Should I buy a 8800 GTX now or wait until ati relases dx10 cards?

[sharar]

topic

 

[theprodigalrebel]

If you need an upgrade right away to play games you can't, go for the 8800GTX.
Rumors have it the X2900XTX won't be available in quantity until May. Also, VR-Zone reported only a 200 point advantage in 3DMark06 over the 8800GTX. My take: means they will most likely be tied in most games, maybe a few wins and losses amounting to a few percentage points. All will come down to price.

My theory is by the time X2900XTX launches (most likely at $600+), the 8800GTX will be selling for ~$500. Either way, 8800GTX will be the better option - whether now or later. Of course, would love AMD to prove me wrong.

 

[sisq0kidd]

Just buy the 8800gtx if you want it and can afford it now. And don't look back.

 

[Skott]

That's a loaded question IMO. You dont say what you currently have. Its a situational thing really depending on your current setup, current needs, and how much money you got to spend. Do you need it now or just got some money and got a itch to have the best?

 

[SickBeast]

If you want a high-end DX10 GPU, the 8800 series is perfectly good right now.

ATI will be lucky to match the 8800's performance with R600. It's a great GPU.

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
If you need an upgrade right away to play games you can't, go for the 8800GTX.
Rumors have it the X2900XTX won't be available in quantity until May. Also, VR-Zone reported only a 200 point advantage in 3DMark06 over the 8800GTX. My take: means they will most likely be tied in most games, maybe a few wins and losses amounting to a few percentage points. All will come down to price.

My theory is by the time X2900XTX launches (most likely at $600+), the 8800GTX will be selling for ~$500. Either way, 8800GTX will be the better option - whether now or later. Of course, would love AMD to prove me wrong.

I think those benchmarks are complete BS. I believe the X2900XTX will be significantly faster than the 8800GTX (20%+), however, nVidia will launch an 8900GTX or an 8800 Ultra that will bring things pretty close.

If you get the 8800GTX now, get an eVGA model. eVGA has a Step-Up program which allows you to put what you paid on your current card toward a new one, within 3 months of purchase. If an 8900GTX comes out in 3 months (which it almost certainly will) you will be able to "step-up" your 8800GTX and get a new card.

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
If you want a high-end DX10 GPU, the 8800 series is perfectly good right now.

ATI will be lucky to match the 8800's performance with R600. It's a great GPU.

Looking at the high-end only, considering performance only, I think AMD has nVidia beat this round. The X2900XTX will have a 512-Bit memory bus and therefore much, much higher bandwidth than the 8800GTX. ATI will also have significantly higher clockspeeds... somewhere in the 750MHz-800MHz range is likely, vs 575MHz for the 8800GTX. Obviously clockspeed matters very little when comparing between two different architectures, but I think ATI will have the performance advantage.

However, that doesn't tell the whole picture. The R600XTX looks like it will be a more power-hungry card than the GTX, although it won't be as bad as some claim. If power consumption is important to you, the GTX is probably going to be the better choice.

The other problem AMD has is the most obvious, they are going to be 6 months behind schedule in comparison to the 8800. Like with the X1800, both nVidia and AMD's new parts (8900/R660?) will likely overlap the R600. The X2900XTX may turn into yet another X1800 where the people who bought $600 GPU's because they were faster than nVidia's get screwed when 3 months later the X1900 launches.

 

[JPB]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
VR-Zone reported only a 200 point advantage in 3DMark06 over the 8800GTX. Means they will most likely be tied in most games, maybe a few wins and losses amounting to a few percentage points.

And you know this from what source ?

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: Extelleron

Originally posted by: SickBeast
If you want a high-end DX10 GPU, the 8800 series is perfectly good right now.

ATI will be lucky to match the 8800's performance with R600. It's a great GPU.

Looking at the high-end only, considering performance only, I think AMD has nVidia beat this round. The X2900XTX will have a 512-Bit memory bus and therefore much, much higher bandwidth than the 8800GTX. ATI will also have significantly higher clockspeeds... somewhere in the 750MHz-800MHz range is likely, vs 575MHz for the 8800GTX. Obviously clockspeed matters very little when comparing between two different architectures, but I think ATI will have the performance advantage.

However, that doesn't tell the whole picture. The R600XTX looks like it will be a more power-hungry card than the GTX, although it won't be as bad as some claim. If power consumption is important to you, the GTX is probably going to be the better choice.

The other problem AMD has is the most obvious, they are going to be 6 months behind schedule in comparison to the 8800. Like with the X1800, both nVidia and AMD's new parts (8900/R660?) will likely overlap the R600. The X2900XTX may turn into yet another X1800 where the people who bought $600 GPU's because they were faster than nVidia's get screwed when 3 months later the X1900 launches.

I dunno, the rumours on this card have been crazy; I'm not sure I believe any of it any more. I was hearing that it would consume 300w, then now they say 180w-200w which is about the same as the 8800 cards.

In terms of performance, yes, the 512bit memory controller will help a bit, but I have a feeling the core will barely match that of G80. If anything, the memory controller will create maybe a 20% boost, which is not very substantial.

If ATI has switched to 65nm, then I doubt that the R600 will be out before Barcelona launches in July or so.

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: JPB

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
VR-Zone reported only a 200 point advantage in 3DMark06 over the 8800GTX. Means they will most likely be tied in most games, maybe a few wins and losses amounting to a few percentage points.

And you know this from what source ?

VR-Zone. :roll:

 

[JPB]

Originally posted by: SickBeast

Originally posted by: JPB

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
VR-Zone reported only a 200 point advantage in 3DMark06 over the 8800GTX. Means they will most likely be tied in most games, maybe a few wins and losses amounting to a few percentage points.

And you know this from what source ?

VR-Zone. :roll:

Link ? I allready knew VRzone.........Ive searched, cannot find it.

 

[linkgoron]

wait?
After the r600 you'll want to wait for 8900 which will surely come right after.

I think you shouldn't wait, especially with the R600 being so late, and who knows when it'll actually be released.

 

[Aberforth]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
If you want a high-end DX10 GPU, the 8800 series is perfectly good right now.

ATI will be lucky to match the 8800's performance with R600. It's a great GPU.

you realize 8800GTX is a 4 months old? Its not a big deal if R600 beats 8800 seeing as ATi waited to check Nvidia's product line up and tweaked their processors to run faster. Honestly their card looks exactly like 8800GTS painted in red, R600 is all about horse power...can you name anyother technologies implemented in this card? This is obviously a forced release.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Originally posted by: JPB

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
VR-Zone reported only a 200 point advantage in 3DMark06 over the 8800GTX. Means they will most likely be tied in most games, maybe a few wins and losses amounting to a few percentage points.

And you know this from what source ?

This is the article I was talking about VR-Zone

Of course, it is just one benchmark and they didn't even publish a screenshot. Then there is the whole issue of any website's 'credibility'. Yes, any R600-related 'news leak' is to be taken with a pinch of salt at this point.

Let's just say if someone asks a question about an unreleased product with little-to-no-real confirmed information/specifications, all opinions will be based on rumors and should be treated accordingly. Don't confuse my post as being anti-AMD or anything.

I will agree with Extelleron: if you buy an 8800GTX, get the EVGA one so that you can use the Step-Up program. Quite frankly, no one here can tell anything about the R600 without someone else calling it BS. There just isn't any usable info.

 

[Matt2]

R600 better beat G80 or AMD will be wearing a "kick me! I'm an idiot!" sign on their back.

 

[Bill Brasky]

The g80 has no competition until r600 is released, and IMO the only reason you should wait is for a price war. If you're waiting for performance reasons, just buy now.

 

[ibex333]

I was in the same shoes about a month ago... I did lots of research and lots of thinking, but in the end I pulled the trigger and got the 8800GTS.

Some philosophy and preaching to follow:

Consider this... As far as you are concerned, you have only one life.(until someone proves otherwise) This life is fleeting by very fast. I believe that we should enjoy whatever we can afford to enjoy in this life while we still can. I thought to myself... Ok.. maybe in the fall video cards will be better and more powerful... But do I know I'll still be ALIVE in the fall? Do I have a guarantee of that? No.

But I can have a g80 now, and since it brings me joy and entertainment, I can enjoy my life NOW, without having to always wait and long for better things.
In the world of computers, you can never really be truly "up to date". You might have been waiting for a video card for months.. And when it arrives you get it, but oh! A new one comes out in 2 months.. You start dreaming of that one.. But in another 1-2 months.. Bam! An even better one comes out...

My father once said something when he leased a brand new car... He said: I wish I had this thing when I was your age. But now it's just not the same anymore. Yes it's nice and all, but there's something missing. Can you see what's the morale here?

Enjoy yourself and your life while you are still CAPABLE of enjoying it, because you never know what's around the corner. Life is just too fragile.
Get the damn thing and play the games you were probably dreaming of playing for many months, - if not years. The idea here is simple, really - don't complicate it for yourself.

 

[s44]

eVGA 8800

 

[Furen]

Originally posted by: ibex333
I was in the same shoes about a month ago... I did lots of research and lots of thinking, but in the end I pulled the trigger and got the 8800GTS.

Some philosophy and preaching to follow:

Consider this... As far as you are concerned, you have only one life.(until someone proves otherwise) This life is fleeting by very fast. I believe that we should enjoy whatever we can afford to enjoy in this life while we still can. I thought to myself... Ok.. maybe in the fall video cards will be better and more powerful... But do I know I'll still be ALIVE in the fall? Do I have a guarantee of that? No.

But I can have a g80 now, and since it brings me joy and entertainment, I can enjoy my life NOW, without having to always wait and long for better things.
In the world of computers, you can never really be truly "up to date". You might have been waiting for a video card for months.. And when it arrives you get it, but oh! A new one comes out in 2 months.. You start dreaming of that one.. But in another 1-2 months.. Bam! An even better one comes out...

My father once said something when he leased a brand new car... He said: I wish I had this thing when I was your age. But now it's just not the same anymore. Yes it's nice and all, but there's something missing. Can you see what's the morale here?

Enjoy yourself and your life while you are still CAPABLE of enjoying it, because you never know what's around the corner. Life is just too fragile.
Get the damn thing and play the games you were probably dreaming of playing for many months, - if not years. The idea here is simple, really - don't complicate it for yourself.

Wow, someone's getting all philosophical, lol. You also can't live your life always looking for instant gratification. Long-term planning is extremely important because, more likely than not, you'll still be there when those plans come to fruition. If he can afford to wait then waiting a few weeks for a price drop may be worth it. If he changes video cards like changing socks then waiting may not be worth it, but if he plans to use the same part for a long time then being without it a few more weeks is not gonna hurt much and it may save some cash he could spend on something else.

 

[Aberforth]

Originally posted by: Furen

Originally posted by: ibex333
I was in the same shoes about a month ago... I did lots of research and lots of thinking, but in the end I pulled the trigger and got the 8800GTS.

Some philosophy and preaching to follow:

Consider this... As far as you are concerned, you have only one life.(until someone proves otherwise) This life is fleeting by very fast. I believe that we should enjoy whatever we can afford to enjoy in this life while we still can. I thought to myself... Ok.. maybe in the fall video cards will be better and more powerful... But do I know I'll still be ALIVE in the fall? Do I have a guarantee of that? No.

But I can have a g80 now, and since it brings me joy and entertainment, I can enjoy my life NOW, without having to always wait and long for better things.
In the world of computers, you can never really be truly "up to date". You might have been waiting for a video card for months.. And when it arrives you get it, but oh! A new one comes out in 2 months.. You start dreaming of that one.. But in another 1-2 months.. Bam! An even better one comes out...

My father once said something when he leased a brand new car... He said: I wish I had this thing when I was your age. But now it's just not the same anymore. Yes it's nice and all, but there's something missing. Can you see what's the morale here?

Enjoy yourself and your life while you are still CAPABLE of enjoying it, because you never know what's around the corner. Life is just too fragile.
Get the damn thing and play the games you were probably dreaming of playing for many months, - if not years. The idea here is simple, really - don't complicate it for yourself.

Wow, someone's getting all philosophical, lol. You also can't live your life always looking for instant gratification. Long-term planning is extremely important because, more likely than not, you'll still be there when those plans come to fruition. If he can afford to wait then waiting a few weeks for a price drop may be worth it. If he changes video cards like changing socks then waiting may not be worth it, but if he plans to use the same part for a long time then being without it a few more weeks is not gonna hurt much and it may save some cash he could spend on something else.

there is no long term planning when it comes to technology- there is always something that outperfoms the existing product. There is no such thing as worth waiting, value for money etc...this is not a car after all - there might be only 10 to 20% erfomance difference between R600 and 8800GTX so if you are waiting for this kind of boost then go ahead and buy r600 and keep your fingers crossed for 8900

 

[Bet]

Originally posted by: Furen

Originally posted by: ibex333
I was in the same shoes about a month ago... I did lots of research and lots of thinking, but in the end I pulled the trigger and got the 8800GTS.

Some philosophy and preaching to follow:

Consider this... As far as you are concerned, you have only one life.(until someone proves otherwise) This life is fleeting by very fast. I believe that we should enjoy whatever we can afford to enjoy in this life while we still can. I thought to myself... Ok.. maybe in the fall video cards will be better and more powerful... But do I know I'll still be ALIVE in the fall? Do I have a guarantee of that? No.

But I can have a g80 now, and since it brings me joy and entertainment, I can enjoy my life NOW, without having to always wait and long for better things.
In the world of computers, you can never really be truly "up to date". You might have been waiting for a video card for months.. And when it arrives you get it, but oh! A new one comes out in 2 months.. You start dreaming of that one.. But in another 1-2 months.. Bam! An even better one comes out...

My father once said something when he leased a brand new car... He said: I wish I had this thing when I was your age. But now it's just not the same anymore. Yes it's nice and all, but there's something missing. Can you see what's the morale here?

Enjoy yourself and your life while you are still CAPABLE of enjoying it, because you never know what's around the corner. Life is just too fragile.
Get the damn thing and play the games you were probably dreaming of playing for many months, - if not years. The idea here is simple, really - don't complicate it for yourself.

Wow, someone's getting all philosophical, lol. You also can't live your life always looking for instant gratification. Long-term planning is extremely important because, more likely than not, you'll still be there when those plans come to fruition. If he can afford to wait then waiting a few weeks for a price drop may be worth it. If he changes video cards like changing socks then waiting may not be worth it, but if he plans to use the same part for a long time then being without it a few more weeks is not gonna hurt much and it may save some cash he could spend on something else.

I've been asking myself this topic's question for a couple weeks now. I'm the latter case in your argument, in that I'm looking for the 8800GTX to be a long-term (2+ year) solution. At the moment it's still a more expensive part when looking at price/performance compared to the GTS, and the GTS isn't enough of an upgrade from my 7900GT to cut my losses and go with that.

Otherwise I love ibex333's argument since it's pretty much the conclusion I've drawn. I'm looking at my stack of games and knowing that 8 of them could benefit enormously from an 8800GTX, with some of them being played right now and others being held off for the new videocard. Waiting until a month from now might save $100, and it might not. When considering that some of the games I'm playing right now could benefit, this Waiting Game is agonizing.

Hell I want to play STALKER more than any other game at the moment, but at 1680x1050 with full dynamic lighting on, my overclocked 7900GT cries. And the game looks too good with it on to have playing without it an option. So STALKER is postponed for the 8800GTX, and I'll probably wait for a month since that potential $100 could buy Quake Wars and UT3 later this year.

Waiting for the Core 2's for all of last spring/summer was hard enough, even if the satisfaction in August was all the sweeter. Twice in a year is not a good time though, especially since pricing and timing is not confirmed when we're about a month away (hopefully).

 

[Wreckage]

Originally posted by: sisq0kidd
Just buy the 8800gtx if you want it and can afford it now. And don't look back.

That's good advice for any upgrade. If you see something you like right now, just buy it and enjoy it.