Upgrade from 1950XT

[DPOverLord]

Greetings my budget is in the 200-300$ range and was trying to figure out what would be a good upgrade from my 1950XT. The reason why I am looking at upgrading is that my bottleneck in my computer at the moment is in my GPU. I am playing Bio-Shock, Doom3, Supreme Commander and I am looking at getting into World of Conflict and UT(new one).
My specs are listed below, let me know what you think.

 

[Arkaign]

Well, a 640MB GTS, used 8800GTX, or 2900Pro would all be better. I'm not a fan of the 2900s, but they perform better these days, other than AA. If you want AA @ 1680x1050 or 1920x1200, then you probably should just pony up for the GTX.

The alternative (and a good one) is to wait a couple of months and see what comes down the pipe. Should be, at minimum, some awesome black friday deals to be had.

 

[DPOverLord]

That might be a good idea to wait. I just want to get something more poweful that will give me a significant increase in performance. since with my setup the only reason I am slowing down has to be due to this GPU.

 

[LiquidImpulse]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Well, a 640MB GTS, used 8800GTX, or 2900Pro would all be better. I'm not a fan of the 2900s, but they perform better these days, other than AA. If you want AA @ 1680x1050 or 1920x1200, then you probably should just pony up for the GTX.

The alternative (and a good one) is to wait a couple of months and see what comes down the pipe. Should be, at minimum, some awesome black friday deals to be had.

I wish i lived in the U.S :frown:

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Well, a 640MB GTS, used 8800GTX, or 2900Pro would all be better. I'm not a fan of the 2900s, but they perform better these days, other than AA. If you want AA @ 1680x1050 or 1920x1200, then you probably should just pony up for the GTX.

The alternative (and a good one) is to wait a couple of months and see what comes down the pipe. Should be, at minimum, some awesome black friday deals to be had.

It would have to be a damn good black Friday sale to get a GTX down to his budget. Maybe, maybe an 8800GTS 640 could be had for $300, but even that would surprise me. Plus, black Friday is still almost 2 months away. Given his budget and apparent immediate 'need' for an upgrade, I'd suggest an EVGA 8800GTS 320MB. The 320MB GTS fits in his budget, would be a decent upgrade to the X1950XT, and if he goes EVGA he can always step-up if something new comes out over the next 3 months.

 

[chizow]

Hehe sadly all the games you list tend to choke any current single GPU at higher resolutions. Sure they'll be an improvement, just don't expect anything earth-shattering unless you move to a GTX or SLI'd GTS/2900s. If you absolutely have to upgrade today, a 320MB GTS or 2900pro would be upgrades, as others mentioned.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: chizow
Hehe sadly all the games you list tend to choke any current single GPU at higher resolutions. Sure they'll be an improvement, just don't expect anything earth-shattering unless you move to a GTX or SLI'd GTS/2900s. If you absolutely have to upgrade today, a 320MB GTS or 2900pro would be upgrades, as others mentioned.

Not true, Bioshock runs quite well on an 8800GTX at 1920x1200 (obviously, under DX10 you can't use AA). I played the whole game on an 8800GTX under DX10, and I can't say that I had any complaints. I ran it in DX9 mode for a bit with 4xAA, and it ran smoothly at 1920x1200 with AA as well. The GTS 320MB does take a performance hit from the GTX, but it appears to still be quite playable (45 avg FPS @ 1920x1200).

http://firingsquad.com/hardwar..._performance/page6.asp

I can't imagine that Doom3 doesn't fly on any of the 8800 cards, including the GTS 320MB.

I don't play games like Supreme Commander, so I can't comment on that.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Originally posted by: chizow
Hehe sadly all the games you list tend to choke any current single GPU at higher resolutions. Sure they'll be an improvement, just don't expect anything earth-shattering unless you move to a GTX or SLI'd GTS/2900s. If you absolutely have to upgrade today, a 320MB GTS or 2900pro would be upgrades, as others mentioned.

Not true, Bioshock runs quite well on an 8800GTX at 1920x1200 (obviously, under DX10 you can't use AA). I played the whole game on an 8800GTX under DX10, and I can't say that I had any complaints. I ran it in DX9 mode for a bit with 4xAA, and it ran smoothly at 1920x1200 with AA as well. The GTS 320MB does take a performance hit from the GTX, but it appears to still be quite playable (45 avg FPS @ 1920x1200).

http://firingsquad.com/hardwar..._performance/page6.asp

I can't imagine that Doom3 doesn't fly on any of the 8800 cards, including the GTS 320MB.

I don't play games like Supreme Commander, so I can't comment on that.

Ya the GTX/Ultra would be the exception to the single card and I usually make that distinction, although its still starting to show its age with newer titles. Still, out of his price range if he's looking at spending $250-300. Doom 3 runs pretty poorly on G80s actually, but still certainly playable at 100+ FPS as its not a newer title by any means. WIC, SupCom, and the new Unreal Engine-based games tend to drop even the GTX to very mortal frame rates @1920+.

That FS review is actually a pretty good comparison for the OP. They bench a 1950pro in there, with his 1950XT being faster. Not a massive difference between the 1950pro and the other cards considered as an upgrade, with even less difference between the 1950XT. Is there an improvement from 30-35 FPS vs. 40-45 FPS? Certainly. Is it worth $200-300? Not so sure. Again, probably better off waiting or going with at least a GTX or one of the other options in SLI/CF to see significant differences.

 

[nitromullet]

Doom 3 runs pretty poorly on G80s actually, but still certainly playable at 100+ FPS

Does "runs poorly" and "100+ FPS" really belong in the same sentence?

 

[CrystalBay]

I think you need a minimum of 512MB Vram these days. I realize that now , any of the above GPU's are better , but once newer games come out you'll be wishing for more GPU power again...

 

[Cheex]

Price range stated by the OP: ~$200-$300

My opinion: Get an EVGA 8800GTS 320MB and then step up in December.
(I just wish that EVGA allowed the step-up program where I live...Jamaica)

 

[bryanW1995]

Originally posted by: LiquidImpulse

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Well, a 640MB GTS, used 8800GTX, or 2900Pro would all be better. I'm not a fan of the 2900s, but they perform better these days, other than AA. If you want AA @ 1680x1050 or 1920x1200, then you probably should just pony up for the GTX.

The alternative (and a good one) is to wait a couple of months and see what comes down the pipe. Should be, at minimum, some awesome black friday deals to be had.

I wish i lived in the U.S :frown:

I'm in the US but I'll be working on black friday...and I live in the sticks...it's a BIG country

 

[bryanW1995]

2900 pro or 8800 gts 320 are the cards to get in your price range. either would be a decent upgrade to your x1950 xt. LMK if you get a new card since I'm also considering taking the plunge.

 

[spittledip]

Wait. the performance increase is not worth it to upgrade yet. Wait for Nvidia's next line or ATI's. IMHO..

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Doom 3 runs pretty poorly on G80s actually, but still certainly playable at 100+ FPS

Does "runs poorly" and "100+ FPS" really belong in the same sentence?

Well its all relative I guess. Runs poorly when previous gen cards outperform it on a 3 year old title. Even the 100+ FPS you see in reviews is deceptive as there's many reports of stuttering and poor performance with Doom 3 and G80.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: LiquidImpulse

Originally posted by: Arkaign

The alternative (and a good one) is to wait a couple of months and see what comes down the pipe. Should be, at minimum, some awesome black friday deals to be had.

I wish i lived in the U.S :frown:

It's not all it's cracked up to be for video cards. There might one decent deal on a powerful card--maybe. Most of the bricks 'n' mortar retail stores here in the U.S. gouge customers who know nothing about computer hardware on video cards. A good deal at a bricks 'n' mortar store is often the regular price at Newegg.com. (Note--Frys Electronics, which isn't available in a great many locations, sometimes has good sale prices on video cards--and that's about it.)

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: spittledip
Wait. the performance increase is not worth it to upgrade yet. Wait for Nvidia's next line or ATI's. IMHO..

My thoughts exactly. However, if he can get $150 for the 1950xt on eBay (never underestimate what eBidiots are willing to pay for mid-range used video cards in unknown condition) then the difference of $120 might not be so bad.

 

[jmmtn4aj]

To think only 3 or 4 months ago I was thinking of upgrading to a 1900 or 7800

 

[Munky]

I'd wait. It's been almost a year since the g80 cards were released, and yet the prices have not changed much from the time of release. That means you'd be paying for a 1 year old card what you should have paid for a newly released card. Besides, I wouldn't consider the 8800gts 320mb or a non-oc'd 2900pro enough of an upgrade over a 1950xt to warrant the purchase this late in the release cycle.