Gigabyte GV NX66T128VP (GF6600GT) does it work with MCE2005

[Neelix]

I have just looked at the latest list of compatible MCE cards and the Gigabyte GV NX66T128VP (GF6600GT) isn't listed!! This was going to be my number one choice for performance and also the quiet heat pipes. Can anyone confirm that this card works with MCE or recommend a similar spec card from another manufacturer that does? I also need to decide on a motherbaord to go with this but I can't seem to find a good board that supports PCI-express, I am thinking of using a P4 3GHz and would like good onboard sound with an optical spdif out.

[Scotty]

I would imagine so, the Microsoft list is a bit out of date now and the graphics card manufactures have added a lot of MCE support into the standard drivers, for example I use a ATI Radion 9500pro, with standard ATI driver (not the MCE one) and it works perfectly in MCE.

[lisag]

The Geforce 6600 is on the list here http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/m...erlisting.mspx so I would also guess that the GT version is supported too.

I fancy one of these also, have you found anywhere with stock?

lisa

[PannyAdams]

The Nvidia 6600 chipset is supported. So I recon the card will be fine. I've got one on back order from Dabs - They are soooo cheap at £128 inc Vat. I'm now very excited because the website has started showing stock available in 3 days!!

[Neelix]

Dabs, Microdirect and Scan all have stock although I have only checked the PCI-express versions. I think I'll risk it for a biscuit and get one of these cards... can anyone recommend a good motherboard with optical sound out, either AMD or P4 I don't really mind?

[TheCrow]

Hi

I have a Gigabyte GV NX66T128VP and it works well with MCE 2005.
nVidia have MCE drivers that support the card.

I am using it with a Gigabyte GA-8I915P Duo Pro motherboard it doesn't have optical SPDIF out but it does have coaxial SPDIF in/out and 3 PCI slots (along with 2 PCIe and one 16xPCIe), IEEE 1394, SATA and PATA RAID, HD audio, 2x Gigabit LAN, DDR400 or DDR2 533 etc

[lisag]

Hello TheCroW,

Are you using the Nvidia DVD decoder and the Pure Video technology that comes with this card? Any good? I am thinking of upgrading from my FX5200 card as this new technology is supposed to give enhanced film playback quality.... also, where did you get it from?

lisa

[TheCrow]

Hi Lisa,

I was originally using the nVidia decoders with hardware accell' but I found to get smooth motion I had to use Reclock which didn't work very well with VRM9 in MCE. I also found the colours a bit subdued. Otherwise it gave great picture resolution (going DVI into my Pioneer 50MXE1 plasma 1280x768@50Hz).

I am now using the WinDVD 6 codec and I find motion is near perfect without Reclock and the colour reproduction is much more to my taste. I am using the Windows MCE frontend which gives me great results but I am also experimenting with Media Portal using ffdshow to resize and the WinDVD 6 codec.

I would definitely recommend the card to anyone building a new system but wouldn't like to say whether it would be a worth while upgrade for you not having chance to compare the two cards. Unless your using HD video then I guess the hardware would make a big difference.

I built my system just after Christmas but haven't really had a great deal of time to tweak it. If only I could find a way to still get paid without actually having to work

Obviously I like the idea of "Pure Video" but I find I get a more pleasing picture with WinDVD 6, other peoples setups may give different results.
Maybe a future version of nVidia DVD will work better for me.

I got my card just after Christmas from Armari but it was part of a deal I have with them, they are not really a "box shifter" type of company more of a bespoke PC manufacturer.

Sorry I can't be more help but I am reluctant to tell people to spend money without actually being certain they will see a difference.

Cheers
Paul

[lisag]

Ok, thanks for the info - I will keep experimenting!
lisa

[Baron357]

TheCrow - I also have MCE and a 50MXE1. Video and Tv has black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. Is it possible to stretch the picture to remove these? The "zoom" feature loses too much of the picture.

[lisag]

No-one seems to have the AGP version in stock....

[paul1672]

looks like you missed the one they had in stock the other day at dabs then lisa.....

[lisag]

How unfair...
Actually QuietPC say they have them in stock, but they want loads of dosh for them, I have sent them an e-mail asking for a power buy offer for AV Forum members.... If anyone else is after one, perhaps they can do the same and we might save a few quid?

[Dillz]

@lisag

Hi Lisa
I too am trying to find someone who has these in stock. If you manage to find one anywhere for sensible money could you let me know.
Thanks. Steve

[PannyAdams]

I rang Scan who have them listed at £141, who say they have no due date from their supplier, which means they are unlikely to be in stock for the next couple of weeks. Apparantly, they last showed stock on the 8th March and sold out the same day.

Dabs are the cheapest at £128 so I placed a back order (Which can be cancelled anytime up until dispatch). I got an e-mail saying that my order had been sent their purchasing department and that they normally expect to deliver an out of stock item between 7-10 days. That was last Tuesday.

QuietPC do hold stock. I sent them an e-mail about price matching and got a fast response. They say that they only stock a small number of components to offer customers the convenience of shopping in one place. As they don't have bulk purchasing power they canot reduce the price. Maybe Lisa will have better luck!

I will post back here if Dabs or SCan show stock - I really can't bring myself to pay £30 extra from QuietPC when the price will plumet in the next few months anyway!