8800GTS or 8800GTX?

Note that the GTX requires a larger PSU.

--
---------------------
DaveW
"Patrick Vervoorn" <patrick.vervoorn.DeleteThis@NOSPAM.perihelion.demon.nl> wrote in
message news:b3fc1$46d3e9dc$82a1d3bf$29444@news2.tudelft.nl...
>
> Hi,
>
> I'm in the market for a new PC (mostly intended for gaming purposes), and
> I've narrowed down my choice for the video-card down to two options, both
> from Gigabyte (although with the NVidia reference designs around, the
> brand doesn't matter too much I suppose?):
>
> - 8800GTS 320MB
>
> or
>
> - 8800GTX 768MB
>
> I've also Googled around a bit, and of course the 8800GTX performs better
> than the 8800GTS. It should for about 200 EUROs extra cost.
>
> I want this system to drive a HP Widescreen TFT with a native resolution
> of 1680x1050. It seems both cards will be quite capable of driving that
> screen effortlessly?
>
> Obviously, from a performance point of view, the 8800GTX will be the
> better choice, but besides performance, are there any other things I
> should be aware of when comparing these two cards?
>
> FYI, the relevant parts of the system in question are a Gigabyte
> GA-N680SLI-DQ6 mainboard (SLI capable), and for the CPU I'm edging towards
> a Q6600 Core 2 Quad CPU (with as an alternative being the E6750, however,
> I'm 'gambling' on more future games being able to benefit from the Quad
> cores, and I suppose SetBOINC will also like 4 cores more than 2 .
>
> The 'plan' was to perhaps buy a second 8800GTS/GTX in the future, when
> prices drop further, and drive those in SLI mode... Of course, if a single
> 9xxx-series card proves to outperform that combo, that plan goes out the
> window...
>
> Anyway, is there anything I'm overlooking here? Should I save 200 EUROs
> and go for the 8800GTS (saving up the 200 for a second GTS if/when needed,
> or investing that in a nice 9xxx-series when these become available)? Or
> should I go for the GTX because I will really really notice the extra
> performance that card gives? Does anyone here have hands-on experience
> with a system where they upgraded from a GTS to a GTX (and left the rest
> as-is)?
>
> Regards,
>
> Patrick.
 >> Stay informed about: 8800GTS or 8800GTX? 

In article <C9ZAi.2325$bO6.2229@edtnps89>, Augustus <no_one.DeleteThis@nowhere.net> wrote:
>
>"Patrick Vervoorn" <patrick.vervoorn.DeleteThis@NOSPAM.perihelion.demon.nl> wrote in
>message news:b3fc1$46d3e9dc$82a1d3bf$29444@news2.tudelft.nl...
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I'm in the market for a new PC (mostly intended for gaming purposes), and
>> I've narrowed down my choice for the video-card down to two options, both
>> from Gigabyte (although with the NVidia reference designs around, the
>> brand doesn't matter too much I suppose?):
>>
>> - 8800GTS 320MB
>>
>> or
>>
>> - 8800GTX 768MB
>
>Get the 8800GTX, it's faster, simpler and down the road if you want to you
>can always pick up another for 1/3 the cost or less.

Thanks. I was already edging towards this card a bit, but it's nice to see
this choice confirmed.

Regards,

Patrick.
 >> Stay informed about: 8800GTS or 8800GTX? 

In article <or2dnYwZC-SFAknbnZ2dnUVZ_h-vnZ2d.DeleteThis@comcast.com>,
DaveW <nothing.DeleteThis@bot.org> wrote:
>Note that the GTX requires a larger PSU.

Yes, I am well aware of that and had already sized the PSU in that system
accordingly...

Regards, Patrick.
 >> Stay informed about: 8800GTS or 8800GTX? 

On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 09:50:03 +0200, Patrick Vervoorn
<patrick.vervoorn.RemoveThis@NOSPAM.perihelion.demon.nl> wrote:

>In article <C9ZAi.2325$bO6.2229@edtnps89>, Augustus <no_one.RemoveThis@nowhere.net> wrote:
>>
>>"Patrick Vervoorn" <patrick.vervoorn.RemoveThis@NOSPAM.perihelion.demon.nl> wrote in
>>message news:b3fc1$46d3e9dc$82a1d3bf$29444@news2.tudelft.nl...
>>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I'm in the market for a new PC (mostly intended for gaming purposes), and
>>> I've narrowed down my choice for the video-card down to two options, both
>>> from Gigabyte (although with the NVidia reference designs around, the
>>> brand doesn't matter too much I suppose?):
>>>
>>> - 8800GTS 320MB
>>>
>>> or
>>>
>>> - 8800GTX 768MB
>>
>>Get the 8800GTX, it's faster, simpler and down the road if you want to you
>>can always pick up another for 1/3 the cost or less.
>
>Thanks. I was already edging towards this card a bit, but it's nice to see
>this choice confirmed.

Also note that the GTX is considerably longer than a GTS and might
have trouble fitting in some cases. I had to cut a notch out of the
drive cage to get it to fit in my Antec Solo case.
 >> Stay informed about: 8800GTS or 8800GTX? 

On Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:24:44 +0200, Patrick Vervoorn
<patrick.vervoorn.RemoveThis@NOSPAM.perihelion.demon.nl> wrote:

>
>Hi,
>
>I'm in the market for a new PC (mostly intended for gaming purposes), and
>I've narrowed down my choice for the video-card down to two options, both
>from Gigabyte (although with the NVidia reference designs around, the
>brand doesn't matter too much I suppose?):
>
> - 8800GTS 320MB
>

How about comparing the 8800GTS 640 to the GTX 768?

>or
>
> - 8800GTX 768MB
>
>I've also Googled around a bit, and of course the 8800GTX performs better
>than the 8800GTS. It should for about 200 EUROs extra cost.
>
The GTX will be faster with the Intel processor. It's limited by core
speed in the AMD, but you aren't headed in that direction anyway.

>I want this system to drive a HP Widescreen TFT with a native resolution
>of 1680x1050. It seems both cards will be quite capable of driving that
>screen effortlessly?

I'd probably pick a different monitor than HP.

>
>Obviously, from a performance point of view, the 8800GTX will be the
>better choice, but besides performance, are there any other things I
>should be aware of when comparing these two cards?
>
>FYI, the relevant parts of the system in question are a Gigabyte
>GA-N680SLI-DQ6 mainboard (SLI capable), and for the CPU I'm edging towards
>a Q6600 Core 2 Quad CPU (with as an alternative being the E6750, however,
>I'm 'gambling' on more future games being able to benefit from the Quad
>cores, and I suppose SetBOINC will also like 4 cores more than 2 .
>
>The 'plan' was to perhaps buy a second 8800GTS/GTX in the future, when
>prices drop further, and drive those in SLI mode... Of course, if a single
>9xxx-series card proves to outperform that combo, that plan goes out the
>window...

Even after they are out I'd wait until enough have run long enough to
get a good feel for what they can do.

For most current games I think the dual GTX cards in SLI would be
plenty sufficient.


>
>Anyway, is there anything I'm overlooking here? Should I save 200 EUROs
>and go for the 8800GTS (saving up the 200 for a second GTS if/when needed,
>or investing that in a nice 9xxx-series when these become available)? Or
>should I go for the GTX because I will really really notice the extra
>performance that card gives? Does anyone here have hands-on experience

What games will you be running on it?

>with a system where they upgraded from a GTS to a GTX (and left the rest
>as-is)?
>
>Regards,
>
>Patrick.
 >> Stay informed about: 8800GTS or 8800GTX? 

"Patrick Vervoorn" <patrick.vervoorn.RemoveThis@NOSPAM.perihelion.demon.nl> wrote
in message news:e7af3$46d52557$82a1d3bf$30814@news1.tudelft.nl
> In article <or2dnYwZC-SFAknbnZ2dnUVZ_h-vnZ2d.RemoveThis@comcast.com>,
> DaveW <nothing.RemoveThis@bot.org> wrote:
>> Note that the GTX requires a larger PSU.
>
> Yes, I am well aware of that and had already sized the PSU in that
> system accordingly...

I hope you didn't get sucked in to buying a PSU that is grossly over what
you would actually need. The 8800GTX draws a tad over 14A peak.
 >> Stay informed about: 8800GTS or 8800GTX? 

In article <46d588db$0$12124$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au>,
DRS <drs RemoveThis @removethis.ihug.com.au> wrote:
>"Patrick Vervoorn" <patrick.vervoorn RemoveThis @NOSPAM.perihelion.demon.nl> wrote
>in message news:e7af3$46d52557$82a1d3bf$30814@news1.tudelft.nl
>> In article <or2dnYwZC-SFAknbnZ2dnUVZ_h-vnZ2d RemoveThis @comcast.com>,
>> DaveW <nothing RemoveThis @bot.org> wrote:
>>> Note that the GTX requires a larger PSU.
>>
>> Yes, I am well aware of that and had already sized the PSU in that
>> system accordingly...
>
>I hope you didn't get sucked in to buying a PSU that is grossly over what
>you would actually need. The 8800GTX draws a tad over 14A peak.

It originally had the standard 350W supply from AOpen, and this is/was I
think a tad weak for an Intel Q6600 and an 8800GTX. The current offering
contains a 550W Antec TruePower Trio supply, which should do quite nicely,
and isn't a 1kW unit like I see listed in some online-shops.

It's also probably a bit quieter than the default PSU.

Regards,

Patrick.
 >> Stay informed about: 8800GTS or 8800GTX? 

"Patrick Vervoorn" <patrick.vervoorn.RemoveThis@NOSPAM.perihelion.demon.nl> wrote
in message news:604c5$46d59535$82a1d3bf$27784@news2.tudelft.nl
> In article
> <46d588db$0$12124$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au>, DRS
> <drs.RemoveThis@removethis.ihug.com.au> wrote:

[...]

>> I hope you didn't get sucked in to buying a PSU that is grossly over
>> what you would actually need. The 8800GTX draws a tad over 14A peak.
>
> It originally had the standard 350W supply from AOpen, and this
> is/was I think a tad weak for an Intel Q6600 and an 8800GTX. The
> current offering contains a 550W Antec TruePower Trio supply, which
> should do quite nicely, and isn't a 1kW unit like I see listed in
> some online-shops.

That should be heaps.
 >> Stay informed about: 8800GTS or 8800GTX? 

In article <173cd3luj8ke6l7ebnsj0lce94tiqhbmlu.TakeThisOut@4ax.com>,
Roger (K8RI) <validaddress.TakeThisOut@my.com> wrote:
>On Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:24:44 +0200, Patrick Vervoorn
><patrick.vervoorn.TakeThisOut@NOSPAM.perihelion.demon.nl> wrote:
>
>>I'm in the market for a new PC (mostly intended for gaming purposes), and
>>I've narrowed down my choice for the video-card down to two options, both
>>from Gigabyte (although with the NVidia reference designs around, the
>>brand doesn't matter too much I suppose?):
>>
>> - 8800GTS 320MB
>
>How about comparing the 8800GTS 640 to the GTX 768?

Doesn't the 640MB version only have double the memory of the GTS 320 and
no speed increase? Anyway, I more or less decided on the 8800GTX, but the
'showstopper' now is the fact the shop I want to order this system from
cannot acquire a G0-stepping Q6600, only the B3. Apparently G0's are in
quite a lot of demand (and no supply) overhere in Europe/The Netherlands.

I could try to get a G0-Q6600 in another shop, but I'd prefer to get all
the stuff from one source; saves hassle in case I need to use the
warranty.

>>I've also Googled around a bit, and of course the 8800GTX performs better
>>than the 8800GTS. It should for about 200 EUROs extra cost.
>
>The GTX will be faster with the Intel processor. It's limited by core
>speed in the AMD, but you aren't headed in that direction anyway.

Yup, it'll be an Intel system, most probably a Q6600 Quad-Core (I'm
'gambling' on future games being able to use more than 2 cores, and
besides, SetiBOINC will probably like the 4 cores more too

>>I want this system to drive a HP Widescreen TFT with a native resolution
>>of 1680x1050. It seems both cards will be quite capable of driving that
>>screen effortlessly?
>
>I'd probably pick a different monitor than HP.

I already have the HP monitor, and I quite like it. YMMV, of course.

>>The 'plan' was to perhaps buy a second 8800GTS/GTX in the future, when
>>prices drop further, and drive those in SLI mode... Of course, if a single
>>9xxx-series card proves to outperform that combo, that plan goes out the
>>window...
>
>Even after they are out I'd wait until enough have run long enough to
>get a good feel for what they can do.

Of course, that was merely speculation. From some Googling around I
gathered that the introduction of the 8800 series, especially the 8800GTX,
showed that a single 8800GTX would outperform a much more expensive SLI-ed
7900xx setup. History may repeat itself.

>For most current games I think the dual GTX cards in SLI would be
>plenty sufficient.

Well, I wanted to 'peddle along' with a single GTX initially...

>>Anyway, is there anything I'm overlooking here? Should I save 200 EUROs
>>and go for the 8800GTS (saving up the 200 for a second GTS if/when needed,
>>or investing that in a nice 9xxx-series when these become available)? Or
>>should I go for the GTX because I will really really notice the extra
>>performance that card gives? Does anyone here have hands-on experience
>
>What games will you be running on it?

I don't have any new titles specifically in mind; this 'upgrade' is more
driven by the fact that current games I'm playing (f.i. HL2: Ep1) doesn't
run well on my current system, since the choice of 16:10 resolutions is
somewhat limited.

I will be playing HL2: Ep2 on it, when that comes out. I might be
interested in Bioshock; the demo looks nice, but doesn't run very well on
my current setup (P4-2.4GHz/7600GT-256MB). I also suppose we'll be seeing
a lot more Source and/or Unreal 3 engine powered games in the near-future.
I want the new machine to be able to run these games at 1680x1050, with
hopefully most eye-candy enabled.

My current 'feeling' is that the setup I have in mind (Q6600/8800GTX)
should be quite capable of doing just that.

Regards, Patrick.
 >> Stay informed about: 8800GTS or 8800GTX? 

'Patrick Veroorn' wrote, in part:
| Doesn't the 640MB version only have double the memory of the GTS 320 and
| no speed increase? Anyway, I more or less decided on the 8800GTX, but the
| 'showstopper' now is the fact the shop I want to order this system from
| cannot acquire a G0-stepping Q6600, only the B3. Apparently G0's are in
| quite a lot of demand (and no supply) overhere in Europe/The Netherlands
_____

You are correct about the 8800 GTS 320 MByte vs. the 8800 GTS 640 MByte
adapters; the only difference is the memory size, and that would seem to
make a diffrence only when very large texture collections are used.

I picked a 8800 GTS 320 MByte for my 2.7 GHz @ 0.075 volts below spec,
overclocked E4300 / EVGA 680i motherboard / Patriot Memory DDR2-1066 (1:1
Memory Clock : CPU Clock ratio) since I don't really play 3D first-person
shooter games.

I have found that the EVGA 8800 GTS 320 MByte adapter is very overclockable.
I have been able to run 3DMark06 with considerable performance increase over
stock speeds. With the dual core 2 MByte L2 cache E4300 at 2.93 GHz, main
memory at 1300 MHz (5-5-5-9), the 8800 GTS GPU speed raised from stock 513
MHz to 635 MHz and the graphics memory raised from stock 792 MHz to 945 MHz
I can get a 3DMark06 score of about 10400. With the CPU at 2.7 GHz, main
memory at 1200 MHz, and stock 8800 GTS speeds the 3DMark06 score is about
8600. I use ATITune to overclock the 8800 GTS 320 MByte - the nVidia nTune
automatic overclocking seems to be completely worthless for overclocking
either the graphics adapter or the CPU/motherboard/main memory ( the
graphics stress test barely registers a blip on the GPU temperature.) If
you intend to overclock your CPU/motherboard/main memory (and I assume you
do since you are looking for the newest CPU stepping), 'Orthos' is a much
better stress test than nTune (nTune doesn't even fully load all the CPUs)
and will generate much higher CPU temperatures. 'TAT' (Thermal Analysis
Tool) from Intel is also a good CPU stress test. You might want to the
check alt.comp.hardware overclocking newsgroup; there have been a series of
post since march on overclocking Core 2 Duo Intel CPUs (and a few quad core
CPUs). The frequent poster 'Ed Medlin' has built an E6600 @ 3.2 GHz system
with two 8800 GTX graphics adapters.

In the USA, the price ratios for the 8800 GTX Ultra : 8800 GTX 768 MByte :
8800 GTS 640 MByte : 8800 GTS 320 MByte are ~ $619 US : $509 US : $379 US :
$279 US (lowest prices at http://www.zipzoomfly.com) (and all three prices
are as much or more than the Q6600 @ $$279 US! [Intel's payback to AMD for
2005]) This kind of differential led me to discard the 8800 GTS 640 MByte
choice as too much money for a very limited performance increase. My
motherboard and memory should be good for a few years of upgrades - and, as
you say, there may be several possible follow-ons to the 8800 series.

I would definitely recommend a motherboard based on the nVidia 680i chipset.
Judging from the experience of 'Ed Medlin' if I were to do it over I would
probably go with an ASUS 680i motherboard rather than the EVGA 680i
motherboard (the EVGA 680i motherboard was ~ $80 US cheaper than the ASUS
and I could not successfully download the ASUS manual for a couple of
weeks). The only problem I have with the EVGA 680i motherboard is that I
can not find a utility that will report all of the fan speeds and
temperatures that are reported in the BIOS (and I've tried perhaps a dozen).
The nVidia supplied nTune program doesn't report all the parameters but I
believe that ASUS Probe does a better job. nTune does, however, allow
changing BIOS settings on-the-fly from Windows.

Enjoy your new system!

Phil Weldon


"Patrick Vervoorn" <patrick.vervoorn RemoveThis @NOSPAM.perihelion.demon.nl> wrote in
message news:cd5a7$46d68403$82a1d3bf$5124@news2.tudelft.nl...
| In article <173cd3luj8ke6l7ebnsj0lce94tiqhbmlu RemoveThis @4ax.com>,
| Roger (K8RI) <validaddress RemoveThis @my.com> wrote:
| >On Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:24:44 +0200, Patrick Vervoorn
| ><patrick.vervoorn RemoveThis @NOSPAM.perihelion.demon.nl> wrote:
| >
| >>I'm in the market for a new PC (mostly intended for gaming purposes),
and
| >>I've narrowed down my choice for the video-card down to two options,
both
| >>from Gigabyte (although with the NVidia reference designs around, the
| >>brand doesn't matter too much I suppose?):
| >>
| >> - 8800GTS 320MB
| >
| >How about comparing the 8800GTS 640 to the GTX 768?
|
| Doesn't the 640MB version only have double the memory of the GTS 320 and
| no speed increase? Anyway, I more or less decided on the 8800GTX, but the
| 'showstopper' now is the fact the shop I want to order this system from
| cannot acquire a G0-stepping Q6600, only the B3. Apparently G0's are in
| quite a lot of demand (and no supply) overhere in Europe/The Netherlands.
|
| I could try to get a G0-Q6600 in another shop, but I'd prefer to get all
| the stuff from one source; saves hassle in case I need to use the
| warranty.
|
| >>I've also Googled around a bit, and of course the 8800GTX performs
better
| >>than the 8800GTS. It should for about 200 EUROs extra cost.
| >
| >The GTX will be faster with the Intel processor. It's limited by core
| >speed in the AMD, but you aren't headed in that direction anyway.
|
| Yup, it'll be an Intel system, most probably a Q6600 Quad-Core (I'm
| 'gambling' on future games being able to use more than 2 cores, and
| besides, SetiBOINC will probably like the 4 cores more too
|
| >>I want this system to drive a HP Widescreen TFT with a native resolution
| >>of 1680x1050. It seems both cards will be quite capable of driving that
| >>screen effortlessly?
| >
| >I'd probably pick a different monitor than HP.
|
| I already have the HP monitor, and I quite like it. YMMV, of course.
|
| >>The 'plan' was to perhaps buy a second 8800GTS/GTX in the future, when
| >>prices drop further, and drive those in SLI mode... Of course, if a
single
| >>9xxx-series card proves to outperform that combo, that plan goes out the
| >>window...
| >
| >Even after they are out I'd wait until enough have run long enough to
| >get a good feel for what they can do.
|
| Of course, that was merely speculation. From some Googling around I
| gathered that the introduction of the 8800 series, especially the 8800GTX,
| showed that a single 8800GTX would outperform a much more expensive SLI-ed
| 7900xx setup. History may repeat itself.
|
| >For most current games I think the dual GTX cards in SLI would be
| >plenty sufficient.
|
| Well, I wanted to 'peddle along' with a single GTX initially...
|
| >>Anyway, is there anything I'm overlooking here? Should I save 200 EUROs
| >>and go for the 8800GTS (saving up the 200 for a second GTS if/when
needed,
| >>or investing that in a nice 9xxx-series when these become available)? Or
| >>should I go for the GTX because I will really really notice the extra
| >>performance that card gives? Does anyone here have hands-on experience
| >
| >What games will you be running on it?
|
| I don't have any new titles specifically in mind; this 'upgrade' is more
| driven by the fact that current games I'm playing (f.i. HL2: Ep1) doesn't
| run well on my current system, since the choice of 16:10 resolutions is
| somewhat limited.
|
| I will be playing HL2: Ep2 on it, when that comes out. I might be
| interested in Bioshock; the demo looks nice, but doesn't run very well on
| my current setup (P4-2.4GHz/7600GT-256MB). I also suppose we'll be seeing
| a lot more Source and/or Unreal 3 engine powered games in the near-future.
| I want the new machine to be able to run these games at 1680x1050, with
| hopefully most eye-candy enabled.
|
| My current 'feeling' is that the setup I have in mind (Q6600/8800GTX)
| should be quite capable of doing just that.
|
| Regards, Patrick.
 >> Stay informed about: 8800GTS or 8800GTX? 

"Patrick Vervoorn" wrote:
>>What games will you be running on it?
>
> I don't have any new titles specifically in mind; this 'upgrade' is more
> driven by the fact that current games I'm playing (f.i. HL2: Ep1) doesn't
> run well on my current system, since the choice of 16:10 resolutions is
> somewhat limited.

I've managed to 'enable' widescreen resolution in almost all games I play,
even some really old ones. Sometimes needs some 'hacking' in .ini files or
something like that...

--
Grtz, Thomas van der Horst.
 >> Stay informed about: 8800GTS or 8800GTX? 

In article <46d725c2$0$25480$9a622dc7@news.kpnplanet.nl>,
Thomas <ThomasH.TakeThisOut@lycosmail.nl> wrote:
>"Patrick Vervoorn" wrote:
>>>What games will you be running on it?
>>
>> I don't have any new titles specifically in mind; this 'upgrade' is more
>> driven by the fact that current games I'm playing (f.i. HL2: Ep1) doesn't
>> run well on my current system, since the choice of 16:10 resolutions is
>> somewhat limited.
>
>I've managed to 'enable' widescreen resolution in almost all games I play,
>even some really old ones. Sometimes needs some 'hacking' in .ini files or
>something like that...

I didn't say they weren't there, I'm saying even the lowest Widescreen
resolutions games offer consist of a LOT of pixels

Take for instance Half-Life 2: Episode 1. The lowest Widescreen 16:10
resolution it offers is 1152x720. However, even with only some of the
eye-candy turned on, the current setup (P4-2.4GHz/256MB-7600GT) cannot
really run it nicely. And this resolution is also not scaled up too neatly
by the TFT Widescreen monitor.

Before I bought the Widescreen, I played HL2:Ep1 at 800x600, on a CRT, and
even the 6600GT I had before that could drive that quite nicely.

I'm seeing the same thing in the Bioshock demo; the lowest widescreen res
offered is 1152x720.

Regards,

Patrick.
 >> Stay informed about: 8800GTS or 8800GTX? 

In article <13ddri85s3v9r84.RemoveThis@corp.supernews.com>,
Phil Weldon <not.disclosed.RemoveThis@example.com> wrote:
>'Patrick Veroorn' wrote, in part:
>| Doesn't the 640MB version only have double the memory of the GTS 320 and
>| no speed increase? Anyway, I more or less decided on the 8800GTX, but the
>| 'showstopper' now is the fact the shop I want to order this system from
>| cannot acquire a G0-stepping Q6600, only the B3. Apparently G0's are in
>| quite a lot of demand (and no supply) overhere in Europe/The Netherlands
>_____
>
>You are correct about the 8800 GTS 320 MByte vs. the 8800 GTS 640 MByte
>adapters; the only difference is the memory size, and that would seem to
>make a diffrence only when very large texture collections are used.

The 640MB wasn't even included in the to-be-considered display adapters,
and it seems the shop was right to not do that.

[some snippage of stuff read with interest; thanks for the
info/background]

>graphics stress test barely registers a blip on the GPU temperature.) If
>you intend to overclock your CPU/motherboard/main memory (and I assume you
>do since you are looking for the newest CPU stepping),

Actually, I want the G0 stepping of the Q6600 mostly because this Q6600
seems to run a bit cooler than the B3-stepping (lower temp = longer
lifespan). Also, the machine will be located in my living-room, and I
don't want too much extra heat coming from it (not that the G0 vs B3 makes
_that_ much difference). I wasn't considering overclocking per-se really,
but I might explore that in the future...

[more snippage]

>I would definitely recommend a motherboard based on the nVidia 680i chipset.

The one I was offered was the Gigabyte board. Since I have had a Gigabyte
board, with no problems at all, in my current P4-2.4GHz system, I'm quite
happy with another board by Gigabyte.

[snip]

>Enjoy your new system!

As I mentioned, the un-availability of the G0-Q6600 has turned out to be
the show-stopper for now, so I'm not buying anything new yet, until the
shop in question can acquire a G0-Q6600. I hope they email me in the near
future with the happy message they can get one, so we can conclude this by
turning their offering into a purchase.

Regards,

Patrick.
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