Currently I'm running a L90D+ (1280x1024) with a 7800GT. I'm looking to upgrade to widescreen, but I don't know where the sweet spot is for a monitor/video card setup. I would really like to get a 24" monitor, but don't want to spend a chunk on my video cards in order to be able to play the next-gen games. This computer is my gaming box. Here are my options, feel free to add anything else. I have about $1000 to spend right now.
1) Buy a 24" monitor and upgrade to 7800GT SLI. I have some outlets that might allow me to get a 2407/2405 and still have some money left for another 7800GT. I think these cards would allow me to run 1920x1200 w/o losing too many fps. My only concern is my mobo. I could mod my DFI Ultra-D to an SLI-D, but I would also be stuck at 8x/8x PCIe. Heat is also a concern with those cards so close together on my Ultra-D. I would probably get an Artic Cooling Accelero X1 for both cards.
2) Buy a 20" monitor and upgrade my cards to 7900GTs or a 7900GTX or a 7950GX2. I don't really want the hassle of selling my card and motherboard and buying all new equipment, but my evga 7800GT is unregistered (had to RMA the first one) and I should be able to get about $300 out of both to help offset the cost of newer cards and/or motherboard.
Is it in my best interest to get dual 16x PCIe channels before going to SLI? I really want the 24" monitor, because I see that as more of an investment than the video cards. I'll keep the monitor much longer than the video cards. I'm not really excited about DX10 or Vista right now, so that isn't a concern either. What do you guys think?
1) Buy a 24" monitor and upgrade to 7800GT SLI. I have some outlets that might allow me to get a 2407/2405 and still have some money left for another 7800GT. I think these cards would allow me to run 1920x1200 w/o losing too many fps. My only concern is my mobo. I could mod my DFI Ultra-D to an SLI-D, but I would also be stuck at 8x/8x PCIe. Heat is also a concern with those cards so close together on my Ultra-D. I would probably get an Artic Cooling Accelero X1 for both cards.
2) Buy a 20" monitor and upgrade my cards to 7900GTs or a 7900GTX or a 7950GX2. I don't really want the hassle of selling my card and motherboard and buying all new equipment, but my evga 7800GT is unregistered (had to RMA the first one) and I should be able to get about $300 out of both to help offset the cost of newer cards and/or motherboard.
Is it in my best interest to get dual 16x PCIe channels before going to SLI? I really want the 24" monitor, because I see that as more of an investment than the video cards. I'll keep the monitor much longer than the video cards. I'm not really excited about DX10 or Vista right now, so that isn't a concern either. What do you guys think?
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