PCIe card advice

[JT2006]

Dear All
Having done some 'extensive' research need some pointers on a new video card selection (tax return time)...........

Current system-
e6300
Asrock Dual VSTA
1Gb ddr400
2 pata drives
2 sata drives
1 cdrw/dvd drive
1 dvd burner
Audigy 4
PCI card usb2/1394
Antec NeoHE 430w
and an agp 6600gt (128Mb)

Wish to up/g video card and will be going PCIe route (the current moboard takes both agp and pcie - at x4 though) So I've cornered it down to 7600gt or 7900gs both 256Mb models, as this card will be used for games divx viewing and 'some' work related activities. Either the Gainward or XFX brand are most likely.

With the 7600gt
+ cheaper
+ less power (using a psu estimator 360w)
- less improvement on the 6600gt cf. 7900gs

With the 7900gs
+ longer life cf. 7600gt (I know Dx10 cards are around the corner but $
+ estimates ain't) better specs (256 bit memory, ddr3)
- more dollars
- present psu might not be enough using the psu calc ~400w (so more $$$$)

In summary the 7900gs is ~20% dearer (with no psu change) for 40% better performance.

So some advice is needed, more in regard to PSU and the 7900gs.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Fenixgoon]

id simply wait for DX10 cards.. nvdia's 8000 series will be coming in a few months, and if nothing else, will drop prices of other cards further

 

[YoungGun21]

7900GS would be better in my opinion.

Although I'm not sure how well the PSU will do with the 7900GS and then all those HDs and Optical Drives...

 

[CKXP]

welcome to the forums...you're PSU should be enough for a 7900GS

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2835&p=12

 

[happy medium]

pci-e 4x and a 7900gs= performance loss?

Edit: I believe you will see performance loss because of lack of bandwith with anything faster than a 6800 ultra pci-e with 4x pci-e at high resolutions.

 

[996GT2]

Since you have PCIe 4X I'd suggest a 7600GT or 7900GS; anything higher and it will probably be botlenecked by the PCIe link.

 

[Sunrise089]

Depends on price. If it's more than a $30 difference I would go with the 7600GT.