Some opinions on a good gpu

Message boards : Number crunching : Some opinions on a good gpu

Author	Message
bj Send message Joined: 11 Oct 00 Posts: 131 Credit: 47,680,165 RAC: 78,722	Message 1319953 - Posted: 25 Dec 2012, 20:02:00 UTC
	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 ____________
	ID: 1319953 ·

Mike Davis Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 17 May 99 Posts: 203 Credit: 4,492,606 RAC: 8,561	Message 1319969 - Posted: 25 Dec 2012, 21:49:45 UTC
	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). ____________
	ID: 1319969 ·

Cliff Harding Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 18 Aug 99 Posts: 608 Credit: 34,460,329 RAC: 55,939	Message 1319975 - Posted: 25 Dec 2012, 22:05:43 UTC Last modified: 25 Dec 2012, 22:10:29 UTC
	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 ____________ I don't buy computers, I build them!!
	ID: 1319975 ·

bj Send message Joined: 11 Oct 00 Posts: 131 Credit: 47,680,165 RAC: 78,722	Message 1319981 - Posted: 25 Dec 2012, 22:30:27 UTC - in response to Message 1319975.
	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 ____________
	ID: 1319981 ·

Cliff Harding Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 18 Aug 99 Posts: 608 Credit: 34,460,329 RAC: 55,939	Message 1319992 - Posted: 25 Dec 2012, 23:41:47 UTC - in response to Message 1319981.
	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. ____________ I don't buy computers, I build them!!
	ID: 1319992 ·

bj Send message Joined: 11 Oct 00 Posts: 131 Credit: 47,680,165 RAC: 78,722	Message 1320021 - Posted: 26 Dec 2012, 2:06:02 UTC - in response to Message 1319992.
	Going to get the 660 on tigerdirect for 219 and found the psu. Thermaltake 850 watt for 129. bj ____________
	ID: 1320021 ·

Keith White Send message Joined: 29 May 99 Posts: 273 Credit: 1,594,075 RAC: 3,929	Message 1320023 - Posted: 26 Dec 2012, 2:32:21 UTC
	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. ____________ "Life is just nature's way of keeping meat fresh." - The Doctor
	ID: 1320023 ·

bj Send message Joined: 11 Oct 00 Posts: 131 Credit: 47,680,165 RAC: 78,722	Message 1320027 - Posted: 26 Dec 2012, 3:13:48 UTC - in response to Message 1320023.
	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 ____________
	ID: 1320027 ·

arkayn Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 14 May 99 Posts: 3094 Credit: 40,466,120 RAC: 65,744	Message 1320040 - Posted: 26 Dec 2012, 4:51:34 UTC
	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. ____________
	ID: 1320040 ·

Message boards : Number crunching : Some opinions on a good gpu