Graphics predicament...

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SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
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Zebo just sent me an Opteron 144 that overclocks to 2.8ghz.

I bought an Asus A8N-E to go with it.

Now I need a PCI-E graphics card. I'm currently running an X800Pro and it's too slow in most cases on my Dell 2405FPW.

I'd like to spend $200 or so, but it seems that the best I can do is an ATi X1950GT 256mb...or else a 512mb if I spend ~$30 more.

Should I just leave my new rig 'dormant' until the 8600 and the DX10 ATi cards come out? I can live with my X800Pro until then; it just seems a waste to have a nice new rig just sitting around.

Advice would be great. :)
 
Wreckage

Wreckage

Banned
Jul 1, 2005
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Originally posted by: SickBeast
Originally posted by: Wreckage
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130082
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Those cards are $400CDN here in Toronto. To be honest I would rather an Xbox 360. :p

$200CDN is my limit! It's all I spent on my X800Pro, and I would like to double my performance.
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Ah Canadian, so that's about $20 US :p

Well NVIDIA midrange is scheduled for April 17th (rumor) and ATI is scheduled for as late as June (rumor).

Otherwise just go with a x19-- or 7900 series.
 
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fierydemise

Platinum Member
Apr 16, 2005
2,056
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I wouldn't wait for DX10 cards, the first gen DX9 games weren't much good when DX9 games came out. Unless the adoption rate of DX10 is significantly faster then the DX9 adoption rate (and I don't see any reason why it would be) I think you're better off getting a card now and enjoying it and getting a DX10 card when they are more mature.
 
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coldpower27

Golden Member
Jul 18, 2004
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munisgtm

Senior member
Apr 18, 2006
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IMHO you should wait for the mainstream DX-10 cards . More graphics fire power more fun !
 
Zebo

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
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You may as well flush your cash down the toilet buying any video card right but 8800 series now because RD600 and it's children combined with 8600s will make them worth nothing.
 
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Munky

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2005
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Given that a 7600gt is already a bit faster than a x800pro, I have no doubt that the next gen midrange cards will perform even faster still, probably on the same level as a x1950pro. I'd wait for those cards, not because DX10 is so important now, but because those cards would provide more performance for the money than current cards.
 
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chizow

Diamond Member
Jun 26, 2001
9,537
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If you're going to buy today and you're looking at the $200 range, you should try to increase your budget a bit and see if you can get a 320MB 8800GTS like others suggested. Spending on a non-DX10 part right now is like throwing money away.

The 8600 parts look decent in terms of price: Performance but I wouldn't expect them to perform much better than X1950 parts in DX9. The 8900GS looks to be the 320MB 8800GTS replacement and will retail for about the same.

So basically, 1) you can spend a bit more now and not worry at all about the 8600/8900 launch while getting the benefit of 8800 performance today, 2) you can wait for the 8600 parts in your price range and gain DX10 but maybe not much of a performance boost over existing DX9 parts or 3) throw away money on a high-end DX9 part thats going to be more or less obsolete in a few months as Zebo said.
 
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bennylong

Platinum Member
Apr 20, 2006
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I would buy the 320 8800GTS for $270 if I need a card now or wait 2 to 3 months for the next batch from Nvida and AMD.

 
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SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Originally posted by: munky
Given that a 7600gt is already a bit faster than a x800pro, I have no doubt that the next gen midrange cards will perform even faster still, probably on the same level as a x1950pro. I'd wait for those cards, not because DX10 is so important now, but because those cards would provide more performance for the money than current cards.
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Yeah, I think I'm going to. I'd love to wait for the ATi offerings, but I don't know if I can wait it out until June. Even mid-April is pushing it!

Any word on the ATi midrange card specs/prices?

I'm almost definately going to get the best nVidia card I can find.

I don't think the Opteron 144 is an ideal match for an 8800 anyway, even if I can get it up to 2.8ghz like Zebo says. DX10 midrange will probably be perfect for it. :)
 
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ronnn

Diamond Member
May 22, 2003
3,918
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71
the x1950pro is a big boost over your current card. Waiting is always good, as cost per performance always goes down.
 
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Piuc2020

Golden Member
Nov 4, 2005
1,716
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Originally posted by: fierydemise
I wouldn't wait for DX10 cards, the first gen DX9 games weren't much good when DX9 games came out. Unless the adoption rate of DX10 is significantly faster then the DX9 adoption rate (and I don't see any reason why it would be) I think you're better off getting a card now and enjoying it and getting a DX10 card when they are more mature.
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Thats bogus, the first DX9 card was the 9700Pro, it was slightly slower than the 9800 Pro and had the same DX9 compatibility and feature set.

And we all know how good the 9800 Pro was...
 
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SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Originally posted by: Piuc2020
Originally posted by: fierydemise
I wouldn't wait for DX10 cards, the first gen DX9 games weren't much good when DX9 games came out. Unless the adoption rate of DX10 is significantly faster then the DX9 adoption rate (and I don't see any reason why it would be) I think you're better off getting a card now and enjoying it and getting a DX10 card when they are more mature.
Click to expand...

Thats bogus, the first DX9 card was the 9700Pro, it was slightly slower than the 9800 Pro and had the same DX9 compatibility and feature set.

And we all know how good the 9800 Pro was...
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I agree with you, Piuc.

Whenever a new DX API comes out I try to get a card that supports it. It's only every 5 years or so that they update DX, so I figure I should get something to support it whenever possible.
 
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BernardP

Golden Member
Jan 10, 2006
1,315
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76
I would wait for the DX10 midrange cards, not because they are DX10-enabled, but because they will offer more processing power for the same money. Look what has happened historically with each new generation of graphics cards.

Of course, the newer card *will* have DX10 as a bonus. Nice future-proofing at zero cost.

There's just over a month to wait for the new NVidia midrange cards. It's worth the risk. There's gonna be a deluge of reviews. It will always be time to buy a discounted DX9 card if you don't like the next gen's performance.
 
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ronnn

Diamond Member
May 22, 2003
3,918
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71
Originally posted by: SickBeast
Originally posted by: Wreckage
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130082
Click to expand...
Those cards are $400CDN here in Toronto. To be honest I would rather buy an Xbox 360. :p

$200CDN is my limit! It's all I spent on my X800Pro, and I would like to double my performance.
Click to expand...

$329 at NCIX and I would soon expect better sales. Seeing the recent review at hardocp - seems to be very well worth the extra bit. Guess it would be safer to wait for some dx10 games though.
 
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