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Upgrade from 1950XT

D

DPOverLord

Golden Member
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.

 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
Click to expand...

I wish i lived in the U.S :frown:
 
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
Click to expand...

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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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...
 
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)
 
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.
Click to expand...

I wish i lived in the U.S :frown:
Click to expand...
I'm in the US but I'll be working on black friday...and I live in the sticks...it's a BIG country

 
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.
 
Originally posted by: nitromullet
Doom 3 runs pretty poorly on G80s actually, but still certainly playable at 100+ FPS
Click to expand...

Does "runs poorly" and "100+ FPS" really belong in the same sentence?
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
Click to expand...

I wish i lived in the U.S :frown:
Click to expand...

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.)
 
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..
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
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