Is any card worth upgrading to right now from a 8800GT?

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bovinda

Senior member
Nov 26, 2004
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I'd like to upgrade from my EVGA 8800 GT, but only if it makes sense.

In your opinion, and for a budget of $100-200, does it make sense? If so, what card would you upgrade to?

If it matters, this is for gaming.

EDIT: Using Vista 64.
 
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imported_Scoop

Senior member
Dec 10, 2007
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Well, does it make sense to you? Is there games that you can't play maxed out on your native resolution? For that price range you could upgrade to 8800GTS 512, or maybe HD4850 but I wouldn't do it myself. I thought about upgrading to HD4850 myself but I figured that I can pretty much play every game at very good quality with my HD3850 so I might as well wait for the next generation.
 
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MarcVenice

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Apr 2, 2007
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200$ could possible get you a gtx260, the only card worth upgrading to from a 8800gt, anything slower and it's not worth it ...
 
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bovinda

Senior member
Nov 26, 2004
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Originally posted by: MarcVenice
What resolution ?
Click to expand...

Resolution would be 1900 x 1080 (it's on an LCD HDTV). I've found some games are a little skippy in parts, and it would just be nice to have them be smoother. What kind of performance increase are we talking about with a gtx260? I might have to look for one of those...

 
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MarcVenice

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Apr 2, 2007
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I can't pull numbers out of my ass. I'd have to say, look up some reviews. This is the gtx260 I'm talking about: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814500069

You could check ebay and use the cashback discount. Make sure you're looking at gtx260 216 reviews. 216 stands for the amount of shaders, the older gtx260's had 192 shaders, which didn't cut it because the HD4870 would beat in almost every benchmark. Still though, the original gtx260 with 192 shaders is still no slouch and will make the difference between your 8800gt giving unplayable framerates and playable framerates at 1920*1080.

Of course, if you can find a HD4870 for less money, jump on it as well ...
 
will889

will889

Golden Member
Sep 15, 2003
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same pretty much. Some new 9800GT's have 55NM going for it which means you really don't have to control fan speed because of much lower temps.
 
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faxon

Platinum Member
May 23, 2008
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the older 9800GTs are just rebadged. going forward they are all going to be 55nm but there are still plenty of the 65nm parts in the product flow. as for upgrading in the 100-200 range, the 9800GT can be had now for 100. you might be best off buying a second 8800GT and just running it in SLI.
 
error8

error8

Diamond Member
Nov 28, 2007
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If you want a new card, that will make you feel a difference, then get a GTX 260 core 216. This seems to be the best deal in videocards market at this moment. If you can find a 4870 1 gb that is cheaper then that GTX, then get it, but that is almost impossible. Nvidia coded the hell out of their drivers and now the "new" GTX pretty much beats down the rival 4870 1gb in almost every game. You could also get a 4870 512 mb, if you find it cheap. This was my upgrade and it worth it, but I'm using a lower resolution then you are and I feel that 512 mb are not enough, for all eye candy, at 1920X1080.

Every other card that is bellow these : from 9800 GTX+ / ATi 4850 and lower, it doesn't worth the trouble. They will offer just a marginal increase in performance over your current 8800 GT.
 
Denithor

Denithor

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Apr 11, 2004
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error8 +1

GTX 260 is the only card in the <$200 range that is a true upgrade from 8800GT.

9800GT is the same card with a different name.
8800GTS 512MB is not big enough difference.
9800GTX & 4850 are a step up but probably just noticeable in most games.
 
FalseChristian

FalseChristian

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Jan 7, 2002
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To OP: Do you have an SLI mobo? You don't mention this. If you do picking up a used 8800GT for SLI will make your games run faster than a GeForce GTX 280. This is your best bet. If no SLI then the GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 is the ultimate answer for an upgrade. I'm saving up for 2 of those beasts.:thumbsup:
 
pugh

pugh

Senior member
Sep 8, 2000
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Originally posted by: Scoop
Well, does it make sense to you? Is there games that you can't play maxed out on your native resolution? For that price range you could upgrade to 8800GTS 512, or maybe HD4850 but I wouldn't do it myself. I thought about upgrading to HD4850 myself but I figured that I can pretty much play every game at very good quality with my HD3850 so I might as well wait for the next generation.
Click to expand...

Thank you for this. I was just pondering on this recently and I think I will wait it out till the next gen. No need to fix what is not broke. Using a 8800GT 512Mb and it plays ALL the games I enjoy.
 
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poohbear

Platinum Member
Mar 11, 2003
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8800gt SLI is the way to go for u, if not i'd wait for the next generation as the 260s really are'nt much of an upgrade.
 
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bovinda

Senior member
Nov 26, 2004
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Originally posted by: FalseChristian
To OP: Do you have an SLI mobo? You don't mention this. If you do picking up a used 8800GT for SLI will make your games run faster than a GeForce GTX 280. This is your best bet.
Click to expand...

Thanks MarcVenice, Faxon, error8, Denithor, and others for all the great suggestions.

You guys suggesting SLI got me thinking about that now, but I'm honestly not sure if my mobo is SLI-ready (I don't think it is, because it doesn't say, although it does have two PCI-E x16 slots). (When I got this board, I was sure I'd never do SLI...time makes fools of us all.) I'm using an Abit IP35 Pro. Can this board do SLI? If not, why have two PCI-E x16 slots?

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I'll take it all into consideration.

 
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betasub

Platinum Member
Mar 22, 2006
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Originally posted by: bovinda
You guys suggesting SLI got me thinking about that now, but I'm honestly not sure if my mobo is SLI-ready (I don't think it is, because it doesn't say, although it does have two PCI-E x16 slots). (When I got this board, I was sure I'd never do SLI...time makes fools of us all.) I'm using an Abit IP35 Pro. Can this board do SLI? If not, why have two PCI-E x16 slots?
Click to expand...

It's an Intel P35, therefore no SLI for you. Apart from a few rare exceptions, you should have motherboard with an Nvidia chipset for SLI capability (and yes, you can be sure that it'll be badged "SLI-ready", along with plenty of hardware that isn't needed for SLI).

As for having two PCIe 16x slots, there aren't many non-graphics expansion cards that use PCIe 16x, but non-SLI uses for a second graphics card include even more monitors, or Nvidia PhysX, or two ATI cards can run in Crossfire (works fine with Intel P35).

 
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bovinda

Senior member
Nov 26, 2004
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Originally posted by: betasub
It's an Intel P35, therefore no SLI for you.
Click to expand...

D'oh! Thanks for clarifying, betasub. Well, I guess I will keep my eyes out for a $200 or less GTX 260 with 216 cores, or I'll hold off. Thanks everyone.
 
pugh

pugh

Senior member
Sep 8, 2000
733
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Looks like I will be adding a second 8800Gt and going SLI my current board. I can also pop in an AMD +6400 to help things out some till upgrade time spring now I guess?
 
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