Help me choose a GFX for my new build

[Ronin13]

I'm planning on a new build within the next week. I've already ordered the case; an Antec P150 that comes with a Neo HE 430W PSU.

Parts I've already decided on: ASUS P5B-E Plus, Conroe E6600 2.4GHz, Corsair XMS2 6400C4 2x1GB, Western Digital WD3200KS hard drive, Plextor PX760 SATA DVD burner and either X-Fi Xtreme Music or the new X-Fi Xtreme Gamer soundcard.

I'm using on a 19" Sony CRT (G420) and will stay between 1280x960 and 1600x1200 resolutions. Preferably with max AF and at least some AA. I'll be playing Company of Heroes, Neverwinter Nights, Splinter Cell: Double Agent and maybe Oblivion. And next year: Assassins Creed.

My choice for GFX has been narrowed down to the following (with the lowest possible prices here in Denmark converted to US $):

MSI 7900GTO (which is in stock here) $333
Leadtek 7900GTX (should be in stock in about 12 days) $450
ASUS 8800GTS (in stock) $583

Questions:

1: Considering the parts I'll pair it with and the recent reviews of the 8800GTS, which card is likely to give me the best bang for my buck in the games I've listed?

2: I'm pretty confident that my PSU will be up for the task of running the 8800GTS, but with the increased power requirement, am I risking a noisier system overall? Especially at idle? (The reasoning: More power drawn=more heat=PSU fan ramps up earlier than it would have with a lower power draw.)

3: Most reviews state that the 8800's cooler makes about the same level of noise that the 7900GTX/GTO cooler. Have anybody seen any actual sound measurements or have any of you early adopters with a 8800 card any personal experiences?

4: If I get a 7900GTO for $333 now, what do you think the chances are that I'll be able to get a G80 series card that performs at least as a 8800GTS for another $333 in a years time or so? (This would propably be around $250 in US.)

For now, here are my thoughts on the 3 cards:

7900GTO: Great bang for the buck. Very acceptable price. May be enough for my present needs. Low noise cooler.

7900GTX: Faster than the GTO at a price I can still live with. Low noise cooler.

8800GTS: May be faster than what I need right now, but it would be nice to be ahead of the curve for a change. Great AF! Too high power draw at idle?

All input welcome

 

[secretanchitman]

7950GT or an 8800GTS.

 

[Piuc2020]

Yeah either go for a cheap 7950GT or something or a more expensive faster 8800GTS, I wouldn't even consider the 7900GTX.

 

[Sentry2]

8800GTS...I mean c'mon...it's a new build.

 

[Ronin13]

I'm not interested in the 7950GT. The 7900GTO is faster (if only slightly so), has a better cooler (lower noise) and can be had for the same price (here, at least.)

Originally posted by: Sentry2
8800GTS...I mean c'mon...it's a new build.

Actually, the more I read about it, the more I'm leaning in that direction

 

[DeathReborn]

Originally posted by: Ronin13
I'm not interested in the 7950GT. The 7900GTO is faster (if only slightly so), has a better cooler (lower noise) and can be had for the same price (here, at least.)

Originally posted by: Sentry2
8800GTS...I mean c'mon...it's a new build.

Actually, the more I read about it, the more I'm leaning in that direction

8800GTS and crank up those settings. Plus you get the HQ AF & HDR+AA to boot. It may be more expensive but it will be a good performer for a long time. Your system won't hold it back so no need to worry there.

 

[Centurin]

Depends on how much you want to spend. The 8800GTS is a good buy, but you can also get a 7900GTX for 300 bucks from Zipzoomfly. $379 with $80 rebate.

 

[Skott]

We know that new card models launch in Feb so you could buy a lower end now and use eVGA's step up program 3 months down the road when the higher cards are cheaper. Its one option anyway. A 7900GTO will play the current games so you wont suffer gameplay all that much if any (unless you play at ultra high resolutions). Assuming you can find one for sale. They been selling out alot before the G80 launch. They seem to be quite popular. Or you could just pony up the money for a G80 off the bat.

 

[Ronin13]

Thanks for your replies. As noted in my opening post, I'm in Denmark and my choice for a new GFX card is going to be between these models:

MSI 7900GTO (which is in stock here) $333
Leadtek 7900GTX (should be in stock in about 12 days) $450
ASUS 8800GTS (in stock) $583

I'm not interested in ordering from overseas, due to the extra shipping cost, extra time of shipping, extra taxes and VAT (VAT alone is +25% here). I would like to get a card from eVGA, but they are ridiculously overpriced here (lowest price for a 7900GTX is $800).

I wouldn't mind a 8800GTS from another brand than ASUS, but they are the only ones available here at this time. Unfortunately, if I wan't the ASUS card within the next week it's going to cost me $633.

Also, I can't wait for a February refresh as I need a PCI-E card for this build no later than next week. Actually, this rules out the Leadtek 7900GTX (and other 7900GTX's are too expensive here).

So I'm down to the MSI7900GTO for $333 or the ASUS 8800GTS for almost twice that at $633.

I don't really mind paying that much for the 8800GTS as I know it can be more than twice as fast as the 7900GTO when you crank the settings. And the AF of the G80 is really appealing.

But since I'm spending more time on my PC not-playing, I have some reservations about noise. I know that most sites say it's not much noisier than the 7900GTX/GTO cooler (even though one guy @ SPCR said that 'I've got the XFX 8800 GTX. And its loud. At 2d its ok at 3d forget its a screamer.'), but what about it's impact on the system as a whole, like I described in question #2 from the opening post?

Reprinted here, for your convenience:

2: I'm pretty confident that my PSU will be up for the task of running the 8800GTS, but with the increased power requirement, am I risking a noisier system overall? Especially at idle? (The reasoning: More power drawn=more heat=PSU fan ramps up earlier than it would have with a lower power draw.)

With these reservations, are you confident in recommending the 8800GTS, meaning you believe it will add almost no noise to a system over a 7900GTO?

Or do you think it will be a better idea to go with a 7900GTO now and wait for a G80 refresh with a die shrink, which hopefully will draw less power and be easier to cool quietly?

Thanks for your input

 

[Skott]

Well, if the cards are noisey in all the models someone will eventually make an aftermarket device to quiet it down. So there is that. May take a little while though. Noise is subjective though. What you find too loud may not be to me or vice versa. I think its too early for a concensus about the noise of these cards. I havent read all the reviews but the couple I have read seem to indicate these cards arent bad per se. Saying that its the loudest thing in you PC doesnt mean its real bad. Something has to be loudest. Usually its the psu or card. Problem is in reviews they dont usually talk about video card fan decibels like they do PCU HSF.