PNY,EvGA,Prolink 5900 128/256mb's

[Caslon]

These 3 companies blasted outta the starting gate getting cards that can be ordered. I really haven't seen that many
big site reviews of these cards tho.

Are they maybe smaller companies, or
didn't put as much into making their cards? Or lower overhead and smaller
production facilities? Or didn't customize
the design as much as other companies?

HardOCP and other sites make a big deal that BFG is gonna release their cards on July 4th. Why was that such a big deal?
And why did it make such a splash when other companies are selling them now?

So many questions,heh.
I'm somewhat hesitant to jump on those
3 brands of 5900 128mb's and buy them now because some online vendors are selling them.

[Quint]

me too...

~Q~

[saturnotaku]

PNY cards actually are made by MSI, one of the largest and most respected motherboard/video card manufacturers in the world. The difference between PNY and MSI branded cards is that PNY brands are 1) typically distributed through major retail channels (Best Buy, et al) and 2) they don't come with all the frills of the MSI cards. PNY cards come with a driver CD and that's about it...maybe one game, whereas MSI cards have all kinds of software, games and demos.

eVGA is a very well-known brand. The company is based right here in the USA and they make some pretty darn good stuff. I wouldn't worry at all about purchasing from them.

Prolink I think has primarily distributed its cards in Asia and Europe. I'm pretty sure this is their first attempt at penetrating the North American market.

Most of these cards are the same as they're all based off the NVIDIA reference design. Which one you should get should be based on the kind of extras you want to have in the box - DVD software, DVI to VGA adapter, etc.

Edit: BFG releasing its cards on July 4 likely has to do with the fact that, like eVGA, they are based in the US. Outside Chicago actually. :D

[ricercar]

eVGA makes great reference designs, which means they aren't going to break if you don't use eVGA drivers. I've been pleased with eVGA's fast shipping, wide selection, knowledgable forum-based tech support, and solid product performance.

PNY gave me me a 2-day cross-shipped RMA, so I think they're pretty swell, too.

I sound like an ad now, so I'll shut up.

[Quint]

I just called evga, and they seemed cool. They said a nON VIVO version of the 128 version of the 128 will be out next week...
VIVO?
Video In, Video Out???
?????????????
DO I need that?
Not unless I want to run it to a Capture card, TV, VCR, etc...right?
Now I'm pretty sure thats what the lady said...VIVO... although she was speaking with a heavy chinese accent...:)
~Q~

[ricercar]

Correct. VIVO = Video in, Video Out.

Most cards have only video out, for using a TV as a second screen. VIVO offers video input for TV capture software.

[GlowStick]

Yeah, for me, i have a Firewire Port and a Digital Camera that has firewire out, and i still dont even use it, only tried it to see if it works.

VIVO dosent mean tv tuner, so really the only thing you can do with it is take home moives to your pc, but if you have a Sony cam, you can do that digitaly so heh.

I wouldnt worrie about haveing vivo or not, if you get it for a decent price, its there, if ya dont meh.

[Quint]

Cool.
Thanks!
...then, I think I'm gonna go with it...
~Q~

[nrdstrm]

Hello,
Just thought I'd let you guys know PC Club has the following now in stock :
EVGA 5900Ultra (256MB) - Currently out of stock but should get more shortly...
Gainward 5900 (128MB)
MSI 5900 (128MB) (Dual DVI)
MSI 5900 (128MB) (VIVO)

I have the EVGA as we got it a week or so ago. The rest will come in tomarrow (at least to my store, I ordered them today :)
Not sure of Retail Pricing yet...Will know more tomarrow...
Nrdstrm

[Quint]

Can I order from PC Club Online or over the phone?
http://www.pcclub.com/ Is this the corect PC Club???
Wheres an 800 #????
~Q~

[Quint]

Does anyone know if I can run this card on a 250 Watt Power Supply?
For the 256 Version, it really needs 350 Watts.
I'm HOPING that the 128 Version will not need as much, and I can get by with 250 Watts...
*crosses fingers*


~Q~

[GlowStick]

maybe, only one way to find out heh!

[nrdstrm]

That is the right PC Club. Unfortunately, new product usually takes a while to hit the website (wich you would be able to order from). We currently don't have a way to take phone orders so your kinda stuck unless you live near one. I know one guy on the boards had a friend come in and buy one for him, then had it next day aired (this was when the 5800Ultra came out)...
Nrdstrm

[Quint]

"""maybe, only one way to find out heh!"""

Heh, yeah...
...and thats called research and asking questions like this,
BEFORE I did anything.
Maybe you would have loved to see me comeback, and say
"Hi all, well it didnt' work.
As a matter of fact, I fried my system!"
...lol, how funny that would be!
...you know, with like a thousand ****ing posts here Glow, you'd think you'd be a little more helpful.
:rolleyes:

Anyway...
OK,
Heres whats happening.
Just got off the phone with DELL...they are trying to find a third party manufacturer of Power Supplies that works with my DELL Dimension 4400 Desktop's MOBO. They'll call me...
Yeah it sucks...but I will be able to upgrade hopefully...

~Q~

[GlowStick]

Originally posted by Quint
"""maybe, only one way to find out heh!"""

Heh, yeah...
...and thats called research and asking questions like this,
BEFORE I did anything.
Maybe you would have loved to see me comeback, and say
"Hi all, well it didnt' work.
As a matter of fact, I fried my system!"
...lol, how funny that would be!
...you know, with like a thousand ****ing posts here Glow, you'd think you'd be a little more helpful.
:rolleyes:

Anyway...
OK,
Heres whats happening.
Just got off the phone with DELL...they are trying to find a third party manufacturer of Power Supplies that works with my DELL Dimension 4400 Desktop's MOBO. They'll call me...
Yeah it sucks...but I will be able to upgrade hopefully...

~Q~

Ok, here is what you do.

Look up every part in your computer and the manufacuter should supply its rated wattage that it uses,

then grab the wattage that your ps makes for the 3.3/5volt and 12 volt rail. Add up the 12v devices and then see how many watts you are useing, then subtract from how many watts your power supply can give you and you will see weahter you have enough power or not.

[Solomon]

Originally posted by Caslon
HardOCP and other sites make a big deal that BFG is gonna release their cards on July 4th. Why was that such a big deal?
And why did it make such a splash when other companies are selling them now?

Easy to answer this. If you promote a company like [H] does with BFG, nice things happened to you down the road... If you get my drift.

:D

Regards,
D. Solomon Jr.
*********.com

[Solomon]

Originally posted by Quint
Does anyone know if I can run this card on a 250 Watt Power Supply?
For the 256 Version, it really needs 350 Watts.
I'm HOPING that the 128 Version will not need as much, and I can get by with 250 Watts...
*crosses fingers*


~Q~

Look on the power supply, it should have a voltage/amp rating for each rail. For instance some have 3.3v / 40amps and 5v / 30 amps. See if you can read back the 3.3v and 40v amperage rating and then spit out what is all connected in your computer, like DVD, HD's, etc...

Regards,
D. Solomon Jr.
*********.com

[Caslon]

Originally posted by nrdstrm
Hello,
Just thought I'd let you guys know PC Club has the following now in stock :
EVGA 5900Ultra (256MB) - Currently out of stock but should get more shortly...
Gainward 5900 (128MB)
MSI 5900 (128MB) (Dual DVI)
MSI 5900 (128MB) (VIVO)

I have the EVGA as we got it a week or so ago. The rest will come in tomarrow (at least to my store, I ordered them today :)
Not sure of Retail Pricing yet...Will know more tomarrow...
Nrdstrm

When you say PC Club has them, hey...there are nearly 1000 PC Club stores. There are 4 here in San Diego.
Not one of them even heard of the 5900 yet. You should have started off
saying what city you're in.

[nrdstrm]

Sorry. I'm at the Montclair store. But any PC Club can order them (Make sure you talk to the manager and tell him they are PHYSICALLY in stock at the Montclair,CA store). He may require a deposite to order one, but I order them for our store so we have them in stock.
Nrdstrm
PS. There aren't 1000 pc clubs, there are 50 :)