8800 GTS 320MB - Heating up even with Duorb Cooler?

Yea ati tool didnt work well for me either, there must be a better program for nvidia cards. Core temp gives accurate cpu temperature. If those are your core temperatures under burn, thats very good.

That's very encouraging. With my new NZXT Zero2 case coming in, I feel so much safer and relieved for my rig. At least I won't lose my **** to a giant pile of molten Silicon!

Thanks a lot for the tips dude and to everyone here !

UPDATE

Turns out, the card I had became defective after it had overheated for nearly a year...

Even after putting on the Duorb, and getting a new NZXT Zero 2 case (w/ all 7 x120mm thermaltake smartfans), the card just died. So, I will need to shell out another couple of hundred dollars to get a new video card.
I have already posted about recommendations on TS for whether the GTX 260 core 216 (896MB DDR3) or the GTS 250 (1GB DDR3) will be more appropriate for my Antec 500W PSU, but I wanted to get your input on this as well...

It seems that the overheat did kill my card slowly without me knowing all this time

Hi again X,
the GTX 260 presents a problem as it lists a 630w psu as a requirement, the gts 250 only calls for a 450w however. but there is a big gap in performance between the two. i would say if you want to game at higher res, 1680x1050 and up the 260 is in order. here are some game benches for you to check out. http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/palit-gf250gts.html

Wow red. Just wow! I'm really amazed by this read. Thank you so much for that, man. I really should think about upping my PSU and VC at the same time. I might even try out for the GTX 275, price allowing if it is not too costly relatively speaking. But, it does open my eyes to the huge performance gap between the GTS250 and the GTX260 core216. I will definitely get the GTX 260+ models of the Geforce 200 series.

As a follow up to this new info, do you think a GTX 275 or even a GTX 280 would work with my rig (assuming a new PSU) ?

hey X,
I thought this was interesting, http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nvidia-gtx-280,1953.html. its worth noting that at some point your x2 4400 might become a limiting factor for this higher end card. here is a head to head between the 260 and the 280:
http://www.neoseeker.com/resourcelink.html?rid=158113

Thx red, I am currently reading through the articles; however, I agree that my CPU will become a limiting factor, but at this time, the only reason I am really interested in getting one of these cards is for getting Starcraft II to run seamlessly on my comp. I understand that I will need to upg the CPU to a Phenom II x4 processor (mobo with it), but that is for another day and year; hence, getting that Video card w/ PSU will be the most important purchase now!

Wow this is such detailed info!!
Me <--- Continues to OOGLE the articles...

UPDATE

I finally decided upon getting the GTX260 core 216 (superclocked with a $30 MIR) which will cost me $189 pre-tax (only $3.99 S&H from tigerdirect.ca).

The reason is that when looking at the GTX260 core 216, it has the best price/perf ratio. The GTX280 was interesting, but too expensive for the amt of performance boost, esp since the 2 cards' architecture is similar except for , of course, the greater clocks and number of VRAM. and the card's size. Power consumption was similar but lower in the GTX260, and that's why I am going for it, and also, I am keeping the GTX 280+ cards for my future computer upgrade in a couple of years or so (on everything).

Really appreciate all your help guys; it was invaluable in me making that choice.

PS: dun worry, I am planning on a new PSU

UPDATE

Hey

I have finally received the GTX260 core216 Superclocked edition from EVGA! It works on my 500 W PSU and the temps are really good: varying between 42C (idle) and 51C (load w/ UT3 demo - Physx enabled). I was able to get it with the $30CAD MIR from tigerdirect.ca which is very nice.

As you mentioned that my Athlon 64x2 4400+ will limit the performance of the card, I am looking into upping my CPU to a Phenom X3. I am still getting conflicting info on whether it will be backward compatible to my AM2 socket. AMD articles and some other articles seem to indicate that AM2 socket backward compatibility of the Phenom X3 processor is supported, but I need confirmation of this. If so, I may still keep this mobo and go for a higher PSU at that moment.

What do you think?

PS: Do you think I need to create a new thread about this topic?

Hey X
those are some nice temps! well there's one way to get a definitive answer. can you get me the exact model of your mobo? is your mobo an AM2 or AM2+? I have not seen an AM that will take a AM3 cpu. the AM2+ were specifically designed for when the next gen cpu's came out. but lets confirm your board. you would love the X3 720 BE. that's what i'm using in this machine. OC's to 3.8Ghz nicely

Thx red!

Here is an attachment of CPU-Z. I realize it may not be complete, but I don't really know how to recognize the mobo model from the info on this screen. As you can see, CPU-Z detects my socket as AM2 (940). The mobo seems to be the LENOVO 2UKT38AUS; am I right?

Yes that triple core X3 720 BE is the one I have been looking at. This processor chg (if possible) would be my last upgrade for this PC alongside a nice 600W or 700W PSU. What do you think? Will my mobo support the X3 720BE?



On a side note, does Ultra make reliable PSUs? I am only asking cuz they are relatively cheaper compared to the Corsairs. Otherwise I am banking on Corsair for a good PSU that will last, and I might be getting new memory sticks (true 667 Mhz DDR2, unlike the fake ones I have with only 333Mhz-400Mhz DDR2 clockspeed, as reported by CPU-Z...

X, is that a thinkcentre?
really having a hard time finding your specs on your mobo. probably because its an oem.
try this program, see if it will give us manufacturer info.
http://www.lavalys.com/products.php?lang=en (the Everest ultimate edition)

Actually it is an OEM version; I don't remember whether it is a thinkcentre or not, but it might be as I remember it being a "business" PC originally that I revamped into a gaming PC

The backup software that came with the original HDD had Thinkcentre software on it. Maybe I can still get it.

I will also try that link as well

Thanks!!

PS: I found the link to the specs of my original purchase (It looks nothing like this now, but the mobo stayed the same)
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=C76-968654U CA
I hope it helps!

EDIT2: I found this article kind of saying that my 690G chipset would fit a Phenom X3 processor
http://www.motherboards.org/reviews/hardware/1769_1.html

the mystery mobo LOL

GEEEZ X ! make this hard enough!?:haha: LOL anyway, is this your mobo?
http://www.epinions.com/specs/ASUS_...D_SOCKET_AM2_ATHLON64_M2A_VM_BULK_Motherboard

Sir yessir!! This is exactly it


I found another link to a picture and everything:

http://www.motherboards.org/reviews/motherboards/1697_5.html

sorry X,
that board does not accept AM3 cpu's, you need an AM2+ board.(or an AM3 obviously) the good news i guess is that one can be had for as little as $45-75. actually you can get a really good one for $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128376
if you need help putting together a budget upgrade, let me know if i can help.

Aww..

Thanks though red, I am surprised by the mobo you linked me to. That is actually pretty nice. And with a new Phenom x3 processor on it, it will be even nicer. I appreciate your help on this, man. Really, I was trying to squeeze about $90-$100/$120 to purchase the CPU without having to change mobo. Since I am bound to change it to upgrade, I think I will have to wait a little longer to let the money come in first.

I have a few big expenses coming though, namely:

- bro's wedding in Sept
- (expensive) religious necklace for the wifey
- flight/Vaca to Mauritius (about $5000 - $6000)

As you can see, squeezing $$$ out is gonna be tough till mid next year.
For now, my rig can run Starcraft 2, I am sure, but I will upgrade it next year some time.

Red, man, I really appreciate the effort you have put in to help me; I really do. Thanks buddy!!

anytime X