is it worth waiting for the 8900 GTX ?

[dsidious]

I was planning to get a new computer this fall, but with Intel price cuts coming so soon (July 22) I'm tempted to just go ahead and do it at the end of July. I'm thinking of a Q6700/8800 GTX/XP SP2 configuration. I intend to use it for 5 years without any upgrades except maybe the O/S and new disks. I may want to try SLI by adding a second card in a year or two, not now.

Now, the thing that bothers me is that the 8800 GTX has been out there for a while and nVidia might release the 8900 GTX right after I buy the 8800 GTX. Please help me figure out if that matters or not.

Judging from reviews of the 7800 GTX and 7900 GTX, it looks like this:

- the 7900 GTX is a die-shrink of the 7800 GTX, 90 nm instead of 110 nm
- same power consumption, same dB, a bit cooler, same features
- 10-15% faster. Example 90 fps instead of 80 fps in some games

If history repeats itself, then I'm all right with the 8800, I guess. Of course, there's no guarantee that it will repeat.

Thanks!

 

[The_Abyss]

Why don't you tell us the specs of the 8900GTX along with the sources of information, then we can vote with a clear consience...

 

[cleeve]

What card we'll recommend depends on the resolution you plan to play your games at.

 

[kaotao]

Why don't you tell us the specs of the 8900GTX along with the sources of information, then we can vote with a clear consience...

Yeah, I agree. Little to nothing is known about this part. No news lately about any speculated release date, and I hate polls.

 

[dsidious]

Why don't you tell us the specs of the 8900GTX along with the sources of information, then we can vote with a clear consience...

Yeah, I agree. Little to nothing is known about this part. No news lately about any speculated release date, and I hate polls.

That's the problem, too many unknowns. I don't know how long I'd have to wait or the specifications or the price or what Diablo 3 or Crysis will require. OK, maybe by July we'll know enough to make an intelligent decision.

Cleeve: I'm currently using a 20" 1680x1050 monitor. I'll probably get a 26" later (1900*1200, most likely), and get a second card at the same time if necessary.

 

[cleeve]

I'll probably get a 26" later (1900*1200, most likely), and get a second card at the same time if necessary.

If 1900x1200 is your target resolution, even the 8800 GTX should be OK.

If you're pretty happy with whatever card you currently have, there's no reason to buy one now though. Never upgrade for future software, it's a waste of money - hardware will be cheaper and faster by the time it comes out.

But if you're current card isn't doing it for you, the 8800 GTX is not a bad thing to buy...

 

[Arctucas]

Get the 8800 now.
My hope is that by the time the 8900s are out, nV will have developed the 'GPU as a PPU' so that I can upgrade to a 8900, and use the 8800 a physics card, although I would most likely wait for the 9xxx series.

 

[pchoi04]

To me... It doesnt bother me to wait. On my current setup I can play most of my games just fine but I think the danger in always waiting for the newest thing to come out is; waiting for it to drop in price (for most people at least). But surely these companies (ATI+NVIDIA), are surely working up something for the next generation. Then what happens; prices drops and your ready to buy then you hear about another card coming out (or CPU, TV, Monitor, Motherboard, ETC).

Typically I would say buy the best you can afford and dont look bad (easier said than done). But if your in no hurry to build a new system and you'll have $600 to spend right away, why not?

Or if your in a desperate need of a new system I dont think anyone has regretted buying an 8800 GTX.

But if someone could comfirm that an 8900 GTX will be coming out within the next three months you really cant lose with EVGA's stepup program. Enjoy the 8800 now and pay the difference and step up to the 8900. Only problem is who knows when this card will come out.

 

[kickme21]

Only thing is when the 8900 come out the should make the rest of the cards come down in price. There is the question is how long are you happy to wait for and the million $ question is how much may you save or will the 8900 knock socks off.

The may not be any point in waiting at all. If there is no info what so ever about a release dat I would say buy now.

 

[djgandy]

Where's the wait forever more option?

 

[dsidious]

Many thanks to everybody who replied! I was kind of tired of waiting anyway