Finally upgrade from x850XT to a new card..but which one?

[Buckwild]

Hey guys,

Finally looking at getting a new video card to replace my aging x850 XT. Have some games I would like to play on my computer and the x850 isn't cutting it any longer.

Here is my current setup:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual @ 2301 ghz, 2 gigs of ram
XP SP2
mobo: Asus A8N-E http://usa.asus.com/products.a...&model=455&modelmenu=1
PSU: Antec TPII - 550 http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=22550

Thinking about getting the new 9800GTX: either one of these two.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150287 XFX 9800 GTX with Company of Heroes for $329.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130339 EVGA 9800 GTX no game for $299.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814143129 BFG 9800 GTX no game for $329.99


Will my current setup take advantage of that video card?
My mobo doesn't say anything about being PCI-e 2.0 compliant so will that make a difference?
Or is the 9800 GTX just overkill for my current setup?

Thanks.

 

[Lithan]

Links dont work, but no its not overkill. Its hard for gfx to be overkill for a setup these days.

 

[crisium]

AMD 64 X2s are can still hold their own with modern GPUs, don't worry.

Yeah, those newegg links don't work.

Anyway, 9800GTX is the fastest performing single GPU card that they still make in most games. Though be aware that the 8800GTS 512mb is $50 less, and performs fairly closely. Your choice if the 9800GTX worth another $50. I'd say go for it since it seems you don't upgrade that often anyway.

 

[happy medium]

It depend on what resolution you game at?

2600x1200 ... 9800gx2
1900x1200 .... 9800gtx--8800gts (EDIT)
1600x1200 ..... 8800gt
1280x1024..... 8800gs or 9600gt

Just for a reference.

IF it's Crysis you wanna play go for the GTX at least.

 

[Denithor]

happy medium +1

Almost exactly the reponse I would have made. If you game at low resolution or play older games there's no need to spend $300 on the newest/fastest/shiniest card on the market.

The only change would be either the 9800GTX or 8800GTS (G92 512MB version) are both strong enough for 1920x1200.

 

[phexac]

I am waiting for 9900GTX to come out in a few months.

I was considering 8800GTS OC from MSI since there is a killer deal on NewEgg for it right now, but I think waiting three months or so will get me a MUCH better card that will last me quite a bit longer.

 

[surfsatwerk]

I upgraded from that exact same card to the 8800GT, granted I built an entirely new system, and the card blew me away.

I have an 9800GTX in the mail from my stepup right now and I'm sure for the minimum cost to upgrade I'll be pleased with it too.

 

[geokilla]

I have almost the same setup as you. See my sig.

What resolution are you gaming at? I myself use 1280X1024 and have been looking at the 8800GT/9600GT for a LONG time. Only reason holding me back is because of school.

If you game at 1600X1200 or above, I think the 8800GT and 8800GTS would be a better match for your CPU than the 9800GTX.

If you could wait a couple of months, you could wait and see if the rumored ATI and NVIDIA cards come out. But then waiting + technology is never a good combination since new stuff come out every year or so.

 

[Buckwild]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'll fix those links shortly. To answer a few questions - I have 2 24" Dell monitors and would love to be able to play my games at max 1920x1200 w/ all the bells and whistles if possible. Supreme Commander brought my computer to its knees after the first few levels and this was on pretty low settings. Funny how all the units look like blocks of blue squares that you can't differentiate between them at such low settings.

As for the new 9900 GTX, will it be based on something newer than the G92? Will it also fall within the same price range as the current 9800GTX? $329.99 is at the upper limits of my budget right now. But if the 9900GTX is truly going to be next gen I can just get the 9800 GTX now and do the step up program later.

Also, for the Step-Up program, do they send you the new card, then when you get the new one, you can ship them the older one so there won't be any downtime??

Thanks for the answers guys I appreciate it.

IIRC: EVGA and BFG are the two companies with the "stepup" programs right?

 

[happy medium]

The new gt200 series is at least 3/4 months away from shipping.
I suggest you grab a 150.00$ 9600gt (which is 3 or 4 times faster than the x850xt) as a stop gap solution until the 9900 series is out.
I say buy a 9600 series because it might hold its value more when you sell it to buy the 9900 series later on. If people see the 8800 series when you go to sell it might not pull as much money as it should.



Just my .02

Edit: I just noticed your cpu specs are much too low for a 9900 series card anyway. You will need a new motherboard ,cpu, ram combo by years end anyway.

 

[Buckwild]

Originally posted by: happy medium
The new gt200 series is at least 3/4 months away from shipping.
I suggest you grab a 150.00$ 9600gt (which is 3 or 4 times faster than the x850xt) as a stop gap solution until the 9900 series is out.
I say buy a 9600 series because it might hold its value more when you sell it to buy the 9900 series later on. If people see the 8800 series when you go to sell it might not pull as much money as it should.



Just my .02

Edit: I just noticed your cpu specs are much too low for a 9900 series card anyway. You will need a new motherboard ,cpu, ram combo by years end anyway.

Thanks for your input. I didn't even know that the 9900 series was coming out. But I just did some digging and it sounds like you're right. It seems like the 9800 GTX will be the last big hurrah before their new line comes out. I'm not looking at building a whole new computer anytime soon (if I do, it'll probably be a media server or an htpc for my home theater). Since I won't be able to run the new 9900 series w/o major upgrades, looks like my choice is made for me.

Edit: Actually I haven't seen any mention of system specs and for the 9900 cards. What part of my system would not be able to accomodate the 9900 series card? Perhaps the psu??

 

[happy medium]

Your cpu is too slow in my opinion for a 9900 series.

 

[geokilla]

I second what happy said. Try to overclock your CPU some more if possible. Otherwise, get a new computer.

However, you'll be less CPU limited playing at 1920X1200 so you will still see a huge performance increase.