My new gaming rig is coming soon, but how soon?

[TheVrolok]

8800's are all the rage now, lovely. I could get a GT (or 2) without a problem with my budget. I have two questions, however, before I make any purchases. Consider CPU/RAM/etc. to be of no concern as I'll pick up a c2q/4gigs RAM to go along with my gaming rig. Keep in mind that graphics cards/video is probably the thing I keep up with the least in terms of computer hardware.

1) SLI, is it worth it yet? Last time I looked (months ago) the results led me to believe that the benefit of SLI was marginal at best. Recently, though, I've heard that SLI is giving up to/around 50% increase in FPS? True story, or hype?

2a) When can we expect the GeForce 9 series? Was supposed to be Q407, now Q108? We talking January, or March?

2b) Should I wait? (If it's January, I may, if it's March - odds are less so) Why would I wait? Prices on 8 series will drop even more when the 9's come out - obviously (that's if I'd get an 8 instead of the 9's). Are the 9's going to be too pricey out the door/too buggy without time for a few driver revisions? We talking 500-700 for a baseline 9 series?

2c) I just wanted a C.

 

[gigahertz20]

Originally posted by: TheVrolok
8800's are all the rage now, lovely. I could get a GT (or 2) without a problem with my budget. I have two questions, however, before I make any purchases. Consider CPU/RAM/etc. to be of no concern as I'll pick up a c2q/4gigs RAM to go along with my gaming rig. Keep in mind that graphics cards/video is probably the thing I keep up with the least in terms of computer hardware.

1) SLI, is it worth it yet? Last time I looked (months ago) the results led me to believe that the benefit of SLI was marginal at best. Recently, though, I've heard that SLI is giving up to/around 50% increase in FPS? True story, or hype?

2a) When can we expect the GeForce 9 series? Was supposed to be Q407, now Q108? We talking January, or March?

2b) Should I wait? (If it's January, I may, if it's March - odds are less so) Why would I wait? Prices on 8 series will drop even more when the 9's come out - obviously (that's if I'd get an 8 instead of the 9's). Are the 9's going to be too pricey out the door/too buggy without time for a few driver revisions? We talking 500-700 for a baseline 9 series?

2c) I just wanted a C.

I personally would never do SLI, you'll just end up pissed a few months later when another GPU comes out that is faster and cheaper. All the benchmarks I've seen really don't give SLI a huge performance advantage, I would buy a 8800GT (the best value right now) and when Nvidia releases their new line of GPU's next year upgrade.

The 8800GT's are over priced right now though because there is little supply and alot of demand so you might want to wait a little so you can get one between $200-$250.


Don't play the waiting game when it comes to computer hardware, I ended up waiting for 2 years before I bought my much needed new computer. Every time I wanted to buy there was something new and great around the corner, you just have to make the plunge.


As far as the Geforce 9 series, all the speculation I have read points toward a Spring 08 release at the earliest. I wouldn't wait, no point....buy a 8800GT now and if the Geforce 9 series is that much better sell your 8800GT and buy new.

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: gigahertz20

Originally posted by: TheVrolok
8800's are all the rage now, lovely. I could get a GT (or 2) without a problem with my budget. I have two questions, however, before I make any purchases. Consider CPU/RAM/etc. to be of no concern as I'll pick up a c2q/4gigs RAM to go along with my gaming rig. Keep in mind that graphics cards/video is probably the thing I keep up with the least in terms of computer hardware.

1) SLI, is it worth it yet? Last time I looked (months ago) the results led me to believe that the benefit of SLI was marginal at best. Recently, though, I've heard that SLI is giving up to/around 50% increase in FPS? True story, or hype?

2a) When can we expect the GeForce 9 series? Was supposed to be Q407, now Q108? We talking January, or March?

2b) Should I wait? (If it's January, I may, if it's March - odds are less so) Why would I wait? Prices on 8 series will drop even more when the 9's come out - obviously (that's if I'd get an 8 instead of the 9's). Are the 9's going to be too pricey out the door/too buggy without time for a few driver revisions? We talking 500-700 for a baseline 9 series?

2c) I just wanted a C.

I personally would never do SLI, you'll just end up pissed a few months later when another GPU comes out that is faster and cheaper. All the benchmarks I've seen really don't give SLI a huge performance advantage, I would buy a 8800GT (the best value right now) and when Nvidia releases their new line of GPU's next year upgrade.

The 8800GT's are over priced right now though because there is little supply and alot of demand so you might want to wait a little so you can get one between $200-$250.


Don't play the waiting game when it comes to computer hardware, I ended up waiting for 2 years before I bought my much needed new computer. Every time I wanted to buy there was something new and great around the corner, you just have to make the plunge.


As far as the Geforce 9 series, all the speculation I have read points toward a Spring 08 release at the earliest. I wouldn't wait, no point....buy a 8800GT now and if the Geforce 9 series is that much better sell your 8800GT and buy new.

That pretty much sums up my line of thinking and I'm glad to get some reinforcement. Once winter break rolls around I'll probably pick up a new system. Speaking of which, when's the State College AT Bar Tour?