8800GTS worth upgrading yet?

[Shyatic]

I mostly play Counterstrike at max res, and for that it's fine... but with the newer games coming out I'd like to do a slight upgrade if it's worth it. I never found the need to spend $400 on a graphics card, but if I can do a cheap and worthwhile upgrade I'd like to see if that's doable.

Much obliged for any info... I want to spend *max* about $200 for an upgrade, IF it's worth it.

 

[Painman]

You'll have to list your system specs, because your rig link is broken.

 

[Shyatic]

Oh, sorry

I'm running:

Q6600 Intel (no OC, just plain vanilla)
4GB RAM (I forget what kind lol)
8800 GTS
Audigy Live Gamer
750GB Seagate 7200RPM drive (used to have a Raptor, needed more space!)

What else? That's about it

 

[Shyatic]

BTW, my system rig link works (in my sig)... at least it does for me

 

[Painman]

Ah, OK.

GTX 260 c216 or an HD 4870 1GB model would be my recommendation -- my box and my dispaly are very similar, and I'm looking for the same sort of upgrade (waiting to see if the 260s go back down in price again soon).

EDIT: Those cards are $250-270, maybe more than you want to dish out, but you're running 19*12 and that takes some push. If it were me I'd pay a little more now for the extra future-proofing.

Oh, and I did get to your rig page, but I had to enter your handle from my own page (that's what the link sends me to).

 

[Shyatic]

Originally posted by: Painman
Ah, OK.

GTX 260 c216 or an HD 4870 1GB model would be my recommendation -- my box and my dispaly are very similar, and I'm looking for the same sort of upgrade (waiting to see if the 260s go back down in price again soon).

What kind of increase in performance would I see from it?

I'm very happy with nVidia products, so I'd probably go that route.. I need to wait for my tax returns regardless

 

[Painman]

You're not going to double your GTS' performance with a 260, but if my understanding is correct, a 50-70% bump depending on the game. It should certainly help smooth 19*12 out; 260/4870 seem to be what folks consider "baseline" for good 19*12 performance with recent titles.

 

[zerocool84]

The only thing you're ganna get without going over $200 is this. Everything else is ganna be over $200.
HIS 4870 $189.99AR

 

[Quiksilver]

Which 8800GTS?
320?
640?
512?

 

[Shyatic]

320 GTS. Sorry for that.

 

[Shyatic]

Originally posted by: Painman
You're not going to double your GTS' performance with a 260, but if my understanding is correct, a 50-70% bump depending on the game. It should certainly help smooth 19*12 out; 260/4870 seem to be what folks consider "baseline" for good 19*12 performance with recent titles.

Yes, 1900 runs really crappy on some games I have. Granted, Left 4 Dead or most everything else I play is all source engine based, it runs reasonably well. But now with upcoming games coming out, the ID Tech 5 stuff coming with Rage this year, etc.. I want to upgrade with my tax return money

 

[krnmastersgt]

At 1920x1200, a GTS 320mb would be a bit weak I think. The GTX260 core216 would be an awesome upgrade for that resolution, granted it is a bit over the $200 mark. Maybe you could go over this proposed budget limit, then sell the GTS to make up some of the difference?

 

[Shyatic]

Originally posted by: krnmastersgt
At 1920x1200, a GTS 320mb would be a bit weak I think. The GTX260 core216 would be an awesome upgrade for that resolution, granted it is a bit over the $200 mark. Maybe you could go over this proposed budget limit, then sell the GTS to make up some of the difference?

That's what I was thinking.

I figure in a month (when my tax returns are in) is when I'll buy, so if the GTX 216 is cheaper great... Although I may upgrade my parent's home PC so when I'm home for the weekends, I can play at the house without dying for my apartment

 

[cyphilis]

Just double up and buy another GTS to SLi. You can pick them up for $75-85 used on ebay, and even as low as $99 for a new one. Thats what I did with my 640, doubled up to get me by until later this year then lay down some cash for whatever takes the cake then.

 

[Shyatic]

Originally posted by: cyphilis
Just double up and buy another GTS to SLi. You can pick them up for $75-85 used on ebay, and even as low as $99 for a new one. Thats what I did with my 640, doubled up to get me by until later this year then lay down some cash for whatever takes the cake then.

Don't have an SLI board

 

[themisfit610]

The GTS320 is really weak, especially at 1920x1200. I got a free step-up from a GTS320 to an 8800gt when they first came out, and I was amazed with the improvement. I'd suggest a 4850. They're dirt cheap, and have amazingly good performance per dollar. Heck, even a 4830 would be nice.

I recently built a second PC for WoW, and decided to spend $100 for a 4830 for my main PC, and migrate the 8800gt down to the WoW box. Couldn't be happier.

~miSfit

 

[TurtleCrusher]

TBH the differrence between the 8800gt and the 8800gts 320 are awfully small, unless you have a super OC and are GPU limited to the bone. Source engine is amazingly CPU limited, especially at my max res af 8xaa/af with HDR off. HDR on its a different story, but yeah, after a point Source just depends upon your cpu.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Scribe

Originally posted by: cyphilis
Just double up and buy another GTS to SLi. You can pick them up for $75-85 used on ebay, and even as low as $99 for a new one. Thats what I did with my 640, doubled up to get me by until later this year then lay down some cash for whatever takes the cake then.

Don't have an SLI board

SLI wouldn't be worth it anyways, as that 320MB frame buffer is probably responsible for some of the slowdowns and choppiness you're seeing at 1920. If you're waiting on a tax return there's not much point in comparing prices now as everything you're looking at will be cheaper and there may even be newer/faster/cooler versions as well. I'd certainly look at a GTX 260 core 216 or 1GB 4870 as the minimum for a very nice upgrade, which should also be $200 or less by the time you're ready to upgrade.

 

[Shyatic]

I'll have my tax returns early... I always do

I get them usually two weeks after I file, so by the middle of Feb I should be all set.

 

[Meanstreak]

I haven't read all of the posts above me so I'm sure there are some very good recommendations. If I'm upgrading graphics cards then I generally like to wait a generation. In my main rig I have an 8800 GTS and I'll probably wait for the next generation of cards before I upgrade. The 8800 is still a decent enough card, especially if you are playing Counter-Strike as your main vehicle for wasting time. Since it is a decent card, the only way I would buy out of the current crop of cards is if I could sell my current card, but I realize that is just me.

That said, why not purchase one of the games you are looking at and if it doesn't run as good as you would like then purchase the upgrade. If it does run, save your cash or at least blow it on something else. Get like a 28" LCD, that would give your friends a nergasm.

 

[d3v0]

At 19x12 I would greatly suggest an HD4870 1gb

I know they are retail a bit higher than what you are willing to pay, but within a month or so you should be able to find them used for your sort of price range.

 

[imported_Asianman]

Since you only have a 24 inch monitor, going for a mid range card is probably sufficient. Say, a HD 4850 or a 4870 512 MB, or if you prefer NV, a 9800GTX+ or a 192 core GTX 260 (they should be a bit cheaper than the 216 version right?)