Lifetime of my 7900GTX, before it is deemed "med-low range"

[Coldkilla]

I just bought a 7900GTX, and I was wondering how long I can enjoy this thing before it starts to become "mid-low" range and I can no longer have my settings on 'high'. Realistic projections (I am already expecting the, "tomarrow" replys.. difference is- I'm seriously asking this question.

Game's I will probably be looking at to buy:
Crysis
Armed Assault
C&C 3
World in Conflict
Halo 3

Since my card is DX9 will I see a huge decrease in the 'awesome meter'? Or will I be okay for a while (~2008?)

 

[JEDIYoda]

6 months..maybe 9

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
6 months..maybe 9

I doubt that. I would say he'll get at least a year maybe 1.5 years before its medium to low end

 

[Coldkilla]

How will a DX9 card run DX10 Games?

Also, will the 7900GTX still be a 'good card' in a year or so? Sure perhaps in 6-9 months I won't have all my GFX maxed out, but will it still play games well?

I ask because my previous 6800GT could not even play 'Just Cause' under (litterally 2fps) with low GFX settings.

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
6 months..maybe 9

I doubt that. I would say he'll get at least a year maybe 1.5 years before its medium to low end

Agreed.
A card that is super high-end now will last a LONG time. The next generation will have plenty of low and mid-range cards. They might support more features but actually have less horsepower than the previous gens high-end cards.
As for the next gens high-end cards: The first batch is usually only a little bit faster than the previous gens high-end. You usually have to wait a little while to see some step-ups within the same gen that are noticeably faster.
The 7800 came out a little while before the 7900 but both are considered the same generation of GPU's. The 7900 is quite a bit faster, depending on the game.

Incidentally, I too have a 7900GTX. I got it through the EVGA step-up program as soon as it was available. I intend to use it with all the DX10 games even if it means omitting certain visual effects. I dont intend to upgrade for a long time.

 

[Coldkilla]

Thanks. Yea I just hate having my GFX on medium. I remember when the 6800GT was HIGH END, and it seemed like yesterday. 1.5 years sounds nice. And even then I can still use it, I'm waiting to buy a whole new system before I upgrade again.

 

[BoberFett]

The 8800s smoke anything else available. Your card is already a mid level card. Don't feel bad though, as long as it plays the games you want at the visual quality you expect, it's worth what you paid for it.

 

[DaveSimmons]

A 7900GTX became midrange on November 8, but that's life

But no one can say what the first game will be that pushes it into low-medium, until that game is released.

 

[Geomagick]

Some of the top games in recent times have run just great on much older and less well endowed hardware, take for instance Half life 2, the first real showcase of directx 9 technology and it ran just great on much older systems. If developers carry on catering for the masses then expect the card to last quite some time. However like many people on this site you will be eager to upgrade before your card is that long in the tooth.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Originally posted by: Coldkilla
How will a DX9 card run DX10 Games?

There hardly appear to be any killer DX10-only features. Most of the effects that DX10 is supposed to do well, DX9 already does (but with reduced performance, I believe). Most games out there still have DX8 render-paths so your DX9 card will still run games for a long time to come. Just hope that no developer artificially locks DX9 cards out for no good reason whether entirely (like Halo 2) or just some effects (I hear people say the DX10 features of Flight Simulator X should be doable on DX9 too).

Those are published by Microsoft and they are doing that to give people incentive to upgrade to Vista; doesn't take a genius to figure that one out. I don't see why other developers would do the same because they wouldn't gain anything but bad press for that.

And I must say, it makes me a little paranoid when owners of 7900GTXs start thinking their PC is no longer game-worthy

Oh, and your question: it really depends on your resolution. 1280x1024 with everything high and 4X AA should be doable for at least the next 6 months. But then, I don't play RPGs like Oblivion, NWN2 or Gothic 3. Just pray that the FPS developers don't get lazy on their butts I mean, FEAR is a good looking game but the performance makes you wonder if it really is that good-looking.

 

[Smartazz]

halo 3? Do you mean halo 2 for pc?

 

[JBT]

year and a half or so.

 

[w00t]

heh, it's technology nothing lasts :-D

I hope my X1900XT will last awhile considering It's been sitting in the box waiting for the rest of my computer to come.....