Summer 2008 XS Cheapazchips 3D Challenge

[massman]

Any card that jumps out regarding memory chips?

[filmbot]

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 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.

You've got the right brand, wrong model

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

[[XC] gomeler]

Woah! 500MHz GDDR2!

[filmbot]

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

[JamesBong420]

let the games begin!!!!!!!!
that zotac is looking nice....

[Marvin_The_Martian]

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

Looks like zotac has 1400mhz versions?

[SpikeP]

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

I recall me doing that in the last one, lol

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

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

[filmbot]

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

Looks like zotac has 1400mhz versions?

Yeah but only DDR3 verisons.

[Marvin_The_Martian]

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

[Johnny Bravo]

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

Now everyone will be onto it

[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

[Achill3uS]

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

[Deanzo]

Why not, I'm in!

But I better get to blow something up this time

[Johnny Bravo]

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

Bloody Ozzies

[[XC] gomeler]

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

[STEvil]

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

[N00B]

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 ) 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?

[boblemagnifique]

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 ( 94€ / 139$ but not stock !!!)

[dinos22]

i can buy whatever you guys want

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

[[XC] gomeler]

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?

[Ghost742]

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

seriously tho i would

btw

[dinos22]

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

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

[TheGoat Eater]

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 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?

[[XC] gomeler]

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

[T_M]

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.