88oo Gts 512mb

[onehitah]

So I know pretty much nothing about pc, computers let alone my own. I currently have a Dell XPS 600 with two slots for cards. I want to replace the graphics card (78ooGtx) with the 512mb 8800 GTS XFX.

Im running Windows XP. From what I've read the 8800 gts is built for Vista. Will it work for my XP 32? Also how do I figure out whether or not I have the PCI Express 2.0 or just the regular PCI Express? Not sure if it'll make a diff.

Im thinking it'll all work but I just wanna be certain. Again, forgive my ignorance.

thank you for any help:yay:

[Skaggy]

Re: 88oo Gts 512mb

It'll work fine with both XP and the regular PCI express.

The advantage of using vista is you get to use DirectX10. (Doesn't apply to BF2 and other older games as they don't use DX10 anyway.

The advantage of using PCIe 2.0 is that you have a slightly higher bandwidth, but 2.0 cards are backwards compatible with 1.0 motherboards so it will still work.
How much performance is lost using a motherboard with 1.0 I don't know, but I don't think it'll be noticeable.

[onehitah]

Re: 88oo Gts 512mb

K thank you very much.

and one more silly question. Im seeing folks say they purchased two of them.... Doesnt it come with two? One for each slot. What am I missing here?

edit. K from what it looks like Ill need to purchase two.....for sli....

[Skaggy]

Re: 88oo Gts 512mb

When people buy two, it usually means they are putting them in SLi.

In my opinion, SLi isn't worth it. You're effectively paying double the price, and you certainly won't get double the performance. Also, you need a motherboard with two or more identical PCIe slots (nForce motherboards only I think).

[onehitah]

Re: 88oo Gts 512mb

K I think Ill just stick with one then. After all my XPS is already 3 yrs old.

[Natt]

Re: 88oo Gts 512mb

Make sure it fits in your case, the 8800 cards can be quite long.

[onehitah]

Re: 88oo Gts 512mb

Yeah, not sure how to tell unless I try. The case I have seems pretty big. So I'm thinking...it will fit. Fingers crossed.

[imported_Slashiem]

Re: 88oo Gts 512mb

If you can give us some system specs like motherboard, case or anylinks which provide decent spec information.
And for space just find out the size of the card and get your ruler out and measure your self is often the best way.
P.s. If you are more interested in the gaming for the 8800gt because you a bit more bang for buck than the gts.
~Slash

[zeleguy92]

Re: 88oo Gts 512mb

Make sure it fits in your case, the 8800 cards can be quite long.

like me :)

but on a more serious note.... I just bought 2 8800's as well except mine were from PNY (much beter that XFX in my opinion). They went all the way to my hard drives and had to move them to make room for the 6 pin PCIe power adapter. well worth it.

As for the SLI being not worth it, I half agree. I don't like paying $500 for 2 video cards if it doesn't 2x my performance but it does offer more memory and more fps. And the price for one good card can be $600 so maybe its worth it. Like this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814133227