EVGA 8600GTS upgrade to EVGA 9800GTX+

[StarsFan4Life]

Hello all. I finally and ready to upgrade my video card. What I am thinking is upgrading to an EVGA 9800GTX+ (not the GTX) from my EVGA 8600GTS. Here is my current config:

GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2H 780G Motherboard
AMD X2 5600+
4GB Kingston DDR2 800 mhz
1.5TB (3 X 500GB WD'S)
EVGA 8600GTS
Dell 20" WS E207WFP
CoolerMaster 330 Elite Case
CoolerMaster 550wt PSU
Onboard LAN/AUDIO

I currently play TF2. Anything else I need to upgrade rather than just the video card? If only the video card, is the 9800GTX+ a sufficent enough upgrade from what I currently have? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Also, is a 9800GT a good upgrade as well?

 

[AzN]

If all you do is play TF2 than it's not worth it. If you play any other modern games it would be like 2-3x faster.

 

[onedestinazn2]

what resolution size do you play at? and don't get the 9800gt as its a rebadged 8800gt

 

[StarsFan4Life]

I play on a Dell 20" E207WFP - I believe 1680x1050.

 

[onedestinazn2]

the 8800gt should be a nice upgrade for you but if youre planning on playing anything else besides tf2 then id go get a 4850 or 9800gtx+

 

[JPB]

I would go ahead and get the 9800TX+. How do you know you wont for sure play different games in the future ? You just may :thumbsup:

But you should also consider the HD4850 since it is cheaper and outperforms the GTX+.

 

[onedestinazn2]

i too would go with a 4850 hell i have one and it is great at that resolution which is what my dell 22" plays at. the 4850 also offers some nice options ie directx 10.1, hdmi audio, edge-detect so i'd consider that unless you have a bias for nvidia

 

[StarsFan4Life]

Which one of the HD4850's do you suggest from Newegg?

 

[jwcooper]

Originally posted by: JPB
But you should also consider the HD4850 since it is cheaper and outperforms the GTX+.

I have pretty much the same setup as the OP, and am considering either of these cards.

One thing I've noticed is that the price gap between the 4850 and the 9800GTX+ is closing. Pricewatch has the 4850 at $180, and the 9800GTX+ for around $200 (excluding rebates, as they are a PITA). Only a $20 difference now, whereas a week ago it was more like a $40 gap IIRC...

Also, the new Nvidia beta drivers give a 10-15% boost on some popular games.

Is this enough to change popular opinion from a 4850 to the 9800GTX+ as the best in this range?