Graphics card puchase help

The_Techie said:
A "normal" card is usually based on the reference design, basically the only difference is the sticker that is used on the HSF (and of course the included bundle).

Most cards that use different cooling (such as my XFX HD4850 XXX) can be considered "better" than the reference design in that they have, for example, better thermals or higher clocks (due to having lower temperatures and/or speed binning).
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Erm, so it is neither better nor worse? Why do people mention the difference?
 
Non-reference is usually better than reference. The ICEQ uses a non-reference cooler which adds value.

Not for a while now actually.
My 4850 ran at around 56c - that's quite manageable but it's definitely warm. By contrast I've got a gts 250 now which runs at around 38c.
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hj2k_x said:
I see. I think :p

Why things must be so complicated I'll never know.
Click to expand...

Maybe some visual aid will be helpful.

Reference HD4850

Non-Reference HD4850

Code: 
Reference HD4850
Core Clock: 625MHz
Memory Clock: 1,000MHz (2,000MHz effective)
Temperature idle: 50C - 60C
Temperature load: 85C - 90C

Code: 
Non-Reference HD4850
Core Clock: 650MHz
Memory Clock: 1,050MHz (2,100MHz effective)
Temperature idle: 40C - 50C
Temperature load: 55C - 65C
 
The_Techie said:
Maybe some visual aid will be helpful.

Reference HD4850

Non-Reference HD4850

Code: 
Reference HD4850
Core Clock: 625MHz
Memory Clock: 1,000MHz (2,000MHz effective)
Temperature idle: 50C - 60C
Temperature load: 85C - 90C

Code: 
Non-Reference HD4850
Core Clock: 650MHz
Memory Clock: 1,050MHz (2,100MHz effective)
Temperature idle: 40C - 50C
Temperature load: 55C - 65C
Click to expand...

I see what you are saying.

So, generally, non-reference runs faster and cooler but reference cards may benefit from non-standard extras like fans and such which could change things like temperature and noise? Like that ICEQ of Alan?
 
hj2k_x said:
I see what you are saying.

So, generally, non-reference runs faster and cooler but reference cards may benefit from non-standard extras like fans and such which could change things like temperature and noise? Like that ICEQ of Alan?
Click to expand...

Generally, yes. Bear in mind that non-reference could also mean that instead of 2 x DVI out (if that was specified for the reference card) they have 1 x DVI and 1 x DSub out, so observe the differences between specifications carefully.

Both reference and non-reference cards benefit from aftermarket cooling (unless the non-reference card has extremely good cooling to start with).
 
The_Techie said:
Generally, yes. Bear in mind that non-reference could also mean that instead of 2 x DVI out (if that was specified for the reference card) they have 1 x DVI and 1 x DSub out, so observe the differences between specifications carefully.

Both reference and non-reference cards benefit from aftermarket cooling (unless the non-reference card has extremely good cooling to start with).
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Interesting. :)
 
hj2k_x said:
Interesting. :)
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I should probably qualify that, before I get quoted out of context.

*ahem*
Both reference and non-reference cards benefit from good aftermarket cooling, unless they had extremely good cooling to start with.

:D
 
I am back. With more questions :)

Running more than one screen. I know you can run two off one card using both ports on a card (as I am doing now), but what about three monitors?

If you have a mobo that supports two 16x PCIe slots, do you need to run two identical cards (like SLI) in order to have three screens working?

Is it better to run two screens off one powerful card (say a 512MB 4850 for example) or better to get two cards and run one off each (say two 256MB ones vs one 512MB ones or two 512MB ones vs one 1GB one)

?
 
Dunno about running a screen off each card.. never done it.

I currently run 3 monitors off two different generation ATI Cards... 1 x 2600XT and 1 x 4350.
 
ToxicBunny said:
Dunno about running a screen off each card.. never done it.

I currently run 3 monitors off two different generation ATI Cards... 1 x 2600XT and 1 x 4350.
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That's the spirit.

I should also be able to run a third off an original PCI card, hey? Cos my mobo only has one PCIe x 16 slot.
 
If I could find an original PCI card, and another screen :p And a GPU to power my current screens. Haha, still it's good to have plans/dreams.
 
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