Please help? I can't make up my mind.

[Firic]

I'm building a new machine, and I've come to a final decision on all of my parts except for the video card.

So far I've got:
Athlon64 3800x2
EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra
2x512 OCZ Value Series

I've narrowed it down to either the 6800gs or the 7800gt. I know that the 7800 will give me better fps, but it's also $100 more. Is the difference in performance worth that much? I'm also worried that games will be unplayable in a couple of years if I get the 6800, is that a valid concern?

Currently I have a P4 2.53 and have been running a GeForce4 ti4400 for about four years now. It's been a great card till now, but it's come to the point where a lot of games aren't playable anymore. And I need a card that will be able to play Oblivion at a decent framerate when it comes out. Any input on what I should go with?

 

[AzNPinkTuv]

if your gonna play oblivion get the 7800gt... lol if you see those system reqs youll agree

 

[Munky]

If you buy the 6800gs, you'll probably be wishing for a newer card in a few weeks.

 

[Zebo]

I you're on a budget and don't mind ATI and OCing get the GTO^2 For $185 make into x850xtpe

Here Kris talks about it
http://www.anandtech.com/news/shownews.aspx?i=24988

Here for $185
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=AT-P8GTOS


Must get Manufacturer Part#: 100130 for 16 pipes R480 core.

 

[Piuc2020]

Yes but I would just get a 7800GT, an unlocked and overclocked GTO2 will still be considerably slower than a STOCK 7800GS and it will lack HDR and SM3.0, not cool.

 

[imhungry]

Of course. But the price of x800GTO2's are declining to even under $175. While 7800GT's are still overrr $250.

Depends on what games you wanna play, and SM3.0 support and a fraction of the HDR Hit.

 

[Munky]

If you want SM3 and HDR that you can actually use at playable settings, you need at least 7800gt or a x1800xl. Those features are only used in the highest quality settings of games, and if a card is not fast enough to smoothly run a game at those settings, then SM3 will bring you absolutely no benefit.
If you want the most performance for the money, get the gto2 - faster than a 6800gs when unlocked, but does not have sm3.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: Piuc2020
Yes but I would just get a 7800GT, an unlocked and overclocked GTO2 will still be considerably slower than a STOCK 7800GS and it will lack HDR and SM3.0, not cool.

An overclocked GTO2 will beat a 7800GS in most benchmarks according to Anandtech: "the X850 XTPE is generally faster than the new NVIDIA part" besides he's asking for a PCIe card. 7800GS is AGP only.

 

[themusgrat]

Money is the only factor. If you can get the 7800GT, it is great. If not, my 6800GS plays BF2 with all high settings, 2x AA, at 1280x1024. It will not be obsolete for a while.

 

[Bateluer]

I'd go with the 7800GT if I were you. It will have a longer life than the 6800GS and GTO2, plus it has the most advanced feature set. Yes, it costs more than the 6800GS and GTO2, but it will outlast both of them. Get the 6800GS or GTO2, and you will likely be wishing you had a faster card within 6 months.

 

[Firic]

Thanks for the help everyone. I think I'm going to bite the bullet and grab the 7800. The GTO2 looks quite nice as well, but I'm not sure if I'll be OCing. At least not right away.

 

[Tom]

If Oblivion is a deciding factor it only makes sense to wait until Oblivion comes out. It might suck and become irrelevant, or there might not be any card that can run it.

I understand the twitch to buy though, I have it myself lately..

 

[Azndude2190]

Get the 7800GT:thumbsup:

 

[djnsmith7]

This is a no-brainer...7800 GT

 

[Bartokomus]

7800gt