Worth upgrading video?

[Slammy1]

I guess this started when I d/l'd 3dmark06, scored 430-something. So, with all the new standards (Conroe, AM2, 939) I'm thinking that anything from here on in my system is dead end, so I'm reluctant to upgrade my video despite an apparant need. Actually, I use my computer more for HTPC than gaming, and though I enjoy the imaging I don't run hardcore 3-D (HOMM5 the most advanced thing I have). I was looking at the x8xx line and the 7800 as there seems to be a lot of deals right now. This is my current system.

P4P800-Deluxe 865PE
3.0C with Zalman 7000CU HSF @ 218FSB
2X256 + 2X512MB KHX PC3500 @2-3-3-6-8 Infinite 64-uSec
ATI 9700Pro AIW
Soundblaster X-Fi Platinum
2x WD Raptor 36.7 RAID0
Seagate 200GB ST3200822A
NEC 3520A
Asus E616 (UDMA 5)
Westinghouse 37? LCD LVM-37w1 1920x1080
CoolerMaster ATC-201C
Antec Tru 480
Logitech Cordless Elite Duo Keyboard/Mouse
XP MCE

I don't mind separating out the PVR functionality, that's something that would survive an upgrade though having both on the same card is nice for implementation. If I were to update my system, it wouldn't be until the beginning of next year and I'd just as soon not invest money in the current system. Any thoughts on the best upgrade path for the rest of my life cycle?

 

[Arcanedeath]

Stick a Cheap 6800gt/gs or possibly 7800 series card in your system and it will about double your graphics power and make your system good enough to play currently released recent games w/out an issue, it'd be a cheap way to hold your over untill a complete overhall. if you look in the FS/T or hot deals you can sometimes find people still dumping them for PCI-E systems, overall for what your doing unless your having trouble runing some games you want to play or its having issues working as your HTPC I don't really see a need to upgrade.

 

[imported_goku]

Overclockers Uk

Look for 7800GS+ with the 24pipeline 7900GT core. Your processor is more than fast enough to enjoy this card's power, no point in upgrading yet. Ignore the AGP haters, but yes obviously you'll eventually want to upgrade to PCIe, you just don't have to do it yet.

 

[happy medium]

This card seems good for the price---http://www.rage3d.com/reviews/video/aiwx800xt/?p=8. I'd say it's a little faster than a 6800gt but not quite as fast as the 7800gs. Should just pop right in with no driver problems since you allready have a 9700pro. Here's a link to a online store to buy it for $172.00 shipped.

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...duct_Code=190667&AFFIL=pricewatch&NR=1

edit : oh i'ts an "All in Wonder" card too

 

[Slammy1]

Thanks for the quick replies. I kinda figured PCI/e wasn't needed until I have a source for HDTV materials (too far away for OTA, too expensive for piping it in). I'm not having any troubles running anything, though obviously I'm going more towards performance options in any games I play (I tend to play older games more anyway, still pull out HOMM3 and MOO2 after significant breaks). And I am currently limited to 2.9x resize in ffdshow, but I turn up other enhancements to make up for not going higher. Yeah, I was leaning towards the 7800 but price is a concern. I haven't seen the 24-pipeline models, but the 16 ones run around 250USD+.

EDIT: The x800xt is $162 shipped from mwave.com. I almost pulled the trigger, but wanted to discuss options first. No reinstall you say... Man, that would clinch it but I'd bet I'm anal enough I'd be reinstalling within a month. I have it down to a science after 3-years of drivers with surprise effects on HT systems.

 

[imported_goku]

Well the 7900GT is a really fast card, plus it being a 512MB card you'd be pretty set for the future of that system. That X800XT is only SM2, if you want the system to last the longest, get a SM3 card. Also btw, if you're going to get a commonly available card such as that X800XT, I'd look on ebay first as you may be able to get it for cheaper.

 

[happy medium]

My set up is very similar to yours. I have a Bfg 7800gs thats a great overclocker and I love it, but my cpu or bus-memory speed is holding me back a little. Your cpu is about 20 percent faster so you would benifit much more than me with the 7800gs. I play most games at 1280x1024 with everything on high,and some at 1600x1200 med -high settings.

edit : for 162$ that 800xt does look sweet, but for a little extra money (100$) the 7800 will give you at least 3,400 in 3dmark 06 and has a more modern feature set. So the question is how much do you want to spend?

 

[Slammy1]

I absolutely agree with you on the 7900, but I think it'd mean a month or two for a price drop. I can wait, I'm patient so long as I know I'm doing right.

EDIT: The 3.06 is the 533FSB model? I'm thinking about going back to a 533 boot block, it does great things for my memory highway.

 

[happy medium]

yea it's the fastest 533 bus model. I'm grabbing a pent 4 3.4 northwood for 115$ overclocking it to about 3.6. , that should max the life of this rig. Then go for a conroe DX10 system late next year.

 

[Slammy1]

What are you planning for cooling? I figure stock coolers on the 3.4 should be pretty healthy. The IC7's are pretty major o/c'ers, why not go lower and run a higher o/c? My 3.0c is Prime stable at 3.6, I just prefer less heat output with calmer o/c.

 

[happy medium]

I'd be pretty mad if I didnt get a cpu that that went from 3.0 to at least 3.5. At least this way (3.4 northwood) i'm sure to get to 3.5 and get a healthy bus speed increase. For 115 bucks new retail, I'll take it. Sound right or do you have another suggestion.

edit: I have a descent Thermaltake all copper aftermarket cooler if the stock one's not good enough

 

[imported_goku]

Originally posted by: Slammy1
I absolutely agree with you on the 7900, but I think it'd mean a month or two for a price drop. I can wait, I'm patient so long as I know I'm doing right.

EDIT: The 3.06 is the 533FSB model? I'm thinking about going back to a 533 boot block, it does great things for my memory highway.

Well considering that only 1500 were made and 400 are left, maybe more like 399 and the last 'sale' they had was last week, I'm not so sure if you'd want to risk them becoming unavailable entirely. It's really too bad that gainward isn't in the USA because this card would have been a much bigger hit.

 

[Slammy1]

Yes, my $400 video upgrade days are past on this system, I figure they did it once they should do it again (so long as they sell out in a reasonable time). I already have a friend who wants my 9700Pro (my old P3B-F board, it's the most advanced thing it can handle).

The reason I suggested a lower CPU and higher bus is that it will make some difference, depending what the task is. The cool thing about the 865/875 boards was gaining so much bandwidth in memory with overclock. If there's a temperature advantage, I'd stick with the 3.4 and that I don't know.