8800GTS 320 upgrade

Hey all, I have a Q6600 with 4GB RAM. Primarily run Vista 64, although I do use Linux on it too. This is a gaming box, but it hasn't seen much gaming lately. I have an EVGA 8800GTS w/ 320MB VRAM. I am currently running an ImageQuest 19" LCD (1280x1024). With video board prices in the dumper, I'm thinking about replacing it. I may also go to a larger LCD.

Am I going to get benefit from replacing it (VRAM is the largest issue with the card, probably wouldn't even consider it had I bought the 640MB one)? If so, what is a worthwhile upgrade for the money? A 9800GTX+? One of the ATI boards?

THANKS for the help.

I wouldn't bother upgrading to any videocard unless you were to buy a new LCD first with a lot higher resolution. Even if you went to 1680x1050 its not worth upgrading. You would need at least 1920 resolution to consider an upgrade. Even at 1920, that card will work well for most games out. And with you saying you don't game much lately...

Why do you want to upgrade your card if you are not gaming, just save the money to get a 24" monitor and your graphic card won't matter if it won't see much gaming.

I've just been too busy to do much gaming lately, I want to be sure my box stays capable of it when I do have more time--I have a big backlog of stuff to play thru.

only cards worth considering are the 4870 4870X2 4850X2 and the GTX260 and 280

And thats with a monitor with at least 1920 resolution. None of those have "in the dumper" prices yet
None of those will "blow away" your 8800GTS

OK, that's exactly the advice I needed. Thanks.

I'm going to have to disagree with you guys, I have a 22" LCD (1680x1050 native res) and when I upgraded from an 8800GTS 320MB to a GTX260 there was a very noticable improvement across the board in a host of recent games.

It completely cleared up the low FPS drops I was experiencing in Assassin's Creed, Devil May Cry 4, and Deadspace. The GTX260 has enough video RAM to allow me to run AA in these games for the first time as well.

Oblivion, which I have majorly modded with Qarls Texture Pack III, would always stutter on the 8800GTS 320mb. This is not the case with the GTX260, now it's a totally smooth experience.

As for Crysis, FarCry2, and Fallout 3, an 8800GTS 320MB isn't nearly fast enough to max out their settings (More like medium/high-ish), and don't even think about turning on AA unless you want a very pretty sideshow. After the switch to a GTX260 I'm now able to max out the settings of all of these titles as well as run them with some level of AA.

Overall, I would call it a worthwhile upgrade, especial i you like anti aliasing.

I agree with Unknown, you should see a noticeable improvement. I have an 8800GT card and it's faster than the 320MB 8800GTS (G80). I can only run Crysis Warhead at 1440 x 900 on Mainstream setting which is the default settings. This is paired with a Q6600 CPU. I would step up to a GTX260 or Radeon HD4870 if he plans to get a 24" display soon. His 320MB 8800GTS video card is slow by todays standards. A cheap 9600GT will even beat it.

Unknown-One said:

I'm going to have to disagree with you guys, ...

Click to expand...

I didn't (and I don't think alg7 did either) mean that there would be no noticeable improvement. I'm saying that I don't think it will be worthwhile for someone who doesn't have time to game. Some people can justify spending a lot more than what a single GTX260 costs because its that important to them.


This guy is using a 1280x1024 monitor!

I'm probably looking 1680 x 1050 for the future monitor. I need that more than a video board--so the monitor will probably happen. The question is, will it require me to upgrade? I already have some issues with stuff like Bioshock in Win64.

why not just buy the monitor first and you can decide for yourself if your current card is acceptable with the games you play at the settings you like?

needmorecarnitine said:

why not just buy the monitor first and you can decide for yourself if your current card is acceptable with the games you play at the settings you like?

Click to expand...

Exactly. Though you will most likely have to upgrade your video card later, if you want to play with higher resolution.