Replacement Video Card(s)?

[Nightfall]

I have an EVGA 680i SLI motherboard with a quad core processor in it (overclocked to 2.9). Yes, its a 2 year old system but still in excellent running condition. I would like to give my system a little extra boost in performance when playing games (if possible).

I have 2 8800GTS (G92) running in SLI mode. I didn't know if it was going to be worth upgrading the video cards to something a little nicer, but I thought I would ask. The quad core processor is probably the limiting factor, but there might be a little nicer video cards to replace the old 8800GTS cards. Would you recommend a processor upgrade as well?

Obviously, I don't want to overspend since I have plans to build a new system next year. I have plans to upgrade my rig in November of 2010 when this computer reaches 3 years old.

Any suggestions?

 

[Denithor]

Are you a heavy gamer or noticing a slowdown in specific games?

You would need a pair of GTX 260/275/285 or a GTX 295/4870X2 to see any real improvement over your current setup. Or you could go with a single 5870 now with the potential to add a second next year (assuming you get a crossfire board). Of course by next year there will almost certainly be a single card out that will cream two 5870s.

 

[exar333]

If you are running anything less than 1080p or 1920x1200 then you are fine. If you have a 24'' LCD+, then getting a 5850 (1920x1200) or 5870 (>1920x1200) would be a great upgrade. You could easily sell each of your 8800GTS cards for $80, and then only pay $150 or so OOP for the 5850.

 

[Nightfall]

Are you a heavy gamer or noticing a slowdown in specific games?

You would need a pair of GTX 260/275/285 or a GTX 295/4870X2 to see any real improvement over your current setup. Or you could go with a single 5870 now with the potential to add a second next year (assuming you get a crossfire board). Of course by next year there will almost certainly be a single card out that will cream two 5870s.

I had to remove the antialaising in MW2. There are some effects that can bring my computer down a bit in framerate. Its not a huge deal, but I want something that can help my computer along for another 12 months before I upgrade.

I really don't know if buying dual GTX would be worthwhile. Especially since I will be investing in all new hardware next year. You are right though that any single card will cream anything new coming out.

I believe that this board is only Nvidia SLI compatible. No crossfire.

 

[Nightfall]

If you are running anything less than 1080p or 1920x1200 then you are fine. If you have a 24'' LCD+, then getting a 5850 (1920x1200) or 5870 (>1920x1200) would be a great upgrade. You could easily sell each of your 8800GTS cards for $80, and then only pay $150 or so OOP for the 5850.

I have a 24 inch LCD Dell that works great. I don't think I will upgrade the LCD anytime soon. Maybe its a good idea that I just wait until next year and buy new. Spending $200-$300 now on hardware may not be the best use.

 

[mhouck]

I don't think you have to go out and SLI to get noticeable performance gain. I had a 9800Gx2 which is basically equivalent to the 8800GTS, of course I overclocked. I noticed smoother gameplay in a number of games by upgrading to the 4890. The extra memory and bandwidth really helped at 1920-1200. GRID, Fallout, Far Cry 2, all ran smoother and I was able to turn up AA.

 

[jvroig]

Of course by next year there will almost certainly be a single card out that will cream two 5870s.

Single card that will cream a 5870 Crossfire? What part of next year would that be and what card is that, another ATi card or from nVidia's Fermi?

 

[BernardP]

I have a 24 inch LCD Dell that works great. I don't think I will upgrade the LCD anytime soon. Maybe its a good idea that I just wait until next year and buy new. Spending $200-$300 now on hardware may not be the best use.

You are saying it yourself and you are right... You have a setup which is still more than good enough. You can easily wait a year, or even more, before buying all-new. About this time next year, the ATI Radeon HD 6870 should be eating Fermis as apetizers.