Should I upgrade my 8800GTS 320mb?

[Ika]

With all the talk about new midrange bang-for-the-buck graphics cards, I'm feeling a little bit left out with my 8800GTS 320mb. All the new cards are hanging out under $200, which seems to be great...

So here are my choices:
HD3850 512mb, $160-170
HD3870 512mb, ~$170
8800GT 512mb - $190 (needs a hot deal to get to this price)
9600GT 512mb - $180 (or so).

Out of those, the 8800GT and 9600GT seem to be the best choices. I like AMD and all (especially the 3870), but I would rather not have to deal with cleaning drivers (and I've been with NVidia for enough time that I'm familiar with the drivers and especially how it works in RivaTuner).

Given that I can sell my 8800GTS for around $150 shipped or so (that seems to be the current going price), is it worth my time to upgrade? Will I see enough of a performance benefit for this upgrade to be worth it? Or should I just keep my 8800GTS until the next generation or two?

EDIT: oops, forgot to mention that I'll be gaming at 1680x1050. I play mostly FPSes, but Starcraft 2 will probably be a big hit on my life. I will be overclocking my hardware (my 8800GTS is at 650/1000).

 

[imported_Scoop]

Well the only update option is the 8800GT 512 of those you listed, others don't improve or actually hinder (3850) your performance. I would just wait for the next gen if 8800GTS 512 isn't within your budget.

 

[error8]

If I were you I wouldn't upgrade right now, I would just wait for the next generation of cards that are capable of "really" running directx 10 games. Your card is still fast, but it lacks the extra ram so that could be a problem in some current games and in the next generation ones. But if you say you could sell your card for 150$, then you should go for the 8800 GT.

 

[Cheex]

Keep your eye on the 9800GTX...I am.

 

[Ika]

Well... the 9800GTX is probably not an option for me, because the most important part of upgrading for me is price/performace. For example, if I have to pay 30% more for an upgrade, it has to be 30% better or more, or else I won't upgrade. This is what's driving my train of thought for my entire computer (I didn't get an E8400 because my E6420 at 3.2ghz is worth more). I'm really big on Price/Performance.

 

[Cheex]

That is totally understandable. I'm all for that as well but...I guess we still have to wait and see what Nvidia delivers.

The 9800GT might be the way to go if it mimics the current price/performance champion...the 8800GT.

We GTS 320 users just need to keep our eyes peeled.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Cheex
That is totally understandable. I'm all for that as well but...I guess we still have to wait and see what Nvidia delivers.

The 9800GT might be the way to go if it mimics the current price/performance champion...the 8800GT.

We GTS 320 users just need to keep our eyes peeled.

Well, you have an option for another 8800-GTS 320M next week.
Do you ever think of exercising that option? .. perhaps with another cheap good used [$150] 320 GTS for SLi? You would be in 'Ultra territory' for really cheap.

That is pretty much what i did and it "rejuvenated" my rig.

... did you find your connectors?

 

[Cheex]

Fact is...GTS 320MB SLI would be nice but I'd still be limited to 320MB of frame buffer and I want a bigger monitor so....


What then...???


PS: Ya I found some connectors online.

 

[apoppin]

yeah ... if you are going to 19x12 it makes sense to upgrade your GPU also ... i have 512MB vRAM on both Crossfired GPUs but my XT is 512-bit and my Pro is 256-bit
... still, it gives a very healthy FPS increase at 16x10 or 16x12 which is as far up as i go, resolution-wise.

PPS:

 

[Extelleron]

If you're having trouble playing games at the settings that you want, then I'd say look for a good deal on an 8800GT 512MB. It's a good deal faster than the 8800GTS 640MB and at times it will be way faster than your 8800GTS 320 because it isn't limited by a small framebuffer.

If you're just upgrading because of Crysis or DX10 games, though... then keep what you have and wait. The 8800GT will be faster, but it's not going to do miracles in Crysis or other DX10 games. You'll have to wait for R700 and nVidia's next gen for those games to be conquered.

 

[SickBeast]

I also have an 8800GTS 320mb.

Don't bother upgrading it yet, as others have said.

Just turn down the textures to "medium" from "high", and in most circumstances you'll be fine. In fact, I've only had to do this for Gears of War; all other games run quite fast and do not seem hindered by the lack of texture memory.

Keep in mind that AA will hit our cards pretty hard. I never exceed 4XAA and usually just run with it disabled or else at 2X.

Oh yeah, I run at 1920x1200; I'm not sure what you meant by "bigger monitor".

If you want one of those super high-res 30" ones, then yeah you'll need to upgrade to something insane. :light:

 

[Cheex]

Well...no 30" for me...but what I do want is 1920x1200 resolution so...

That puts me with a monitor anywhere from 24" to 28"...

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Originally posted by: Cheex
We GTS 320 users just need to keep our eyes peeled.

And keep friends who want to buy 8800GTXs close by. Had one who wanted a GTX - bought it used here and "tested" it (by finishing Crysis , at his request) before delivering it to him.

Now I'm back to my PNY 8800GTS 320MB.

 

[Zap]

Wait until the better cards settle in price, buy one, sell me your old one for $100.

If you can still get $150 for it, do it. I've seen them in the $130 range on the For Sale/Trade forum already.