Upgrade help

[adiv12121]

I just recently bought a Westinghouse L2410NM 24" LCD (which by the way is an amazing monitor, it doesn't have any of the drawbacks i have read about it) but now I am itching to uprade my gfx card too. I am able to play games at 1900x1200 with my 7900gs but I would like to upgrade to improve settings and frame rates. COD4 looked amazing at 1900x1200 and actually ran right around the ~30 fps threshold. Check my signature for my system specs.

Anyway, I could use some input as to an appropriate upgrade path. I prefer nvidia, but could be persuaded to go amd/ati for the right price. I would like to upgrade soon, but am willing to wait to get best card for my needs. Is it worth getting an 8800GT/GTS 512mb now? Or should i wait until next month until we know more about the new nvidia cards? Also, is the 8800GS going to be available anytime soon? Finally, how do the 3850/3870s compare (this solution is also somewhat appealing as I could add another card in a crossfire setup, albeit limited to 4x).

 

[Angerisagift]

I would say get the 8800GT, I upgraded to the 8800 from a 7800GS and the performance difference was huge, not to mention I paid more for the 7800GS in 2006 than I did for the 8800GT a little bit over a year later.

I don't know if you also read toms hardware, but they put out a monthly list of the best gaming graphics cards for the money, and the 8800GT has won it's price bracket for the last 3 months since it's release,

they also said that it's got the best price to performance ratio ever, even outweighing the still viable 7600GT's

they also do a tiered chart of all gaming graphics cards, ATI and Nvidia, and recommend you only upgrade if the card you plan on buying is at least 3 tiers up from your current, otherwise you won't notice a difference. for you it would be about 5 tiers, not to mention that the 8800GT 512MB card is in the top tier.

http://www.tomshardware.com/20...ng_graphics/page6.html

 

[zorrt]

I went from 7900gs to 8800gt and never looked back. The 7900gs was a great card though (once overclocked). HOWEVER the 8800gt are overprice atm so maybe hold off for a bit? Unless you really want a new card now.

 

[Martimus]

Originally posted by: adiv12121
Finally, how do the 3850/3870s compare (this solution is also somewhat appealing as I could add another card in a crossfire setup, albeit limited to 4x).

The 3870X2 is being released in a few days, so you may want to take a look at that. The current 3870 does pretty well, but it usually runs about 5 to 15% behind a 8800 GT 512MB.3870 vs. 8800GT

 

[Rockhound1]

Like you, I am running a 7900GS in my system right now. The 7900GS is a BFG OC that cost me $100 AR. I plan on upgrading to an 8800GT 512 when the prices drop down to at least the MSRP. I typically do not spend more than $100-$120 for a graphics card upgrade, but I am willing to make an exception this time (yes, this card is that good). However, I refuse to be gouged...

 

[adiv12121]

Rockhound1, I am just like you. I don't like to spend more than $100-$200 for a graphics card. I too would like to wait to see what prices/availability do in the short term. I am also curious to see what the "next-gen" cards (even if they are only a refresh) are capable of.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

The 9600GT looks to kick some ass... If you want to upgrade now, a HD 3850 would do you good.