9800GTX - worth it?

Conar

I'm thinking of getting a 9800GTX but not sure if its a good idea when there still aren't any 1GB versions out yet.

I have a G80 8800GTS 320MB at the moment so I'm not that far behind in the GPU stakes.

I'll also have about 1.5k to upgrade in a couple of months so I might get another GTX (or 2) and decent CPU/board/memory.

What are peoples opinions on the new GTX's.
Reckon its best to wait a while for a more established range or should I throw caution to the wind and get one?

astrofool

It's probably worth it if doing a new build, but not really if upgrading from a 8800 series. Depends what you're running on the machine at the moment, check the hardware review sites and see if the difference in fps is worth the difference in cash

awhir

Conar wrote: »

I'm thinking of getting a 9800GTX but not sure if its a good idea when there still aren't any 1GB versions out yet.

I have a G80 8800GTS 320MB at the moment so I'm not that far behind in the GPU stakes.

I'll also have about 1.5k to upgrade in a couple of months so I might get another GTX (or 2) and decent CPU/board/memory.

What are peoples opinions on the new GTX's.
Reckon its best to wait a while for a more established range or should I throw caution to the wind and get one?

wait till mid summer for the new gpu Architecture that will be coming out.(nivida and ati)

TerrorFirmer

It is much faster then the old g80 8800gts cards, of either memory size, so it would be a good upgrade, assuming you're playing on a decent sized monitor...some games, going from reviews, see a 80-100% increase in framerates at 1680x1050. Not as dramatic in every game, naturally. I think the one with the most drastic increase was Opposing Fronts.

I'd say it wouldn't be money wasted, but again, depending on what you see as an upgrade....for me, a worthwhile upgrade is going from being able to play a game at 1680x1050 high-ish settings to 1680x1050 max settings with AA. Others prefer to wait until their card lapses into more middling settings before upgrading. I've had a GTS, 3870, and then a g92 GTS. Have my eye on the gx2 already.

The 9800GTX was a bit of a disappointment, but is still a stellar card for people running older cards...it's faster then the g92 GTS, and costs about the same, so it's a no brainer really.

MooseJam

I've got a 8800gt, what would be a better buy a 9800gtx or a second 8800gt ?

Sqaull20

Second gt, 9800gtx is only a bit faster than a 8800gt..

2 x 8800gt = near €450 9800gx2 performance

skuzzb

I was thinking of upgrading my 8800gts(320mb) but it not worth it at the minute. You will get an improvement but I dont see it as worth the cost, especially as their second hand value for selling on has droped so much.

The 8800gts (512) is just an OC'd version of the 8800gt (512) and the 9800gtx is just an OC'd version of the 8800gts (512). However the 9800gtx does have some features the other dont like hybrid sli which will be handy when they eventually get the boards out to work with it.

From looking at the state of things at the minute, 8800gt in sli or 9600gt in sli is the best buy at the minute for value but your best bet is to wait for the 9900gtx (hopefully june). Will probably cost an arm and a leg but will be worth it!

Conar

Interesting comments.
If I don't buy a GPU though I'd have to buy something else for my PC.

What to do????

Don't know if I can wait until July for the 9900GTX

Sqaull20

Conar wrote: »

Interesting comments.
If I don't buy a GPU though I'd have to buy something else for my PC.

What to do????

Don't know if I can wait until July for the 9900GTX

The 9900gtx/9900gx2 will only be higher clocked versions of the cards that are out now, the new tech ( GT-200/10 series or whatever they call it ) wont be coming till after the summer...

Thread here with a guy ( BenchZowner) that has supposedly tested one of these new cards..

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=184115

I would sell the 8800gts and get 2 x 8800gt should set you back €200 when everything is done..

skuzzb

If squall is right, i would sell the gts now before its worth less and get the 2x8800gt too. If you go for EVGA ones and something new gets released in 90 days you can use their step-up program so might be worth it.

Damit i had just convinced myself to not upgrade for a few months.....

conzy

lol all these new Nvidia cards really threw a spanner in the upgrading works

It usually a Super expensive GTX and reasonable GT, then 18 months later it all happens again, this time its an affordable GTX and GT with minimal performance gains and new stuff on the horizon.... What to do?!

I still dont know if I want to buy a 9800GTX and hold onto it for a year or more, or a cheap 8800gt / gts and upgrade to a real next gen cards in 5-6 months time....

I will be a poor student in September and ill need a laptop so there wont be a lot of spare cash for Graphics cards :P

Conar

I would get 2 x GT's but my mainboard is a crossfire one.
Still running with the p965 chipset.
My plan is to sink about 1.5k into the PC in a few months time but cos it was my birthday I have about 300 notes burning a hole in my pocket.
Also just got a 24" monitor so thats why I feel the urge to splash the cash on a GPU upgrade.

I'm leaning towards taking the plunge and getting the GTX. I can always throw it in my HTPC if I decide to buy a new card in a few months.

conzy

Buy a decent Soundcard / Amp / Headphones if you dont already have them...

Much more satisfying in the long run than an extra 4 fps in Crysis

AlmightyCushion

conzymaher wrote: »

Buy a decent Soundcard / Amp / Headphones if you dont already have them...

Much more satisfying in the long run than an extra 4 fps in Crysis

It'll probably last you a few upgrades as well whereas a new graphics card will only last you until your next upgrade.

Chosen

Conar wrote: »

I'm leaning towards taking the plunge and getting the GTX. I can always throw it in my HTPC if I decide to buy a new card in a few months.

Sure, cause GTX's were made for HTPC's...

Conar

Chosen wrote: »

Sure, cause GTX's were made for HTPC's...

Yeah it may be a bit overkill but I can play a few games on it.
Anyway, shush now I'm just trying to convince myself its a good idea

Conar

Right I thought I had convinced myself but got cold feet.
I guess its silly to buy now if I want to upgrade again in a few months.

Do you reckon with EVGA's 90 day step up that I'd manage to get a 9900GTX?
July seems to be banged around as the release date but maybe I'm cutting it a bit close?

uberpixie

Conar wrote: »

Right I thought I had convinced myself but got cold feet.
I guess its silly to buy now if I want to upgrade again in a few months.

Do you reckon with EVGA's 90 day step up that I'd manage to get a 9900GTX?
July seems to be banged around as the release date but maybe I'm cutting it a bit close?

I would be in the same boat at the moment, but as I only have a 17" tft I won't be upgrading for a while yet.
(Thinking of going 22" monitor at some stage though.....)

For me there is just not enough of a jump to get a new 8 series card.

Now if you are on a monitor bigger than 19" , as TerrorFirmer's case , then yeah if you want to play games at very high res then it would be worth it.

Otherwise wait.

Never really worth it to replace a gfx card until you can get the one that is double it's performance unless you insist on gaming on the bleeding edge.;)

MooseJam

Well I've ordered my second 8800GT, It should be arriving on Friday, I've got a 26 inch monitor so it's a justifiable purchase . I'm hoping it will do for a good 12 months maybe more