[ZunePod]

I'm tied between these two, cards, and I know there is a substantial price difference, but I need to know which one to get.

9800GT = £83
GTS 250 = £126

These are the prices i can get them at. Both 1GB DDR3.

Would I really see a decent difference between these cards?

Edit: I'm upgrading my PC to this:

Q8200 2.33GHz(OC to 3.4GHz I hope) - £110
8GB PC2-6400 (2x4GB) - £100
GTS250/9800GT/HD4890 - £126/83/150
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 PRO - £15

I got other bits, but I'm gonna price it up later.

 

[I_dalder_I]

Depending on your monitor yes, If your running below 1920/1080 i doubt youll see much difference with either card running. Maybe 3-5 frames more here or there with the 250. 9800GT is still a good card m8. Also the 250 is just a re branded 9800gtx+ which is a re branded 9800gtx which is a re branded 8800gtx with a smaller NM used in the fabrication process. Got to love nvidia.

So basically if your running high rez get the 250, if not save some cash and get the 9800

 

[mardon]

Not sure if you'll notice the difference with the 1GB on the GT. If you can get the 512 for cheaper that may sway the deal.

I had a 9800GTX and it was good. What resolution are you playing at and what games. I Can tell you how they played on mine then.

 

[gian84]

If you can afford it go with the gts250 as it's noticeably faster than the 9800gt. Both overclocked, the gts250 is still quite faster than the 9800gt.
Otherwise, you can OC the 9800gt to gts250 stock speed.

 

[aksthem1]

Where are you getting it from?

Scan.co.uk has the the HD4890 for 125 pounds before VAT. That would be much more better than both.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/1GB-XFX-HD-4890-PCI-E-20(x16)-3900MHz-GDDR5-GPU-850MHz-800-Cores-2x-DL-DVI-I-HDTV-HDCP-Ready

Edit: You could get a 1GB HD4870 for less or a GTX 260 for around 125 pounds with VAT.

 

[gian84]

*sorry , double posted*

 

[I_dalder_I]

Cant get link to work dang, just go to toms hardware and look at the comparison of the two

Note most those comparisons are at a really high resolution, so if your not runing that res the results will be a LOT closer then they are already.

 

[mardon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gian84 Otherwise, you can OC the 9800gt to gts250 stock speed.

The GTS250 has more stream processors so it will be better clock for clock than the GT mate.

As suggested the 4890 would be a better option.

 

[ZunePod]

I'm planning on playing:

CoD1/2/4/5/6 (when it comes out, and yes I'm a CoD nut)
Burnout: Paradise
GTA 4/San Andreas
Far Cry 2
Sims 3
Call of Juarez
Fallout 3
Crysis (maybe, i might have to SLi for this?)
Half Life: Orange Box

Red = Don't have currently

I love games, and I think there may be more. I'm not scared of having to pay and extra £83/126 if needed in a few months.

Resolution = 1440 x 900 / 75 Hz but I'm not 100% sure on this, because I'm away from home.

As you can see from my System below, I'm upgrading pretty much everything, so this won't be ready for a few weeks at least.

 

[mardon]

Get for the more powerful card then mate. It'll last longer and give you decent frames.

I'm guessing your 19" is 1440x900 in which case you'll be ok with the GTS250 or the 4890.

I could max out COD-MW on my old 720p TV (lower rez than 1440x900) and played through crysis and warhead at acceptible frame rates and settings. (just dont apply V-sync).

Just noticed your in Manchester (same as me). I'd drive to scan rather than going to Microdirect if you have that option.

 

[ZunePod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mardon Get for the more powerful card then mate. It'll last longer and give you decent frames. I'm guessing your 19" is 1440x900 in which case you'll be ok with the GTS250 or the 4890. I could max out COD-MW on my old 720p TV (lower rez than 1440x900) and played through crysis and warhead at acceptible frame rates and settings. (just dont apply V-sync). Just noticed your in Manchester (same as me). I'd drive to scan rather than going to Microdirect if you have that option.

I will have a very similar spec'd system to you by the end of it, so I should be able to max it out now.

I can do medium on CoD4, but the frame rate is like 23.9 (maximum, usually around 21), which is really annoying.

Just remembered, I have a 20" Phillips, that my PS3 is hooked up to most of the time, its HD ready so would the res be 1900 x 1080?

EDIT: Planet Micro is my closest shop. I suppose I'll check in there first. I'll post the specs I hope for in the original post.

 

[linskingdom]

Here are some numbers between 9800GT and GTS250. GTS250 is 9800gtx+ , which is about 4850. 9800GT is 105w vs. GTS250 is 150w.

 

[mardon]

IF its "HD ready" its usually 1360x768 if its "Full HD" It'll be 1920x1080. For 1080p you'll need a GTX260 upwards for crysis.

I didn't have any real problems at 1360x768 other than crysis.

I went from a 9800GTX for 720p to a GTX260 OC2 Core216 then wanted slightly more so went for a a GTX280 for 1080p play and high rez texture mods.

 

[Jewels]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZunePod Just remembered, I have a 20" Phillips, that my PS3 is hooked up to most of the time, its HD ready so would the res be 1900 x 1080?

At 20" it's most likely 1366 x 768 (or 1280 x 720).

 

[ZunePod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mardon IF its "HD ready" its usually 1360x768 if its "Full HD" It'll be 1920x1080. For 1080p you'll need a GTX260 upwards for crysis. I didn't have any real problems at 1360x768 other than crysis. I went from a 9800GTX for 720p to a GTX260 OC2 Core216 then wanted slightly more so went for a a GTX280 for 1080p play.

Would 2 GTS250's in SLi be better than GTX260?

Same for HD4890, what about them in CrossFire, would they be better than GTX260?

 

[venom55520]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZunePod Would 2 GTS250's in SLi be better than GTX260? Same for HD4890, what about them in CrossFire, would they be better than GTX260?

your best bet is go for 4890, at 720p, you'll run any game flawlessly, even crysis, and if you want to go full hd, you can.

 

[mardon]

Yeah SLI GTX250 would be better than a GTX260 and even a GTX280 I think. I read an article the other day comparing them.

You do have SLI issues like micro stutter and non compatible games to contend with then. I personally prefer 1 powerful card over two less powerful ones. But that is only my preference.

 

[ZunePod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by venom55520 your best bet is go for 4890, at 720p, you'll run any game flawlessly, even crysis, and if you want to go full hd, you can.

I'm worried about the 4890, it has a monster Wattage usage.

 

[mardon]

So will SLI though wont it? Wattags is something i'm not well up on TBH.

 

[ZunePod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mardon So will SLI though wont it? Wattags is something i'm not well up on TBH.

I might as well just go with the 4890 and some monster PSU (my current one is like 400W) and then that should do me for a few years, then I will CrossFire.

Whether or not I can get the money, hmmm.