Another 9800 Pro user thinking about upgrading(x800 Pro/6800GT)

[FluxCap]

I know there have been a few threads discussing if an upgrade is worth it for 9800 Pro users but I feel like each case is different so I wanted to get everyone'e advice. My current system:

P4 3.0c
Asus P4P800 Deluxe
1024mb of Corsair PC3200
Radeon 9800 Pro 128mb
80gig 8mb cache HD
430w Antec PSU

My monitor is a 4yr old KDS 19" that has worked almost flawlessly and really been a great value for me. The reason I mention the monitor is after reading this thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=31&threadid=1352590&enterthread=y I realized the 9800 Pro really does well for it's age at the mid resolutions. But the one thing that might start to show the age of the 9800 Pro is playing at the higher resolutions. Well, my monitor supports up to 1600x1200 but I never play at the resolution, more like 1280x960 is the max. If I was going to continue to run my games no higher than 1280x960 with probably 4AA+8AF would an upgrade be worth it?

I am getting Doom 3 (like most everyone else) and Half Life 2 so I am trying to plan ahead for those in any way I can. I know it is hard for anyone to speak in reference to those games seeing as they are not even out but I just wanted to mention what I would be playing during the next year. My current system will probably play those fine but I am kinda excited about the idea of the new cards being available and the upgarde bug is getting to me.

I have been very happy with ATI for the past 3 years but I like how the 6800GT is shaping up, so I would probably go back to Nvidia(if I upgrade). One of the reasons I like the 6800GT is it seems to be a card that is better prepared for the future with SM3.0. The reason I mention future? Well, I am buying my first house and getting married in 2 months so my next card might be my last for 2-3+ years because I am going to be putting my money elsewhere for a while. Hopefully I am not rambling too much but I really wanted the opinions from this forum.

 

[Regs]

Congratulations ! :thumbsup::wine:


I was going to say you were in the perfect position to wait it out for a few months but since you stated you are planning a tight budget after the marriage, that idea quickly flew out the window.

My recommendation is this; If you thought about this upgrade for more than 5 minutes out of your day, then get it. No reason to deprive yourself of one last treat. Hell, you're getting married! The upgrade is sensible due to the large performance margin between the previous generations and the new generations.

Just as long as it doesn't prohibit the purchase of that special wedding band your about to slip on you're fiancée, I say you're in the clear.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

As the Nike ad states "Just do it" Flip a coin if you can't decide which card.

 

[GeneralGrievous]

Get the first card of the 2 you can find under $350. Or, get an x800 Pro vivo and mod that sucker into an XT.

 

[CRXican]

it's hard to argue with a doubling of 3DMark03 scores and the most beautiful Far Cry scenery ever!!!

 

[FluxCap]

Thanks for the congrats. :wine:

About future upgrades, it isn't like I won't ever upgrade to something nice again, it is just that I want to get some great performance out of my rig to at least summer 2005(just a guess). Maybe I can get that with my current rig but I want to be sure. I am constantly debating in my head if I can stretch what I have through Doom 3/Half Life 2+mods. I think maybe I am feeling some urgency because the 9800 Pro goes down in value just a tiny bit each day and I want to get something for it while I still can. (hopefully $150+)

I have thought about this uprade for more than 5 mintues a day for many days so I guess I am definitely a candidate for it. I guess my patience is wearing thin but if I could wait to see some actual recent benchmarks on Doom 3 and Half Life 2 I would probably be better off. However, my will is weak!

 

[Regs]

Hm. Well either the x800 or 6800GT will last you a very long time. I think D3 and HL2 are going to be the standard graphic engines come Unreal 3 in 2006. But who knows, if these two games do revitalize the PC gaming market like they're suppose to, we might see even more advanced engines sooner than 2006.

As of right now I can't imagine anything more advanced than Far Cry, D3, or the Screen shots (**giggles**) of HL2 for a long time. But what you will see is more video cards that will run these games even better in the next 2 years. Just like how the 9700p and the 9800p lasted for 2 years +. They'll just be refreasher cards with the same engines, but tweaked.

 

[crsgardner]

I recently upgraded from a Radeon 9800 Pro to a 6800GT (really recently -- this weekend), and I've been very impressed. I don't swear allegiances to any graphics card company; I get what I can afford and what is out. I had moderate expectations for the 6800GT and it has more than succeeded them.

I personally got the eVGA 6800GT. $400 for the card and FarCry in the box. Not a bad deal at all.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Personally I'd recommend going for a 6800GT, but either card is great, especially if you can get it for under $400.

 

[FluxCap]

Originally posted by: crsgardner
I recently upgraded from a Radeon 9800 Pro to a 6800GT (really recently -- this weekend), and I've been very impressed. I don't swear allegiances to any graphics card company; I get what I can afford and what is out. I had moderate expectations for the 6800GT and it has more than succeeded them.

I personally got the eVGA 6800GT. $400 for the card and FarCry in the box. Not a bad deal at all.

I was leaning towards the eVGA myself but also had the BFG in mind(if I could find it in stock!)

General,

Where can I get a card for $350??!

Edit:I really never overclock video cards and I probably won't with a GT or x800 so does that make the upgrade less of a good idea? If I do overclock should I wait for the BFB because of the good customer service and warranty?

 

[Regs]

I would recommend the eVGA with Far Cry as well. More so that you don't over clock. (which is a shame ) But then again, since you don't overclock, the BFG with a stock overclock and life time warrenty might be good also.

 

[DarkKnight]

you could wait for the x800GT if u still wanna stay with ATI, its an underclocked X800 XT

 

[FluxCap]

Originally posted by: DarkKnight
you could wait for the x800GT if u still wanna stay with ATI, its an underclocked X800 XT

This is true but I was trying not to think about it because I am betting it won't be out until after HL2 is out.

 

[PhoenixOrion]

Originally posted by: GeneralGrievous
Get the first card of the 2 you can find under $350. Or, get an x800 Pro vivo and mod that sucker into an XT.

Or buy an x800 non vivo and hardmod it the HARD way. It works!

 

[FluxCap]

Not big on modding either. I am a wimp I guess but I would rather just pay for a stock setup.

 

[zetto]

I'd go for 6800gt - it's available, there plenty of deals on those suckers if watch deal forum closely enough (30% off at CompUSA any1?), and it runs beautifully. x800gt is nice, but it aint even announced yet, and even x800pros are hardly advertised with any deals. Added bonus for 6800gt: most if not all GTs run at Ultra speed without a hitch, no modding required, and temp rises only by a degree or 2 (celcius) when o/ced to ultra. Personally, I couldn't a find a reason NOT to upgrade from 9800pro to this awesome videocard.

 

[FluxCap]

So overclocking the GT is simply done using an app? With small heat gain as well? It seems like it would be the first video card I would overclock.

 

[Regs]

Originally posted by: FluxCap
So overclocking the GT is simply done using an app? With small heat gain as well? It seems like it would be the first video card I would overclock.

It involves adding simply one registry key into a folder. And the overclocking program is available in the Nvidia control panel. By overclocking the GT to Ultra speeds, you're looking at a gain of maybe 2-6c degrees.

Here's how ya do it

 

[MoPHo]

lemme buy your 9800 pro. im looking for one and would be willing to pay for it...

 

[FluxCap]

Does anyone have a list of the top 3 most convincing benchmarks showing why I should upgrade? Please.

 

[Gamingphreek]

lol i dont have that but definately go with the GT. It is much better IMO tan the Pro. Im not saying that the Pro is a bad card but it doesn't have as much "futureproofness" a little slower, 12 pipes compared to 16... Either card is awesome i would just highly recommend the GT.

(Plz have mercy and dont flame me )

-Kevin

 

[DoobieOnline]

Hey FluxCap, if you need some convincing on the GT then read this. I've had the Visiontek X800 Pro and now have the BFG 6800 GT OC and I've got to give the nod to the GT. Overclocking the GT is as simple as installing coolbits, bumping the core/mem to 400/1100, and voila - you have yourself an Ultra. I recommend BFG's model if you already have Far Cry. If not, then pick up the eVGA model because it comes with a free copy. You will definitely notice the difference in speed coming from a 9800 Pro. Good luck!

Doobie

 

[FluxCap]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback.

I think I will go with the 6800GT but I want to find it for $350 if possible. I am afraid another sale like that won't happen for a while however. Part of me wants the BFG and part of me wants the eVGA for Far Cry. I really hope another sale shows up before Doom 3 is released. If anyone remembers and they see a sale soon please PM me so I can jump on it, thanks!

 

[jim1976]

What can you say? To hardcore game or not to hardcore game?
I'm on the exact same position with you. (Except I'm not getting married )
I play until 12x9 with a similar system like yours. I have the exact same questions.
And my main question is if 9800pro can manage it pretty well with all eye candy on at these res until R500 or NV50 will be here.
That's the cores I'd luv to have on my rig. And since it seems that they will be out pretty soon I don't know what to do. I'm itchy on the 6800GT though myself.
But in your case,since you don't have so much time left (probably you won't buy a gpu again ) I would suggest to get one of the X800pro and 6800GT.

 

[FluxCap]

I just had my mouse pointer over the submit button on eVGA's website but I didn't do it because my gut tells me to wait on the BFG. In case I have to make use out of the lifetime warranty I want to have the option.

I wish someone had the BFG for $400 with free shipping available now. When I went to bfgtech.com and clicked buy it linked me to chumbo.com who has FedEX 2 day free shipping but of course doesn't have the card in stock.

The longer BFG it out of stock the more I will want to get the eVGA with Far Cry. I also don't like reading big debates like I have about the eVGA's having a history of poor 2D quality.