Summer 2008 XS Cheapazchips 3D Challenge

Normal 3D01
61883 G H Z
61183 loonym
59113 noxon
57613 Johnny Bravo
56007 jamesbong420
30966 STEvil

Normal 3D03
26125 loonym
15519 STEviil

Extreme 3D01
72099 Johnny Bravo
64056 Dinos
52580 Gomeler

Extreme 3D03
27920 Johnny Bravo
21304 Gomeler
24910 Dinos

Contestants

[xc] Gomeler
dinos22
TheGoat Eater
Johnny Bravo
dinos22
oohms
youngpro
massman
systemviper
JamesBong420
Filmbot
Marvin_The_Martian
SpikeP
Achill3uS
Deanzo
T_M
STEvil
0cool
SpikeP
\/ENDE][A
xoqolatl


The Rules

1) Competition runs September 1st, 2008 to October 1st, 2008.

1a) Final submission is Oct 15th, 2008 at 12:00pm EST

1b) Submission must be in the form of a screen shot showing the following
CPU Speed
GPU Speed
Memory Speed
Memory Timings
Benchmark Details(optional)

2) Card is 8600GT, can be any brand, 256MB, 512MB or 1GB

2a) GDDR2 and GDDR3 results will be separated into separate classes

3) The competition will be in 3dmark001 and 3dmark03. Drivers must be Futuremark approved.

4) You can ONLY change LOD setting in respect to visual quality.

5) No cpu cap

6) Classes will be Normal(Air/Water on CPU/GPU) and Extreme(Anything Goes)

Maybe HD 3470? Also a nice card...

64-bit memory interface :( If another person votes for it then I'll add it to the poll.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by [XC] gomeler

64-bit memory interface :( If another person votes for it then I'll add it to the poll.

---

I vote for the 8600GT, at least it will be useful when we are done. :p:

Actually, 8500GT would be awesome too (I already have one)...

gomeler lets try to work out 95gt uh?

and followed ur words with vote @ comment ;)

I would try some ati or 9500

i voted for 8600gt.... 3650 is a little more... would be kinda cool to have it be ATi this time... but there are 20 types of 8600gt's... :up:

I voted 8600GT for same reason as james and what i said in the previous thread.

There are so many different forms. Think i already found a good design, but won't leak too much. Got let everyone make there own pick.

My next question to ask people would be, what sections are we going to have?

Eg - benchmarks (3dmark 03 + 05???)

Also, are we doing air as one group, and water or higher as another group?

- Paul

Heres all the cards for each brand that have 128-bit and DDR3, Nvidia, ATI.

For the newer series, both are slightly over $50 but I think its not too much that we can swing it ;)

9500GT GDDR3 for sure.

Exactly 9500gt should be cool teared up with 2k1

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BenchZowner

9500GT GDDR3 for sure.

---

But Bill, there aren't as many 9500GT types, as the 8500 or 8600 ones ...
I too think it would be kinda cool to see some ATi battles this time :up: Maybe 3650 ? I can see in newegg that 8600GT prices do not differ a lot from those of 3650 ;)

If it's like the buggy overclocking for the HD2xxx entry-level and midrange I'll pass.
As for the types... better stick with a specific card, equal terms, more fun.

I think the 9500GT, along with the radeon cards would be awkard, solely because of the overclocking of them. Also there does not seem to be many varieties, and i don;t know about the rest of you, but i found that a fun part of the 8400gs's. The different PCB's, memory modules and PWM areas that we had to find or way around.

With that in mind, i still think the 8500GT or 8600GT would make most sense. 8600GT being a bit more interesting, because its a different core, and more heat to remove.

Once we have chosen a card, we can all start to decide which one to go for! :D

- Paul

how about 8800 gts 320's

they go for around 75....

they are not that easy to get your hards on over here. can get a HD 2900GT though if thats a option.

main concern though is that then we are coming out of the cheap cards, and into something more expensive. HD2900GT i hve had personally upto 800mhz without a hitch, but cooling becomes a concern.

- Paul

I think the 8600 GT is probably the best option, but these things always happen at awful times for me. Why couldn't we have done this at the start of the summer. I'm about to start college, and I really don't feel like I'll have the time to participate.

Btw, Gom are you movin out to LA?

It depends if we allow ddr3 or not... its almost impossible to find an 8500GT ddr3 here for less than $90

8600GT ddr3 are about $80 or so

9500GT ddr3 about $100+

But if we want cheap cards and have more fun tweaking them with a common limitation then running 8500GT's with ddr2 could be quite competitive

Hrm, is it possible to edit a poll? Not finding an obvious button.. :shakes:

So far 3 mentions for the 9500GT, 1 for the HD3470, 1 for the HD3650, and 1 for the 8800GTS 320.

I figure we can leave the poll open for another 3 to 5 days?

I also think the rules from the last competition were perfect and 3D01 and 3D03 were both fun and not too GPU limited :p: Added temporary rules to the 1st post, if you have any suggestions please shout them out so we can get this hammered out.

ill enter this time for sure, going to have alot of free time on my hands when i get home =)

plus its fun running 3.3v directly into a core hehe

sounds good guys, lets get some 6.4ghz 3d01 runs with this card happening LOL =)

9500 Gt

HD3650 and Hybrid Crossfire allowed? :)

I'd have to say Hybrid CrossFire should not be allowed as not everyone is 1) able to run it 2) willing to purchase an AMD processor and motherboard. Think we should stick with a single discrete GPU and not involve multi-GPU setups.

edit: realized I was saying 9600GT instead of 9500GT, corrected.

i say either 8600gt or 7600gt or 7300gt the 73's can be had for like $39 usd

Another vote for the 9500 GT here.

It really hard to find 8500gt with ddr3 , i think 8600gt will be the best option since its old and you probably can find it cheap (sub 50€) on ebay.:up:

Exactly James, just get a bunch of cards and tear them up...

the 9500t its really cheap at new egg it aroun 50€ , but here its around 80€:down:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by philbrown23

i say either 8600gt or 7600gt or 7300gt the 73's can be had for like $39 usd

---

how about a 6200 pci

a 6200 pci would just make no sense. The card itself is rather old, so bang per buck is out the window. the pci slot will hold us back, along with the 64-bit memory bus we had from the last competition. Also i would thinik it would be rather hard to find in multiple countries.

Looking at the poll, the 8600GT is still in the front. be cool to see if anyone can think of any others we could use.

- Paul

I think the 9500GT would be cool. There are a reasonable variety of models available it's just finding a source. eclipsecomputers.co.uk has quite a few cheap ones but then that is of no real benefit to anyone living outside the UK.

I reckon 9500GT or 8600GT. Something cheap so if it dies it is of no tragedy but when finished with if succesful could be something that is useful.

8600gt have price around 45-50 € for cheapset 256/512 gddr3 in germany at geizhals.eu, which likely can be shipped in eu, 9500gt is around 50-60 € for 256/512 gddr3

You know what...

It costs about the same to get a second hand 2900XT as it does for a brand new 8600GT :p:

(actually in most cases the 2900xt is cheaper for me)

i say 8500GT DDR2. I'm down if you are.

8500 GT with DDR2

8500 GT with DDR2 , all other are expensive here

I vote 8600GT also (maybe becuase I already have 3? lol). Its a fun card, and can OC quite good even with stock air cooler (and simple mod). Also the many varieties make it more interesting

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BenchZowner

9500GT GDDR3 for sure.

---

Right on - I like that too:up:

though I will be taking a break from benching until I get my budget under wraps- getting some things done that have been in the works :up:

Poll has been open for 2 weeks now, looks like we have a winner with the 8600GT

cool

-its on then ... ready... set... go!

what about 9600GT hehehehe

Ok, who is down for September 1st, run for 1 month? Updated 1st post for a roster.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dinos22

what about 9600GT hehehehe

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$100 card :down:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by [XC] gomeler

$100 card :down:

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HEY~ I think i did pretty well with that card :up::up:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheGoat Eater

HEY~ I think i did pretty well with that card :up::up:

---

Not saying it's a bad card, just saying it isn't a cheapazchip's card. If we were spending $100 we might as well stretch it to HD 4850's and then we lose the original purpose of this challenge :yepp:

actually you are right
they are $120 here and 8600GT is like $6x so yeah prolly smarter to go 8600GT

should be a fast card and if it's as good as those 8400s were they are practically indestructible lol

i still have my 8400GS mutant

Quote:

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Originally Posted by [XC] gomeler

Not saying it's a bad card, just saying it isn't a cheapazchip's card. If we were spending $100 we might as well stretch it to HD 4850's and then we lose the original purpose of this challenge :yepp:

---

Yeah - I get it that comment was more a brownie points seeking comment :rofl: ... I got/get what you are saying though :up:
Dear PALiT... :up:

So are you two willing to add your name to the list of mighty contestants? :D

of course
where's the rest of the crew >> i can't join without Andy :D :up:

maybe PM some of the other guys that were in first round

this time round i'm armed with some killer kinpin CPU/GPU pots too lol :D

Same here. 6.2GHz 3D01? :yepp:

yeah - I 'll go ahead get a couple ( I will kill one for sure:D ) I will also need a E8600 :up: - took a break and fell behind :(

cooling classes or open class? - check that - any SLI ?

Cooling classes are air/water on CPU/GPU and anything goes on CPU/GPU, 2 classes. SLI doesn't fit into the theme either, might as well do 4870s if we want a combined $200 card :p: Go ahead though and post up some scores but I'd say single-card is the way to roll.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by [XC] gomeler

Poll has been open for 2 weeks now, looks like we have a winner with the 8600GT

---

DDR2 or DDR3?

As always gomeler sign me up - I have a 8600GT waiting in the wings ;)

Whats the prize - is it cash? :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by oohms

DDR2 or DDR3?

---

cooooooooooooooool
i have Simon again to mod a card for me :D:D:D:D:D:D
whatcha reckon dude heh :up:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dinos22

cooooooooooooooool
i have Simon again to mod a card for me :D:D:D:D:D:D
whatcha reckon dude heh :up:

---

Hells yeh :D

Except i can't find any decent cards under $100 that i can pick up from a shop

Quote:

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Originally Posted by oohms

Hells yeh :D

Except i can't find any decent cards under $100 that i can pick up from a shop

---

what MSY doesn't get decent cards
i can't believe it

hey here is a bunch of ppl listing cards and some DDR3 for $67 or more might do the trick

http://staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=8600GT

[edit] hmmmm you're not wrong......freaking $100 >> might as well buy 9600GT :rolleyes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dinos22

what MSY doesn't get decent cards
i can't believe it

hey here is a bunch of ppl listing cards and some DDR3 for $67 or more might do the trick

http://staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=8600GT

[edit] hmmmm you're not wrong......freaking $100 >> might as well buy 9600GT :rolleyes:

---

Problem is that 90% of the 'standard' cards are DDR2... and they are so much slower its not even worth thinking about getting em :p:

will keep my eyes open when im at work though..

do we know which model brand to get yet before i fork out ;)

well one thing is for sure we have to all agree on the same card otherwise competition will be up to :banana::banana::banana::banana:

i don't mean same brand or whatever but that it's a for example DDR2 256MB card only or 512MB ddr2 or 256MB gddr3 or 512MB gddr3 or whatever

it would be good to have a gddr3 card so that RAM doesnt kill the comp again but it won't be a cheapzilla comp because we'll spend $100

in which case 9600GT is a killer buy

i reallythink we should go that way if we are going gddr3 because of closeness in pricing

My suggestion was always the 8500GT DDR2, because if you allow for DDR3, we all have to hunt down those cards, which are a fair bit more than $50 for most people, and harder to find because they are old.

Also if you go for the 8600GT DDR2, then we will probably be ram limited (again), whereas with the 8500GT the core is slower so it would work out to be more balanced.

It really depends if we want to make this a cheap comp or a midrange cards comp

i found the xfx 8600gt for about $100AUD shipped, it might be worth just saying go for the ddr2 card so everyone is on the same playing field, then can just grab any of them...

i found a used 8600gt ddr3 for 40€ a, a new 8500gt ddr2 costs 50€

Well if this ends up with 9600gt I will join to lol, in the not extreme section then ( air/water ) since I already have the hw for it.

I won't vmod the hell out of it, can't afford to break stuff atm. But it will do nice clocks without a vmod even, and well I might change my mind when we are further along.

Ok, after some deliberation it sounds like we'll have to limit it to the GDDR2 8600GT. This limitation is due to a few non-American members(silly Australians :shakes:) not being able to acquire cheap GDDR3 8600GTs. Memory size will be unrestricted but from what I can tell there are only 512mb and 1gb cards available. Contest will start September 1st and run till October 1st. All scores must be submitted by October 1st at 12:00 PM EST. You must submit an image with CPU-Z showing CPU speed, CPU-Z or mem-set showing memory speed and timings, GPU-Z showing GPU speed, and preferably but not required the detailed results of the benchmark so we can all compare and try to beat you. If you somehow can't submit an image, a hastily snapped picture can be snail mailed to me ;)

Updating the 1st post. Post below or send PM if you need to be added to the roster. Going to send PMs to all the previous contestants, even if they've already posted above because I'm that lazy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Johnny Bravo

As always gomeler sign me up - I have a 8600GT waiting in the wings ;)

Whats the prize - is it cash? :D

---

The prize is our enormous respect for your ability to tweak a garbage core and hit the 3D01 and 3D03 World Records





for these cards :ROTF:

GDDR2 it is then ... I'll try to do my best ;-).

Awesome work... will pick up a card on friday :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by oohms

Awesome work... will pick up a card on friday :D

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me too lemme know how much $$ ya need :D

no ddr3?:shakes:

should it be 256 ddr2 or 512 ddr2?
Can't seem to find many 256 ddr2

OK lets go! eBay here I come

HA! I have this competition in the bag!!! Check out this awesome card on eBay :D:D:D

http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/4707/awsomecardnw2.jpg

Memory speed will be the least of my worries!!!

JB, I think you need to be looking just slightly harder ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Johnny Bravo

HA! I have this competition in the bag!!! Check out this awesome card on eBay :D:D:D

http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/4707/awsomecardnw2.jpg

Memory speed will be the least of my worries!!!

---

I think you win :(

buydotcom


Tech Specs
Dual Link DVI - Supporting digital output up to 2560x1600: Yes
Engine Clock: 540 MHz
Memory Clock: 800 MHz
Shader Clock: 1180 MHz
Chipset: GeForce 8600 GT
Memory: 512 MB
Bus Type: PCI-E
Memory Type: DDR2
Memory Bus: 128-bit
Highlighted Features: HDCP Ready , TV Out , RoHS , SLI ready , HDTV ready , Vista

Newegg.com ZOTAC 8600GT
$64 with $20 MIR and $8.25 shipping for $53 after MIR.

I've got a dead HD 3850 here with a functional core PWM, going to mod the card and use it as a powersupply to power the core on the 8600GT :up: If I need more than 1.8v then I suppose I'll either use an old motherboard or try and beef up the onboard PWM. :yepp:

Any card that jumps out regarding memory chips?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by [XC] gomeler

Newegg.com ZOTAC 8600GT
$64 with $20 MIR and $8.25 shipping for $53 after MIR.

I've got a dead HD 3850 here with a functional core PWM, going to mod the card and use it as a powersupply to power the core on the 8600GT :up: If I need more than 1.8v then I suppose I'll either use an old motherboard or try and beef up the onboard PWM. :yepp:

---

You've got the right brand, wrong model :D

Will be picking one up as soon as I get my first check at my new job, http://www.partspc.com/ProductDetail...8&ProdID=12839

Woah! 500MHz GDDR2!

Hope I just didn't give away the only edge I may had :p:

let the games begin!!!!!!!!:up:
that zotac is looking nice.... :yepp::p:

http://www.zotac.com/index.php?optio...id=161&lang=kr

Looks like zotac has 1400mhz versions?

Using the PWm area from another card ayyy.....hmmm.

I recall me doing that in the last one, lol :D

I got a dead X850 Pro still, but also a HD3870 as well :eek:

X850 pro still has better voltage control via the solder points on it. We`ll investigate when the time comes.

Right now, i am probably doing what everyone is doing, looking for a card with decent DDR2 modules. Gota beat the 600mhz i had from last time!

- Paul

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Marvin_The_Martian

http://www.zotac.com/index.php?optio...id=161&lang=kr

Looks like zotac has 1400mhz versions?

---

Yeah but only DDR3 verisons.

ahh q3 = ddr3 and q2 = ddr2 didn't notice that :slap:

Filmbot you just let the cat out of the bag!!!!

Now everyone will be onto it :p:

Haha. I think i have found my choice. Spec wise, is fairly simular to the Zotac, but i don't know the memory modules on the one i am looking at. Hows your choice going Johhny?

Any other fellow UK guys or gals in this contest? Im in btw!

- Paul

8600gt is good, when it was released i killed one with 2.1vgpu (~1100mhz 3D stable), its a nice cheap card, im in! :)

Why not, I'm in!

But I better get to blow something up this time :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SpikeP

Haha. I think i have found my choice. Spec wise, is fairly simular to the Zotac, but i don't know the memory modules on the one i am looking at. Hows your choice going Johhny?

Any other fellow UK guys or gals in this contest? Im in btw!

- Paul

---

The Zotac looks likely but man these are NOT cheap cards here in the UK - finding a GDDR2 card is a rarity and that attracts cost - I'm looking at around £57 to get ahold of one - hardly cheap :down:

Bloody Ozzies

:D

Updated the roster. Let me know if you see your name on there and you shouldn't be or if you should be and aren't. Willing to accept donations for points placement down the road ;)

After thorough review it seems the fastest GDDR2 cards top out at ~540mhz memory, same as the 8400GS's.

256mb DDR3 models look the fastest... and also the cheapest here. All DDR2 models are over $100 pretty much at ncix.com :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by [XC] gomeler

Ok, after some deliberation it sounds like we'll have to limit it to the GDDR2 8600GT. This limitation is due to a few non-American members(silly Australians :shakes:) not being able to acquire cheap GDDR3 8600GTs. Memory size will be unrestricted but from what I can tell there are only 512mb and 1gb cards available. Contest will start September 1st and run till October 1st. All scores must be submitted by October 1st at 12:00 PM EST. You must submit an image with CPU-Z showing CPU speed, CPU-Z or mem-set showing memory speed and timings, GPU-Z showing GPU speed, and preferably but not required the detailed results of the benchmark so we can all compare and try to beat you. If you somehow can't submit an image, a hastily snapped picture can be snail mailed to me ;)

Updating the 1st post. Post below or send PM if you need to be added to the roster. Going to send PMs to all the previous contestants, even if they've already posted above because I'm that lazy.

---

why cant the Australians get cheeaper 256 ddr3 than 512ddr2 like everyone else?

I looked the better price/perf for the All 8600GT :

Zotac 8600GT 256mb DDR2 540/1000mhz = 62€ / 91$
Asus 8600GT 256mb DDR2 540/1180mhz = 86€ / 126$
Gigabyte 8600GT 256mb DDR3 Fanless 560mhz/1000mhz = 73€ / 107$
Zotac 8600GT 512mb DDR2 540/1000mhz = 67€ / 98$
Zotac 8600GT 512mb DDR3 540/1000mhz = 77€ / 113$
Palit 8600GT 512mb DDR3 540/1400mhz = 96€ / 141$
Zotac 8600GT 1Go DDR3 540/1000mhz = 82€ / 120$


but this models is very interessing but 256mb :( :

-Gigabyte 8600GT 256mb DDR3 Zalman 570mhz/1400mhz
-MSI 8600GT Turbo 256mb DDR3 620/1600mhz
-MSI 8600GT OC 512mb DDR3 580/1500mhz
-XFX 8600GT Fatal1ty 256mb DDR3 620/1700mhz ( 86€ / 126$ but not stock)
-XFX 8600GT xXx 256mb DDR3 680/1600mhz ( 82€ / 120$ but not stock)
-EVGA 8600GT SSC 256mb DDR3 684/1620mhz
-Asus 8600GT Top 256mb DDR3 600/2016mhz :eek: ( 94€ / 139$ but not stock !!!)

:up:

i can buy whatever you guys want

i suggested 9600GT initially but was hammered that it's a "cheap"zilla challenge :shrug:

Hrm. 8600GT had the most votes and DDR2 was the cheapest option. If we were to change this from the 8600GT to another card in the $100 range, I'd prefer to use the 8800GT which has a much better core and PWM for the same price but then we've doubled the cost of the card. Does the US really have that much lower(50%) hardware prices?

when you guy are done maybe il buy a card for sli with my current card:ROTF:
that way i will be able to play oblivion maxed once my rig is fixed

seriously tho i would

btw

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by [XC] gomeler

Does the US really have that much lower(50%) hardware prices?

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you guys don't realise how lucky you are on most hardware options heheheh

maybe not 50% but it's always cheaper and sometimes MUCH cheaper

ppl are already starting to buy hardware so it would be unfair to them if we start changing.....unless no one got a card yet
return policies in australia also suck so once you buy something that's it hehehe

I would be down for the 8800GT because I wanna take on the scores of Dinos that I have been wanting to challenge for a while :D but never had the chance to ....
But i see the problem Dinos pointed out as people have already bought.. maybe 2 cards in the league? a low end and mid - low?

We can do another challenge in September ;) 8600GT this round and then we evaluate in September for a Fall challenge I'd say.

I'll see if i can find time to take part so add my name.
Trouble is theres only so many weeks in September, and dual 4870x2's are calling.