[Viracocha711]

I am new to building a comp, and I am trying learn the basics...When it comes to video cards it appears to me that Nvidia cards(or any brand) are modified or something by other companies...Is this somewhat correct?


...And could someone explain what is the difference between these cards? And which would be the better?

1. XFX GeForce 8800 GTX 768 MB Graphics Card

2. BFG Technologies GeForce 8800 GTX 768 MB Graphics Card

3. MSI GeForce 8800 GTX 768 MB Graphics Card


Thank you very much!

 

[loserOlimbs]

Nvidia and ATI both sell out the sepcs and technologies to third parties who build and sell the product.

Some vendors overclock the cards.

ATI makes some of their own cards/ Nvidia does not.

After that it comes to brands and preference.

I would choose BFG out of those you listed.

 

[Scorpion]

No, cards are not 'modified' by other companies. Those companies use the graphics 'chip' manufactured by Nvidia, ATI, etc etc, to produce their own version of a particular card. These are usually cheaper, but work just as well as the original for the most part. I have an ATI 9550 256Mb card....made by PowerColor..I've had it 2 years, and never had a problem.

As for the differences, I'll let someone else explain that.

Scorp.

 

[Viracocha711]

Thank you...Do you like ATI better than Nvidia?

 

[DijonWolfie]

They are all based on the 8800GTX core from Nvidia, the difference being tweaks made to the pipelines & they have there cooling solutions upgraded by different companies.

The second is a watercooled solution, so unless you have watercooled system already, or plan on upgrading this isn't for you. The other two differ only very slightly in benchmarks, and there isn't a clear winner.

In this case I went with the 8800GTX standard from Nvidia, which saved me a couple of pounds and works perfectly.

One point to note is this card is the TOP card out at the moment, and only really necessary if you are planning to run nextgen games with the highest graphics. If you buy vista and expect to see Aero in all it's glory, you won't as the drivers are not even out yet. DX10 will not be available for sometime as a mainstream game platform, so unless it is VERY important to you it is worth waiting 18months until they are much cheaper, and the ATi version is out. I personally recommend This ATI Card to my friends & clients as it is a Next gen solution for a good price.

 

[Viracocha711]

Thanks Scorpion...Do you know of a site that will help in finding compatable hardware from the Mobo up?

 

[Viracocha711]

Thank you...So, if I am not going with a water cooled system I should not use the GeForce 8800 GTX 768 MB Graphics Card?

 

[DijonWolfie]

It is compliant with most PCI-E motherboards and 99% of the versions are Air cooled, however the second one you listed, the BFG tech, is Watercoled only and unless you already have watercooling or plan to install it with your GPU, this would not be suitable.

 

[Viracocha711]

Thank-you...If you do not mind, how do I tell what hardware is "water-cooled" only?

Do they(BFG technologies)make a GeForce 8800GTX 768MB Video Card that is ok to use in an air cooled system?

...I hope I am not bugging you and really appreciate the advice!

Thanks,
AJ

Retail $609.99

 

[DijonWolfie]

Simple... Air-cooled have fans on, water-cooled have pipes running off it!
The only way to tell is by reading literature about the card, or looking at a picture.
BFG do supply both a Watercooled and an Aircooled version. Hopefully you can see the difference.

 

[Viracocha711]

YES...I think I can do that. BTW- The one you referred to earlier has a fan on it, not a water block! All three have fans!

 

[DijonWolfie]

The BFG one comes as either, I was just informing you to be wary about which one you get.

 

[Viracocha711]

Thank-you...I appreciate the help, seriously.

 

[DijonWolfie]

not at all, it was a pleasure. Good luck with your new card If you believe your questioned has been answered please change the thread prefix to "Solved"