Wait on purchasing a graphics card?

W

Wazoot

n00b
Joined
Mar 30, 2009
Messages
12
Looking to finish a build with my son. As the new cards are coming from nVidia and ATI, should I wait a bit to purchase, say a 4870/4850, or do you not think the prices will drop much from where they are now.
 
The new cards are probably summer at the earliest. Honestly right now is one of the best price/performance periods in some time with both companies undercutting each other so much.

The 4870 is pretty much a steal, I don't think it is worth waiting months for a new card imho. Prices on the 4870 are also bottom of the barrel with some OEMs not wanting to drop them any further, you should be set when it comes to price.
 
We'll be lucky to see DX11 cards from both parties by the end of this year. IMO it's not worth waiting either.
 
The 4890 is already out (and the GTX 275 was launched, in paper at 'least), and any impact it would have on 4870/4850 prices would have already been felt. It's a slightly pricier part regardless, which was just launched to fill a void at the $200-$300+ segment. (and the GTX 275 was just a minor refresh as well) 4850s are a great budget buy, I think they're easily going for $125 or less...

On Newegg the 4870 1GB cards actually seem to have gone up in price over the last few weeks, so much so that they're damned close to the 4890 prices ($230 after MIR), and even over it in the case of some OC'd or specially cooled cards. Taking that into account, I'd probably go for the GTX 260 over the 4870, since it's coming in at $160-175 and there's several from nice brands with excellent warranties (BFG/EVGA/XFX) that even bundle a game or two for that price. Think I saw an XFX card that came with both CoD:WaW and FC2 for $180... The GTX 260 and 4870 are neck and neck.

XFX is just about the only stellar reseller amongst ATI's partners, I wouldn't go NV over ATI over that alone, but all things being equal it's worth taking into account (and like I said, the GTX 260s are cheaper atm).

My two cents...
 
You may as well get one now. There's always going to be something newer and better coming out.
 
Buy now. Go cheap if you really want to upgrade right to a DX11 card as soon as they are released by the end of this year.
 
The only thing coming out soon is the 4770/4750. If you were going to get a 4830 then it might be worth waiting.
 
Thx for the replies. I am not interested in the new cards. What I was thinking was waiting for the new cards or not to drive down the prices of what's available now. Trying to do this with as little money as possible and still put together a decent system. We are upgrading him from a P4 2.4 / X800XL.
 
I recommend that you buy now as prices are always dropping. Unless you think you can wait up to 8 months to upgrade when the new generation of cards are released.
 
I am going to buy something now. The card is the last piece I need to finish the build. Waiting on replies on a 4850 and a 9800GTX right now. Of course, I could upgrade my 8800GTS 512 (G92) and give him that. Decisions,decisions.
 
I recommend you check you check the hot deals forum here or slickdeals for a great deal instead of looking for a "good time" to buy.
 
I think some of you are missing it. I am not going to buy retail. I am hitting up the forums on good buys. I was maybe thinking the new stuff could drive the prices down of the used items further than they are now.
 
there is a good deal in gtx 260 on the hard deals. you may can think about it I also bought it
 
Thx but I don't think the GTX260 deal is still going. Ended up picking up an HD4870 for $156 shipped.
 
Last edited:
I would not wait since there are great cards from either Ati or Nvidia for low prices now. Great bangs for the buck are the Nvidia 260 series and the Ati 4800 series.
 
Does NCIX offer the bundled games for the nVidia cards? I haven't been able to find it.
 
Some of the primary NVidia partners will actually offer a free game directly thru their website sometimes, worth checking out. I remember BFG doing it not too long ago w/FC2. I'm quite tempted by that XFX GTX 260 w/FC2 & CoD5 for $170 AR on Newegg, think I might buy this weekend, just waiting for Newegg to throw me a weekend discount on one more of the items on my cart, heh.
 
If you need one now, go for it. The prices are very good and so is the hardware. There's always something new a few months down the road - you can driver yourself crazy trying to catch the very, very ,very best deal. ;)
 
Is any card out right now "WAAAY" better than an 8800GTX 768MB?

I don't want to buy a new card for only a small performance increase.
 
well considering that the 8800GT 512 is around the same speed that a 8800GTX its safe to say that anything over a GTX260(even the 192 version) is "worth it".

right now i have a 9600GT that im thinking about upgrading, but since i have a 19' 1440x900 monitor i am in no rush.
 
ADRENALIN_2099 said:
well considering that the 8800GT 512 is around the same speed that a 8800GTX its safe to say that anything over a GTX260(even the 192 version) is "worth it".

right now i have a 9600GT that im thinking about upgrading, but since i have a 19' 1440x900 monitor i am in no rush.
Click to expand...

I'm able to run most games at optimal settings at 40-50 FPS on a 30" 2560x1600 display with my 8800 GTX, currently. Is something like the 4870x2 2GB, 4890, or 285GTX really gonna put that much more juice into my gaming? I'm not being smug, I'm honestly curious. I have a weak eye and Youtube vids of these cards on demonstrations are horrible for me to judge.
 
Depends what games you're wanting more "juice" for and of course if the current settings your play at for those games are good enough. We don't know your habits, your wants and needs so that's for you to decide.
 
should i upgrade?... i currently have a 8800 ultra behind a q6600 and 8gb of ram. whats the top of the line card going for now days?... nvidia flavor?
 
ZDPhoenix said:
Is any card out right now "WAAAY" better than an 8800GTX 768MB?

I don't want to buy a new card for only a small performance increase.
Click to expand...

GTX 275/HD 4890 at least. Anything less may show an improvement, but not be worth the expense imo.

Depending on the game and resolution the 8800 GTX can still be competitive with an HD 4850 512MB or 9800 GTX.
 
needmorecarnitine and Mega666 you did miss it. I had already posted before needmorecarnitine that I was not interested in the new cards.
 
I game at 1680 x 1050. Purchased a 4870/512 for my sons build and also a 4870/1GB for upgrading mine. Probably overkill for that resolution but things will be smoother and I will be ready for the monitor upgrade at a later date. Plus at $160, it is hard to pass up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top