POLL: Worthwhile upgrade or wait?

[Cheex]

The thing is i REALLY want to crank up F.E.A.R. some more, maxing it would be nice. The X850XT is limiting me there and also, I want better frame rates in Oblivion and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
I want to get DOOM 3 (too bad I didn't already have it).
There are some other titles that I am keeping my eyes on as well.


Note: I am still using a 17" CRT monitor and I game at 1024x768.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Cheex
The thing is i REALLY want to crank up F.E.A.R. some more, maxing it would be nice. The X850XT is limiting me there and also, I want better frame rates in Oblivion and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
I want to get DOOM 3 (too bad I didn't already have it).
There are some other titles that I am keeping my eyes on as well.


Note: I am still using a 17" CRT monitor and I game at 1024x768.

the 7800GS should allow for *all* of that ... what is your current 3DMark05 score ... expect well over 6500 if you OC it further

IF you *really* want 10K in 3DMark05 - don't be a cheapskate - get a xx1950xt and upgrade your PS
-or suffer the possible consequences

EDIT: now the 1900GT might have a lower power requirement ... check it out ... and it will be *everything* you want
of course ... then you will want to upgrade your monitor
:roll:

 

[BernardP]

Performance and DX10 is one thing, but money is another thing.

You might not get $100 or even anything for your X850XT if you wait. So I say take the $100 now, and upgrade to X1950Pro or X1950GT for very little "new money". You will be all set for about 2 years, time for DX10 games to become mainstream.

Take the $100 and run!

 

[Cheex]

I plan on taking the $100 as soon as he has it all together and I'm gonna buy the X1900GT for $130.

Next will be my other 1GB stick of memory so I can dual channel.


I do plan on upgrading my monitor but that is for when I can actually just spring for a good 22" LCD and then be all happy.

 

[TecHNooB]

Sell the X850XT and hold out for a few months on a console. If you don't have a console, buy one instead.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: TecHNooB
Sell the X850XT and hold out for a few months on a console. If you don't have a console, buy one instead.

says the man with the X1800XT

in a few months you can also sell your GT for $90

i expect to get a few bucks for my AGP x1950p even next year

 

[josh6079]

i expect to get a few bucks for my AGP x1950p even next year

You'll probably get a few. Good AGP cards are still a good option for people who don't have a PCI-Express MB, nor looking to spend the money on upgrading to one. In fact I know a person who will most likely be in the market for one this time next year.

 

[TecHNooB]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: TecHNooB
Sell the X850XT and hold out for a few months on a console. If you don't have a console, buy one instead.

says the man with the X1800XT

in a few months you can also sell your GT for $90

i expect to get a few bucks for my AGP x1950p even next year

I RMA'd my ****** X800 cuz it was artifacting like mvtherf*ker. The X1800XT was around $220 by then, not $500+.

 

[apoppin]

so the OP is tired of his x800 'junk'

he wants a faster card ... just like you already have ... for *only $30*

now ... again ... *Why* should he wait?

 

[evolucion8]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
I would probably wait until Nvidia releases 8600 Ultra and ATI has its lineup so there is a chance 8800GTS might fall in value. However, by all accounts, selling X850XT for $100 and buying HIS X1950Pro $140 means for $40 out of pocket expense you'll increase your performance 50-75% in gaming That's some serious bang for the buck.

Is not that high increase in performance, the average performance increase is 30%, which can be sometimes higher, sometimes lower, depending on the game, is not bad, but even appopin knows that is not a huge increase, it's still healthy tough. The games will run pretty much at the same frame rate, the only thing that will change is that you will be able to increase eye candy like FSAA and AF. http://www.hwupgrade.com/articles/video...-x1950pro-revisiting-agp-part-1_6.html http://www.hwupgrade.com/articles/video...-x1950pro-revisiting-agp-part-1_7.html http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/pow...adeon_x1950_pro_agp_review/default.asp and http://www.hartware.de/review_668_1.html << This last one is in another languague, but the graphic bars speak for themselves. There's no game which can make the X1950PRO perform 75% faster than the X800/X850XT/PE series of GPU's.

 

[TecHNooB]

Originally posted by: apoppin
so the OP is tired of his x800 'junk'

he wants a faster card ... just like you already have ... for *only $30*

now ... again ... *Why* should he wait?

Well.. waiting is always the better option. Afterall, a better video card will just make you waste more time on gaming The cards will get cheaper as well. But no, there's no reason the OP should wait if he has the funds to make a double upgrade.. cuz you know by the time DX10 is up and ready to go with a few games, you're going to want to upgrade again. A mini upgrade like the OP is suggesting would not perform well with the latest games out right now and it's not worth buying the card to play some of the older games out with more eye candy (like FEAR). Just stick to some CS and buy a 360 or something. Garaunteed to get your eye candy there and DX10 will still be worth upgrading to as even the next gen consoles are only DX9.

 

[Cheex]

I don't use consoles. Never have since I got my PC. My last console was a Nintendo 64.

Console + Me = Not interested!!

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: TecHNooB

Originally posted by: apoppin
so the OP is tired of his x800 'junk'

he wants a faster card ... just like you already have ... for *only $30*

now ... again ... *Why* should he wait?

Well.. waiting is always the better option. Afterall, a better video card will just make you waste more time on gaming The cards will get cheaper as well. But no, there's no reason the OP should wait if he has the funds to make a double upgrade.. cuz you know by the time DX10 is up and ready to go with a few games, you're going to want to upgrade again. A mini upgrade like the OP is suggesting would not perform well with the latest games out right now and it's not worth buying the card to play some of the older games out with more eye candy (like FEAR). Just stick to some CS and buy a 360 or something. Garaunteed to get your eye candy there and DX10 will still be worth upgrading to as even the next gen consoles are only DX9.

you are missing the *whole point*
--besides the OP hating consoles

it is a thirty dollar upgrade ... that is less than the cost of ONE new game

why should he wait?

he can game happily - just like you do ... till he upgrades again

why do you want to hold him back ... for $30

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: evolucion8
There's no game which can make the X1950PRO perform 75% faster than the X800/X850XT/PE series of GPU's.

Tom's VGA charts

HL2 E1 - 1600x1200 4AA/16AF
X1950Pro = 54.5 (+70%)
X850XT PCIe = 32.0

Prey - 1600x1200 4AA/16AF
X1950Pro = 41.3 (+72%)
X850XT = 24

Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends - 1280x1024 medium AA/8AF
X1950Pro = 23.4 (+56%)
X850XT = 15

Titan Quest - 1280x1024 in game AA/8AF
X1950Pro = 32.5 (+71%)
X850XT = 19

That's a pretty decent speed jump for $30, no?

Now that OP mentions he is using 1024x768 resolution, the difference will be definitely less and more closer to your 30%-40% figure. Still for $30 extra, seems like a good deal.

 

[Cheex]

My only problem is that at the desktop resolution 1024x768, my monitor is set at a refresh rate of 85Hz. The monitor supports 1280x1024 BUT I can't raise the refresh rate higher than the default 60, so I get some flickering.

Note: I don't "hate" consoles, just not interested. I just think the PC is way better...

 

[SickBeast]

Get a 320mb 8800GTS now. :beer:

/thread

 

[evolucion8]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation

Originally posted by: evolucion8
There's no game which can make the X1950PRO perform 75% faster than the X800/X850XT/PE series of GPU's.

Tom's VGA charts

HL2 E1 - 1600x1200 4AA/16AF
X1950Pro = 54.5 (+70%)
X850XT PCIe = 32.0

Prey - 1600x1200 4AA/16AF
X1950Pro = 41.3 (+72%)
X850XT = 24

Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends - 1280x1024 medium AA/8AF
X1950Pro = 23.4 (+56%)
X850XT = 15

Titan Quest - 1280x1024 in game AA/8AF
X1950Pro = 32.5 (+71%)
X850XT = 19

That's a pretty decent speed jump for $30, no?

Now that OP mentions he is using 1024x768 resolution, the difference will be definitely less and more closer to your 30%-40% figure. Still for $30 extra, seems like a good deal.

Tom's hardware VGA Chats? lol That's quite misleading often, that's why I stopped using it as a reference. The X1950PRO got more power in Pixel Shader and Vertex Shader, that's it, in Multi Texturing, ROP's etc, the X850XT is faster. For 30 bucks is not bad considering that he will upgrade soon again, but even if the advantage is 74% I do not consider 24fps as playable, and nobody with this kind of card will play at 1600x1200 with all the eye candy.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Cheex
My only problem is that at the desktop resolution 1024x768, my monitor is set at a refresh rate of 85Hz. The monitor supports 1280x1024 BUT I can't raise the refresh rate higher than the default 60, so I get some flickering.

Note: I don't "hate" consoles, just not interested. I just think the PC is way better...

how about 11x8? i found that a very decent compromise for my old CRT ... you will probably get ~75hz

 

[Canterwood]

I would say go for the X1950 Pro. Its a cheap upgrade imo.

Just remember, if you hold out for a DX10 card, you'll also need to purchase Windows Vista to make use of it.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Canterwood
I would say go for the X1950 Pro. Its a cheap upgrade imo.

Just remember, if you hold out for a DX10 card, you'll also need to purchase Windows Vista to make use of it.

and 2GB of RAM is a minimum and the damn game will still run slower ... now ... compared to xp

i think the pro will have a year of useful life until something like Alan Wake 'forces' us to upgrade ...
i don't think Crysis is enough to do it for me

and it will probably also be buggy on launch if FC is any indication

 

[Cheex]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Cheex
My only problem is that at the desktop resolution 1024x768, my monitor is set at a refresh rate of 85Hz. The monitor supports 1280x1024 BUT I can't raise the refresh rate higher than the default 60, so I get some flickering.

Note: I don't "hate" consoles, just not interested. I just think the PC is way better...

how about 11x8? i found that a very decent compromise for my old CRT ... you will probably get ~75hz

1152x864 does seem nice and yes I am getting 75Hz. I've always wanted a bit more desktop real estate on my current monitor. Thanx.

 

[Cheex]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Canterwood
I would say go for the X1950 Pro. Its a cheap upgrade imo.

Just remember, if you hold out for a DX10 card, you'll also need to purchase Windows Vista to make use of it.

and 2GB of RAM is a minimum and the damn game will still run slower ... now ... compared to xp

i think the pro will have a year of useful life until something like Alan Wake 'forces' us to upgrade ...
i don't think Crysis is enough to do it for me

and it will probably also be buggy on launch if FC is any indication

You are probably right but the 2nd GB is in the making as well (along with the new video card).

 

[apoppin]

don't let me discourage you

you are getting a decent upgrade with the GT

i went from 1 >1.5 GB a couple of weeks ago

... after the Pro ... the OCZ PS ... the EE CPU ... the WS LCD

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: Cheex

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Canterwood
I would say go for the X1950 Pro. Its a cheap upgrade imo.

Just remember, if you hold out for a DX10 card, you'll also need to purchase Windows Vista to make use of it.

and 2GB of RAM is a minimum and the damn game will still run slower ... now ... compared to xp

i think the pro will have a year of useful life until something like Alan Wake 'forces' us to upgrade ...
i don't think Crysis is enough to do it for me

and it will probably also be buggy on launch if FC is any indication

You are probably right but the 2nd GB is in the making as well (along with the new video card).

Vista will probably beat out XP once the drivers mature.

The 2GB of RAM will be well utilized with SuperFetch.

Far Cry wasn't buggy at launch for me.

Crysis will be the game of the year.

/pwnage

 

[apoppin]

once the drivers mature ... *agreed*

sure ... but 4GB is SO much better

you were ... tolerant

doubt it
--which year?

/you mind only