bikerdude on 23/10/2008 at 14:28
Quote Posted by BR796164
Biker, you were right about that heatpipe cooler, all of a sudden FPS started to drop to like 5-10 FPS for a moment, then back to normal performance, then again sudden drop. The system played warning sound notifying about Critical Core Temperature of 125C. Bad Bad Bad.
He also suggested he can swap me the card for his actual 7900GT with active cooler, for a lower price. It's either this card swap or I can start looking for active Zalman for the 7950GT. So I guess I go with 7950 -> 7900 swap.
Well just giving you the benefit of my experience :cheeky:
If your gonna keep the 7950GT then you`ll need to buy a Zalman VF700 or VF900, this will keep the card cool and let you overclock it.
If you get the 7900GT then I can tell you about a secret squirrel mod that will let you overclock the card to faster than 7900GTX - but, these speeds need a Zalman VF900 installed..!!!
biker
Matthew on 23/10/2008 at 15:01
Reaaaally ...
Don't tease like that Biker, let us know! Will it work on all 7900GTs?
Rogue Keeper on 23/10/2008 at 15:16
Biker, your experience is invaluable!
Well, the dude will send me a pic of the 7900GT and parametres so I can see if it will fit into my slot nicely. But I think I'm already decided I swap the cards...
MSI 7900GTs have great potential for overclocking and instead of 107 Euro for 7950GT+Zalman I can have overclocked 7900GT+Zalman for like 90 Euro. Of course first I try how much can the 7900GT give me with stock fan.
Matthew, in some reviews I read the 7900GT can be tuned up even to 550/1800 with stock cooler! But everything in small steps and watch the temps, right. Perhaps Biker knows some secret recipe how to squeeze out more. :sly:
EvaUnit02 on 23/10/2008 at 15:30
Stalker was fine on my old 7900GS 256MB @ 1440x900, just don't use the dynamic light model or whatever it's called, stick to static.
Bioshock demo with all the major effects turned off and ran fine @ 1440x900. Not recommended though, as the atmosphere and art direction suffers greatly - two of the few great aspects about that game.
Rogue Keeper on 23/10/2008 at 15:32
But isn't it a good tradeoff to play at lower resolution with full HDR? :)
EvaUnit02 on 23/10/2008 at 15:34
Quote Posted by BR796164
But isn't it a good tradeoff to play at lower resolution with full HDR? :)
On a LCD? If you like blurry messes, sure.
Rogue Keeper on 23/10/2008 at 15:37
Right. :erg:
Matthew on 23/10/2008 at 15:39
Quote Posted by BR796164
Matthew, in some reviews I read the 7900GT can be tuned up even to 550/1800 with stock cooler! But everything in small steps and watch the temps, right. Perhaps Biker knows some secret recipe how to squeeze out more. :sly:
Actually, looking at the specs for mine it seems to have come factory-OCed at 500/1400, which is presumably why I haven't needed to change up as yet! :D
EvaUnit02 on 23/10/2008 at 16:00
Quote Posted by BR796164
Matthew, in some reviews I read the 7900GT can be tuned up even to 550/1800 with stock cooler! But everything in small steps and watch the temps, right. Perhaps Biker knows some secret recipe how to squeeze out more. :sly:
No, just no. Nvidia use god awful single-slot coolers. Only do extreme OC'ing with a stock cooler if it's a dual-slot one that expels the air out of the case.
The budget priced Zalman VF700AlCu is utterly fantastic with the 7900 series (it's rubbish with the 8800 series though). I fitted one onto my 7900GS 256MB and had a very high stable OC, that was at 7900GT stock levels.
Rogue Keeper on 23/10/2008 at 16:11
MSI has this neat user friendly thing called Dynamic Overclock Technology which allows you to OC the card up to 10 percent with blessings of the manufacturer. Not as radical as manual OC, but should work with stock cooler. They can allegedly replace your card if it *by any chance* gets damaged by DOT overclocking. If you don't mind sending your card back to China and wait for replacement... or something.
