Need new videocard for 1920x1200

[Subyman]

I upgraded to a 1920x1200 monitor a couple of months ago. I've had my 8800gts 320mb since they came out and it has served me well at 1680x1050 but the increase to 1920x1200 really hurt my gaming performance. I need a card or cards that will keep me going throughout the summer.

Specs:
e6600- ~3.4ghz overclock
2gig PC6400
650i SLI

I didn't think the 8800gt would be a good enough upgrade for me from the 8800gts 320mb. So, I am thinking either a 8800gts 512 or going 9600gt's slied. But... I could just do the 8800gts 512mb and add another later this year if the 9900's don't end up being anything special. Or... Should I get a single 8800gtx for roughly 290 dollars?

Which would be the best bang for the buck in the long run most likely? Like I said I want a good performance increase for the summer time.

Thanks guys!

 

[apoppin]

What about considering another 8800gts-320M for SLi? - you have the MB. i had a 640M and it is really powerful - the 320MB version shouldn't be that much less .. are you really held back that much at 19x12 with "only" 320MB of vRAM?

A 2nd 8800GTS for SLi makes a pretty powerful graphics solution and it might 'get you by' till GT200 in a few months [or so] .. the 320M GTS is pretty cheap now, isn't it? And you don't have to sell your old card 'for nothing'

What is your PS make and specs?

 

[Subyman]

I thought about going with another 8800gts 320mb, but in a lot of newer games it didn't do too much at 1920x1200 since the 320mb was the limiting factor. Such as World in Conflict, Splinter Cell, Crysis, etc. Even though a 320mb would only cost about 130 bucks, I would rather spend ~240 then sell mine for 100 for a total of 140 spent on a 8800gts 512mb. I would get more Vram, great boost, and then have the ability to add another on down the line depending on what the 9900's look like. Also the 512mb would take much less power and it would be easier to sell when the time comes.

I have an Antec Neopower 550W (isn't my first choice, but I had to buy locally.) It has 54amps at 12v over 3 rails.

 

[apoppin]

that is rough for any SLi - although 320 MB is not a big power draw .. i'd like *others* to weigh in on 320MB sli. Personally i think the increased performance would be spectacular for $130! You could just turn down a few details to 'mid' or put up with the "black bars" for the extremely demanding games at 19x12 down to 16x10 or so.

My *own* FrankenFire is slightly limited by the 256-bit bus of my 2900pro ... my XT is 512MB ... but then i only game at 16x10 and 16x12 so i see no practical difference for me. But your case might be different.

 

[Subyman]

Well, after looking at a few more benchies and see how well the 8800gts 512mb scales with SLI I bit the bullet and ordered the MSI OCed one from newegg for 230 + 10 dollars for 2nd day shipping. I will be selling my 8800gts 320mb for 110 shipped to recoup some moneyz.

Here is the review that scared me away from getting another 320mb http://www.tweaktown.com/artic...ntroduction/index.html. I know that is from 1 year ago and the drivers are much better now, but I didn't want to risk it. I know what I am getting with the 512mb, plus I wouldn't have to worry about all the heat and power needed to run two G80's!!!

 

[apoppin]

nice choice .. let us know how you like it

 

[hans007]

yeah he is limited by texture memory with that card. if he had a 640mb one it hink it'd still be ok. good choice on the 8800gts.

 

[panfist]

Originally posted by: apoppin
are you really held back that much at 19x12 with "only" 320MB of vRAM?

Yes. Yes you are.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: panfist

Originally posted by: apoppin
are you really held back that much at 19x12 with "only" 320MB of vRAM?

Yes. Yes you are.

i still don't think so .. not from the benches with most games .. i guess it comes down to semantics .. what "that much" means to either of us personally

at any rate, for the OP, it is moot .. i already congratulated him on making a fine upgrade to a more no-compromise solution and even later on with another GTS-512 for SLi if he chooses

edited