8800 GTS (320 version) ... is it sufficient?

[jmichaelstone]

Hey there,

I've got a Dell 3007WFP (the 30" LCD monitor) on the way. I'd like to run it at its native resolution of 2560x1600, of course. I currently have a 7800 GT with 256MB of memory, and while it does have the necessary dual-link DVI port, I'm concerned it won't be able to push that many pixels around.

Will the 320MB version of the 8800GTS be able to handle it? I'm not, like, any kind of extreme gamer. Really, the only thing I play is World of Warcraft (though I would like to play at a fairly high resolution and with bells and whistles turned on, if possible). Or will it be necessary to spring for either the 640MB version or the GTX? (Please say no. LOL)

Thanks,
Jason

 

[F1shF4t]

The 320MB version takes a huge hit in performance at resolutions over 1920*1200
Here is the Anandtech review of the card

If your gonna be playing games at the native resolution of your screen your much better of going with the 640MG version or the gtx card.

I'm getting the 320MG version myself, but my screen resolution is only 1440*900, where there is slight to no difference in performance between the 640mg and 320mg version

 

[PingSpike]

While I think there is some kind of bug in nvidia's drivers that is increasing the memory performance hit at high resolutions beyond what they should be, I don't doubt that there is a decent hit at high resolutions with AA/AF.

Thats a pretty high resolution and a big monitor. I'm not sure about benchmarks with WoW but for most games I'd say the 320mb probably just plain doesn't have enough vram to get the job done. It'll work of course, but it might not be optimal.

An alternative would be running games at half native resolution so the scaling should turn out nice and clean. 1280x800 would run fine and look good I suspect. But it doesn't really sound like you want to do that.

 

[jmichaelstone]

Ah, screw it. I'll just spring for the damn GTX.

Thanks for the replies, guys!!!

 

[JPB]

Originally posted by: jmichaelstone
Ah, screw it. I'll just spring for the damn GTX.

Thanks for the replies, guys!!!

Wouldn't it be nice if we all could just say that. LoL

 

[40sTheme]

Originally posted by: jmichaelstone
Ah, screw it. I'll just spring for the damn GTX.

Thanks for the replies, guys!!!

Well geez I woulda just done that in the first place if I had the money!

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: jmichaelstone
Ah, screw it. I'll just spring for the damn GTX.

An easy solution if you have the money (and the PSU).

I'm sure the GTS-640 would handle WoW fine, even at such a high res.

 

[JPB]

Ya, I was going to purchase the 320 GTS...but decided to throw in a few extra bucks for the 640 version. Decided not to go with the GTX because ( if released soon enough ) gonna step up to the 8900 GTS.

P.S. Isnt the 8900 GTS ( supposed ) to be a little faster than the 8800 GTX ?

8800 GTX = 575 core / 1800 mem , GDDR3 , 384-bit , 768 memory , 128 procs , 90nm

8900 GTS = 600 core / 2000 mem , GDDR4 , 320-bit , 640 memory , 128 procs , 80nm

 

[Eomer of Aldburg]

Originally posted by: JPB

Originally posted by: jmichaelstone
Ah, screw it. I'll just spring for the damn GTX.

Thanks for the replies, guys!!!

Wouldn't it be nice if we all could just say that. LoL

haha, you have no idea how nice it would be for me to easily say that
17 years old in 15 days and I'm just about to buy and afford a 8800GTS 640

 

[BFG10K]

Ah, screw it. I'll just spring for the damn GTX.

A wise decision - you'll need all the power you can get if you plan on gaming at 2560x1600.

 

[aimforsilence]

you'll need more onboard video memory.. perhaps a gts 640mb or the GTX?

 

[Wreckage]

I'm not, like, any kind of extreme gamer.

Then you don't really need a GTX, especially if all you play is WoW.

But if you got the spare dimes why not get the best, eh?

You have to realize that the GTS 320mb is better than any card that was out when the Dell 3007WFP was first available.

 

[Shortass]

Originally posted by: Wreckage

I'm not, like, any kind of extreme gamer.

Then you don't really need a GTX, especially if all you play is WoW.

But if you got the spare dimes why not get the best, eh?

You have to realize that the GTS 320mb is better than any card that was out when the Dell 3007WFP was first available.

The same can be said about the best video cards and Oblivion or Doom 3, doesn't mean bigger can't still be better

Though I agree, the GTX is a little extreme if WoW's the only game to be played. It will future proof the system for a few years though, so it's still a good purchase if you have the cash.

 

[jmichaelstone]

Though I agree, the GTX is a little extreme if WoW's the only game to be played. It will future proof the system for a few years though, so it's still a good purchase if you have the cash.

I don't normally have the cash, but I just got my annual bonus from work, so rather than being responsible... I'm just going to blow it.

I got the GTX yesterday. I wanted the eVGA, but they were out. I ended up with the PNY one instead (the packaging and actual card for which look like they were inspired by NASCAR). Not sure what the difference is ... they were both the same price, but I hope it'll be fine. Price seemed good: $520. The same card is $550 at Newegg, which surprised me... they're usually cheaper on everything than the Microcenter here in town. Go figure.

Anyway, thanks again for the replies.

 

[PingSpike]

Personally, for cards up in this high of a price range I feel its worth it to pay this little bit more to buy from a maker that has a stronger warranty like eVGA. Its an expensive card that runs pretty hot. If that thing died a year and a half from now and I was just stuck with it, I'd be pretty pissed.