Looking for graphics card

everybest

New Member
I'm trying to find a graphics card for some of the newer games, and my current one, EVGA Geforce 7950GT isn't cutting it. I'm willing to spend up to $400.

My screen size is 1920x1200. I've been browsing the internet and people are saying the 8800 is good. Or do I want to get the 9 series? I don't want to buy a card and then have to upgrade shortly. I've got 2gbs of ram, should I upgrade that as well?

Do the 8 series support DirectX 10?

Also, if I'm going to buy in store, what company do I want? Does it matter? I don't really know the brands, but I've noticed several companies release the 8800 for different prices, which is really confusing.
 
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The 8800 series IS confusing, to those who don't know. The 320-640mb VRAM versions are based on an older g80 core, while the more standard 512mb versions are based on the newer, better g92 graphical core. The 8800gt and the 8800gts denotations makeup the standardized memory version, their differences lie in a 15% performance break offered by the GTS. All 8 series support dx10.

As for brand, recognition, promotional offerings, warranties, It all plays a part in favor. Evga, BFG, Xfx, Asus, all recognized, "quality" brands. This is not to say a brand like Sparkle is bad; simply that it does not have the reputation of XFX, or the step-up promotion of EVGA.

Finally the important question, which card? I would personally wait: The 4870 is being released this month if still on schedule and it's shown some promise to be awesome. Nvidia new Gt-whatever cards are coming out soon as well. If you need a card right now with a budget of $400, either the 9800gx2 or the 8800gts 512-1024mb cards I would recommend, and from EVGA. With EVGA's pre-mentioned step up deal you can, within 90 days, trade your card in for full credit toward any other of their cards. Awesome.
 
Thanks for the help.

My school is recommending Quadro FX cards for rendering programs. Would those work as efficiently for gaming?
 

I went to Bestbuy today and picked up a 9800GTX because they were convinced it was better than the 8800 (also the most expensive card they had), so I did but I haven't opened it. I'm assuming this one is better than any of the ones I've been looking at? I did look at the 9800GX2 as recommended but the price range on that was too high.

I can't post on that thread or PM the seller, would anyone mind pointing him this way? Thanks.

msn: [email protected]
aim: kst032
email: [email protected]
 
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I went to Bestbuy today and picked up a 9800GTX because they were convinced it was better than the 8800 (also the most expensive card they had), so I did but I haven't opened it. I'm assuming this one is better than any of the ones I've been looking at?

'They were convinced' as in best buy? lol, never trust what these suckers say, statistically speaking there are bound to be some tech-literate, trendy people working there, but they are far outnumbered. The 9800gtx, according to the benchies I've gandered at, is the equal of a 8800gts 512mb. Not a bad thing at all, except in that the latter is significantly cheaper.
 
Small update just for reference.

I had the ASUS Radeon 3870 X2 in my hands only a couple days after I paid mep916. Totally legit and helpful throughout the process of getting everything set up.
 
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