Video Card Advice Please

[bloodandsoil]

Hello experts,

My BFG 8800 GTX recently crapped out and so I am in the market to buy a replacement video card for my PC (Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 and 4 GB memory).

My budget is around $150 and I (unfortunately) require an Nvidia card since the linux ATI drivers are not up to snuff (yet).

Does the GeForce GTX 260 offer much of a performance advantage over the GeForce 9800 GTX+?

And, I see a Sparkle brand GeForce 9800 GTX+ on Newegg.com for $145. Would anyone recommmend this brand?

 

[Painman]

RMA the 8800? Is it under warranty/dead due to no fault of your own?

Even if you're hungry for an upgrade, a live 8800 GTX is still worth something... don't just throw your $ away.

 

[garritynet]

Obviously, RMA if you can. I would suggest a 179.99 EVGA 260 from Newegg. Its $30 over your budget but you would at least see an improvement in performance for your money.

 

[ceedub]

If you look at the Graphics Card Hierarchy Chart on Tom's Hardware site, you'll see that both your 8800GTX and the 9800GTX are on the same tier. The recommendation given there is that you don't upgrade unless there is a difference of at least three tiers. Therefore, following that line of reasoning, I'd recommend that you do as Painman suggested and RMA your 8800 if possible and save your money until a card is made that is advanced enough that you will clearly notice a difference when you do upgrade.

Good luck!

 

[bloodandsoil]

I checked the BFG site and I am not covered by the warranty since I never registered the video card.

 

[MTDEW]

i'd get a GTX 260 or another 8800gtx in the FS/trade forum if you wanna just replace what you had.

 

[bloodandsoil]

That brings me back to a question from my OP. How is the GTX 260 better than the 9800 GTX+?

 

[MTDEW]

9800gtx+ 512mb? (or 1gb?)
And what resolution?
I personally wouldnt purchase a 512mb card nowadays for 1920x1200 or higher.

 

[MTDEW]

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-260-review/9

 

[exar333]

The GTX 260 is worth the extra 40-50$ over the 9800GTX+. I would recommend that; don't forget to register this card!

 

[bloodandsoil]

How exactly is the 260 better than the 9800GTX+? From looking at the FPS benchmarks, I don't see the 260 being much better.

If I were to go with the 9800 GTX+, I would probably go with the 512 MB version. I wouldn't be going over 1680x1050 which is the native resolution of my monitor. I find 1400x900 perfectly fine also, since that is the same aspect ratio.

 

[garritynet]

Originally posted by: bloodandsoil
That brings me back to a question from my OP. How is the GTX 260 better than the 9800 GTX+?

This roundup is nice because it includes the 260, the 9800gtx+ and the 8800gtx. Just pick the game you want and see if the performance difference between the 9800gtx+ and the 260 is enough to warrant the cost for you.

The 260 is only the next card up from the 9800GTX+ so the performance gains aren't going to be huge. They seem to be about the same between the 280 and they 260 as they are for 260 and the 9800. Still if you are going to spend the money I suggest you spend a little bit more and get the higher performing card. At least that way you get some boost in performance for your money.

 

[josh6079]

How exactly is the 260 better than the 9800GTX+?

Higher bandwidth and more processing power. You're more likely to be able to increase AA levels and see similar performance with it. Thus, higher image quality for the same performance, depending on your title.

 

[Leyawiin]

The performance difference at 1680x1050 wouldn't be that great. I went from an 8800 GTX to a GTX 260 (paired with an Athlon X2 6400+) and the FPS difference was much less than I was hoping for. I got about 5-10 more in the RPGs and MMOs that I play. Being both cards stay generally above 40 FPS its not very noticeable. I'm playing Fallout 3 right now and the GTX 260 burnt out. Sent it in for an RMA and put the 8800 GTX back in (with the current 182.06 drivers). With the exact same game settings on a 22 inch monitor I really can't see a difference - both are smooth.

Still, if you are going to have to spend the money you might as well (if you can swing it) get a better card than what you had. I'd would get the GTX 260 for the extra "potential" smoothness. You have to remember from most reviews they are using a lot stronger CPU than you have. You won't see the difference between a midrange and higher end card that they do in their testing rigs (at least I didn't). But you should get a little better FPS none the less.