8800GTX
You'll need to make note that your power supply is adequate and the room is 'cool'.

PSU is 'adequate' at 650W, though I won't be running two 8800s without a serious upgrade 
No, I shall be sticking with one. Anyway, the A8n in SLi mode splits the x16 into 2 x x8...

Room is rarely above 22C, the case is (was 18 months ago) a state of the art Coolermaster. The pc as a whole runs very cool, though is very noisy thanks to the aluminium case and a zillion fans...

true enough but beyond that, the single 8800 GTX will out perform the dual 7600 GT. SLI doesnt give you double performance on the video card, just that the video card running SLI doesn't have to work as hard as if it were a single card. (basically SLI means the card takes turns which eases the burden of the video card)

assuming you have the better version of the 7600GT (G73 560Mhz 1400Mhz 256MB GDDR3) on general Framerate performance you will get a score of 917.6 where as with a 8800GTX (G80 576Mhz 1800Mhz 768MB GDDR3) you will score on the same test 2281.8

This information was collected from Tom's hardware

But yes make sure you have the right power supply. A power supply is key to making sure all your hardware perform at it expected levels and will help it last as long as it can. Poor power supply can damage hardware.

Here is a little info on Nvidia cards

Chip
Core Clock
Memory Clock
Memory Interface
Memory Transfer Rate
Pixels per clock
DirectX

GeForce 4 MX 440 AGP 8x
275 MHz
512 MHz
128-bit
8.1 GB/s
2
7

GeForce MX 4000
250 MHz
*
32-bit or 64-bit or 128-bit
*
2
7

GeForce FX 5200
250 MHz
400 MHz
64-bit or 128-bit
3.2 GB/s or 6.4 GB/s
4
9.0

GeForce FX 5200 Ultra
350 MHz
650 MHz
128-bit
10.4 GB/s
4
9.0

GeForce FX 5600
325 MHz
550 MHz
128-bit
8.8 GB/s
4
9.0

GeForce FX 5500
270 MHz
400 MHz
64-bit or 128-bit
3.2 GB/s or 6.4 GB/s
4
9.0

GeForce FX 5600 Ultra
500 MHz
800 MHz
128-bit
12.8 GB/s
4
9.0

GeForce FX 5700 LE
250 MHz
400 MHz
128-bit
6.4 GB/s
4
9.0

GeForce FX 5700
425 MHz
600 MHz
128-bit
9,6 GB/s
4
9.0

GeForce FX 5700 Ultra
475 MHz
900 MHz
128-bit
14.4 GB/s
4
9.0

GeForce FX 5800
400 MHz
900 MHz
128-bit
14.4 GB/s
8
9.0

GeForce FX 5800 Ultra
500 MHz
1 GHz
128-bit
16 GB/s
8
9.0

GeForce FX 5900 XT
390 MHz
680 MHz
256-bit
21.7 GB/s
8
9.0

GeForce FX 5900
400 MHz
850 MHz
256-bit
27.2 GB/s
8
9.0

GeForce FX 5900 Ultra
450 MHz
850 MHz
256-bit
27.2 GB/s
8
9.0

GeForce FX 5950 Ultra
475 MHz
950 MHz
256-bit
30.4 GB/s
8
9.0

GeForce PCX 5300
325 MHz
650 MHz
128-bit
10.4 GB/s
4
9.0

GeForce PCX 5750
475 MHz
900 MHz
128-bit
14.4 GB/s
4
9.0

GeForce PCX 5900
350 MHz
500 MHz
256-bit
17.6 GB/s
8
9.0

GeForce PCX 5950
475 MHz
900 MHz
256-bit
30.4 GB/s
8
9.0

GeForce 6200
300 MHz
550 MHz
128-bit
8.8 GB/s
4
9.0c

GeForce 6200 LE
350 MHz
550 MHz
64-bit
4.4 GB/s
2
9.0c

GeForce 6200 (TC)
350 MHz
666 MHz *
32-bit or 64-bit
2.66 GB/s or 5.32 GB/s *
4
9.0c

GeForce 6500 (TC)
400 MHz
666 MHz *
32-bit or 64-bit
2.66 GB/s or 5.32 GB/s *
4
9.0c

GeForce 6600
300 MHz
550 MHz *
64-bit or 128-bit
4.4 GB/s or 8.8 GB/s *
8
9.0c

GeForce 6600 DDR2
350 MHz
800 MHz *
128-bit
12.8 GB/s *
8
9.0c

GeForce 6600 LE
300 MHz
*
64-bit or 128-bit
*
4
9.0c

GeForce 6600 GT
500 MHz
1 GHz
128-bit
16 GB/s
8
9.0c

GeForce 6600 GT AGP
500 MHz
900 MHz
128-bit
14.4 GB/s
8
9.0c

GeForce 6800 LE
300 MHz
700 MHz
256-bit
22.4 GB/s
8
9.0c

GeForce 6800 XT
325 MHz
600 MHz
256 bits
19.2 GB/s
8
9.0c

GeForce 6800 XT AGP
325 MHz
700 MHz
256 bits
22.4 GB/s
8
9.0c

GeForce 6800
325 MHz
600 MHz
256-bit
19.2 GB/s
12
9.0c

GeForce 6800 AGP
325 MHz
700 MHz
256-bit
22.4 GB/s
12
9.0c

GeForce 6800 GS
425 MHz
1 GHz
256-bit
32 GB/s
12
9.0c

GeForce 6800 GS AGP
350 MHz
1 GHz
256-bit
32 GB/s
12
9.0c

GeForce 6800 GT
350 MHz
1 GHz
256-bit
32 GB/s
16
9.0c

GeForce 6800 Ultra
400 MHz
1.1 GHz
256-bit
35.2 GB/s
16
9.0c

GeForce 6800 Ultra Extreme
450 MHz
1.1 GHz
256-bit
35.2 GB/s
16
9.0c

GeForce 7100 GS (TC)
350 MHz
666 MHz *
64-bit
5.3 GB/s *
4
9.0c

GeForce 7200 GS (TC)
450 MHz
800 MHz *
64-bit
6.4 GB/s *
4
9.0c

GeForce 7300 SE (TC)
225 MHz
*
64-bit
*
4
9.0c

GeForce 7300 LE (TC)
450 MHz
648 MHz *
64-bit
5.2 GB/s *
4
9.0c

GeForce 7300 GS (TC)
550 MHz
810 MHz *
64-bit
6.5 GB/s *
4
9.0c

GeForce 7300 GT (TC)
350 MHz
667 MHz
128-bit
10.6 GB/s
8
9.0c

GeForce 7600 GS
400 MHz
800 MHz
128-bit
12.8 GB/s
12
9.0c

GeForce 7600 GT
560 MHz
1.4 GHz
128-bit
22.4 GB/s
12
9.0c

GeForce 7800 GS
375 MHz
1.2 GHz
256-bit
38.4 GB/s
16
9.0c

GeForce 7800 GT
400 MHz
1 GHz
256-bit
32 GB/s
20
9.0c

GeForce 7800 GTX
430 MHz
1.2 GHz
256-bit
38.4 GB/s
24
9.0c

GeForce 7800 GTX 512
550 MHz
1.7 GHz
256-bit
54.4 GB/s
24
9.0c

GeForce 7900 GS
450 MHz
1.32 GHz
256-bit
42.2 GB/s
20
9.0c

GeForce 7900 GT
450 MHz
1.32 GHz
256-bit
42.2 GB/s
24
9.0c

GeForce 7900 GTX
650 MHz
1.6 GHz
256-bit
51.2 GB/s
24
9.0c

GeForce 7950 GT
550 MHz
1.4 GHz
256-bit
44.8 GB/s
24
9.0c

GeForce 7950 GX2 **
500 MHz
1.2 GHz x2
256-bit x2
38.4 GB/s x2
24 x2
9.0c

GeForce 8400 GS ***
450 MHz / 900 MHz
800 MHz
64-bit
6.4 GB/s
16
10

GeForce 8500 GT ***
450 MHz / 900 MHz
800 MHz
128-bit
12.8 GB/s
16
10

GeForce 8600 GT ***
540 MHz / 1.18 GHz
1.4 GHz
128-bit
22.4 GB/s
32
10

GeForce 8600 GTS ***
675 MHz / 1.45 GHz
2 GHz
128-bit
32 GB/s
32
10

GeForce 8800 GT *** ^
600 MHz / 1.5 GHz
1.8 GHz
256-bit
57.6 GB/s
112
10

GeForce 8800 GTS ***
500 MHz / 1.2 GHz
1.6 GHz
320-bit
64 GB/s
96
10

GeForce 8800 GTX ***
575 MHz / 1.35 GHz
1.8 GHz
384-bit
86.4 GB/s
128
10

GeForce 8800 Ultra ***
612 MHz / 1.5 GHz
2.16 GHz
384-bit
103.6 GB/s
128
10

do you want to see the ATI chart????


Chip
Core Clock
Memory Clock
Memory Interface
Memory Transfer Rate
Pixels per clock
DirectX

Radeon 9200
250 MHz
400 MHz
128-bit
6.4 GB/s
4
8.1

Radeon 9200 Pro
275 MHz
550 MHz
128-bit
8.8 GB/s
4
8.1

Radeon 9200 SE
200 MHz
333 MHz
64-bit
2.6 GB/s
4
8.1

Radeon 9250
240 MHz
400 MHz
128-bit
6.4 GB/s
4
8.1

Radeon 9250 SE
240 MHz
400 MHz
64-bit
3.2 GB/s
4
8.1

Radeon 9500
275 MHz
540 MHz
128-bit
8.6 GB/s
4
9.0

Radeon 9550
250 MHz
400 MHz
128-bit
6.4 GB/s
4
9.0

Radeon 9550 SE
250 MHz
400 MHz
64-bit
3.2 GB/s
4
9.0

Radeon 9500 Pro
275 MHz
540 MHz
128-bit
8.6 GB/s
8
9.0

Radeon 9600
325 MHz
400 MHz
128-bit
6.4 GB/s
4
9.0

Radeon 9600 Pro
400 MHz
600 MHz
128-bit
9.6 GB/s
4
9.0

Radeon 9600 SE
325 MHz
400 MHz
64-bit
3.2 GB/s
4
9.0

Radeon 9600 XT
500 MHz
600 MHz
128-bit
9.6 GB/s
4
9.0

Radeon 9700
275 MHz
540 MHz
256-bit
17.2 GB/s
8
9.0

Radeon 9700 Pro
325 MHz
620 MHz
256-bit
19.8 GB/s
8
9.0

Radeon 9800
325 MHz
580 MHz
256-bit
18.56 GB/s
8
9.0

Radeon 9800 Pro
380 MHz
680 MHz
256-bit
21.7 GB/s
8
9.0

Radeon 9800 SE
325 MHz
500 MHz
128-bit or 256-bit
8 GB/s or 16 GB/s
4
9.0

Radeon 9800 XT
412 MHz
730 MHz
256-bit
23.3 GB/s
8
9.0

Radeon X300 SE
325 MHz
400 MHz
64-bit
3.2 GB/s
4
9.0

Radeon X300
325 MHz
400 MHz
128-bit
6.4 GB/s
4
9.0

Radeon X550
400 MHz
500 MHz
128-bit or 64-bit
8 GB/s or 4 GB/s
4
9.0

Radeon X600 Pro
400 MHz
600 MHz
128-bit
9.6 GB/s
4
9.0

Radeon X600 XT
500 MHz
730 MHz
128-bit
11.68 GB/s
4
9.0

Radeon X700
400 MHz
600 MHz
128-bit
9.6 GB/s
8
9.0

Radeon X700 Pro
420 MHz
864 MHz
128-bit
13.8 GB/s
8
9.0

Radeon X700 XT
475 MHz
1.05 GHz
128-bit
16.8 GB/s
8
9.0

Radeon X800 SE
*
*
*
*
8
9.0

Radeon X800
400 MHz
700 MHz
256-bit
22.4 GB/s
12
9.0

Radeon X800 XL
400 MHz
1 GHz
256-bit
32 GB/s
16
9.0

Radeon X800 GT
475 MHz
**
128-bit or 256-bit
**
8
9.0

Radeon X800 GTO
400 MHz
1 GHz ***
256-bit
32 GB/s
12
9.0

Radeon X800 Pro
475 MHz
950 MHz
256-bit
30.4 GB/s
12
9.0

Radeon X800 XT
500 MHz
1 GHz
256-bit
32 GB/s
16
9.0

Radeon X800 XT PE
520 MHz
1.12 GHz
256-bit
35.8 GB/s
16
9.0

Radeon X850 Pro
520 MHz
1.08 GHz
256-bit
34.56 GB/s
12
9.0

Radeon X850 XT
520 MHz
1.08 GHz
256-bit
34.56 GB/s
16
9.0

Radeon X850 PE
540 MHz
1.18 GHz
256-bit
37.76 GB/s
16
9.0

Radeon X1050
****
****
****
****
4
9.0c

Radeon X1300 HM
450 MHz
1 GHz
128-bit or 64-bit or 32-bit
16 GB/s or 8 GB/s or 4 GB/s
4
9.0c

Radeon X1300
450 MHz
500 MHz
128-bit or 64-bit or 32-bit
8 GB/s or 4 GB/s or 2 GB/s
4
9.0c

Radeon X1300 Pro
600 MHz
800 MHz
128-bit or 64-bit or 32-bit
12.8 GB/s or 6.4 GB/s or 3.2 GB/s
4
9.0c

Radeon X1300 XT
500 MHz
800 MHz (DDR2) or 1 GHz (GDDR3)
128-bit
12.8 GB/s or 16 GB/s
12
9.0c

Radeon X1600 Pro
500 MHz or 575 MHz
780 MHz
128-bit
12.48 GB/s
12
9.0c

Radeon X1600 XT
590 MHz
1.38 GHz
128-bit
22.08 GB/s
12
9.0c

Radeon X1650 Pro
600 MHz
1.40 GHz
128-bit
22.40 GB/s
12
9.0c

Radeon X1650 XT
575 MHz
1.35 GHz
128-bit
21.60 GB/s
24
9.0c

Radeon X1800 GTO
500 MHz
1 GHz
256-bit
32 GB/s
12
9.0c

Radeon X1800 XL
500 MHz
1 GHz
256-bit
32 GB/s
16
9.0c

Radeon X1800 XT
625 MHz
1.5 GHz
256-bit
48 GB/s
16
9.0c

Radeon X1900 GT
575 MHz
1.2 GHz
256-bit
38.4 GB/s
36
9.0c

Radeon X1900 XT
550 MHz
1.45 GHz
256-bit
46.4 GB/s
48
9.0c

Radeon X1900 XTX
650 MHz
1.55 GHz
256-bit
49.6 GB/s
48
9.0c

Radeon X1950 Pro
575 MHz
1.38 GHz
256-bit
44.16 GB/s
36
9.0c

Radeon X1950 XTX
650 MHz
2 GHz
256-bit
64 GB/s
48
9.0c

Radeon HD 2400 Pro
525 MHz
800 MHz
64-bit
6.4 GB/s
40 *****
10

Radeon HD 2400 XT
700 MHz
1.6 GHz
64-bit
12.8 GB/s
40 *****
10

Radeon HD 2600 Pro
600 MHz
800 MHz
128-bit
12.8 GB/s
120 *****
10

Radeon HD 2600 XT
800 MHz
1.6 GHz (GDDR3) or 2.2 GHz (GDDR4)
128-bit
25.6 GB/s (GDDR3) or 35.2 GB/s (GDDR4)
120 *****
10

Radeon HD 2900 XT
740 MHz
1.65 GHz
512-bit
105.6 GB/s
320 *****
10

Radeon HD 3850 ^
670 MHz
1.66 GHz
256-bit
53.12 GB/s
320 *****
10.1

Radeon HD 3870 ^
775 MHz
2.25 GHz
256-bit
72 GB/s
320 *****
10.1

Something to think about if yours is a non-brand name PSU. My previous PSU was a generic 650W, and I was advised to replace it with an Antec True Power unit if I was upgrading to an 8800GTX. Apparently, some of the generic PSU's are not 'man' enough to run the 8800 along with everything else and can/do fail.

I ended up with an 8600GT instead, so the PSU didn't come into play, though I got an Antec 650W anyway, but it would be worth your checking it out just to be sure.

Er, that's a lot of info! The reason for selecting the 8800GTX is its performance on UT3, which will become my most played game.

The test has some typos:- 8800GTX is blue and 8800GTS is red. The results are plain to see however.

 

Starkers - its a CoolerMaster 650W.

I'd get an 8800GT instead, its cheaper and in almost every case it outperforms the GTS. The GT is priced somewhere inbetween $260-$310 depending on if you buy an overclocked out of the box model.

Thanks for your suggestion Astyanax0, its just the sort of input I'm looking for.

I've just been reading some reviews of the GT. They suggest the performance is very close to the GTX for a lot less cash. Here the GTX is £338, a GT can be had for £176. That's just cards compatible with my mobo.

What does anyone think to that option? The more views I get the better!

 

You should be OK to run a 8800 series card with that, especially the 8800GT, which would use fewer resources than the GTX with a higher clock speed, etc. At first I was going with the GTX, but I was advised it wasn't a whole lot better than the GT for the price... tho I ended up with the 8600GT as gaming isn't overly important to me, whereas audio is and the savings went towards a higher end soundcard.



Given that the performance difference isn't that much between them, the 8800GT is better value card and the one I'd go with.

I just got an 8800 GT (512 mb) $ 219.00 US . Starkers / Phoon advised I switch my 7900 GT to 8800 GT and they were wise. It performs superbly when gaming.

However it doesn't run with Vista with the current 480 watt power supply I have. I argued with the place that installed the power supply and they just don't get it, even when I show them the PC power supply shutting down upon reboot. No matter how hard I negotiate, they seem to think noone needs more than 480 watts.  (                   

I will upgrade my power supply soon and reinstall Vista when SP 1 is released.

What size power supply should I get to be sure of no issues? anyone?

  

ehem... I belive we said the 8600GT, not the 8800...  

A 650 watt PSU would adequately meet your needs, providing it is a brand name like Antec or CoolerMaster, etc. As stated above, the 8800 series cards draw more heavily on the PSU, and cheaper generic ones tend not to be substantial enough to run it plus the whole kit and kaboodle as well. I have an Antec 650 watt True Power PSU, and my rig is choc full of stuff that it runs with ease.

NT - 480W doesn't cut it. You need 650W for a single 8800GT, and minimum 850W (preferably 1000W) for two 8800GTs in SLi.

I've always found the PSU is one thing you shouldn't go cheap on, even at the expense of losing other components.