Upgrading to GeForce 6800LE, help required!

[Lebenski]

Hi Guys,

I'm currently running an ATI Radeon 9500 Pro (128 MB) on a standard Dell mobo (not sure of the exact model - it shipped with a Dell Dimension 4550). I want to upgrade my graphics card. I only have an AGP 4x slot. I have been looking at mid range graphics cards and the 6800LE seems like a good choice (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3VK6&SearchType=1&SearchTerms=256MB+6800LE&PageMode=3&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=0&v=3#infoarea). What I want to know is, will this card (AGP 8x) run in a 4x slot. If it does will I still be able to unlock the extra pipes? (as i've heard is possible). Even if this will work, as its only AGP 4x will I see a significant improvement in graphics? I'm not very knowledgable on the issue of graphics cards, so if anyone could give me any advice on whether this should work, and if it would be worthwhile, that'd be great.

Ben

[Fathertime36]

Yeah, the card will run in agp x4 0r x8, either or, a tiny, probably unoticeable differences between the 2 in performance, I generallly stay away from anything that is marketed as limited edition or other cheesy tag lines, seriously you would be better off with a 6600gt then 6800LE, uses faster ram and clocks higher, eventhough it doesn't have as many pixelpipelines etc.....the 6600gt will be a better performer for you.

[Blasphemer]

Well i bought my friend a 6800le as a Xmas present, and XFX if memory serves, and it successfully unlocked fully to 16pipes and 6 vertex shaders. I know this is quite unusual for a le version but i got lucky, due to the reduced voltage on the le though the overclocking wasnt very impressive.
But unless you get very lucky too, i would have to recommend the 6600GT, due to the faster core and memory speed.
Either would be loads faster than your radeon.

Good luck. Enjoy. :D

[goofer654]

Hi Guys,

I'm currently running an ATI Radeon 9500 Pro (128 MB) on a standard Dell mobo (not sure of the exact model - it shipped with a Dell Dimension 4550). I want to upgrade my graphics card. I only have an AGP 4x slot. I have been looking at mid range graphics cards and the 6800LE seems like a good choice (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3VK6&SearchType=1&SearchTerms=256MB+6800LE&PageMode=3&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=0&v=3#infoarea). What I want to know is, will this card (AGP 8x) run in a 4x slot. If it does will I still be able to unlock the extra pipes? (as i've heard is possible). Even if this will work, as its only AGP 4x will I see a significant improvement in graphics? I'm not very knowledgable on the issue of graphics cards, so if anyone could give me any advice on whether this should work, and if it would be worthwhile, that'd be great.

Ben


The 6800Le wil work great. However for more power I recommend a x800XL or higher.

[agentkay]

^^^X800 are outdated piece of ****. Why waste money on oudated tech? lol BTW, I smell an ATI/R3D troll. :p^^^

Back on-topic, Ben, the 6800LE works fine in AGP 4x, and yes it will still work fine when you unlock the pipes/vertex shaders. You will notice a very good performance increase. :thumbsup:

[Lebenski]

Thanks for all of your advice. I have been reading up about the 6600GT, this looks like a very nice card. I have noticed some people have been suggesting that before buying this card you should check the power available from the PSU. Could someone please tell me how to do this. Also any other 6800LE vs 6600GT comparisons would be much appreciated.

[agentkay]

A good quality 350-400watts PSU should be enough. I think the recommend specs are 18amps on the 12V rail. I´d pick the 6800LE over the 6600GT if you like to play with AF/AA since the performance hit isn´t as large with a 256bit memory bus (on the LE), compared to the GTs 128bit bus. At stock clocks the GT should be a little bit faster when compared to a LE without any unlocked pipes/vertex shaders and at stock clocks. However, almost every LE can be unlocked and overclocked to 6800nu levels and then it should beat the GT.

[Lebenski]

Ok guys, my PSU is 250W and supplies 14A on the 12v rail. I currently have a DVD-RW, DVD Drive, and 2 HDDS hooked up. I guess I could lose the DVD if necessary. Will my PSU suffice for either of those cards?

[agentkay]

If its a good quality one (people with shuttle PSUs at 250watts run 6800 cards) you should be fine, however, if its a generic one, I don´t think it willl be enough.

[Lebenski]

Thanks again for your help. I've read reports that the standard Dell PSUs are usually somewhat underrated (in terms of watts). From this link http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_video&message.id=127350&c=uk&l=en&cs=&s=gen
I see that someone successfully put a 128MB 6600GT in their dell dimension 4550 (same model as mine). Does the 256MB version draw more power or should this be ok?

Ben

[agentkay]

The 256MB version does draw more power, unless the timings and memory clocks are lower. I would not risk it. A good quality 350-400w PSU shouldn´t be more than $30-$40. Thats just my opinion, but maybe someone else knows better than I do. :)

[UltraEvo]

I would definately get a 6600GT over 6800LE. Any graphics card with the word LE has horrible performance or should i just say worse among the series. Unless you want more performance or your CPU is fast enough then maybe you should get a 6800LE.

[Blasphemer]

I would definately get a 6600GT over 6800LE. Any graphics card with the word LE has horrible performance or should i just say worse among the series. Unless you want more performance or your CPU is fast enough then maybe you should get a 6800LE.

Strictly speaking, i agree with you. But you also get the chance that you could unlock the LE to almost a 6800GT, albeit with slower clocks. Also the memory bandwidth of 256bit compared to the 128bit of the 6600gt, which would come in handy if you planned on using AA + AF when playing.
I'm not saying that the 6600GT is a bad card, far from it, but the 6800LE has the potential to be better, and even if nothing unlocks, its on a par with the 6600GT, and better with AA due to the 256 memory bus.
Anyway, either choice would be much better than your 9500pro.

[UltraEvo]

Yea to date, the 9550 PRO really is nothing compared to both of the outstanding cards. It is up to your choice now.

[mazzy]

I'd go with 6800LE. It's a native AGP card. The only drawback is the power requirement, with only 250W PSU with a P4, 2 HDs and 2 CDs You're on the cutting egge if not beyond the PSU limit.
All 6600GT are Pci-E native with the bridge chip to work on AGP slot, not the best solution and the bridge is famous to be a lemon when overclocked, but the power requirement is a little bit less and you can be more luckly with your PSU.
It's a tough call.

[bordewisser]

Yea to date, the 9550 PRO really is nothing compared to both of the outstanding cards. It is up to your choice now.
9550 pro is something completely different than a 9500 pro...

[jeffmd]

That power supply is way to weak. These guys know nothing. ^^ Namebrand means nothing if it still cant send out the amps. Also 250watt is REALLY weak for gaming desktop system. Look for a 350watt with 15-16amps on the 12v. You should have no problem finding one for a good price as 350watt is a common supply.

Agent, if anyone is a troll it is you, the x800xl was a fine card. Easily mingles with the low 6800's and high 6600's.

However since the OP is not on a power gaming system and the PSU is a main concern, recomending better cards that require more power (any x8xx and 68xx will need a really good power supply) isn't ideal. I don't know the direct performances of both the cards, but from experience, the high end of the previuse model number (6600GT) matches the value edition of the next series (6800) and that usualy leaves the value edition at a bad price point.

Value editions generaly have allways been there to suck in those who just see the bigger model number and leave them with a card no one ever recomends for price vs performance reasons.

[agentkay]

Agent, if anyone is a troll it is you, the x800xl was a fine card.


1. FU! Contribute as much as I do to this site, until then STFU. :p

2. goofer654 is a troll, check his 5 posts. :rolleyes: And now think again why I probably wrote that X800 flame? :thinker:

3. Addionally I tried to help Lebenski, just like I do in the huge majority of my posts here. Sure I´m a Nvidia fanboy, but so what this is nvnews after all, and I think I´m a pretty decent one. :D

4. X800XL was an alright card, but I personally had never bought it back then, and DEFINITLY NOT right NOW. There are better alternatives on the market where you get better performance and features per dollar. Finally, I don´t care what people buy with their money, its their money and their decision. :thinker:

[Blasphemer]

That power supply is way to weak. These guys know nothing. ^^ Namebrand means nothing if it still cant send out the amps. Also 250watt is REALLY weak for gaming desktop system. Look for a 350watt with 15-16amps on the 12v. You should have no problem finding one for a good price as 350watt is a common supply.


Going throwing around comments like "these guys know nothing" is a good way of being branded a troll and a n00b. I agree that a 250W PSU is a bit weak, but then advising the OP to buy a 350W seems a bit rediculous. If he is going to buy a new PSU then at least advise something that will last a while, and not have to replaced the next time he needs a new graphics card. I'd say for some headroom on the power front, buy at least a 420W, if not higher, and try not to go too cheap. As saving money on a PSU could prove to be a false economy.