Mid-range DX10 video cards?

[RobertMcDonald]

Right now it appears the only DX10 video cards being made are hugely expensive ultimate badasses, but will either nVidia or ATi be releasing anything DX10-compatible to replace things like the 7600GT any time soon? (IOW, video cards that retail for under $200.) Or is that a long way off still?

 

[Wreckage]

Originally posted by: RobertMcDonald
Right now it appears the only DX10 video cards being made are hugely expensive ultimate badasses, but will either nVidia or ATi be releasing anything DX10-compatible to replace things like the 7600GT any time soon? (IOW, video cards that retail for under $200.) Or is that a long way off still?

The mid-range from NVIDIA are due in either February or March. Probably around the same time the R600 launches from ATI. I have heard nothing about when ATI will have a midrange card.

 

[Remedy]

I would rather have a high end DX9 card instead of Mid range DX10 card. But, that's JMO.

 

[RobertMcDonald]

Originally posted by: Remedy
I would rather have a high end DX9 card instead of Mid range DX10 card. But, that's JMO.

Why would buying an expensive DX9 card be an alternative to a mid-priced DX10 card?

I'm interested in this because I'm planning on buying a new computer in the not too distant future, and I'd rather get a mid-range DX10 card than getting a mid-range DX9 card (like the 7600GT) and then upgrading it not long after that. I'd like to get as much longevity out of it as I can without spending a lot of money, so if a mid-range DX10 video card is on the horizon, I'd rather wait and go with it than to get a DX9 one that I'd have to replace sooner.

 

[Sniper82]

Originally posted by: RobertMcDonald

Originally posted by: Remedy
I would rather have a high end DX9 card instead of Mid range DX10 card. But, that's JMO.

Why would buying an expensive DX9 card be an alternative to a mid-priced DX10 card?

I'm interested in this because I'm planning on buying a new computer in the not too distant future, and I'd rather get a mid-range DX10 card than getting a mid-range DX9 card (like the 7600GT) and then upgrading it not long after that. I'd like to get as much longevity out of it as I can without spending a lot of money, so if a mid-range DX10 video card is on the horizon, I'd rather wait and go with it than to get a DX9 one that I'd have to replace sooner.

Guessing he figures a high end DX9 card will outperform a mid range DX10 card which he could be right. That and going DX10 card right now is next to pointless aside from Vista. Also by the time the mid range DX10 cards come a high end DX9 card could probably be had same price or less. But unless the mid range DX10 cards beat out my X1800XT 512mb by a noticeable difference in DX9 games I won't bother upgrading till some DX10 games come or when I can afford something that offers alot better performance then what I got.

 

[MotF Bane]

Well, the DX10 cards are extremely pricey right now, but they blow everything else out of the water. Wouldn't a midrange DX10 (probably on the G81 refresh?) just have some traces lasered out, so it should still be able to hold up against high-end DX9 cards? If you take the 8800GTX, slash half its traces, then you still have 64 stream processors. Previous record-high cards like the 7950GX2 had... 48 pixel pipelines? So shouldn't a midrange DX10 still trump the DX9 upper-end cards?

Edit:
Second thought, are the midrange DX10 cards going to be physically smaller than the 8800GTS/8800GTX, or will they be the same size?

 

[Remedy]

Originally posted by: RobertMcDonald

Originally posted by: Remedy
I would rather have a high end DX9 card instead of Mid range DX10 card. But, that's JMO.

Why would buying an expensive DX9 card be an alternative to a mid-priced DX10 card?

I'm interested in this because I'm planning on buying a new computer in the not too distant future, and I'd rather get a mid-range DX10 card than getting a mid-range DX9 card (like the 7600GT) and then upgrading it not long after that. I'd like to get as much longevity out of it as I can without spending a lot of money, so if a mid-range DX10 video card is on the horizon, I'd rather wait and go with it than to get a DX9 one that I'd have to replace sooner.

But which applications are taking advantage of the DX10 product currently is the real question.


It's like purchasing a Pentium-D 820 in order to keep up with Dual core market rather than purchasing a 4000+ A64 single core to do the same job. Nine times out of ten, the 4000+ is a better alternative.

JMHO. I could be wrong.

 

[Mavtech]

Nothing is taking advantage of DX10 right now. DX10 is not going to be released to XP. So, you will have to have Windows Vista, DX10, a DX10 graphics card, and a game written for DX10.

 

[riversend3]

RM, you look like you have similar computer buying habits as I do (at least looking at your sig, I am also running a 5900 card, which means you haven't upgraded in about three or more years). You make the technology leap when you feel it is justified, but in between those steps you try to build a system with at least some upgrade room if possible. I am waiting until the mid-range DX 10 cards hit the streets (or at least until there are several price points available for DX 10), and I would guess at least some of those will be in the spring, hopefully not much longer than that.

So if you are like me, and will have a video card in your system for at least two years before making an upgrade I think it is reasonable to wait until the graphics market gets a decent DX10 card out the door at the price point that fits your strategy and what your wallet can handle. The way it looks like DX10 parts are being built seems to indicate to me that even mid-range parts will have good performance in almost all DX9 titles, certainly a giant leap over what you are currently getting, at least IMHO.

Good luck.

 

[betasub]

RM, no dates announced yet, so you'll have to be patient and plan the other required items (OS and API, as well as the supported hardware).

Build it and they will come...

 

[DeathReborn]

The unified approach of the DX10 cards should provide a more flexible card in even current games. If you don't absolutely need to upgrade now, wait for the 8600GT/X2600XT to surface.