Plan on changing a couple of cards on my win 7 and xp computers.

On the win 7: has an intel 870@2.93GHz cpu; 8 GB memory; Asus P7P55D-E Pro and currently a EVGA GT 460 gpu. The temp runs about 65 C and always been stable. The psu is a Antec 650 w.

What would be a better performer gpu for this setup without having to use any additional cooling? Would like to stay within a 200-300 dollar budget if possible. (Have a $1100 dispute with the IRS right now, so money is a bit tight).

The 460 would go into the xp computer. It has an ATI x1650 video card. Intel Q6600@2.40 GHz; 2 GB memory and ASUS P5B-Plus board. Should handle the 460 alright. Have to check the psu later.

bj

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Not sure where decent places to find parts in the US are, but I hear newegg.com are usually pretty good... Looks like you can get an Nvidia 660ti or an ATI/AMD 7950 for a similar price (approx USD300 listed price on newegg). Theyre probably your best bets depending on your favourite flavour, or you maybe able to go a generation earlier for somewhat cheaper than the above (not sure what the RAC/heat diffs are there as Ive not really looked at crunching times of things for a while).

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I added a EVGA GTX660SC/2Gb to my i7/950 machine in October and the rac went through the roof, can't keep up with it. This machine is now in the top 250 SETI crunchers, never been there before in 13 years. As soon as I can afford it I will be replacing the EVGA GTX460SE with another one. I have tried multiple vendors in the last 13 years, but I always came back to EVGA. Check this out from TigerDirect, someone else I always go to. The normal sales price is the same as on the EVGA web site, but it is such a hot item, EVGA can't keep it in stock.


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4501133&Sku=E145-0667

To boost up your rac, may I suggest that you install Lunatics for better performance. The normal installer is not available at the moment, but check out this link and it may help you with a manual install.

http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/forum_thread.php?id=70383#1319406

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I don't buy computers, I build them!!

Kind of partial to evga. Checked the 660 on the link and seems like about what I was looking for. My other win 7 computer has the 460-SE but runs alot hotter than the 460 does. The 460 is fully enclosed while the 460-SE is open. Guess that is the nature of the beast. I dont over-clock any of the components so as to keep everything within specs and not going crazy on add-ons.

Dont have to worry about Lunatics as I back-up all my install programs on the other hard drive, a dvd and a external drive. Run the lunatics on all four computers.

I heard that the teslers cards were having a problem (does the 'ti' denote tesler?).

I assume the 650 watt psu will work fine with the 660? The big worry is this is my main computer as the others are for SETI and other minor projects.

Thanks for the replies.

bj

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Kind of partial to evga. Checked the 660 on the link and seems like about what I was looking for. My other win 7 computer has the 460-SE but runs alot hotter than the 460 does. The 460 is fully enclosed while the 460-SE is open. Guess that is the nature of the beast. I dont over-clock any of the components so as to keep everything within specs and not going crazy on add-ons.

Dont have to worry about Lunatics as I back-up all my install programs on the other hard drive, a dvd and a external drive. Run the lunatics on all four computers.

I heard that the teslers cards were having a problem (does the 'ti' denote tesler?).

I assume the 650 watt psu will work fine with the 660? The big worry is this is my main computer as the others are for SETI and other minor projects.

Thanks for the replies.

bj

I use Precision X to control my temps. The 460SE rarily goes above 55c and 660SC above 65c. Both are running 2 tasks each @ aprox 99%. I leave Precision X (3.0.4) running at all times minimized with the app monitoring/controlling the fan speed, forcing speed control. The 660SC fan speed will not go above 70%, factory set.

BTW, I'm running _x41zc, BOINC 7.0.42 & nVIDA 310.70. As far as a PSU is concerned, even though the 660SC has a min. 450 watt psu, you might want to get a bigger one depending on what else you have on you system. I have a 1200 watt on both of my machines.

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I don't buy computers, I build them!!

Going to get the 660 on tigerdirect for 219 and found the psu. Thermaltake 850 watt for 129.

bj

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An original stock speed GTX 460 1GB card has a max wattage of 160. A GTX 660 has a max wattage of 140 with twice theoretical SP FP rate for under $250USD online.

The GTX 660Ti has a max wattage of 150 watts with 2.7x theoretical for under $320USD online.

Of course if your GTX 460 has been overclocked considerably higher than the original clock speed, they were crazy overclockable, the improvements will be lower.

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"Life is just nature's way of keeping meat fresh." - The Doctor

An original stock speed GTX 460 1GB card has a max wattage of 160. A GTX 660 has a max wattage of 140 with twice theoretical SP FP rate for under $250USD online.

The GTX 660Ti has a max wattage of 150 watts with 2.7x theoretical for under $320USD online.

Of course if your GTX 460 has been overclocked considerably higher than the original clock speed, they were crazy overclockable, the improvements will be lower.

Dont have it overclock unless done at factory. But it does perform better than the 460-se which is in the other windows 7 computer.

Got the 660 to replace the 460 which will replace the ati in the xp computer.

bj

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I have a GTX-660 in my second computer, it is still ramping back up RAC wise, but might make about 30k combined with the CPU.

Read Jason's profile for info on how to get more out of the cards.
http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/view_profile.php?userid=8534984

I have my Galaxy GTX 660 set to +100 core voltage, +50 core clock and +150 memory clock and it runs right around 60c with 97% usage with 2 tasks.

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