[Thasp]

My x800gto2 went on fire just a half hour ago, long story, was my fault.


I am looking to get a card very soon in the store opposed to waiting for UPS that can do 1080p, and play some old games(warcraft 3 mainly) decently.


I picked out this card http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/howTo...306&oid=147048


Is it at all decent as far as 1080p/overscan goes? I use powerstrip to adjust for overscan, since ATI's software won't let me at 1080p. I use 1080p because 1080i is too weird looking for a desktop, and 720p is too small for a computer screen.


I was thinking of nvidia because I have always read the drivers are better. Do they give me any way to compensate for overscan so I can go to 1816x1015(what I use right now), or something remotely close to that, from 1920x1080? Will it let me do this progressively instead of interlaced? And if the nvidia drivers won't, can I use powerstrip with this card like I have used it with the ati card?


Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

 

[lacquer]

I have two HTPC's in my house, one with ATI and one with nVidia. The nVidia drivers are infinitely better for using with a TV in my opinion. The only problem with your selection is lack of HDCP compliance for the future. But for $150, what the heck - the card will do exactly what you want it to do. The integrated decoder is also very nice.


Chris

 

[Thasp]

I highly protest HDCP and any sort of lockdown/limitations like it on products I purchase, but that's a whole 'nother story.


Thanks for your advice - this helps a lot!

 

[StanF]

Because of noise, I would get the Gigabyte 7600GT with the passive heatpipe cooler. I have two of them (in two different systems) and highly recommend them.

 

[Citation4444]

I would suggest buying a used 7800GT. They are many for sale on ebay for less than that price for the 7600GT, and they work great with component out for playing HD-DVD's with PowerDVD Ultra and 360 drive.

 

[Thasp]

Thanks for your opinions.


The second I get this card, the stock cooling goes off, and a waterblock goes on. Thanks for commenting on noise, but it shouldn't be an issue.


I'll take this all into account when I make my final decision.

 

[Thasp]

Ok, finally decided to buy.. I made the big mistake of not checking if the price was a real $160, or after rebates $160. Even fter rebates, with tax it'll be $180.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130077


I just got that.. any good? I use DVI to HDMI for the HDTV.

 

[Gamedev123]

Great price, but recertified... If you just want the card to last you until Vista and DirectX10 hits, I'd go for it. Then upgrade in about 12-18 months when Vista/DirectX10 gaming is actually relevant.


Sadly, I'm starting to think HDCP is an unavoidable pain ... like death and taxes.

 

[Thasp]

HDCP and vista I will avoid like the plague.


I can't wait to get this card, I am so sick of ATI's awful drivers.


Sometimes the card will do 1080p, sometimes it won't(TV gets unsupported signtal). Sometimes it will accept custom resolutions from powerstrip, sometimes they won't show up. Sometimes it'll let me play a game at 1280x1024, sometimes it'll give an unsupported signal... I can't stand this card. It's just reboot and pray it works, I hate ATI.

 

[pcCinema]

Nvidia drivers aren't perfect either, not by a LONG shot, they both have more than their share of problems so you're just trading one set of issues for another, not getting to nirvana.


There's a good chance you'll have the same troubles with the new card or new issues that will piss you off just as much.


Neither company should be allowed to roll out new cards practically every month or two when they never get things fixed on previous stuff to begin with.


Having said that your troubles sound like a configuration problem not a driver problem.

Does it detect your display properly and show it's supported resolutions and refresh rates correctly or is it just listed as a standard monitor type with an incorrect max res and refresh rate? It may be defaulting to settings other than what you choose because the monitor's not set right in display properties.


Troy

 

[kylebisme]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Thasp /forum/post/0


HDCP and vista I will avoid like the plague.

HDCP support on a video card isn't rightly something to aviod as it won't stop you from doing anything, but rather it allows for options that are otherwise unavalable without HDCP support.

 

[Thasp]

It goes back and forth. Powerstrip will have to kick in once I login for the res to work, or sometimes I have to add the resolution and reboot three times instead of once for it to show. It detects it as a sony TV, the only refresh rate options are 30 hz and 60. 60 is much more fickle to get to, 30 works everytime, but 30 sucks. Interlaced means instead of seeing words while scrolling through a thread slowly, I see bunk. The card is fine for even setting overscan compensation at 720p, but at 1080p it doesn't recognize these options at all.


I don't plan on using media forms or hardware that requires HDCP to run, so having it on the video card isn't a benefit to me. It's like playsforsure on an MP3 player... I'd rather buy the CD than pay for "protected content." If this means I miss out on the new HD formats, so be it. I have OTA HDTV for the time being, and FIOSTV coming soon.

Thanks again for all of your suggestions - this does help a good deal.

I'll comment back on how this card works when I get it, and how loud it is before I put the waterblock on it.