Does it make sense...

[Cheex]

Does it make sense to upgrade now?

I'm currently running an 8800GTS 320MB. It has lost a lot of resale value recently and as such I'm wondering if I should even bother upgrading until GT200.

Thoughts, comments, suggestions...

 

[error8]

Upgrading from a 8800 GTS 320 is right now one of the toughest choices to make. I would upgrade to a 8800 GT or GTS if it wouldn't cost you too much. If it does cost a lot, you should just wait for the GT200. The thing is that when the new generation of cards will appear, your GTS 320 will be quite worthless, so a G92 card should have a better resale value then.

 

[Sylvanas]

Wait for RV770/GT200 to hit....we are getting very close now and if they live up to their rumored reputation then they will convincingly blow away all current gen cards available today.

 

[happy medium]

Since you have a 8800gts 320mb I guess you game at 1650x1050 or below so I would think a 8800gts isn't going to boost your performance all that much. Can you overclock your cpu more? At those resolutions a faster cpu would also give you a good boost. Mabe try a e8400 @3.8 (I here it's allmost a garauntee). Your gonna need much more cpu power then you have now for a gt200/rv770 anyway.

 

[Cheex]

Thanks guys but here is the situation...

The resale value of the cards are an issue, and so is performance. Now, my 320MB plays all quite fine for right now (except Crysis, that I have to play medium-high, but that is expected).

I just bought a 19" widescreen monitor (1440x900) as a temporary escape measure from my 17" CRT. I have tested this resolution on one already so I know that my rig will hold up, no problem. This is, this is a temporary upgrade. The aim is a 1920x1200 resolution (24" - 28") so therefore, more video card will be needed eventually (hopefully sooner than later).

As for CPU power, a quad core is definitely on the cards, but not quite yet. Order of priority for me right now is: Monitor > Video Card > CPU.

So eventually I should be okay but it is just that I have to be taking it step by step. I really like the Samsung 2493HM, BenQ G2400W, Gateway FHD2400 and the Hanns-G 28". Still somewhat undecided there.

Video card now...9600GT or 8800GT.
Video card later...GT200 (what will be the different variants by the way??).

CPU...no problem deciding here....Core 2 Quad Q9450.


Thanks for the input guys. Keep it coming.

 

[Bateluer]

I'd wait. Sure, you'll lose a little money holding onto the GTS 320 for another couple of months, but if you buy a 9600GT or 8800GT now, then you'll want to upgrade again when you see the performance of the next gen cards. Lotta hassle to go through.

Someone will buy the GTS320 off you either way, just not for as much.

 

[Cheex]

I was thinking about that and I think that I really should keep it until GT200.

Just to confirm...GTS320 can handle all games at 1440x900 right??

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Cheex
Does it make sense to upgrade now?

I'm currently running an 8800GTS 320MB. It has lost a lot of resale value recently and as such I'm wondering if I should even bother upgrading until GT200.

Thoughts, comments, suggestions...

depends

if you are *dissatisfied* - then it makes sense to upgrade now - it is SO cheap unless it is a GX2 or 3870x2 and i do NOT recommend them

otoh, if you are reasonably happy with your gaming experience - today - wait; you will have more choice shortly and what ever you buy today will be much cheaper then

simple no?

 

[DaveSimmons]

You don't have to game at the LCD native resolution, just use the same aspect ratio.

I play some games at 1024 x 768 on my 1600x1200 Dell, and they look fine.

I don't see a 9600 or 8800 GTS as enough of an upgrade from an 8800 320 to be worth the money and the effort of swapping and selling the old card.

Sure the resale value of your 8800 will drop quite a bit when new cards come out, but by then the $200-250 card you buy will also be much faster.

 

[Denithor]

I agree with apoppin and Dave, only consider an upgrade if your card doesn't meet your current needs. And while a bit dated now the 8800GTS320 is still a pretty powerful card, only really limited around 1600x1200 and maybe higher (except in Crysis, which brings even the extreme cards to their knees).

Heck, I was playing with an x1900gt until very recently at 16x12 and have only noticed moderate improvements with my shiny new 9600gt.

 

[aka1nas]

The 320MB GTS is kind of a difficult call as it tends to hold up really well until it runs into a situation where it doesn't have enough RAM and then falls down hard. If you can score a good deal I would get an 8800GT, but if you're on a budget you should probably wait.

 

[Cheex]

Thanks for the continued input you guys. I appreciate it.

Well, after taking your comments into consideration, I've decided that it is better that I just wait.

2 more questions:

1) Is 320MB enough for all games at 1440x900??
2) Is the GT200 gonna be the 9900 cards?

 

[Peezee]

Just remember, the 9900 isn't out till July. Can be a long wait.
And they aren't even sure that the 9900 is the GT200 yet, it's more likely that it's a 9800GTX with a larger bit interface, and a 55nm process...
So it'd be like going from a GTS G80 to a GT or GTS G92, it'd be a large improvement over the 9800GTX, but the true GT200 probably wouldn't come out till the next generation of nVidia cards.

 

[JPB]

Originally posted by: Cheex
Thanks for the continued input you guys. I appreciate it.

Well, after taking your comments into consideration, I've decided that it is better that I just wait.

2 more questions:

1) <<Is 320MB enough for all games at 1440x900??
2) Is the GT200 gonna be the 9900 cards?

1) It should be no problem. I have a 7900GTX and it plays all my games no problem at 1440x900.

Like....Bioshock, 2142, Prey, Orange Box, Oblivion.

Like others said, wait.

2) Yes as far as we know.

 

[Cheex]

When I asked:
1) Is 320MB enough for all games at 1440x900??

I meant if the 320MB frame buffer is enough for game textures with some AA at 1440x900. I wasn't referring to the power of the card because that is more than adequate at that resolution.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

Benchmarks show that you really only start needing more VRAM with 1600x1200 or 1680x1050 or above.

 

[AzN]

Originally posted by: Cheex
When I asked:
1) Is 320MB enough for all games at 1440x900??

I meant if the 320MB frame buffer is enough for game textures with some AA at 1440x900. I wasn't referring to the power of the card because that is more than adequate at that resolution.

It's fine for that resolution. Heck it should be fine @ 1920x1200 long as you you keep the AA off.

 

[Cheex]

Okay. Good to know because my 19" WS arrives next week Thursday along with my new hard drive (WD 640GB).

 

[bryanW1995]

Originally posted by: Peezee
Just remember, the 9900 isn't out till July. Can be a long wait.
And they aren't even sure that the 9900 is the GT200 yet, it's more likely that it's a 9800GTX with a larger bit interface, and a 55nm process...
So it'd be like going from a GTS G80 to a GT or GTS G92, it'd be a large improvement over the 9800GTX, but the true GT200 probably wouldn't come out till the next generation of nVidia cards.

WHAT??? Where did you hear that?? GT200 had better be out soon, we don't need a repeat of the 8800gtx/2900xt situation in reverse. Then we'll just get gouged by amd for a while... btw, nvidia doesn't need to do much to beat amd this round, I'll be impressed if 4870 outperforms 8800gtx by 15% across the board. All nvidia has to do is build a new 8800gtx with higher clocks and 65nm tech and it'll trounce anything amd has. Well, except for 4870x2, but that is looling like it won't come out until gt200 or later, anyway.

 

[phexac]

Definitely do not upgrade until the next gen cards come out. I am using the OCed GTS 320 on 1920x1200 screen, and it does great in vast majority of games I play. The only games I cannot play on it at my native resolution that I want are Crysis. NWN2, and The Witcher. I will get those games, and maybe COD4, when I get a next gen card.

In your case specifically, an upgrade to GT or GTS G92 will offer no noticeable performance increase in most cases.

 

[Cheex]

Thanks.

I now feel more comfortable to not scratch the upgrade itch and to just keep my GTS320MB.

 

[n7]

IMO, your timing is either a bit off, or just right (if you like long upgrade cycles)...

Basically, the time to upgrade was when the 8800 GTS 512 MB came out (or when you found the first good sale on one).

Now it's limbo time, as it's hard to recommend buying with new stuff coming in the next couple months.

 

[Cheex]

I think I'm a bit off but after hearing what others have to say...I don't think it is so bad.

I'll wait for GT200 and get a proper boost in performance rather than a marginal one (just to upgrade VRAM).