What to do

[jurupa]

I am upgrading my computer within the next few months and I was wondering if it was worth upgrading my 8800GTS to something better or buying a new one (I'll explain later). I currently play graphic heavy games, like AoC and X3, so I need a card that can handle them. I do not want to run two cards for various reasons. I prefer nVidia over AMD, but if its really worth the switch I may just get an AMD card. I do want a worth while upgrade over my current card if there is one there. I also don't want to go over $400 either

The reason I ask if its worth buying a new 8800GTS card is because when the 8800GTS first came out I got one. I got lucky and did not get one that overheated, but it still runs hot and have run into a couple of problems with it. It also has 320MB of RAM as well and with the games I play it is semi choking. And since the heating issue seems to be fix and it seems there are no cards really worth upgrading to right now or in the next two months, it may be best to just buy a new GTS card as they start at $180 with 640MB of RAM at Newegg.

 

[darkpaw]

If you do buy a new GTS, you don't want the 640mb one. The 512MB one is the newer model and outperforms it by a wide margin.

That said, if you're looking to spend nearly $200 either get a 9800GTX if you're set on nVidia or an ATI 4850 if you want to best value for that price.

 

[Living Weapon]

With all the NV die-shrinks, re-branding, and the current crop of high-end cards from NV and ATi, you certainly have a lot of choices. Mainly it comes down to your intended resolution. At 19x12 or 1080p, you can do well with a 9800GTX+, GTX260 or an HD4750 ...or possibly even an 8800GTS 512 (G92 based) with a fierce overclock, which is basically what they do to make a 9800GTX. For 25x16 the GTX280 is the king for now, but the 4870x2 2MB may prove to do the job better if you can wait a few weeks - even if it has microstutter, it may force additional NV price cuts. Of course if you game at 16xAnything, you can max out with less. Start with the recent [H] vid card evaluations and work backwards, as they've used AoC in the last few.

 

[jamhamm]

there isnt any reason i can think of to buy older technology at the same price as newer better technology...

the 4850 has it all over the 8800gts 320mb - and it cost $199

the 4870 has it all over any 8800 - and it cost $299

so no, instead of buying another gts for $180 - get the 4850 for the same price [$199]

or get really silly, spend the extra bill and pick up the 4870

it's the best thing going for price/performance right now

 

[jamhamm]

there isnt any reason i can think of to buy older technology at the same price as newer better technology...

the 4850 has it all over the 8800gts 320mb - and it cost $199

the 4870 has it all over any 8800 - and it cost $299

so no, instead of buying another gts for $180 - get the 4850 for the same price [$199]

or get really silly, spend the extra bill and pick up the 4870

it's the best thing going for price/performance right now

 

[Child of Wonder]

Sell your 8800GTS and get a 4870 or wait another month until the GTX 260 and 280 come down in price.

 

[jurupa]

I think I will wait and see how much the 260 and the 280 fall in price as those are so far the most appealing to my needs.

 

[Delete]

I read this thread:

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1323855

and now I don't want to buy a video card this year :[

Maybe you should just wait a bit.

 

[jurupa]

If I wait when DirectX11 comes, then some new tech will be in the wings soon to be release. That is the nature of todays tech. Besides it be a good 2 or more years before DirectX11 is really used in games. Just look how long DirectX9 has been around, I bet DirectX10 will most probably have a similar life span as well.

 

[CedarScott]

It's in Microsoft's best interest to release DX 11 and they are in 2 weeks. Now Windows XP users will be "behind 2 generations" in gaming speak and "must upgrade"... or so MS hopes.

 

[cybereality]

I've got the 8800 GTS 512MB and I'm pretty happy with it. Its overclocked a bit, so it should be on par or faster than a stock 9800 GTX. For $200, that is still a great deal. The 4850 also seems like a nice deal, but I haven't used it so I can't say for sure. What I can say is that heat is not a problem with the 8800 GTS G92. With the fans on 100% I'm only getting 45C idle and mid 50's in-game. Even with the fan at default the temps were in the high 60's, which seems pretty good to me. Don't bother with the 8800 GTS 640MB version, just get the 9800 GTX, its only a few dollars more.

 

[jurupa]

It's in Microsoft's best interest to release DX 11 and they are in 2 weeks. Now Windows XP users will be "behind 2 generations" in gaming speak and "must upgrade"... or so MS hopes.

I agree its Microsoft best interest to release DirectX11, but its stupid to release it now, especially when not all of todays main stream games are running DirectX10. It would be better to release DirectX11 with Windows 7.

I've got the 8800 GTS 512MB and I'm pretty happy with it. Its overclocked a bit, so it should be on par or faster than a stock 9800 GTX. For $200, that is still a great deal. The 4850 also seems like a nice deal, but I haven't used it so I can't say for sure. What I can say is that heat is not a problem with the 8800 GTS G92. With the fans on 100% I'm only getting 45C idle and mid 50's in-game. Even with the fan at default the temps were in the high 60's, which seems pretty good to me. Don't bother with the 8800 GTS 640MB version, just get the 9800 GTX, its only a few dollars more.

I was kinda thinking of over clocking a 8800GTS G92, but I might as well spend the couple of dollars more to get a real 9800GTX card instead. Tho I have to say these two cards are very temping to get right now:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...A-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16814121257&Tpk=engtx260
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...lickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16814133229