8800...which one??

bit4bit

New Member
I want to get a DX10 capable graphics card, and the 8800 seems to be the best and most popular.

However, 8800 what?

there seems to be:

+ 8800GT LOWEST
+ 8800GTS
+ 8800GTX
+ 8800ULTRA HIGHEST

...and then each card can itself be SLI'd, and each card comes in different brands too!

I'm finding it a real headache to decide what to go for.

I was thinking first of really splashing out and getting an ULTRA, but discussion on this forum has led me to believe that it might not be worth it.

Can anyone offer the best solution for me, baring in mind that my most demanding graphical usage is purely for games (no video editing). I would like to be able to play Crysis on high settings (Just as a benchmark for now), and get something that is going to last at least 5 years, as new games with higher graphics are released.

I don't mind SLI'ing a couple of cards, but then am I paying much more for the motherboard anyway?

Thanks
 
new technics is always better and that's why most people prefer G92 rather than G80.
I recommend 88gt with 512 too.
enn... how about 3870 you think?
 
Five years is a tremendously long time when referring to the tech life. None of the above cards, possibly even the new 9 series series set to be released soon, would live up to those expectations. To put the situation in context, 5 years ago the best card was something around an Ati 9600.

You might expect two or three years of excellent disposition, any more would be pushing it IMO. SLI brings up some interesting options, but they are expensive and far from optimal. The technology/hardware that makes SLI possible, and the software (drivers) that manages it are, even now, discordant. As the above two guys pointed out, the 8800gt is the best for the cash, it being just a tad less agreeable than the 8800GTX. The 8800gts (g92, 512mb) is on par with the 8800Ultra. Whichever you choose remember to temper your expectations within reason, in 5 years the 8 series of cards will be a likewise number of generations behind. :grim nod:

*the 3870 is really great, but in five years it's going to be old, just like the 8800gt. So why not get the very best? Also, per addendum, If OP is willing to shell out alot of cash to finance a SLI setup, and everything it pertains, then the best advice I can give is to buy one of the suggestions above, enjoy it for however long it lasts, then buy a new card with the money saved.
 
You might expect two or three years of excellent disposition, any more would be pushing it IMO. SLI brings up some interesting options, but they are expensive and far from optimal. The technology/hardware that makes SLI possible, and the software (drivers) that manages it are, even now, discordant.

Agreed. ;)
 

You agree! I'm not saying that your rig isn't fracken powerful (it'd kick my wimpy machines ass), but if only SLI was capable of 100% gain (or close to) all of the time, instead of only rarely. Alas...

You should get this to go along with that beast. [/ludicrous joke]
 
I cant tell what the real meaning of sli is at present...to run crysis all high?
graphic card is just for games."the way it's mean to be played".and i'm sure 99% game can run easily on top flat with just one sigle card.
perhaps in a year there will be some new dx10 games sli run much better ,but 9series will have the same performance with lower power.

sli is the best but never the integrant.
 
I cant tell what the real meaning of sli is at present...to run crysis all high?
graphic card is just for games."the way it's mean to be played".and i'm sure 99% game can run easily on top flat with just one sigle card.
perhaps in a year there will be some new dx10 games sli run much better ,but 9series will have the same performance with lower power.

sli is the best but never the integrant.

Actually, two 3870's beat two 8800gt :P
 
I don't mind SLI'ing a couple of cards, but then am I paying much more for the motherboard anyway?

Thanks

Motherboards which support two PCIe ports are typically in the mid $100s. If you want a system that will keep up for several years then I suggest getting on of the nVidia 680i chipset motherboards. They will be right around $200, not a bad investment for a couple of years.
 
The 680i boards will last a few years as in not breaking down if properly cared for, but they aren't going to be able to "last" a few years. Even at this point they don't support 45nm quads, nonetheless what comes after that.
 
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