upgrating video card

Hello all iam looking to upgrate my current video card which is a x800XL 512. I would prefer nvidia cause i have had 2 ati cards before in the past and everyone gave me problems with drivers,fan stop working, overheats etc....


so iam looking for the best video card i can get for around $550 max without upgrating my mobo, (so that means no sli/crossfire) my mobo is this : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131569

and my last question is would it really be that much of a boost in fps if i upgrate to a $550 video card from the x800XL ?

How about this!

amd 4000+,2 gig ram, and that motherboard i linked above.

will my motherboard work with that video card or do i have do get a SLI ready motherboard?

and is that 7900GTX vista ready?

No need for a SLI motherboard, unless you plan on using two video cards.
I always thought SLI was a complete waste of money anyways, and a big gimmick to sell more cards at an insane price.

Is 7900GTX Vista ready, you ask?
The question is: Is Vista ready for 7900GTX?
Vista won't be here until at least Q1 2007, so don't worry about that!
Your X800XL will run Aero (Vista's 3D GUI), so no need to worry about the 7900.

By having a look at newegg.com, the GX2 costs at least $100 more than the GTX.
Go with the GTX, you'll be just fine.

PSUs are quite simple to install. Screw it to its place on the tower and plug the wires at their appropriate places on the mobo and the various parts of your system and you're done. Arrange your wires intelligently to avoid blocking airflow in the case. Should you use IDE drives, you should connect them to the IDE connectors of the mobo with a rounded cable.

Well, it depends on the games you play and the resolutions you play them at.
That said, your X800XL runs all of today's games quite decently at 1280x1024, unless you're a speed/quality freak and need to have all settings to the max.
I'm actually running a X800XL and the games I play are all fine.
I suggest saving that 500 bucks for a more complete overhaul when Vista gets here (which is not in sight yet). Prices will have dropped in a major way. Of course new hardware will be available, but that GX2 will be more attractive then while still being the heck of a performer.
If you ask me, I'd stick with my X800XL, but that's just my opinion.

Yes, it'll run Vista fine. It won't use DX10 to full advantage though.

That's why next-gen cards should be out after Vista.

Then, you will most likely benefit from the GTX. It is significantly faster than the X800XL.

Not on his motherboard, and it will exceed his budget.

kk i just ordered the 7900GTX cause i figure once i get a little more money saved up will just order new mobo,psu and another 7900GTX and go SLI mode.

thanks for all your help !!!