Hey guys,
 
my current system is setup like this...
 
Core2 duo 2.4
2gig 800mhz ram
2x 7900 gtx (although i get the same fps with only one card)
p5n32 sli deluxe Motherboard
 
get reasonable framerates on most games, only really crippled by crysis at 20-25fps on medium/high.  
 
i dont have the Cash to upgrade my whole system but i have enough to throw at a next gen graphics card.
was wondering if some one could suggest if the GX2 would work well on my rig or even the 9800GTX
 
or should i be going for an 8 series gtx?
 
ill be upgrading my Motherboard next but will be a while
 
any suggestions or opinons welcome
Thanks

I'd say from my experience that the 9800 GX2 is a really well planned card, but you can get the same result from 2 8800 GTS G92 and slightly better since the 9800 GX2 is just 2 underclocked 8800 GTS G92 put together. But I managed to oc my 9800 GX2 to match 2 9800 GTXs.
 
I'd say unless wait for the new ATI cards to show some benches and see if those tickle your fancy. If not I'd say go with either a 8800 GTS 512 or a 9800 GTX.
 
Unless price is no issue and you can go for a 9800 GX2, which saves space by creating a 1 slot sli configuration also known as 2 GPUs.  
 
Most people would say go with the 8800 GTS 512 since its just a cheaper 9800 GTX. But I think the 9800 GTX has a longer life since it has the hybrid technology and also tri sli support.  
 
8800 GTS 512 - can go from 200-300
 
9800 GTX - can go from 250-350 and I've seen 400 some times.  
 
9800 GX2 - 500+most of the time I see 600$  
 
Personally I would go GX2, but thats me, I like high frames and the posibility of Quad sli. But I think if your speaking with your wallet you'd benefit from either of the other 2.  

thanks mate, i am trying to think with my wallet... but since the voodoo 1 and 2's i have always loved playing games as smooth as possible.. hard to break the habit of buying big, thanks for the suggestion

np

You might also want to consider waiting on the 9900 series, due sometime this summer.  There are several rumors as to what it will be, many think its the new GT200, others believe its a dual core G9x.  Either way, it will actually be new tech as opposed to the same ol' crap in a shiny new box.

my only issue with waiting is there is always something bigger and better on the horizon... might give it a look to see what comes of it.
Cheers

I think there are two choices now:
Get one (or two if you have a crossfire MB) ATI 4870 next month.  
Or get any Nvidia card from EVGA or BFG and use there step up program in juli to upgrade.

True of course, the question you have to ask yourself is how close is said horizon.  If you always wait for the next big thing, youll never buy anything, but knowing that something is coming soon and waiting can save that 'why did i buy this' feeling.

Case in point, I ran out and got an 8600GTS to upgrade my 7600GT so I could turn on the DX10 eye candy in Crysis and WIC just before they turned the 8800GT loose.  Im still kickin myself for that one, $180 bucks down the drain.

I would say that either solution there is a win-win.  Perhaps toss in 1-2 120mm fans to blow right on whichever you decide on...  hot, hot, hot...