(s) to get.  Some info is scattered about.  Is the GTX 280 worth it?  How much will my elec. bill increase?Lamp  I have heard new drivers will make it scream plus you can add a second later when the price drops.  Any thoughts?
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Posts: 659 		  Quote Kliebor2 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Jul 2008 at 2:43pm
I can tell you my twin 9800GTX can eat some power :)

It is a draw off the charts compared to my other PCs... they each draw less than 1/3 what my new beast does...  :)

One is a newish dual core with an 8600 GTX and the other an oldie with a 7300 GS in it... both single card....
Digital Storm 950Si - Q9450 Quad Core @ 3 Ghz
Dual PNY OC2 GTX 560Ti
8 Gigabytes DDR2/800
2 Western Digital 500 GB SATAII 7200 RPM HD
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Posts: 57 		  Quote chiefdiablo Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Jul 2008 at 2:52pm

NukeThumbs%20Up
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SunfighterLC View Drop Down
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Posts: 1527 		  Quote SunfighterLC Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Jul 2008 at 3:06pm
Keep in mind the 200 line of cards does have a power saving mode where the card downclocks(thus saving power) when its not in use in a way sorta like Intels speedstep. So for example, my cards run at a 735/1599/1255 core/shader/memeory clocks while in full 3D mode. In low power 3D mode(if you run vista aero this is as low as the card will clock) it clocks in at 399/100/100 to save power. Even lower if you dont have vista areo is 2d mode where it clocks in at  299/100/100.
 
The 280 is worth it IMHO if you have over a 22inch monitor and have a Nivida Mobo chipset (780,790i etc). One is more then enough for anything in the 22inch or even 24inch resolution zones.
E8500@ 4.03Ghz
XFX 790i Ultra
1000W Corsair HX
2 280 GTX EVGA FTW
4GB OCZ Reaper 1800Mhz
250-80-300GB VR HD
Logitech Z-2300 2.1 Speakers
Asus Xonar 7.1
Hanns-G HG 281D 28" HDMI Monitor
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Posts: 57 		  Quote chiefdiablo Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Jul 2008 at 3:21pm
What about the heat and stability.  If I dont overclock will a stage 3 cooling in an 850si case be adequate.  If I want to add a dual card later will I need liquid cooling.  It is one thing to buy a 600$ card, but to add another 600$ just to cool it is a bit steep.
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Posts: 57 		  Quote chiefdiablo Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Jul 2008 at 3:28pm
Also...in reference to power saving mode...have any of you guys used the ESA by nvidia that allows you to control fan speeds etc...can you manually slow your GPU down without going to BIOS?
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SunfighterLC View Drop Down
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Posts: 1527 		  Quote SunfighterLC Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Jul 2008 at 3:32pm

Keep in mind i have non DS offered 280s in my machine. EVGA FTW edition cards. These are guarenteed to run at a higher level then the stock cards. Stock core is 602, FTW editions clock in at 670 core.

Mine are OCed even farther to 735. This will increase heat even more. But even with this OC my cards together are idling right now as I speak at 53C...(It is 78F in this room right now, kinda hot) If they were running stock id expect them to run cooler. During heavy gaming or benchmarking, the highest ive seen them peak is around 87C.
 
I have stage 3 air cooling with a Cosmos S case. You wont need liquid cooling for dual 280s, the air cooling is probably slightly better in the 850i even..though who knows im not sure.
 
Edit: the 280s arnt 600 bucks anymore. You can get an FTW edition for 500 bucks. The cheapest right now is a BFG stock running 409 bucks.


Edited by SunfighterLC - 29 Jul 2008 at 3:37pm
E8500@ 4.03Ghz
XFX 790i Ultra
1000W Corsair HX
2 280 GTX EVGA FTW
4GB OCZ Reaper 1800Mhz
250-80-300GB VR HD
Logitech Z-2300 2.1 Speakers
Asus Xonar 7.1
Hanns-G HG 281D 28" HDMI Monitor
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Posts: 57 		  Quote chiefdiablo Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Jul 2008 at 3:37pm
Thanks so much Sunfighter.  I have read differing opinions on this.  Some people gets antsy when the temp is over 85(within 20 degrees of the max of 105).  I dont plan to overclock mine, but am looking into buying and EVGA.
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Posts: 57 		  Quote chiefdiablo Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Jul 2008 at 6:47pm
You all have been really helpful...nice to know I can save the money on cooling and still have a top notch speed demon...even if I can hear the fans from across the street.LOL
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SunfighterLC View Drop Down
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Posts: 1527 		  Quote SunfighterLC Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Jul 2008 at 7:33pm

I did make a video of my computer just for the sound because a  lot of people have asked about the noise level of stage 3. Problem was i realized that its impossible to do that..as the noise level would be relative to how loud people have their speakers on lol.

It isnt too loud though, its louder then my old computer, but it by much. If youve grown up on Dells or other mass market computers for a while then youll notice it much more, but you eventually just tone it out pretty quickly. 
E8500@ 4.03Ghz
XFX 790i Ultra
1000W Corsair HX
2 280 GTX EVGA FTW
4GB OCZ Reaper 1800Mhz
250-80-300GB VR HD
Logitech Z-2300 2.1 Speakers
Asus Xonar 7.1
Hanns-G HG 281D 28" HDMI Monitor
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chiefdiablo View Drop Down
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Posts: 57 		  Quote chiefdiablo Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Jul 2008 at 8:11pm
LOL  I would just turn my volume all the way down...wow those fans arent so loud now!
 
I think in about 2-3 weeks I will get the following:
 
Q9450 with 790i Mobo
4 GB of 1333 ocz ram
GTX 280  card
onboard sound
stage 3 cooling
will buy speakers and monitor separately
nvidia ESA
500 gb SATA 7200 rpm
160 GB sata 7200 rpm
dvd RW
will add a bluray burner when the price drops
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SunfighterLC View Drop Down
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Posts: 1527 		  Quote SunfighterLC Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Jul 2008 at 8:37pm
Yes 1333 is DDR3. Id say for that system if you dont plan to add a second card go with a 750 or higher....if you do SLI go for the 1000W corsair.
E8500@ 4.03Ghz
XFX 790i Ultra
1000W Corsair HX
2 280 GTX EVGA FTW
4GB OCZ Reaper 1800Mhz
250-80-300GB VR HD
Logitech Z-2300 2.1 Speakers
Asus Xonar 7.1
Hanns-G HG 281D 28" HDMI Monitor
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chiefdiablo View Drop Down
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Posts: 57 		  Quote chiefdiablo Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Jul 2008 at 9:26pm
I had planned the ocz 1000W PSU, but the quad sli ready is only 10 bucks more.  I have read in multiple places that ocz is pretty solid. I do plan on adding another video card in 6 months to a year.  The above configuration is about 3500.  I thought I could do without the soundcard for now.  Oh and this also includes a wolfking keyboard and razer death adder mouse.Embarrassed

Edited by chiefdiablo - 29 Jul 2008 at 9:30pm
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SunfighterLC View Drop Down
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Posts: 1527 		  Quote SunfighterLC Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Jul 2008 at 10:20pm
The corsair power supply is much better made IMHO. Very sturdy PS...its gotten lots of awards.
E8500@ 4.03Ghz
XFX 790i Ultra
1000W Corsair HX
2 280 GTX EVGA FTW
4GB OCZ Reaper 1800Mhz
250-80-300GB VR HD
Logitech Z-2300 2.1 Speakers
Asus Xonar 7.1
Hanns-G HG 281D 28" HDMI Monitor
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