Best hi-res card to buy NOW?

[sammajidi]

I am purchasing the parts to build a system (my first build) to game and test @ hi-res (30" 25x16)...

I have been waiting for today's release of the 9800GTX.... (pretty underwhelming)however, with the 256bit/512mb memory cap, I am still considering the 8800GTX.

My 2 options seem to be 8800GTX or 9800GTX. Pretty much the same price +/- a few $$... depending on mfg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...82E16814130339&bop=And

If I understand correctly, the memory differences will only play a real role in ultra-hi-res scenerio's.... I am mating this beast with a 30" panel and E8500 proc.

The 8800GTX is actually CHEAPER... has more RAM and a larger memory bandwidth.

I am not too concerned with the heat output (significant difference). I will have ample cooling to compensate.

I understand a more powerful PSU will be required for the 8800's... as they suck significantly more juice and produce more heat.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks,


Sam

 

[Piuc2020]

Well memory size and memory bus is what's going to limit you the most at such a high res so if you have the PSU and thermals to drive SLI 8800GTXs I would go for that and overclock them as much as you can. The 9800GTX and 8800GTX are awfully close in performance anyways so it's not like you can make a bad buy, just remember the power hog G80 is.

 

[panfist]

I do believe that at 25x16 resolutions the 8800GTX will outperform the 9800GTX, but at the cost of increased power consumption. However, both cards should do you just fine for pretty much everything except Crysis.

If I were you my options, in order

-buy two used 8800GTX and wait for the real next-gen.
-buy two 9800GTX because those -may- be easier to get rid of 6-12 months when the real next gen arrives.

Alternatively, and this is what I would do if I were you, would be to use the cheapest solution you can tolerate and wait for the real next gen. I have a gut feeling that nvidia will soon release a 320- or 384-bit, or maybe even 512-bit card that will shame both the 9800GTX and 8800GTX.

Edit: isn't it really sad that a 2 year old graphics card is winning in the polls 5-0? nvidia really should be ashamed of themselves for releasing such a turd with the 9800GTX.

 

[scheibler1]

9800gtx, they scale better then the 8800gtx in sli

 

[panfist]

Originally posted by: scheibler1
9800gtx, they scale better then the 8800gtx in sli

Can you link to some evidence please?

 

[Martimus]

This chart (Anandtech 9800GTX review) shows that the 8800GTX is still the best for that resolution. (8800 Ultra in this case)

 

[Piuc2020]

Originally posted by: panfist
I do believe that at 25x16 resolutions the 8800GTX will outperform the 9800GTX, but at the cost of increased power consumption. However, both cards should do you just fine for pretty much everything except Crysis.

If I were you my options, in order

-buy two used 8800GTX and wait for the real next-gen.
-buy two 9800GTX because those -may- be easier to get rid of 6-12 months when the real next gen arrives.

Alternatively, and this is what I would do if I were you, would be to use the cheapest solution you can tolerate and wait for the real next gen. I have a gut feeling that nvidia will soon release a 320- or 384-bit, or maybe even 512-bit card that will shame both the 9800GTX and 8800GTX.

Edit: isn't it really sad that a 2 year old graphics card is winning in the polls 5-0? nvidia really should be ashamed of themselves for releasing such a turd with the 9800GTX.

It's not a turd release, sure it performs the same but it consumes less energy so it's more easy to SLI them. G92 as a whole was a great release, not a revolution in performance (not that one is needed right now anyways) but being able to play every game out there max settings at 1680x1050 (even Crysis, well maybe that one at a mix of medium/high) with a 9600GT that is priced under $150 is just ridiculous.

I'm sure you'd like to go back to the days of $600 graphic cards and pathetic midrange offerings. NV's offering might be disappointing in terms of performance but they are great cards for the price that don't break down your PSU so personally I'm not disappointed by G92 in the least, from what we know GT200 is going to be a high-end exclusive part with tons of heat and tons of power draw so it's likely going to be a $500+ exclusive part, G92 is here to stay and unless you have the need to play at resolutions higher than 1920x1200 and can spend more than $500 for a card I think you would be a fool to wait for GT200.

 

[panfist]

Ok, you're right, it's not a turd. It just doesn't deserve the GTX name. Maybe they could have called it an 8850GTX or 8900GTX or something. I'm just mad because you know they only called it the 9800GTX to fool more people into buying it based purely on the model number.

 

[Piuc2020]

Originally posted by: panfist
Ok, you're right, it's not a turd. It just doesn't deserve the GTX name. Maybe they could have called it an 8850GTX or 8900GTX or something. I'm just mad because you know they only called it the 9800GTX to fool more people into buying it based purely on the model number.

Well with that I agree with you completely, the naming scheme only really worked for the midrange.

 

[Extelleron]

9800GTX is not suitable for 2560x1600 gameplay.

Go for the 8800GTX SLI. It's still (close to 2 years later) the only option for 2560x1600 IMO.

 

[lopri]

I agree to Extelleron that (sadly) 8800 GTX SLI is a more balanced solution than 9800 GTX SLI for 2560x1600.

 

[sammajidi]

Thanks Everyone!

' Order SummaryQty Product Description Price
' Order #: 70517185
' 2 EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
' Item #: N82E16814130072
' Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy $679.98
' ($339.99 ea)
' Subtotal $679.98


-$100.00 MIR = 2x 8800GTX's for $290/ea!

Great Price.... when the real next-gen comes out, I will not take a too big a hit. (I almost got 3!)

More importantly, however.... Killer 2560x1600 graphics!

After reading lots of reviews on the Enthusiast sites, pretty much everyone agree's... the 9800's 256/512 setup will create a serious bottle-neck with some current, and probably many, future games (@ ultra-high res).


Thanks Again.

 

[panfist]

Wow, nice purchase man, I'm very jealous. I hope you enjoy them. Do you think you could let us know how it goes when they come in?

 

[sammajidi]

Originally posted by: panfist
Wow, nice purchase man, I'm very jealous. I hope you enjoy them. Do you think you could let us know how it goes when they come in?

Would love to!

I am putting them in a COSMOS 1010 case (w/ESA). Motherboard will be an ASUS 780 based board. E8500, 8 gigs of DDR2 (have not picked them out yet). 10k raptor system drive with XP 64bit.... 30" Dell 3007.

I would really love a PSU with ESA.... PC Power & Cooling 1200ESA... but it is uber-$$$. Perhaps I will get a well-priced, quality 850-1000w for now and swap it out some time in the future when (if?) ESA catches on.... (hmm... time to check the PSU forum!)

If I can get everything together by the weekend, I will build it and post it by Sunday.

This is my first build... so, anything can happen! :shocked:

 

[panfist]

I don't know very much about power supplies...or ESA...but how about a tagan 1100W esa for $375?

 

[KyleGates]

Originally posted by: panfist
Ok, you're right, it's not a turd. It just doesn't deserve the GTX name. Maybe they could have called it an 8850GTX or 8900GTX or something. I'm just mad because you know they only called it the 9800GTX to fool more people into buying it based purely on the model number.

Of all the comments on the 9800's that I have heard so far in all the land, this is the best. Thast exactly what these new cards are, the 8900GTX! Oh well, myself, i have 2 8800GTXs in SLi already and was planning to go to 9800s.........guess Ill be waiting till the "real" next gen stuff in Q3 ......so sad

 

[sammajidi]

Originally posted by: panfist
I don't know very much about power supplies...or ESA...but how about a tagan 1100W esa for $375?

I think the Tagan you mentioned, and the PC Power & Cooling are the the only two on the market, in stock.


If the price advertised is correct: $210.00
http://www.frozencpu.com/produ...0178RU.html?tl=g11c285

That would be a sweet deal... I will inquire tomorrow.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: KyleGates

Originally posted by: panfist
Ok, you're right, it's not a turd. It just doesn't deserve the GTX name. Maybe they could have called it an 8850GTX or 8900GTX or something. I'm just mad because you know they only called it the 9800GTX to fool more people into buying it based purely on the model number.

Of all the comments on the 9800's that I have heard so far in all the land, this is the best. Thast exactly what these new cards are, the 8900GTX! Oh well, myself, i have 2 8800GTXs in SLi already and was planning to go to 9800s.........guess Ill be waiting till the "real" next gen stuff in Q3 ......so sad

I agree with panfist's sentiments, but after accusing it of not being worthy of the GTX moniker, he then suggests "8850GTX or 8900GTX"! Logical inconsistancy?

The card is so similar to the G92 8800GTS-512 (in fact it is nothing more than G92 8800GTS-512 OC), so why not keep the GTS moniker (now that G80 GTS is OOL)?

 

[panfist]

Originally posted by: betasub

Originally posted by: KyleGates

Originally posted by: panfist
Ok, you're right, it's not a turd. It just doesn't deserve the GTX name. Maybe they could have called it an 8850GTX or 8900GTX or something. I'm just mad because you know they only called it the 9800GTX to fool more people into buying it based purely on the model number.

Of all the comments on the 9800's that I have heard so far in all the land, this is the best. Thast exactly what these new cards are, the 8900GTX! Oh well, myself, i have 2 8800GTXs in SLi already and was planning to go to 9800s.........guess Ill be waiting till the "real" next gen stuff in Q3 ......so sad

I agree with panfist's sentiments, but after accusing it of not being worthy of the GTX moniker, he then suggests "8850GTX or 8900GTX"! Logical inconsistancy?

The card is so similar to the G92 8800GTS-512 (in fact it is nothing more than G92 8800GTS-512 OC), so why not keep the GTS moniker (now that G80 GTS is OOL)?

Well...if Nvidia is allowed to be illogical, then so am I. According to nvidia's "logic" from last generation...this card deserves no better than an 8600, 8700, 9600, 9700 number, since it's only 256-bit.

 

[MarcVenice]

You don't really need a 300$ ESA PSU. A antec quattro 850w would easily suffice for example. It's 140$ AR at newegg.com. Has all the connectors you need: PCI-E Connectors 2 x 6Pin, 2 x 8Pin. The ThermalTake 850w W0178RU is also a pretty good pick.

And why XP 64 bit ? Talk about shooting yourself in the foot, go with Vista 64x instead.

 

[sammajidi]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
You don't really need a 300$ ESA PSU. A antec quattro 850w would easily suffice for example. It's 140$ AR at newegg.com. Has all the connectors you need: PCI-E Connectors 2 x 6Pin, 2 x 8Pin. The ThermalTake 850w W0178RU is also a pretty good pick.

And why XP 64 bit ? Talk about shooting yourself in the foot, go with Vista 64x instead.

I went ahead with the Thermaltake 1200... working great so far.
I mis-typed, I got Vista 64bit... (and all the debuging that comes with it!...