Budget Folding Card

[Soultribunal]

Well, the build is on so to speak, but the funds are lacking somewhat.
Everything I was going to get from my Tax Refund got cancelled out by unexpected expenses (my puppy ).
So, need to make do with a budget card for now it seems.
I was aiming for a 9800 GTX+ , however that might be out of my reach given that I need a lot of other components for this FOlding Box.
What would be a cheaper alternative to that Card, and still net me some decent PPD?

Thanks in advance guys, stay tuned for more questions about this box!

ST

[Dr_BenD_over]

8800gt/9800gt

[Spaceman-Spiff]

Originally Posted by Dr_BenD_over

8800gt/9800gt

I agree, if you can get them below $150.

Otherwise, if ATI's folding has improved, get the 4670 for $100 or the 4850 for $150. In gaming, the 4850 outperforms the 8800/9800GT, not sure in folding though.

Edit: You have to take account of power consumption too, unless if you don't care about paying electrical bill.

[SugarJ]

Stay away from ATI for a folding box. My 4870 did 3000 PPD, my GTX260 does 6500. Similar framerates in games. Nvidia invested a bunch of money to optimize the folding software, ATI hasn't caught up yet.

FYI, my 8800GT did about 4500 PPD.

[Spaceman-Spiff]

nvidia it is then :).

Too bad the GTS 250 is very overpriced right now :(

So, the most efficient folding system might be running a low-end CPU with a 4 PCIe slot motherboard, all running the 8800/9800 GT.

[crazyhorsejohnny]

Originally Posted by Spaceman-Spiff

nvidia it is then :).

Too bad the GTS 250 is very overpriced right now :(

So, the most efficient folding system might be running a low-end CPU with a 4 PCIe slot motherboard, all running the 8800/9800 GT.

Got a couple EVGA for $159.99 each last week.

[3.0charlie]

9600GSO with 384mb and 768mb of Ram (96 SP).. IF you can find any for a good price...

8800GS 384Mb would be another good choice.

[Soultribunal]

Thank you very much guys! I had illusions of Grandeur of making a Super Folder, but the other lady in my life needed my hard earned tax money first!

I will look into trying to find one of those cards, and hopefully get one step closer to a full time Folder!

ST

[Nademon]

Hey ST, I got a Galaxy 8800GT (single slot) and an EVGA 9800GT (dual slot) that I'm about to post up in a day or two. I got the 9800GT from Zlojack and only used it for a week or so before I got a GX2. The 9800's got a colourful history...I believe 3.0 is also well aquianted with it! Shoot me a PM if you're interested...I'll give you a preferred rate!

[chrisk]

Hey ST...talk to nademon about the 9800GT first, but if the price is too steep for ya fire me off a PM about a 384MB 9600GSO I have in my sig.

I was going to give you first dibs on it anyhow, but I am trying to get confirmation on the foldingforum.org website if my 9800GTX+ will work with a GTS 250. If it will then i will be selling my 9600GSO, if not I may have to hold out.