POLL: Worthwhile upgrade or wait?

[Cheex]

Poll says it all. I need advice.

Note: If I decide to keep my X850XT, I think I'm going to buy another 1GB stick of memory so I can dual channel.

Thanks in advance.

 

[phantom404]

I say wait until Q3 that way you can see what AMD/ATI has to offer compared to Nvidia. IMHO

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: Cheex
Poll says it all. I need advice.

Note: If I decide to keep my X850XT, I think I'm going to buy another 1GB stick of memory so I can dual channel.

Thanks in advance.

Is there a game that you really wanna play and can't? Then just wait till something good comes out worth playing then buy a new card. For now yes upgrade the memory to 2 gigs.

 

[Cheex]

I am honestly thinking about waiting but you know how it is. If I were to get the best midrange DX10 card, what should I be keeping my eye on and also what kind of price range are we talking about??

 

[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.

 

[Cheex]

Its a tempting offer for a quick upgrade but I'm not sure if it would be worth it. I know how I am and I'm definitely going to want to have a DX10 card as soon as the first set of DX10 games are released (Hint: Crysis). So I'm leaning toward waiting as I said before.

Would upgrading to 2GB of memory provide a noticeable improvement in my frame rates in games right now? If so, how much?

 

[Bill Brasky]

Originally posted by: Cheex
Its a tempting offer for a quick upgrade but I'm not sure if it would be worth it. I know how I am and I'm definitely going to want to have a DX10 card as soon as the first set of DX10 games are released (Hint: Crysis). So I'm leaning toward waiting as I said before.

Would upgrading to 2GB of memory provide a noticeable improvement in my frame rates in games right now? If so, how much?

Whether you see a benefit or not depends on how much multitasking you do and what games you play. Personally, I like having two gigs so I don't have to close all my apps to prevent swapping when I game. It's less than 100 bucks for another stick, but saving that for a video card would move you into the next price bracket when you're looking to buy.

I don't know, that's a tough call especially since you're interested in crysis, and you'll need all the graphics horsepower you can get.

edit: I think you should also wait on the memory. If we agree that gaming is the most important, then wait until Q3 and evaluate the cards. Decide what kind of price/performance you want, and if money is left over, get the memory.

 

[Cheex]

Okay...Zaitsev has made some interesting points.

First off, I play games that are demanding to a great extent. I was thinking that if I were to wait until Q3 then getting another 1GB memory now (2GB total in dual channel) would breathe some more life into my current gaming just like my Core 2 Duo has done. I play games like FEAR and Farcry and STALKER and Oblivion....basically games that crave and love lots of memory.


What then?

 

[ronnn]

I voted for the x1900gt as the upgrade is huge (I have one). But really waiting is always best (costs nothing). :beer:

 

[LOUISSSSS]

the $30 upgrade to the x1900gt might be worth it until you save enough for the R600

 

[Remedy]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
the $30 upgrade to the x1900gt might be worth it until you save enough for the R600

I thought the same exact way. He could buy the x1900GT for $130, sell the x850XT in the FS/FT forum or auction site for $100 and only take a $30 impact to the wallet as a end result.

 

[ScrewFace]

Originally posted by: Remedy

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
the $30 upgrade to the x1900gt might be worth it until you save enough for the R600

I thought the same exact way. He could buy the x1900GT for $130, sell the x850XT in the FS/FT forum or auction site for $100 and only take a $30 impact to the wallet as a end result.

The OP said a friend of his is willing to buy the X850XT for $100.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Cheex
I am honestly thinking about waiting but you know how it is. If I were to get the best midrange DX10 card, what should I be keeping my eye on and also what kind of price range are we talking about??

screw waiting

x1950p is a "net $63" upgrade and will provide a great gaming experience over your x850xt
:thumbsup:

it is exactly what i did and i a *very glad* i did

why mess with a lesser upgrade

something to consider ... x1950xt for not a lot more

i DID do the 1>1.5GB upgrade ... much less difference than my GPU upgrade

and RAM prices are in "free fall" right now

 

[Munky]

Are you really suffering with your x850xt? That card is still good enough to play most games at medium-high settings, so I'd wait for next gen cards if I were you.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: munky
Are you really suffering with your x850xt? That card is still good enough to play most games at medium-high settings, so I'd wait for next gen cards if I were you.

looking back ... i *was* suffering with an x850xt ... especially in FEAR/Expansion Point
-fact is, it isn't med/hi ... nor is there HDL
--or even full dynamic lighting in STALKER - it looks *so good* with most details maxed

--i just didn't realize it 'till after i upgraded
:Q

think of it this way ... a $63 upgrade is the cost a single new PC games

skip *one* game purchase.

 

[Wreckage]

Either wait till next month to see if the G84/86 come out (not a big fan of waiting). Or get a 1950\GS.

 

[Captante]

Considering you've made it this far, I'd sit it out for another month or two with the X850 unless theres a specific game you want to play thats giving you sub-par performance... worst-case you'll pay the same for an X1950XT then as you will for the Pro now & if the mid-range 8 seris Nvidia cards are release you will likely do a lot better then that.

 

[Cheex]

How much better is this card than my X850XT?

Is it worth the $30 upgrade? I might only be able to spare that much.

 

[apoppin]

i think so

probably 20% faster ...

 

[Cheex]

I'm considering the option of the "X1900GT for $30" because of all this waiting on the ATI DX10 and the price war with Nvidia and then the price cuts...seems so far away.

If I go this route, this is where I will stand:

PROS:
~20% more performance (apoppin)
Shader Model 3.0
Vertex Model 3.0
HDR
etc (there may be more pros too)

CONS:
-$30
No DX10 (doesn't quite matter just YET...not until Crysis...)


What do you all think about my line of reasoning???

 

[apoppin]

Crysis isn't full DX10 anyway ... you're thinking of Alan Wake

30 bucks ... sheesh

:roll:

 

[Cheex]

Alan Wake...yeah...that looks really nice too. I guess Alan Wake is in FULL DX10 right?

OK, let me get this straight...GET THE X1900GT!!!

 

[SolMiester]

Far out man, none of you have asked what monitor he is using for shame!.......all those posts....LOL

I would say if he doesnt mind no shader 3, can plauy his current games at native lcd or his screen res, wait until required...

2cents

 

[daveybrat]

For $30 dollars more?? NO BRAINER, do it!! I would

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: SolMiester
Far out man, none of you have asked what monitor he is using for shame!.......all those posts....LOL

I would say if he doesnt mind no shader 3, can plauy his current games at native lcd or his screen res, wait until required...

2cents

for $30 bucks who cares?


Games "run" on his x850xt and he is asking for "more" ... the GT will give him "more" ... close to the x1950p's performance ... for *really cheap*
:roll: