So I bought an Antec 900 to drown my sorrows :D

[t_ski]

Except if the system ever dies, he'll be singing, "You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille... Four hungry children and the crops in the field..."

[soundx98]

Soundx98: “Houston”

 

Command Center: “Come in Berlin”

 

Soundx98: “We’ve got a trouble light on.”

 

Command Center: “Roger that soundx, out of Geritol again? Or do you need another P break”

 

Soundx98: “Dang, is that you rado?”

 

Here is the problem, I’ve been seriously thinking of upgrading to (the elusive) 8800GT 512MB.

 

Problem is I want it with a Black Printed Circuit Board.

(Manufacturer’s please note: Green PCBs match nothing these days and Black matches “everything”)

The good folks at XFX support have advised me that they do offer one model with a black PCB.

It’s their Model PV-T88P-YDQ4. (625/1600)

Actually their lowest price offering.

NewEgg lists it for $269.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814150259

Course it’s NOT AVAIALABLE but I clicked on the auto-notify.

 

XFX support told me that new models they will be receiving have the improved cooling solution (larger and quieter fan).

 

Next question is, will it fit in either slot on the DFI NF4 Ultra-D?

Well kinda, sorta, and maybe.

 

So the reference card is 9" long, meaning it ends right between the SATA ports.

The Top (and maybe bottom) one is blocked for sure with the “original” reference cooling solution on.

The two SATA ports next to the edge look like they will clear the card OK.

Now it DOES appear that it will clear if an aftermarket cooler is used.

(Might even be able to use the VF900 from my 7900GT)

 

It also looks like a little dremel action could solve the problem but you'd have to remove the fan assembly anyway.

 

Here is a pic I found and the area in question highlighted in yellow in the bottom right corner.

 

 

Cobia69 has a couple of eVGA 8800GTs (original cooling) and was kind enough to take some pics.

 

7900GT vs 8800GT size comparison

 

 

This one shows the clearance with one card in the bottom vid card slot.

You can see it blocks removal of the battery. (Big problem if you own a DFI NF4 )

Connection to the internal USB may be a problem depending on cable thickness, but of course putting a card in the bottom slot allows access to ALL four SATA connections.

With an SLI DFI NF4 board (or with the SLI mod) the bottom PCI-e slot is limited to 8X.

(Note: there is no difference in real world performance between the 8X and the 16X slots although there may be slight differences in benchmarks.)

A standard Ultra-D bottom slot is only 2X speed.

 

 

Here just with one 8800GT in the top slot using an angled SATA cable to still have access to the outer of the top two SATA mobo connections.

No access at all to SATA port 3 (closest to the CPU).

So the maximum number of ports that can be used is 3 (1,2, and 4 – Port 3 is blocked).

But the top slot can run at 16X.

 

 

Both 8800GT cards inserted in the DFI NF4.

 

 

I can only assume that the latest card versions have identical layout except for the larger fan. I’ll keep you posted if I can get my hands on one.

[soundx98]

Just clicked the order button on the XFX 8800GT 512MB PV-T88P-YDQ4 (the one with the black printed circuit board I am so anal about)

 

Also ordered 2x 1GB GSkill DDR2 F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ RAM as I work and scrimp towards an upgrade.

 

Today my man radodrill got the package of parts I sent him for the SR-1 "radobase"

 

Gonna need to re-do the measurements for the plexi SR-1 Logo/HDD LED indicator with the new 88000GT card but everything is still on schedule.

 

Oh, and I have a bonar right now

 

Stay tuned, more pics and craziness coming at ya.

[t_ski]

Oh, and I have a bonar right now

TMI, Carl. What you do at home with your bottle of Viagra is your own business. :cat:

[soundx98]

bonar = big old nasty arthritic rheumatism

 

Got the shipping info on the XFX 8800GT and the GSkill DDR2 (future build, I hope, I hope)

 

Should land in Minnesota today, but says delivery won't be until the 28th.

Dang!

Well at least I'll have for next weekend

 

 

Perhaps UPS is using "Pony Express" during the Holiday Rush.

[radodrill]

Dagnabbit!!! why does UPS always have to be so slow?

[momoceio]

I bought an MSI 8800GT from Dell for $207...it's been delayed 3 times because they can't get any in stock. Told me it would ship on Dec 10, the Dec 17 and now Dec 26

[soundx98]

I am sure there will be great deals in January but I just said fugit.

Figured I won't have any money by them.

I had a $50 credit at the online e-tailer that was gonna expire so it was now or never.

[soundx98]

Dear Santa

 

I'd like to lodge a complaint against one of your elves.

His name is "Santa's Acryl Master" and he uses the forum handle "radodrill".

I believe he took two unauthorized "sick days" that are causing delays in my Christmas gift.

 

As you know I have been pretty good this year.

 

Most of those bar fights weren't my fault.

And I swear up and down that I DID NOT touch that dancer.

I was just pulling up my socks or something.

And fell.

 

I'm not asking for much this Christmas.

I has just hoping you could taser radodrill (lightly).

He's got a ton of stuff he needs to do so he can finish the "radobase" for my rig.

 

I'm trying to be patient but I'm "jonesing" pretty bad this morning.

 

So if you notice he is sleeping or surfing the web for pRon, please give him a little taser zap on the hiney.

 

You know I still believe in you mang!

Peace to you and "Lady Claus"

(I remember her as "Montana" from her lap dancing days)

 

Your Runnin' Partner

soundx98

 

P.S. Any chance you can bring money too?

P.P.S. Does Lady Clause's friend "Jasmine" still work at the club?

[radodrill]

Dear Santa

 

I'd like to lodge a complaint against one of your elves.

His name is "Santa's Acryl Master" and he uses the forum handle "radodrill".

I believe he took two unauthorized "sick days" that are causing delays in my Christmas gift.

 

As you know I have been pretty good this year.

 

Most of those bar fights weren't my fault.

And I swear up and down that I DID NOT touch that dancer.

I was just pulling up my socks or something.

And fell.

 

I'm not asking for much this Christmas.

I has just hoping you could taser radodrill (lightly).

He's got a ton of stuff he needs to do so he can finish the "radobase" for my rig.

 

I'm trying to be patient but I'm "jonesing" pretty bad this morning.

 

So if you notice he is sleeping or surfing the web for pRon, please give him a little taser zap on the hiney.

 

You know I still believe in you mang!

Peace to you and "Lady Claus"

(I remember her as "Montana" from her lap dancing days)

 

Your Runnin' Partner

soundx98

 

P.S. Any chance you can bring money too?

P.P.S. Does Lady Clause's friend "Jasmine" still work at the club?

 

Dear soundx98,

 

As my oldest elf, you should be well aware Unified Package Smackers (UPS) are the slowest bastards out there and I was very much against their partnership with newegg, which has resulted in a substantial amount of late presents.

 

My Acryl Master is working very hard on his other projects and has not forgotten his commitment to making the SR-1 radobase.

 

Perhaps giving him the Porsche Carrera GT he's been wanting would get him even more fired up; and I think he'd also appreciate my daughter

 

Ho Ho Ho,

Santa

[soundx98]

 

"Candy! Hey it's me"

 

You probably remember me from a coupla nights ago.

I was the oldfaht with the $600 tab that fell a couple (OK, three) times.

 

I really had a blast, even though I had a tough time getting the glitter off.

And believe me, I sure wouldn't have said some of those things if I knew you were related to Santa and "Montana".

 

Got a little bit of a problem with the "tip" I left you.

Seems that somewhere after the 5th Long Island Iced Tea and the "takillya" shooters, I managed to "mixup" two envelopes I had with me.

 

The funds I mistakenly left with/on-you/check-your-string were earmarked for the "Mentally Unstable Modders Movement" (M.U.M.M.).

It's a great cause and it keeps those creeps off the street and away from entertainment establishments like the club.

(In addition, they are very tight-fisted and spend ALL their money on "putering" parts, not your type of people for sure)

 

I am sure you realize how important the safety of our society is and why we need to keep M.U.M.M.M.s (Mentally Unstable Modders Movement Members) at home and talking about heatpipes and sheet.

I'll swing by tonight and you can just hand me the money back.

(that guy with all the "tats" won't be hassling me again will he?)

 

Now I recommend you DON'T try anything funny, like keeping the money.

I severely bruised both my lips and nose during the falls.

I have retained legal counsel from forum/M.U.M.M. members "Hoss" and "pleasekillme".

 

They are also prepared to testify that although they were not allowed to enter the club due it's to age (and height) restrictions, they did hear me "cry out" numerous times.

 

So I'll be doing a little partying and then swingin' by tonight.

 

Luscious

(cause that's the way I roll)

[Guest RandallTank]

you can leave her under my tree all tied up (with ribbons as a present sicko)