I've got 3 options...which is best?

S

scaryogre

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Just read the [H] arcticle on the 7900 (nice job btw Kyle). Building a new PC for myself and giving my wife parts from my old PC. My Dell 2405 widescreen is arriving today. From the benchies it appears that even a single 7900GT will run some of the games I play most (WoW) just great at 1920x1200.

I have a family to support so money is increasingly an object. Thus, I have narrowed my options down to about three different scenarios. Which would be the better "bang-for-buck" option for my new rig?

1. Buy *one* 7900GTX right now and upgrade to a second in 6 months or so?
2. Buy *two* 7900GT for SLI right now and call it good for 18 months?
3. Buy *one* 7900GT for now and wait to see how the directx10 cards shape up?

Since all these cards seem to run 1920x1200 acceptably I am torn between the above options...thoughts? recommendations?

-scaryogre
 
Problem is you might have a problem holding for 18 months since we're about to go to a new architechture and DX10. You might be okay, but I have a feeling that DX10 will pick up steam pretty fast, as its part of Vista. You might want to upgrade before 18 months is all I'm saying.

You really don't need SLI for WoW. I'd go with option 3. This is the end of the road for DX9, and putting a lot of money into 7900 GTX SLI unless you really need the performance probably isn't worth it.
 
Mayhs said:
are you only going to play WOW?
Click to expand...

No, I'll be playing a lot more than just WoW. I plan on buying FEAR and all the good stuff that I don't get on my 360. I also will probably get Oblivion, I already have Doom3, etc. Does that change your recommendation at all?

If I am just going with one card solution until DX10 cards come out would it be better to go with one GTX instead of one GT?

Thanks guys!
 
probs option 3...like heatless said ull want to upgrde when dx10 comes out especially if u buy vista
 
Ask yourself the question : "Do I need the extra fps the GTX or SLI can give ?" then make a choice. Myself, I would pick the 3rd option as well especially if the benchies i saw put the 7900GT against the 7800GTX 256 Mb.

Vista will be released by the end of the year and that usually call for new hardware (DX10 and HDCP come to mind).
 
option 3. get the xfx xxx 7900gt though. look how it compares to a x1900xt:

so damn close!

7900gtoc8li.jpg
http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/8308/7900gtoc8li.jpg
 
Xilikon said:
Ask yourself the question : "Do I need the extra fps the GTX or SLI can give ?" then make a choice. Myself, I would pick the 3rd option as well especially if the benchies i saw put the 7900GT against the 7800GTX 256 Mb.
Click to expand...

As a follow-up to this question. Someone in another forum advised me that I should go with a 512MB card regardless to prevent hitching in some games. That would eliminate option #3 from consideration and make option #1 the frontrunner. Thoughts? 256MB cards are known to cause issues with hitching in some games vs. their 512MB counterparts???
 
Well, i think the hitching issue a bit overrated since it's not always related to cards but more with a combination of the hardware within the computer.

Myself, I run with a old 6800GT 256Mb and i don't suffer from some hitching at all, even when combined with the new MSI K8N Neo Platinum, which is known to cause shuttering/hitching issues with the 6xxx cards.

However, if you have the money to pay the 512Mb version, go ahead if you wish to keep it for a few years.
 
i can see the use for 512MB at 1600x1200 and greater resolutions with tons of aa and af. but at 1280x1024 i think its a waste of money.
 
pandora's box said:
i can see the use for 512MB at 1600x1200 and greater resolutions with tons of aa and af. but at 1280x1024 i think its a waste of money.
Click to expand...

Well, I'll be running at 1920x1200 as I mentioned...
 
Not just the resolution and the benchies since both the ATI an Nvidia part are so close in performance, but heat. If you read the Tech Report review, they did both a thermal as well as Power Supply requirement for the new cards. The new 7900 Series ran cooler and thus required a smaller heatsink/fan combo (7900GT) and required less power at both idle as well as load. That GT is looking pretty sweet right now.

-E
 
scaryogre said:
Well, I'll be running at 1920x1200 as I mentioned...
Click to expand...

Ohh, missed the point then you are right about going with 512Mb :D
 
your biggest conern is money right? well tell us if you can afford the 512 7900gtx's....
 
I can't afford TWO of them right now. I can afford one of the 7900GTX if it means the difference between running 1920x1200 at good frame rates or not. In other words I am wondering what is the real world noticable difference between the 7900GT 256 vs the 7900GTX 512 version at that resolution and does it justify the extra $$$ to buy the 7900GTX at this point in time?

Talking SINGLE cards here...not SLI.
 
Nevermind...I think I am going to have to get the GTX to play at the 1920x1200 res with most settings turned on. That also gives me an option to get another GTX later on or a DX10 card.
 
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