Need Suggestions: 8800 GT now, upgrade later or 3870 Now and xfire 3870 later?

[Cattlegod]

Here is my situation:

I just bought

Abit IP35 Pro
x3220 - (will be o/c it with tuniq tower)
2x2gb DDR2 6400
vista 64 bit

I have a 7800 GT as a loaner until I figure out what I want to do for my video card. Should I:

1 - Buy an 8800 GT and just upgrade the video card later?

OR

2 - Buy a HD 3870 now and go with it (even though it is lower performance from the 8800GT) and get another HD 3870 in a year or two for crossfire

OR

3 - Other Suggestion?

To clarify:

Here is what I'm thinking because the mobo I have can only do crossfire.

3870 option:
If I spend 200 now and get a performance of 8, then spend 100 in a year and get the performance of 15. ~300 total spent

8800 GT option:
spend 250 now and get a performance of 9-10 and then spend 250 a year from now to get the performance of (15? maybe 20?, 30???), total cost ~500, or just keep the 8800GT and total cost ~250 for the performance of 9-10.

Thanks!

 

[Syntax Error]

Well Geforce 9 series is rumored to be released in February or at least the first half of 2008...I think if you were to go SLI and Crossfire, the best strategy is to get BOTH cards NOW...generally, I think getting one card and planning to SLI it in 3-6 months yields diminishing returns and a new line of cards will be out anyways.

A single high end card > two weaker cards...I say go get ONE 8800GT and float on that until the next generation of cards.

 

[Cattlegod]

Originally posted by: Syntax Error
Well Geforce 9 series is rumored to be released in February or at least the first half of 2008...I think if you were to go SLI and Crossfire, the best strategy is to get BOTH cards NOW...generally, I think getting one card and planning to SLI it in 3-6 months yields diminishing returns and a new line of cards will be out anyways.

A single high end card > two weaker cards...I say go get ONE 8800GT and float on that until the next generation of cards.

Here is what I'm thinking because the mobo I have can only do crossfire.


3870 option:
If I spend 200 now and get a performance of 8, then spend 100 in a year and get the performance of 15. ~300 total spent

8800 GT option:
spend 250 now and get a performance of 9-10 and then spend 250 a year from now to get the performance of (15? maybe 20? 30???), total cost ~500, or just keep the 8800GT and total cost ~250 for the performance of 9-10.

does that change anything, or does anyone else have any other opinions?

 

[bryanW1995]

I have an ip 35 pro and have thought about xfire with my 3870. you lose about 10% in xfire on a p35 mobo like that so you'll get diminishing returns from xfire on it. Look at the 3870 vs 8800gt on a cost/performance basis and decide which card is better RIGHT NOW, then look at upgrading at a later date. Realistically, if you want xfire in the future you'll be disappointed with 2 3870's on that board, anyway.

If you can use the 7800gt for another couple months then you COULD see what the new year brings in the form of r680 and g100, of course... none of the current offerings do justice to that system that you have. :evil:

 

[Cattlegod]

Originally posted by: bryanW1995
I have an ip 35 pro and have thought about xfire with my 3870. you lose about 10% in xfire on a p35 mobo like that so you'll get diminishing returns from xfire on it. Look at the 3870 vs 8800gt on a cost/performance basis and decide which card is better RIGHT NOW, then look at upgrading at a later date. Realistically, if you want xfire in the future you'll be disappointed with 2 3870's on that board, anyway.

If you can use the 7800gt for another couple months then you COULD see what the new year brings in the form of r680 and g100, of course... none of the current offerings do justice to that system that you have. :evil:

Hmm, that is true, I could just hold and wait for a couple months.

So you think that if I don't plan on getting 2 3870s today, then don't bother getting one now, then one later? Just stick with what has the best price/performance ratio now?

 

[Relion]

Id go for 3870 now and add one later to complete crossfire....

 

[Munky]

I'd get the 8800gt now, and forget about any dual-card configuration, unless you're using an insanely high resolution that no single card can run smoothly.

 

[Cloudium]

This is a pretty tricky descision. On one hand, you could buy an EVGA GT and step it up to a 9800GTS and keep that for a few years. But if it turns out that it's some dumb dual card solution, you will be screwed unless your tower is a huge ass one.

Or you could take the safer, but worse path of going with a 3870 CF set up. I say go with the cheapest EVGA GT now, and hope that Nvidia release something decent.

Edit: Didn't see that the 7800 was just on loan....

 

[Syntax Error]

Originally posted by: Cattlegod
Hmm, that is true, I could just hold and wait for a couple months.

So you think that if I don't plan on getting 2 3870s today, then don't bother getting one now, then one later? Just stick with what has the best price/performance ratio now?

Again, a plan to get one card and Crossfire/SLI later is a bad idea, IMO, there's always going to be something better and faster at around the purchase time of the second card (the time varies between the second card being purchased, I don't know your financial situation so that can vary). The next generation of cards would hopefully be an improvement, but getting the second card would be limiting yourself. Better to get the newer generation card to get a sizeable performance increase.

If you can, getting a dual card solution NOW is best and hang on that for 1-2 generations.

 

[james1701]

If you are only planning on spending 200 or 250 now, and only another 100 in a year, then dont bother waiting. If the 9 series come out, then I doubt you will get something in your budget for a long time. Get the 8800GT now and enjoy.

 

[sheltem]

Originally posted by: Syntax Error
Well Geforce 9 series is rumored to be released in February or at least the first half of 2008...I think if you were to go SLI and Crossfire, the best strategy is to get BOTH cards NOW...generally, I think getting one card and planning to SLI it in 3-6 months yields diminishing returns and a new line of cards will be out anyways.

A single high end card > two weaker cards...I say go get ONE 8800GT and float on that until the next generation of cards.

What this guy said!

 

[Dacalo]

If GeForce 9 is rumored in February, buy EVGA brand 8800GT, and then step up.

 

[Mr Fox]

Originally posted by: Cattlegod

Originally posted by: bryanW1995
I have an ip 35 pro and have thought about xfire with my 3870. you lose about 10% in xfire on a p35 mobo like that so you'll get diminishing returns from xfire on it. Look at the 3870 vs 8800gt on a cost/performance basis and decide which card is better RIGHT NOW, then look at upgrading at a later date. Realistically, if you want xfire in the future you'll be disappointed with 2 3870's on that board, anyway.

If you can use the 7800gt for another couple months then you COULD see what the new year brings in the form of r680 and g100, of course... none of the current offerings do justice to that system that you have. :evil:

Hmm, that is true, I could just hold and wait for a couple months.

So you think that if I don't plan on getting 2 3870s today, then don't bother getting one now, then one later? Just stick with what has the best price/performance ratio now?

The PCI - E Config on Your MOBO would be a Waste... IF you want Multi GPU... X-38 and 2 x 3870's are the way currently, but in Single Card Performance G92 NVIDIA Cards are the Best Option.

This Data for Hot Hardware shows 2006 3-D Marks.

Single vs Multi . Default Resolution.

http://hosting03.imagecross.co...ingle-vs-Multi-GPU.jpg