a big bang for the buck card?

[iskim86]

I currently have a Sapphire X1900XT 256mb.

I'm planning on upgrading soon, preferrably to an 8800 or 2900.

which current generation card offers the most bang for the buck?

and my proc is an AMD 64 X2 3800+ (2.2ghz), should I upgrade the cpu first before upgrading the video card?

thanks

 

[Wreckage]

How much are you looking to spend? What res to you play at?

 

[iskim86]

money is not much of an issue right now, I just want something offers the bext price to performance ratio.

I play my games at 1680 X 1050.

 

[Wreckage]

Well bang for the buck is a relative term so...

(in rough order of price and performance)

$200 or less - 8600GTS of X1950XT
$300 or less - 8800GTS 320
$400 or so - 8800GTS 640 or HD2900XT
$500 or so - 8800GTX
$600 or so - 8800Ultra

Since you said money is not a problem than the 8800GTX is your best bet as the Ultra is a bit pricey and is just an overclocked GTX.

 

[iskim86]

i see. should I upgrade my CPU first though? it's 2.2ghz...

 

[iskim86]

i mean, i'm thinking my CPU is what chokes the performance the most.

 

[Butterbean]

Intel cpu's are a month away from big price cuts. Then there are more coming in Sept.

"Intel Tells Customers It Will Slash Chip Prices 50%"

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/...XLuplwhw8wM&refer=home

 

[iskim86]

thanks but i don't think those will fit my AM2 socket...

 

[Munky]

At that resolution, you will see good gains from a better video card, your cpu is still decent. I would recommend the gtx as the upgrade card, because it offers close to 2x performance increase over a x1900xt. The gts is on average 50% faster than the x1900xt, so IMO it's not enough of an upgrade to make it worthwhile. Take a look at the overall performance rating of many cards here:
http://www.computerbase.de/art...nitt_performancerating

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: iskim86
i mean, i'm thinking my CPU is what chokes the performance the most.

IMHO, I think your 1900xt is a perfect match for a 3800 x2 @ 2.2. Unless you want more aa/af and a little better image quality you won't gain much fps with a faster new card. Now if you overclock it to 2.7/2.8 , thats a different story.

 

[Wreckage]

I don't think a X2 will be much of a bottleneck for a newer DX10 card.

 

[secretanchitman]

8800GTS 320MB/640MB or an X2900XT.

 

[iskim86]

what's up with 320? 256+64?

 

[Rage3kMoiz]

The 8800GTS 640MB is the best bang-for-your-buck since performance takes a major hit with the 320MB version when you up the resolution and detail since the card struggles with high levels of AA and AF at very high resolutions. Keep in mind that any current-gen card you buy will become obsolete as soon as DX10 games start hitting the market proper and you'll have to upgrade then. So why not upgrade now and save yourself the hassle later?

 

[Nathelion]

Originally posted by: Rage3kMoiz
The 8800GTS 640MB is the best bang-for-your-buck since performance takes a major hit with the 320MB version when you up the resolution and detail since the card struggles with high levels of AA and AF at very high resolutions. Keep in mind that any current-gen card you buy will become obsolete as soon as DX10 games start hitting the market proper and you'll have to upgrade then. So why not upgrade now and save yourself the hassle later?

Never ever try future proofing, it's futile. Unless you actually feel the need to upgrade, I'd say wait until you get a better proc. If you still decide to upgrade, the GTS320 is probably your best bet.

 

[yuppiejr]

1680 x 1050 is right on the cusp that would make a 640 meg 8800GTS worthwhile especially if you play with full eye candy. With the problems people have reported with the 320 meg 8800 GTS models having memory management problems and game lag that results I'd avoid the 320 meg version of this card entirely unless Nvidia fixes the problem in the drivers.

It will be cheap to upgrade that proc down the road so if it becomes a bottleneck you can just throw more CPU in without spending a lot. I'd say shop deals until you can get an 8800 GTS 640 meg or 2900XT 512 meg card for $325-350.

 

[superbooga]

Originally posted by: Rage3kMoiz
The 8800GTS 640MB is the best bang-for-your-buck since performance takes a major hit with the 320MB version when you up the resolution and detail since the card struggles with high levels of AA and AF at very high resolutions. Keep in mind that any current-gen card you buy will become obsolete as soon as DX10 games start hitting the market proper and you'll have to upgrade then. So why not upgrade now and save yourself the hassle later?

Unless the price difference is like $40 or less, definitely get the GTS320. If you have severe problems with it in the games you play, then return it at get a 640.

If you look at Firingsquad's GTS 320 roundup, you'll see that the 320 is not limited by its memory size at 1600x1200.

As for future proofing... as the other poster said, forget about it. If the 320 can't do 1680x1050 for a game, then the 640 won't either. 640 is meant for 1920x1200 and above resolutions with AA, not for "future proofing".

 

[superbooga]

Oops..double post..

 

[effee]

If you want bang for buck get a 7600gs

 

[Arkaign]

GTS 320, 1680x1050 is waaay under the 1920x1200 that needs 640mb w/AA/max textures/etc

Also look at ram, how much do you have? 2GB is minimal for gaming these days.

And lastly, the 5600+ 2.8Ghz 2x1MB AM2 proc is $179 w/free shipping. You could always either overclock your current proc and shoot for 2.6+Ghz, or buy a faster one and have a lock on better speed. 2.2Ghz + 2x512k L2 is touch and go for the latest games at 1680x1050 and high/max detail.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

Originally posted by: superbooga

Originally posted by: Rage3kMoiz
The 8800GTS 640MB is the best bang-for-your-buck since performance takes a major hit with the 320MB version when you up the resolution and detail since the card struggles with high levels of AA and AF at very high resolutions. Keep in mind that any current-gen card you buy will become obsolete as soon as DX10 games start hitting the market proper and you'll have to upgrade then. So why not upgrade now and save yourself the hassle later?

Unless the price difference is like $40 or less, definitely get the GTS320. If you have severe problems with it in the games you play, then return it at get a 640.

If you look at Firingsquad's GTS 320 roundup, you'll see that the 320 is not limited by its memory size at 1600x1200.

As for future proofing... as the other poster said, forget about it. If the 320 can't do 1680x1050 for a game, then the 640 won't either. 640 is meant for 1920x1200 and above resolutions with AA, not for "future proofing".

WRONG.
i used to own a 8800gts 320. its a good card buit even at 12x10 i couldn't use AA in oblivion. 320 mb lags and stutters like nothing else. get the 640. its more than worth the cost.