new video card

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tecknopunk

New Member
so i just got done playing cryostatis and i realized just how much that strains my current video card (which is: XFX GeForce 8800 GT XXX) and i just bought this card back in Dec of 07 so i am wondering what the best path to take from here is. should i buy another geforce 8800 and use the dual sli? should i just go ahead and buy a 9600 or 9800? or should i just buy 2 9600 or 9800 and use the dual sli with those? (i am definitely sticking with nvidia and i would prefer to stick with XFX). any input would be greatly appreciated.
 
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tecknopunk

New Member
would i be better off getting another 8800gt or getting 2 9800 gts? (or does that come down to how much money im willing to spend?)
 
Damascus

Damascus

New Member
This is just my opinion, but if you look at benchmarks and reviews of SLi setups, you don't get the performance increase that you'd think by adding another card... Personally, I would sell the 8800 and buy a GTS250 or better, assuming you want to stick with Nvidia.
Running another 8800 is going to stress your PSU more, run up your electric bill more, and add more hassle to setup/usage on games.
I don't know this for certain, but I'm willing to bet that a single GTS250 or GTX260 would be faster than 2 x 8800GT's. They also have more up-to-date technology onboard as well to benefit from.
Just my 2 cents, hope it helps!
-D
 
Nightrain

Nightrain

New Member
I wouldn't 'waste' the money on a 9800gt, as you're essentially looking at the same card you already have with a couple minor features/power saving elements.

The GTS250 would be a bit of an improvement, but you're talking maybe 30% on games you already play well anyway.

I'd save for a GTX260 or higher to be honest. You aren't going to notice a big jump going to either of the cards you are looking at. You can find used 8800GT's for quite cheap, and most new games support sli well compared to before. Bang for buck if your rig supports it, another 8800 would be the better buy imo, if you're limited to only 9800GT's or GTS250's. If you can get a good price on your 8800 then go for it and upgrade. I just don't think you are going to notice the improvements you are looking for until you get to gtx260 or higher.
 
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Twist86

Twist86

Active Member
You can buy a GTX 260 192 core which is faster then SLI 8800GT for around 130-140 bucks.

Then turn around and sell the 8800GT you own currently which you can still get $60-$70 for to help pay the cost. Use craigslist.com or ebay.com to sell it.
 
bomberboysk

bomberboysk

Active Member
Twist86 said:
You can buy a GTX 260 192 core which is faster then SLI 8800GT for around 130-140 bucks.

Then turn around and sell the 8800GT you own currently which you can still get $60-$70 for to help pay the cost. Use craigslist.com or ebay.com to sell it.
Click to expand...

tecknopunk said:
awesome, well thanks to everyone for their help, looks like im going to be looking for a gtx260 then
Click to expand...

Depending where you live... a 216core should be about the same price as a 192 core(which arent worth buying imo, fillrate is less than that of a 9800gtx/GTS250(same card) but it has more memory bandwidth). So if you can, try to go for a 216 core(eg- under specs in newegg will say 216 processing cores)
 
Twist86

Twist86

Active Member
Well yeah but 216 is 20-30 bucks more then 192 core and is roughly 10% faster if I recall.

if he is on a low budget a 216 might be over it. Personally I upgraded from a 8800GT to a GTX 260 192 core and its great.

Then again I traded my 8800GT + 30 bucks for mine on craigslist.
 
bomberboysk

bomberboysk

Active Member
Twist86 said:
Well yeah but 216 is 20-30 bucks more then 192 core and is roughly 10% faster if I recall.

if he is on a low budget a 216 might be over it. Personally I upgraded from a 8800GT to a GTX 260 192 core and its great.

Then again I traded my 8800GT + 30 bucks for mine on craigslist.
Click to expand...

Not necessilarly, actually at the moment one of the cheapest GTX260 is a 216 core, and they dont have to say it in the name, as this one doesnt:

Ex-
Cheapest GTX260 on newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143140

GTX260 core 216, same exact price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127430

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&Order=PRICE


Infact... most of the cheaper GTX260's are core 216.

Same kinda thing at zipzoomfly, the cheapest one there is also a 216core:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010437
 
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Damascus

Damascus

New Member
Well, again, I'm a big fan of "pay as much as you possibly can on the video card" philosophy. If I was able to spend $250 - $300 on a new graphics card, then I would spend $250 - $300 on a new graphics card, and be futureproofed just a tiny bit more, and be able to max a few more settings on newer games. Perhaps a GTX285?
 
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