Help me pick a GPU

[geokilla]

ATI GPUs are terrible for folding. The 9600GSO will kick its butt.

[Prof. Dr. Silver]

Seems those 8800GS/9600GSO can ramp up their shader speeds quit nicely! :) Lets see how many NCIX has in stock!

[CroSsFiRe2009]

Asus 8800GS here so its the same as the 9600GSO. When it's running at stock clocks, 3400ppd @ 550/1375/800, OC was about 3800-3900 with shaders at 1780. Don't remember which WU's got those ppd's but it was fairly consistent such as on the 1888's. Don't remember what the really slow WU's got.

My only complaint about my particular card is that the core doesn't OC that well whereas the XFX 9600's (which I can't find anywhere) came stock clocked at 1700 and could get to 1900 on the shaders. All in all, still the best bang for the buck when you want to fold on the cheap.

[Prof. Dr. Silver]

Originally Posted by CroSsFiRe2009

Asus 8800GS here so its the same as the 9600GSO. When it's running at stock clocks, 3400ppd @ 550/1375/800, OC was about 3800-3900 with shaders at 1780. Don't remember which WU's got those ppd's but it was fairly consistent such as on the 1888's. Don't remember what the really slow WU's got.

That makes sense... my 80nm 8600GT has 32 shader clocks and does 1180PPD on an 1888WU. The 9600GSO has three times more shaders... which confirms what you say Crossfire... :)

Let's see, I can get three of those for $ 170(including tax+shipping), that would net me a little over 10.000PPD. AFAIK there are no cards right now that have that performance/price ratio now right?

[CroSsFiRe2009]

Yep, best budget card right now and at that price, it's even cheaper than other cards like the 9600gt or 9400 for that matter.

However, if you plan on a bigger setup GTX 260's are the next best price/pdd performance if you can get them for $150ish each. They might not seem to have better price/ppd but you also got to factor in the system cost itself. In your case though, get those 9600gso's already! XD.

--edit, off topic but do you think it's worth the danger to cut off the end of the end cap of the pcie 1x to install another video card? Got a spare 8600 sitting around too

[crazyhorsejohnny]

Originally Posted by Prof. Dr. Silver

That makes sense... my 80nm 8600GT has 32 shader clocks and does 1180PPD on an 1888WU. The 9600GSO has three times more shaders... which confirms what you say Crossfire... :)

Let's see, I can get three of those for $ 170(including tax+shipping), that would net me a little over 10.000PPD. AFAIK there are no cards right now that have that performance/price ratio now right?

Don't think so. But wouldn't they "struggle/slow down on those units?

[geokilla]

Get those 9600GSOs. Don't forget to send the rebates in!

I hate how the new 9600GSOs have only 48 shaders. >.>

Like Crossfire said, you can fold on a PCI-E 1X slot as well.

@CrazyHorse. Using Windows 7, I can handle those 511 point WU fine. I don't get the lag that I used to get in XP, plus I can crank out about 2000 PPD with my 9600GT when folding those. 9600GSO is the way to go either way.

[fefox]

found this, maybe it will help.

[crazyhorsejohnny]

Originally Posted by geokilla

ATI GPUs are terrible for folding. The 9600GSO will kick its butt.

Hopefully that changes in the near future. Especially considering you can get a 4870 1GB (new) for about $190 and a 4850 1GB for $140.

[Prof. Dr. Silver]

Alright... ordered three of these babies! Let's see when they get in!

30.000 PPD... here I come!