Suggest a vid-card upgrade please.

Paulman

Junior Member
Jan 20, 2010
2
0
0
I haven't upgraded for a while and have been out of the hardware upgrade loop for a while.
Not sure on my next upgrade. I would love suggestions. Here is a piece of my DXdiag..

. Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.090805-0102)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: P35-DS3R
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E6850 @ 3.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
Memory: 3326MB RAM
Page File: 1199MB used, 5678MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 32bit Unicode
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS 512
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8800 GTS 512
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0600&SUBSYS_23321682&REV_A2
Display Memory: 1907 MB
Dedicated Memory: 499 MB
Shared Memory: 1407 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: SyncMaster 226BW(Digital)

Thanks for any help and suggestions.
I mainly use the PC for gaming and specifically MMO's.
 

v8envy

Platinum Member
Sep 7, 2002
2,720
0
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For your low resolution I doubt you'd see a huge leap by upgrading your video. The G92 8800GTS you have is currently being sold as a GTS250 -- a perferctly viable card for low res gameplay.

So while a 4890/GTX260/5770 or 5850 or 5870 would be upgrades I'm not sure they'd be worth spending money on.

Hang out and wait for the next product cycle.
 

Paulman

Junior Member
Jan 20, 2010
2
0
0
I just looked up what you said my vid card is now called. I think one of you might be wrong..

This line from one sight I went to ...

"Anyway, back to the GeForce GTS 250. It's just a renamed 9800GTX+. The only thing that we can expect to change is power consumption, due to a redesigned PCB. Also, 1GB editions now officially exist as well"


Is it called something else now maybe?(8800 GTS 512 is my current card)

Thanks for the reply.
 

snake pliskin

Junior Member
Jan 20, 2010
3
0
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I agree with v8, i have 4890 with a 1900x1200 lcd hd mon. plays every game maxed out without a hickup.You don't need a 400.00 card you need a new monitor first.A 4890 or gtx 260 "newer version" should play any game maxed out for a few more years.Cards are actually cpu restricted now,most people buying 400.00 + cards don't have the cpu to even push it fully.
I would but a new monitor and maybe a secound gts sli.or go for a cooler solution a newer card .Don't waist your cash on a gts 250. Recommend a xfx 4890 or gtx 260 ,256 bit.
 
Last edited:

v8envy

Platinum Member
Sep 7, 2002
2,720
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0
The 8800GTS got a new sticker and became the 9800GTX. The 9800GTX got a bit of a clock bump, and turned into the 9800GTX+. Which once again got a new sticker and is now sold as the GTS250. Your card has survived 2 generations of re-branding and is still going strong, in other words.

A 4890, 5770 or GTX260 is 30-50% more powerful, but at your resolution you probably won't notice. It won't be a giant "wow!" sort of difference, and more of an upgrade for upgrading sake. Your machine is aging gracefully and the components are well matched.

Your $ would be better spent in the future. Unless there's a game out right now you utterly can't play at 1680x1050. In which case -- name it and we'll give you a recommendation. I suspect it'll need a quadcore, more RAM, beefier PSU and a high end GPU to max out however. SSD also doesn't hurt.

But if you absolutely must scratch that upgrade itch, my recommendation is the 4890 1GB or 5770 1GB -- MMOs like video ram, and lots of it. Doubly so if you multi-client. Go for a 5870 if you've got money to burn and are planning on a system overhaul in the very very near future.
 

crisium

Platinum Member
Aug 19, 2001
2,643
615
136
Well let's not too get optimistic of the 8800GTS The 9800GTX is a faster clocked 8800GTS. Not a rebrand. The 9800GTX+ is a faster clocked 9800GTX. Not a rebrand. GTS 250 is a rebrand of the 9800GTX+. In other words, the GTS 250 is a good deal faster than an 8800. That being said no one is saying to buy a GTS 250, but let's not pretend they are the same speed. Anyway....

And 1680x1050 is not a low resolution. 1920 is high, 1680 is medium, 1280 and 1440 are low (and even then there's always very low like 1360). 2500xwhatever is best classified "extremely high hey let's game with SLI GTX 285s because it's pocket change".

Again rambling. Anyway....

I'm curious, do you want to upgrade because you get unacceptable frames at your settings of choice? Or just "because"? If the latter, wait. This isn't the best time because Nvidia is currently not offering any viable competition at almost any price point. Late March or early April Nvidia will return to the GPU game and hopefully prices will shift sometime April-June.

What's your price range? I'd say from an 8800GTS 512 you'd want 5770 minimum, but preferably 4890/5830 performance. But the 5830 won't be out til next month. Again, more incentive to wait.