buying now or later!? 7 series or...

[Mojo the Monkey]

Well, I have ~$500 to spend on a new video card(s) this academic year (before next summer). Here is my problem. I have a motherboard that does not support SLI, (and i dont want to switch), so I need a single card solution.

I am running the Dell 2405FPW 24" and my max resolution is 1920x1200. I currently run a 6800GT (overclocked to hell on water). I use this computer to game, and I NEED AA and AF (its addicting). With the games I play, I am stuck to playing with borders to lower my res to 1680x1050 (in cs source) and 1280x1024 (in BF2). I want to be able to play these games (and the upcoming BF 2142) at full resolution, with AA and AF.

Therefore, I'm looking at the 7950GX2. unfortunately, $500 is a lot to spend with a new tech about to come out. I was doing my best to wait for the board redesign, like the G80 or R600 (unlike the board "upgrade" from the 6xxx to 7xxx, because the jump from 7xxx to 8xxx is supposed to be more of a ground up redesign).

In any case, I think my vid card is on its last legs. I like the idea of getting the 7950GX2 and then trading up through EVGA to the G80, but the only problem... what if the G80 doesnt come out in 90 days?!?! its quite the $500 gamble.

Solution 2: I buy the new 7900gs for $200 (or a refurb 7900gt for ~200) and wait for the first or 2nd generation of the DX10 cards and spend $300 some time in the spring.

I am basically trying to figure out if there has been any news on the g80. What are the chances its going to come out within 90 days? Will the 7900GS really tide me over with a 1920x1200 monitor?

Any help/input is greatly appreciated.
(everything else in my computer is more than adequate to support whatever card i drop in)

 

[SithSolo1]

The best advice I can give you is wait till Crysis is out. Then get the best Crysis playable card $500 at the time. Odds are that will be sometime in January-Feb. Also what is the rest of your system?

 

[Wreckage]

Get the GX2. There won't be DirectX 10 games out for awhile so if you don't make the stepup you will still have a great card that will last you several years.

 

[JPB]

Yea, I think I would wait it out also. G80 and R600 will be the best single solution and support DX10. Your 6800GT should hold you over until then. But then again, what do I know, I upgrade my entire PC every 6 months whether it needs it or not. Maybe I should follow my own advice ? I just cannot help myself. But yea, wait it out a little longer...

 

[PianoMan]

Originally posted by: x80064
...But then again, what do I know, I upgrade my entire PC every 6 months whether it needs it or not. Maybe I should follow my own advice ? I just cannot help myself. But yea, wait it out a little longer...

LOL. So true with all of us...

What he really meant to say was: "Get a X1900XT at the mid-$250's, frag to your heart's content, and then upgrade when Vista comes out..."

PM

 

[Munky]

On average a 7900gs is about 30% faster than a 6800gt. But at 1900 resolution, you'd still be looking at framerates mostly in the 20's or low 30's unless you turn down some settings. However, if you plan on overclocking, you may gain another 20-30% depending on the application and how high it overclocks. For under $200 that would be a good replacement for the 6800gt. I would not recommend getting the GX2 because it's overpriced for the performance it offers compared to other high end cards. And nobody here knows when the G80 will be released, or if they do, they aren't allowed to tell.

 

[CKXP]

And nobody here knows when the G80 will be released, or if they do, they aren't allowed to tell

where's Rollo when you need him

http://labs.anandtech.com/alllinks.php?pfilter=4217

that card should hold you over well until DX10 roll around, plus save you $200, also on sept 15th the 7950GT should be released for retail starting a $299

 

[akshayt]

Just get a single 1950XTX, you won't get anything faster than that

 

[KingGheedora]

Originally posted by: akshayt
Just get a single 1950XTX, you won't get anything faster than that

When is that coming out?

 

[9nines]

Originally posted by: KingGheedora

Originally posted by: akshayt
Just get a single 1950XTX, you won't get anything faster than that

When is that coming out?

September 14th.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: CKXP

And nobody here knows when the G80 will be released, or if they do, they aren't allowed to tell

where's Rollo when you need him

http://labs.anandtech.com/alllinks.php?pfilter=4217

that card should hold you over well until DX10 roll around, plus save you $200, also on sept 15th the 7950GT should be released for retail starting a $299

He's here
Go on and ask him yourself.

 

[Mojo the Monkey]

Thanks for the input.

Well, I originally omitted the details of my system bc i didnt want to get bogged down with that stuff, but its an AsRock socket 939dual with true AGP and PCI-E. I have the 6800GT on the AGP slot, and i was hoping to run my new card on the PCI-E slot long enough for the new 4 core processors and boards to emerge and prices drop (either amd or intel, whoever is better when the time is right). I currently have a 4000+ single core san diego at 2.6ghz, 4x512 corsairs xms twinx, water cooling on everything, etc. etc. etc.

In any case, it could handle any card i put in and not be CPU limited at the higher end for the games i like to play, in relation to the resolution. I mean, CS:S is actually playable at 1900 with my current card, but just not with more than 2xAA and not on the "newer" levels. I can imagine a new 79xx (any) would make it all work. Heck, i would even be satisfied raising my res just a bit in bf2 from 1280 to 1600 as a temporary fix.

I like the idea of the 7950gt, but do you think they'll be available around $250? or is $300 already accounting for e-tail discount?


The 1950xtx sounds ok, but i think the 7950 is supposed to handle the highest res with AA and AF better, which is a narrow niche i'm looking for if i drop ALL my money.