x800xl to 6800xt: Considering an "upgrade"

[fixmarky]

This is the card I'm considering:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150130
For 100 bucks after rebate it won't break the bank, even if I go SLI

Right now I'm using an ATI x800xl and it's been a great card so far. However, I just got an MSI K8N Diamond with SLI and want to take advantage of it in the near future. I'm not really much of a gamer, but I do need WoW and CS: Source to be able to run at max settings at 1680x1054. I don't play any graphic intensive games like FEAR or Oblivion.

I searched the forums and couldn't really find the answers to what I'm wondering:

1) I get the impression that my x800xl could probably out perform the 6800xt. How big will the performance hit be if I get just one card?

2) How big of a gain (if any) will I get if I go SLI?

3) A minor question, but still kind of important. I notice the XFX card has a molex connector on it- do I need to connect my PSU to it even if I already have a molex connetor going into my motherboard for the GPU? What if I go SLI?

Hopefully some of you guys can help me out....I don't want to downgrade out of ignorance. Thanks.

 

[1Dark1Sharigan1]

The 6800XT is probably going to perform below that of a 6600GT and will be a significant downgrade from the X800XL, which is comparable to a 6800GT. I would suggest a 7600GT as a much better idea for an upgrade. SLI is a poor idea for low-end cards like the 6800XT.

Even then, the 7600GT wouldn't really be much better than your XL. I'd say you should opt for an X1800XT/7900GT if you want a significant increase in performance from your XL

 

[fixmarky]

thanks for the input. anybody else?

 

[Arcanedeath]

The X800XL is about equal to a 6800GT/GS so to upgrade you need at least something in the X1800XT or 78/900 GT Range to make it worthwhile, 7600GT's in SLI would be ok aswell but its not cost effective when you can get a 7900GT for less

 

[1Dark1Sharigan1]

Yeah, SLI really isn't a good option except at the high-end . . .

 

[fixmarky]

hey guys, how about this card http://www.pagecomputers.com/store/prod...me=33g33c200s2204&product%5Fid=1028783

passive cooling is a big plus (my case runs cool enough) and remember, i only need to max out WoW and CS Source at 1680x1054.

 

[1Dark1Sharigan1]

Originally posted by: fixmarky
hey guys, how about this card http://www.pagecomputers.com/store/prod...me=33g33c200s2204&product%5Fid=1028783

passive cooling is a big plus (my case runs cool enough) and remember, i only need to max out WoW and CS Source at 1680x1054.

The 7600GS would get outperformed by your X800XL in CS Source by quite a bit . . . especially when you slap on AA/AF. And the extra feature set of the 7600GS will do nothing for you in those games.

 

[fixmarky]

doh. i guess i'll be shelling out for a 7900gt then. thanks for the input.