XFX cards for folding

[crazyhorsejohnny]

Hey guys. What would be better for strickly folding ?

1x XFX GeForce 9800GTX+ Video Card - 512MB DDR3 $199-$25 rebate = $175

XFX GeForce 9800 GTX + Video Card - 512MB DDR3, PCI Express 2.0, SLI Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, VGA Support PVT98WYDFH in Canada at TigerDirect.ca

2x XFX GeForce 9600GSO Video Card - 768MB DDR2 = $89.99 x 2 = $180

XFX GeForce 9600 GSO Video Card - 768MB DDR2, PCI Express 2.0, Dual Link DVI, SLI Ready PVT96OSDFH in Canada at TigerDirect.ca


The 9600GSO has DDR2 memory but there's no worrying about sending rebate. I know the 9800GTX+ is a better card but like I said it will be used for just folding, no gaming. What do you think?

BTW, I usually never buy from Tiger Direct but that seems like good prices.

[crazyhorsejohnny]

Or what about this: EVGA E-GEFORCE GTS 250 756MHZ 512MB 2.2GHZ DDR3 $189.63

EVGA E-GEFORCE GTS 250 756MHZ 512MB 2.2GHZ DDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDTV Out Video Card - DirectCanada


I hear these GTS 250s take less power than the previous 9800GTX+.

[LCB001]

If it was me I would go with either GTX+ or the 250, on most WU's the point difference between either and two GSO's would be marginal as long as they OC decently. Another plus for going with a more powerful single card is it leaves you the option of adding another card the next time the upgrading bug hits...

[Alwaysrun]

BTW XFX 9800GTX+ PVT98WYDFH is only 179.99 at Newegg.ca. After rebate thats $154.99. Newegg.ca - XFX PVT98WYDFH GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

I've never folded with either but the charts say 2 9600gso's would outperform the single 9800gtx+ by about 30%.

I once considered grabbing a couple 9600gso's as I read they were the best bang for the buck for ppd. but that was back in October and they were selling them for $36 down in the states. heres the article regarding them and folding.
Legit Reviews - F@H - 4,500+ Points a Day w/ a $36 GeForce 9600 GSO - What $36 Buys You When It Comes to Folding

Also if you have a little more money might I suggest. NCIX.com - Buy EVGA E-GEFORCE GTX 260 Core 216 576MHZ 896MB 1.99GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDCP HDTV Out Video Card - 896-P3-1265-AR In Canada.

But I'm biased when it comes to 260s

[crazyhorsejohnny]

Originally Posted by Alwaysrun

I've never folded with either but the charts say 2 9600gso's would outperform the single 9800gtx+ by about 30%.

But these XFXs have DDR2. That must hurt them. And some cust reviews say these 9600GSOs are very loud. 24/7 don't want loud unless it's giving me out of this world results and even then that's not what attracts me to Folding.

[crazyhorsejohnny]

Or how would 2x 4670s compare to 1x 9800GTX+ ??? Again just for folding. Is it close ?

I guess it wouldn't be close but I already have a Powercolour 4670 1GB so i could just add another for about $120. Silent card and not power hungry.

[LCB001]

What sort of ppd are you getting with the 4670 ?...

[crazyhorsejohnny]

Originally Posted by LCB001

What sort of ppd are you getting with the 4670 ?...

Haven't tried yet. Was using a Powercolour 4850 1GB up until recently. This is what it was giving me:

Folding@Home

[LCB001]

I doubt the 4670 will get near the ppd of the 4850. The GSO would probably get slightly higher ppd than your 4850 did depending on WU. If you could swing it the 260 for $198 would blow past any of the other options.

The problem with getting two weaker cards as opposed to one strong card is that the WU's are just going to get more complex over time and the weaker cards take a bigger hit proportionally...