Serious Question: Why are people upgrading to G80?

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beggerking

Golden Member
Jan 15, 2006
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Originally posted by: Raduque

Oh, and I have a question..... To all you 1600/1920x1200 people: can you seriously sit there and tell me you still see enough jaggies to actually REQUIRE 16xAA?

it makes me sad having to turn down graphic quality for game play. Why can't we have the best of both world? with 8800 we can!
 

TehMac

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2006
9,976
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Originally posted by: Cookie Monster
Originally posted by: Nightmare225
What, the ability to game at 2560x1600 with 4xAA doesn't count?

Make that 16xAA with SLi.

Make that AAx16 with just one card.
At any rate, I purchased an x1900xt last summer, and hell, it'll last me for quite some time to be honest. It still is quite a card, and it plays everything maxed out. Hell, it even plays Oblivion 6xAA + HDR with no noticeable slow downs for me at any rate. My eyes however, young as they are, are callous to such things, having played the BF2 demo on a 9550 and an AMD 64 2800 (s754, AGP)
At any rate, it'll play Crysis just fine I am sure, and all the RTS games maxed out from now til 2008 in all likelihood.
Which is fine by me.
For all of you stilling thinking about it, I'd say wait for 2007 because:
1) R600- you may not like ATi, but it'll lower prices
2)nVidia is not shy on revealing its making more G80 products that might be out by X-mas.
8600GT anyone? or an 8900GTX?
3) PCI-E 2.0: I'm pissed: just as I jump on the PCI-E wagon, PCI-E2.0 is announced with all the "ooo futuristic" crap attatched. Good news? Its backward compatiable with PCI-E1.0 cards, so you'll just get a new mobo and wait to get more money for a PCI-E2 card.
4) Quad Coring: Well if AMD gets its act together and potentially implements a RH/T or something like it, I'm interested!
5)NO DX10 Games designed with DX10 exclusively in mind. Whats the idea of getting a 600$ card when no games are full fledged designed for it (Crysis is DX9 and DX10 supported, much like how Far Cry threw in HDR as an extra perk, better water effects anyone?) and 2, when these full fledged DX10 games come out, these cards will have some performance bang-ups me thinks, and the money you spent will be wasted.
Unless you are rich, in which case, screw you.
 

imported_Imp

Diamond Member
Dec 20, 2005
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Originally posted by: George Powell
Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
because they can?

theres alot of smart people here with good jobs, if they got the disposable income and their hobby is computers then why not spend what they worked hard for on the latest equipment?

alot of people dont buy things because they need them, they buy because they want them.

i have the desire to own a 8800GTX and if i actually owned a computer and had the money i wouldnt hesitate. i dont need a 8800, i could probably get away with a x1950pro, but want > need

Exactly. Currently waiting for my 8800gtx to arrive on the doorstep.

That about covers it perfectly. I'm seeing a lot of pople upgrading from 'virgin' SLI 7900GTXs to 8800s, obviously they just buy it because it's the next best thing. I seriously doubt those saying they are buying it "to be ready" for DX10 believe that themselves. If the 9800GTX comes out in a few months with no DX10 games out, they'll still get it.
 

Raduque

Lifer
Aug 22, 2004
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Originally posted by: Centurin
Who said anything about requiring 16xAA? I don't require, but I WANT it. I will be able to play any game in pretty much any resolution with maxed settings. I don't plan on upgrading for a long time so it will do me just fine.
You may not play Oblivion, but I do. Not to mention Company of Heroes, Fear, and many other demanding games. For me, gaming in 1600x1200 with 16xAA is a big deal.

It's a "want", OK. But you say it's a big deal. And you didn't really address my question, let me go ahead and broaden the scope a little bit. At such a high resolution, are the benefits of 16xAA really, truly worth that much more over 4x, or even 8x?

Originally posted by: Centurin
I really don't expect the prices on the 8800GTX to drop before the R600 comes out. And even if it does drop, it won't be by more than $100. The waiting game is a double-edged sword. Sure you could save money by waiting 3 months and buying the next big thing, but then 3 months later something else will be here.

The thing is, it's looking more and more like DX10 games won't be out till after the R600, too. So there's plenty of time for the price to drop. The only reason the price won't drop, is because people won't refuse to be taken for a ride, and willingly, nay, gleefully, lay out exorbitantly large sums of cash for these cards. Hell, a single 8800GTS costs more then the core of my Conroe system(mobo, cpu, ram)!

Originally posted by: Centurin
Not everyone buying a 8800GTX has a nice system already. I bet the majority are building completely new systems, just like myself. $650 is alot of money, but I assure you I have brains, and most importanly a job. The 8800GTX is faster than Crossfire and 7900GTX SLI setups. Both of those will cost you over $600 bucks. Plus, the 8800GTX supports DX10 and has much higher visual quality. I think buying one makes perfect sense. Since I'm building a new system, the 8800GTX will help me future proof it just a tad.

OK, I concede your first point. And if you're buying (or have bought) a G80, I can naturally assume you have a job. I guess I should have clarified that last line with a smiley of some sort.

As for SLI/XFire, I also consider that silly and overpriced.

Yes, the G80 supports DX10, I covered that already - there are no DX10 games right now, and not only do you need $500-650 of hardware, you need $150+ of OS to utilize it in DX10 games, anyway. And "much" higher visual quality"? How so? Can you (seriously asking now), link me to something saying so? I mean, with DX9, isn't it just More of The Same(tm), Only Faster(r)? Can't you get all the visual quality of the G80, albeit a bit slower, with the aforementioned SLI setups?
 

imported_Crusader

Senior member
Feb 12, 2006
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I did because this is the biggest GPU release in the history of 3D video cards.

I get the fastest DX9 performance on earth, plus DX10 support. Toss in Luminex (10bit video), HDCP support, massive AA/AF modes available (perfect AF).
Not to mention the geometry capability and Quantum Physics abilities.

This is the first video card I've ever plopped more than $400 down for, and its more than worth it.
Have CSS, HL2, Oblivion, HOMM5, Dark Messiah.. and soon Medieval 2 Total War to play. Lovin it. Best $650 I've ever spent.
 

imported_Crusader

Senior member
Feb 12, 2006
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Originally posted by: Raduque
Yes, the G80 supports DX10, I covered that already - there are no DX10 games right now, and not only do you need $500-650 of hardware, you need $150+ of OS to utilize it in DX10 games, anyway. And "much" higher visual quality"? How so? Can you (seriously asking now), link me to something saying so? I mean, with DX9, isn't it just More of The Same(tm), Only Faster(r)? Can't you get all the visual quality of the G80, albeit a bit slower, with the aforementioned SLI setups?

Sorry to but in here.

But- Yes you can get the same visual quality of G80 on DX9. Yet, you never will though... because it will end up so much slower than the same level of effects running under DX9 that it wont even be feasible. Or will run a very low resolution in comparison to the DX10 path.
This is eventually though, not sure about the first DX10 apps.

If DX9 could perform with this level of image quality.. devs would do it. But DX10 reduces alot of overhead, and DX10 GPUs (all so far being unified) offers vastly improved performance (no wasted shader resources).
 

josh6079

Diamond Member
Mar 17, 2006
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OMG DROOL I'M GOING TO BLOW MY LOAD ON A $650 8800 GTX XXX GOLIATH SUPERCOOLED 128 STREAM JIZZ SHADER PROCESSOR VID CARD THAT GETS ELEVENTYBILLION JIZZMARK06 POINTS SO I CAN LOAD UP OBLIVION FOR THE 500TH TIME AND SEE THE FOLIAGE IN 16XAA! MONEY WELL SPENT! <---A sign of PC gamings demise.
So PC gaming's demise would be a user-base that spends top-dollar for their components?
If R600 was available right now rather than G80 I'd say the exact same thing. The lack of newer games that demand a DX10 card is a major source of my cynicism.
A video card emerges that can handle anything at it's highest setting with very fluid frames and you blame software developers? The fact that there isn't a game that brings this card to it's knees right now is a blessing, not a fault. It's ideal to have great looking games and great performance. I don't understand why you'd rather see it otherwise.
 

letulechuga

Golden Member
Sep 28, 2004
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OMG DROOL I'M GOING TO BLOW MY LOAD ON A $650 8800 GTX XXX GOLIATH SUPERCOOLED 128 STREAM JIZZ SHADER PROCESSOR VID CARD THAT GETS ELEVENTYBILLION JIZZMARK06 POINTS SO I CAN LOAD UP OBLIVION FOR THE 500TH TIME AND SEE THE FOLIAGE IN 16XAA! MONEY WELL SPENT! <---A sign of PC gamings demise
 

Pugnate

Senior member
Jun 25, 2006
690
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While I agree with the OP, I am going for the 8800GTX as I am likely to se a massive difference from my sold 7800GTX. If I had a X1950XT or a 7950GTX, well then obviously not.
 
Dec 27, 2001
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Remember those people who bought a 9700 Pro in 2002 for $399? Those frickin bastards can still play any game out and may make it another year or two before actually needing to upgrade. In theory, by grabbing a 8800GTS you're getting both top notch performance and what amounts to a value when viewed as a long term investment.
 

Pugnate

Senior member
Jun 25, 2006
690
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Ummm... I gave my 9800 to my sister a while back. Trust me, it can not play Oblivion.
 

Vinnybcfc

Senior member
Nov 9, 2005
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What some people dont realise that in other countries the price difference between a X1950XTX and a 8800GTS is about £20 (about $40) - X1900s arent available anywhere anymore or are at inflated prices
 

MegaWorks

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2004
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Originally posted by: Crusader
I did because this is the biggest GPU release in the history of 3D video cards.

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!


Sunrise089 why do you care? If they want to throw away 650 dollars on a video card let

them. It's not like it's coming out of your pocket. I think its fanboyism; you know the one's

favorite video card company that released this new high tech E-penis card that he must

have in order to grow his e-penis to satisfy his new look. :Q :p


To be honest I?m sick of tired of hearing this on the forums every time a new card is

released by nVidia or ATI, same old carp over and over again.
 
Oct 4, 2004
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Raduque, you sound like you are jealous because you can't afford one. I'm part of that club too (sort of) ;)

I mean, sou sound like you don't like people who buy high-end hardware. I'm a budget-buyer myself but I won't stop someone from spending serious money on what matters most to them. $650 is a lot of money for me - maybe it isn't for other people. Maybe these are the people who take their wives out for $200 dinners. Maybe they drive $60,000 cars. Maybe they live in a 300 sq.ft apartment and drive a beat-down bucket of bolts but and they have no interest in clubbing/dating/expensive cars/diamonds/gourmet cuisine...maybe all they really want in life is a great computer, with great speakers and a personal coffee machine.

It would bother me if someone spent $650 on a product that has a much better alternative out there - it would bring out the knowledgeable good samaritan in me:) For instance, I would recommend a single 8800GTX to a guy looking to buy two 7950GTs for SLI. But I won't hold a grudge against someone for wanting to spend $650. Catch my drift?
 

Pugnate

Senior member
Jun 25, 2006
690
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If by fine you mean a chug fest at min. settings whenever there is combat involved, then yes.

But no it doesn't run fine at all, though I know what you are saying.
 

imported_Crusader

Senior member
Feb 12, 2006
899
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Originally posted by: MegaWorks
To be honest I?m sick of tired of hearing this on the forums every time a new card is

released by nVidia or ATI, same old carp over and over again.

Sounds like you are into the wrong hobby then, mang. 2nd thing to consider would be if you are sick of hearing "it".. stop coming to forums? :confused:
 

Zstream

Diamond Member
Oct 24, 2005
3,395
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Originally posted by: Crusader
I did because this is the biggest GPU release in the history of 3D video cards.

I get the fastest DX9 performance on earth, plus DX10 support. Toss in Luminex (10bit video), HDCP support, massive AA/AF modes available (perfect AF).
Not to mention the geometry capability and Quantum Physics abilities.

This is the first video card I've ever plopped more than $400 down for, and its more than worth it.
Have CSS, HL2, Oblivion, HOMM5, Dark Messiah.. and soon Medieval 2 Total War to play. Lovin it. Best $650 I've ever spent.

Playing through HL2, Oblivion, HOMM5 and CSS again is quite boring to me IMO. Hell I am waiting till Jan. to purchase anything as I hope R600 will come out by then and make some good price drops on both fronts.
 

wanderer27

Platinum Member
Aug 6, 2005
2,173
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I like the 8800GTX.

Nice card and new features/performance/IQ, a bit high on power and heat though . . . and a tad long.

I'm hoping the 8900GTX (refresh @ 80nm) will address the power/heat some as well as the length - if so, I'll be all over it :)


 

imported_Crusader

Senior member
Feb 12, 2006
899
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Originally posted by: Zstream
Playing through HL2, Oblivion, HOMM5 and CSS again is quite boring to me IMO. Hell I am waiting till Jan. to purchase anything as I hope R600 will come out by then and make some good price drops on both fronts.

I never completed HL2 yet :eek: (kept finding other games to get distracted with), or Oblivion.. or HOMM5. And obviously Medieval 2 is brand new.

I'm to busy to dedicate the kind of time it takes to finish a game usually. I'm in and out of here all the time so I usually play for 30minutes and then have to take off.

I did complete Quake4 and Doom3, and played a lot of BF2. But those games arent on my G80 "playlist" because I'm either tired of them or I beatem.

Theres enough games out there that if someone needs a fun game to play, theres something out there.

And btw, I assume from what you said that you have played, and beaten HOMM5?
You know the expansion pack was just released? That'd work with your G80. ;)

After I finish HOMM5, I'm going to be picking that one up. And Oblivion you can play multiple times with its open ended style. Not to mention online shooters like BF2/CS can't be "finished" unless you are tired of them. I cant seem to get to tired of most of them.

But then again, I'm a different style of gamer than most with my in-and-out lifestyle and being busy. I cant sink 2+ consecutive hours into a game unless its on a weekend.
 

imported_Crusader

Senior member
Feb 12, 2006
899
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zstream- i forgot to mention Neverwinter Nights 2. That is a great choice to experience on a G80. I should probably pick that one up to, now that i mention it!

That brings my list up to
CSS, HL2, Oblivion, HOMM5, Dark Messiah (w00t!), Medieval 2 Total War :thumbsup: and Neverwinter Nights 2. Also installed my copy of Civilization 4.

I dont need a game like UT07 to enjoy myself. I'm a gamer going back to the Atari 2600 and Commodore 64. When PC gaming is ever no longer popular, I'll be back to scoping shareware like I was in the early 90s.

I'm considering a Wii to compliment my PC. With my PC being my high end gaming device (I cant ever leave the PC due to killer strategy games like Civ4/Total War/C&C/HOMM.. not to mention I started PC gaming because of the Adventure game scene of the mid 80s). But a Wii would make a great, cheap party console and a nice "second system" :p (apologies to ken kurtagi and whoever else said that phrase about the wii). Not to mention, probably some innovative gameplay.
 

MegaWorks

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2004
3,819
1
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Originally posted by: Crusader
Originally posted by: MegaWorks
To be honest I?m sick of tired of hearing this on the forums every time a new card is

released by nVidia or ATI, same old carp over and over again.

Sounds like you are into the wrong hobby then, mang. 2nd thing to consider would be if you are sick of hearing "it".. stop coming to forums? :confused:

I come to the forums to get information and not to compare "my e-penis is bigger than your e-penis". :roll:
 

Drayvn

Golden Member
Jun 23, 2004
1,008
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Originally posted by: VinnyBCFC
What some people dont realise that in other countries the price difference between a X1950XTX and a 8800GTS is about £20 (about $40) - X1900s arent available anywhere anymore or are at inflated prices

Id really like to know what prices your basing that on, from what i can see its more like £70 or 80 difference, around $120 to 150.

The cheapest 1950XT is just under £250 and the cheapest 1900XT is just under £200 while the cheapest 8800GTS is £315 and the 8800GTX is around £415!
 

imported_Crusader

Senior member
Feb 12, 2006
899
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Originally posted by: MegaWorks
Originally posted by: Crusader
Originally posted by: MegaWorks
To be honest I?m sick of tired of hearing this on the forums every time a new card is

released by nVidia or ATI, same old carp over and over again.

Sounds like you are into the wrong hobby then, mang. 2nd thing to consider would be if you are sick of hearing "it".. stop coming to forums? :confused:

I come to the forums to get information and not to compare "my e-penis is bigger than your e-penis". :roll:

No one is saying your legacy card sucks, or is comparing "e-peens".

You said you are tired of hearing about everyone ranting on about the latest and greatest.. thats a part of the hobby. The rest of us LOVE the "same old crap".

I hope "same old crap" never stops. Including R600 and G81. Let the good times roll.

At least, the rest of us are having a good time. You must have a hidden fetish for a G80 or something because everyone else is just excited.
 

Raduque

Lifer
Aug 22, 2004
13,140
138
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Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
Raduque, you sound like you are jealous because you can't afford one. I'm part of that club too (sort of) ;)

I mean, sou sound like you don't like people who buy high-end hardware. I'm a budget-buyer myself but I won't stop someone from spending serious money on what matters most to them. $650 is a lot of money for me - maybe it isn't for other people. Maybe these are the people who take their wives out for $200 dinners. Maybe they drive $60,000 cars. Maybe they live in a 300 sq.ft apartment and drive a beat-down bucket of bolts but and they have no interest in clubbing/dating/expensive cars/diamonds/gourmet cuisine...maybe all they really want in life is a great computer, with great speakers and a personal coffee machine.

It would bother me if someone spent $650 on a product that has a much better alternative out there - it would bring out the knowledgeable good samaritan in me:) For instance, I would recommend a single 8800GTX to a guy looking to buy two 7950GTs for SLI. But I won't hold a grudge against someone for wanting to spend $650. Catch my drift?

The only reason I don't like people who buy high-end hardware, is because they buy it at prices the rest of us who aren't independently wealthy can't afford, and it serves to create demand at those prices, so they don't drop quicker. :p

It's not so much I have a problem with the people who can afford $700 video cards, it's more the fact that the card is that price in the first place. I think anything above about $350 is far too much for a video card, and 600-700, even for two of them, is just ridiculous. Just like I bought my 6-series cards at about $120ea, and I got my 7900GS @ 150, I'll wait till G80 hits 200 - and it still better be significantly faster then my heavily OCed 7900gs.

Originally posted by: Crusader

But- Yes you can get the same visual quality of G80 on DX9. Yet, you never will though... because it will end up so much slower than the same level of effects running under DX9 that it wont even be feasible. Or will run a very low resolution in comparison to the DX10 path.
This is eventually though, not sure about the first DX10 apps.

If DX9 could perform with this level of image quality.. devs would do it. But DX10 reduces alot of overhead, and DX10 GPUs (all so far being unified) offers vastly improved performance (no wasted shader resources).

I don't think you're really understanding what I was getting at. He said the G80 had "much higher visual quality", and I took it to mean he says the card can make DX9 games better looking then current dx9 cards, and I was asking how this was true.

Also, NO DX10 games are coming out for at least 6 months, though somebody may surprise and deliver early. Those Crysis shots in the linked thread are under DX9.



I think you all are misunderstanding me. I am excited about DX10 and DX10 games, and the basic DX10 architecture, and I can't wait for it. But what I am absolutely NOT, in any way, shape or form excited about, is this card and it's prices. It's certainly not worth $500 more then my current card, nor is it worth more then the entire core of my current system (inc. vidcard, it was worth 575).