Birthday is coming up, need an opinion on an upgrade

510 Views 13 Replies 8 Participants Last post by s7j3, Mar 6, 2009

s7j3

Discussion Starter · Mar 3, 2009

Hey guys, my birthday is coming up and im sensing that my computer is getting a little outdated for the games and stuff so i've decided to update my graphics card. Here are my choices

9800gt - if i can sli this with my 8800gt it would probably be the best bang for the buck performance wise. However this would be high power consumption and leave me in the dust graphics wise in about another year. I could also use the extra money for more RAM. Note that this will only work if i can make the 8800gt compatible by flashing it to the 9800gt bios

9800gtx+ would also be a good price but it might be edging the end of my budget and would probably be obselete in 2 years

Nvidia 260 - might last me longer than the rest of the cards

Note: this all depends on what i decide to do with my rig once i go to college, for example if i bring it to college i will be more inclined to upgrade my graphics platform. If i don't i would be more inclined to save my money and create a new rig later. Please help me decide what to do.

Thanks for all your help
s7j3

edit: if you guys have any more options please say so

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Korben

· #2 · Mar 3, 2009

Go with a GTX 260, That should hold you up on any game on high settings. Don't bother getting the 9800GTX+ the new GTS 250 is coming out to replace it and its going to be cheaper.

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Tator Tot

· #3 · Mar 3, 2009

I would get another 8800GT, as their SLi performance can top a GTX280, they are still power house cards.

Or get a GTX260.

I personally would opt for the 260 core 216, but that is just me. I run a dual card set up in my sig rig, and it has lasted for so long its crazy. But at the same time. I do fall behind folk now a days with their HD4870's and GTX260s

So while you'll do good now and for quiet a bit, you will still slowly but surely loose power as far as how high you can max games.

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chrisparkermedia

· #4 · Mar 3, 2009

ati 4870 1GB is getting a price cut to 179.00
cant beat it at the price with anything.. IMO

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s7j3

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 3, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Korben

Go with a GTX 260, That should hold you up on any game on high settings. Don't bother getting the 9800GTX+ the new GTS 250 is coming out to replace it and its going to be cheaper.

in this option would i be able to use my current 8800gt as a phyx card as well as a folding card? Also what is the reccommended company to buy from and should i get an overclocked card?

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisparkermedia

ati 4870 1GB is getting a price cut to 179.00
cant beat it at the price with anything.. IMO

what is the performance compared to the nvidia cards

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Tator Tot

· #6 · Mar 3, 2009

HD4870 1gb = GTX260 in perfmance.

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Tjingsted

· #7 · Mar 3, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by s7j3

what is the performance compared to the nvidia cards

I would go for a ATI 4870 1gb. performance wise it would be between GTX 260 in some games and in some games 280.

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s7j3

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 3, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tjingsted

I would go for a ATI 4870 1gb. performance wise it would be between GTX 260 in some games and in some games 280.

although an ATI card is not out of the option my motherboard supports SLI and I would prefer to have an nvidia to leave the option of sli in the future for the best price/performance boost.

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chrisparkermedia

· #9 · Mar 3, 2009

good luck with your choice man.. sounds like either card will do the trick and do it well.
ATI will be a little cheaper once the price drop, however I dont think that it will allow you to keep your 8800 in your pc as a phys card. i dont know that for sure though

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linskingdom

· #10 · Mar 3, 2009

Get another 8800gt is the cheapest way to upgrade. 8800GT is a 105w GPU so you OCZ 600w should be fine. Save money for next big upgrade.

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s7j3

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 3, 2009

btw is there anyone selling an 8800gt here? it would actually make a better option than flashing my 8800gt bios to 9800gt for the sli

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OxyClockin

· #12 · Mar 3, 2009

Newegg or Tigerdirect had them (8800GT) all the way down to $73.00 each....VALUE!!!!

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RaBidRaBit

· #13 · Mar 3, 2009

Nitteo has one Asus 8800gt left that he is selling for $85 shipped. It seems that he is only selling to folders though. Maybe start folding so you can pick up the 8800gt and cure cancer at the same time!

http://www.overclock.net/sale/461444...-gigabyte.html

TigerDirect has one for $99 +s/h but it is only 256MB whereas Nitteo's is 512MB

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...851&CatId=1560

The only one NewEgg has is $150 for an open-box MSI.

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s7j3

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 6, 2009

thanks guys and reps all around. from what you guys suggested id probably look for a gtx 260 or a 8800gt but i still have my doubts in upgrading my system.

the 260 is a bit out of my price range and would cause my parents to complain that i spend too much on my computer (i dont lol). the 8800gt would really seem a waste since i want to save up for a new rig that i can build in about 2 years or so. I'm currently a student and part of the track team so i cant have a job during the season, the only time i can build up some money is in the summer if i can find a job. Since i'm going to college after this year i'm not even sure if i will bring my current rig to school and i will need to get a laptop regardless if i decide to take it or not. So yeah im still unsure, but thanks for your help and +reps all around

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