I'm not going to spend more than US$200 on a new card. I currently have an 8800GTS 320MB. I just saw the 9800GTX going for US$200. Is that the best option?
$200 budget...best card = ???
- Thread starter Cheex
- Start date
Only if you absolutely must get an Nvidia card. Otherwise, the 4850 is the best option since it's faster than the stock 9800GTX and can be found from $150 to $200
Hmm....I'm a little partial towards Nvidia I must say.
From what I gather...at the $200 price point, the only worthy options are the 4850 and the 9800GTX.
How much better than the 9800GTX is the 4850?
From what I gather...at the $200 price point, the only worthy options are the 4850 and the 9800GTX.
How much better than the 9800GTX is the 4850?
/agree
I'm partial to Intel's newer chipsets myself, so in order to keep a multi-gpu option open for myself I would go with the 4850 hands down at $200. But if you have an nVidia chipset already and may look into SLI or at least want to have the option, then the 9800GTX isn't a bad card.
Depends on the game. Usually it's neck to neck but as you increase AA the 4850 pulls ahead. The fact you can get the 4850 for cheaper just increases its value even more.
There are also some games like CoD4 or Bioshock where the 4850 has a positively shocking lead (over 40% faster in Bioshock!).
If I may, what makes you partial to Nvidia in particular? They were the only realistic option for the last 18 months but it's not the case right now.
There are also some games like CoD4 or Bioshock where the 4850 has a positively shocking lead (over 40% faster in Bioshock!).
If I may, what makes you partial to Nvidia in particular? They were the only realistic option for the last 18 months but it's not the case right now.
See the sticky 48xx thread, post 1 for a pile of reviews.
The 4850 is better, its only flaw is the case heater cooler vs. the dual-slot exhaust fan of the 9800GTX. If you're strongly partial to the 9800GTX it's not a bad card at $200, just a little slower.
Some 4850s do have rebates or bundled games though, so a 4850 + The Witcher at $200 is faster and includes a good game.
The 4850 is better, its only flaw is the case heater cooler vs. the dual-slot exhaust fan of the 9800GTX. If you're strongly partial to the 9800GTX it's not a bad card at $200, just a little slower.
Some 4850s do have rebates or bundled games though, so a 4850 + The Witcher at $200 is faster and includes a good game.
Incidentally, there's a new bios out for the 4850 that properly clocks the idle down to 160MHz (instead of 500MHz). The temperature difference is supposed to be amazing.
I'll be installing the bios when I get back tonight and will post. I've already put on a 3rd party cooler already so my GPU will be absolutely frigid.
I'll be installing the bios when I get back tonight and will post. I've already put on a 3rd party cooler already so my GPU will be absolutely frigid.
bryanW1995
Lifer
- May 22, 2007
- 11,144
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cheex is in jamaica, and, iirc, he can't get mir's from newegg etc 
also, he has a 780i sli rig so nvidia is probably a better fit for him.
cheex, I would keep my eyes peeled for one of the 65nm oc edition 9800gtx's. Those get pretty close to the 4850 and are also getting very close to $200. I saw a link a couple days ago for $229 on a black edition 9800gtx that is faster than the 55nm gtx+.
also, he has a 780i sli rig so nvidia is probably a better fit for him.cheex, I would keep my eyes peeled for one of the 65nm oc edition 9800gtx's. Those get pretty close to the 4850 and are also getting very close to $200. I saw a link a couple days ago for $229 on a black edition 9800gtx that is faster than the 55nm gtx+.
Well I became partial to Nvidia because of the massive performance increase I got going from X850XT to 8800GTS 320MB...
I have a 780i mobo so the 9800GTX does look intriguing. However, I might change this mobo and if I do, I'll be going back to an Intel chipset.
On the other hand, I've always liked the prospect of dual-gpu setups but never really considered doing it...so...
I'm honestly leaning towards the 9800GTX but I have a while before I decide for sure. I just need some input.
I have a 780i mobo so the 9800GTX does look intriguing. However, I might change this mobo and if I do, I'll be going back to an Intel chipset.
On the other hand, I've always liked the prospect of dual-gpu setups but never really considered doing it...so...
I'm honestly leaning towards the 9800GTX but I have a while before I decide for sure. I just need some input.
Originally posted by: bryanW1995
cheex is in jamaica, and, iirc, he can't get mir's from newegg etc
cheex, I would keep my eyes peeled for one of the 65nm oc edition 9800gtx's. Those get pretty close to the 4850 and are also getting very close to $200. I saw a link a couple days ago for $229 on a black edition 9800gtx that is faster than the 55nm gtx+.
You're right Bryan.
What's the deal anyway with the 9800GTX+??
Is the 55nm advantage good enough to pay $30 more as against the 9800GTX??
Originally posted by: Cheex
Well I became partial to Nvidia because of the massive performance increase I got going from X850XT to 8800GTS 320MB...
That has little to do with whether it's ATI or Nvidia considering you jumped two generations =P
Originally posted by: ChronoReverse
Originally posted by: Cheex
Well I became partial to Nvidia because of the massive performance increase I got going from X850XT to 8800GTS 320MB...
That has little to do with whether it's ATI or Nvidia considering you jumped two generations =P
This is true, my 4850 should be here tomorrow and it'll be replacing my X850XT PE, so thats jumping up what....4 generations? I look forward to that performance jump
bryanW1995
Lifer
- May 22, 2007
- 11,144
- 32
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well, it could be. you had x18xx, x19xx, x29xx, hd 38xx, hd 48xx so that is five, though the 2900xt to 3870 wasn't much of a performance jump, and I don't know about 18xx-19xx.
The cost of parts here are ridiculous. I intend to start my own business and offer computer stuff at actually reasonable prices....be the "Newegg" of Jamaica....
I buy from Newegg...
Originally posted by: ChronoReverse
Originally posted by: Cheex
Well I became partial to Nvidia because of the massive performance increase I got going from X850XT to 8800GTS 320MB...
That has little to do with whether it's ATI or Nvidia considering you jumped two generations =P
That is true though but another thing is that my first card was Nvidia...lol...Geforce 4 - MX4000.
Anyway, in terms of performance, how much (in %) is the 4850 ahead of the 9800GTX.
Sylvanas
Diamond Member
- Jan 20, 2004
- 3,752
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Originally posted by: Cheex
The cost of parts here are ridiculous. I intend to start my own business and offer computer stuff at actually reasonable prices....be the "Newegg" of Jamaica....
I buy from Newegg...
Originally posted by: ChronoReverse
Originally posted by: Cheex
Well I became partial to Nvidia because of the massive performance increase I got going from X850XT to 8800GTS 320MB...
That has little to do with whether it's ATI or Nvidia considering you jumped two generations =P
That is true though but another thing is that my first card was Nvidia...lol...Geforce 4 - MX4000.
Anyway, in terms of performance, how much (in %) is the 4850 ahead of the 9800GTX.
Have a look at AT's review it is hard to determine a solid % as it changes with each engine/game used in some cases the 4850 is about 20fps better. Bottom line is It beats the 9800 hands down and the gap gets even more pronounced the higher the rez and more AA used-so it makes little sense going with a 9800 given how cheap these 4850's can be had.
The power would be okay if I did that but the problem there would be that I would still be limited to only 320MB of video memory...:frown:
So that is not really an option at this point.
It really is only a generation change when the first number changes... x1800 and x1900 are both from the X1000 series. Although because the 3800 series was basically a simplification and shrink of the 2900 series (much like how the GF9 series was to the GF8) its performance wasn't necessarily an upgrade as the only significant improvements were in power consumptions and thermals...
so in terms of significant leaps in performance I'd actually argue its more like 3 generations...
If you're not shy about rebates and changing your system up, best price/performance would be:
-sell your 8800gts for $90-100
-sell your board for $150+ (if possible, I don't know the market for used mobos)
-add your budgeted $200
And buy 2 x rebated 4850's ($300) and an X38 board ($150+).
*edit*
Forgot about the PSU requirement...but you have an SLi board already, is your PSU up to the challenge?
*edit*
Rosewill 600w...I doubt it...
-sell your 8800gts for $90-100
-sell your board for $150+ (if possible, I don't know the market for used mobos)
-add your budgeted $200
And buy 2 x rebated 4850's ($300) and an X38 board ($150+).
*edit*
Forgot about the PSU requirement...but you have an SLi board already, is your PSU up to the challenge?
*edit*
Rosewill 600w...I doubt it...
SneakyStuff
Diamond Member
- Jan 13, 2004
- 4,294
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512MB 8800GTS as far as deals go that would be a good one, but a 9800GTX wouldn't be a bad idea, personally i'd wait to see if the price drops a little more though.
Oh cmon, so youre gonna buy an inferior card just because of brand loyalty? The whole forum is telling you buy a 4850, do it
Its not brand loyalty guys, I really did enjoy my X850XT (up from 6600GT)...
...and the $200 budget is including the resale of my GTS.
I probably need to rethink everything though. I think I need to upgrade several things. Noya raised a good point about the PSU.
:frown:
...and the $200 budget is including the resale of my GTS.
I probably need to rethink everything though. I think I need to upgrade several things. Noya raised a good point about the PSU.
:frown:
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