Buy a new graphics card now, or wait? (Poll)

[fishyman]

OK, so I've been a long time lurker, first time poster. I have to say that you all have been very helpful over the years.

Well, I went the cheap-o lazy route last year when I wanted a new computer, and got myself a Dell E521.

AMD X2 4400+
2gig 800mhz ram
8600gt 256mb graphics card (stock, tried OC but it was never stable)
450W PS upgraded from stock 305W
20" display at 1440x900
Windows XP sp2

I've been pretty happy with my graphics card and my rig, it's played everything I own at decent frame rates (CS:S maxed at 50+fps, CoD4 smoothly with almost everything max, Flight Sim X suffers if not at medium, and Oblivion honestly was almost not playable- every time I got on a horse it was like a slideshow, Medieval 2 plays well at almost all maxed, TF2 and Portal all very good)

But I really want that "next gen" look and feel, mostly for GTA:IV

My budget is anything under $200

If you all say that I should wait, what should I wait for, and until when? I mean, looking at newegg, I can get a nice 8800gt (which seems to be popular) for about $150 after rebates. Will it go down much more? By the time GTA 4 comes out to PC will a better card be $150?


Thanks for all the help!

 

[dagger]

Get 2 more gb of ram, and wait for the 4870 or 9900 graphics card.

 

[fishyman]

I read somewhere that the max that my system the way it is configured can use is 3gig of ram though

 

[dagger]

I read somewhere that the max that my system the way it is configured can use is 3gig of ram though

That's strange. Most modern desktop motherboards will support 8gb.

 

[fishyman]

I read that 32bit OS can only support up to 3.3gig
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080124182016AATVUgE

 

[hchawk19]

That's strange. Most modern desktop motherboards will support 8gb.

But since he is running XP sp2, his Windows will only see up to 3.5GB, possibly less depending on memory addressing for other components. Plus, as his motherboard is an OEM system, he may only have three memory slots, or the BIOS may only recognize 3GB. If his motherboard does support more than 4GB, which is only on the newer boards, then he will have to run a 64-bit OS.

 

[fishyman]

What should I wait for? and how long do I have to wait?

 

[ausch30]

2 gig RAM is plenty for XP. I think you would be very happy with an 8800GT and if you can get one for $150 after MIR it's a great deal. Don't ever play the waiting game especially when it comes to parts from AMD/ATI with their recent track record. Get the 8800GT and enjoy.

 

[sailer]

I voted for the 8800GT, meaning the 512 one, as it would give the most boost for the money. Waiting will only put off the decision and make for frustration. FSX would be helped by a better CPU, but that would require a new mobo and would also go far beyond your budget.

 

[monst0r]

Could you list your +12v rail voltage on your PSU? It might not be able to support the cards listed

 

[fishyman]

http://www.highpowersupply.com/ps/hpc430n12s/hpc430n12s_1.jpg
eh...
That's the one I bought on ebay for $30

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

Wait for the 4xxx series or a little longer for the 99xx series. Itll lower the current prices, and be better performing

 

[chechnyan]

i voted for nothing but i would say wait for the HD 4870 release
it maybe a good choice and it may shake the prices of the other cards

 

[Mousemonkey]

I reckon you should get an 8800GT now and enjoy the graphical goodness and if the 4xxx and 99xx's turn out to be that much better then sell the 8800 and upgrade.

 

[LukeBird]

I'd personally wait the for the 4870 until the end of May/June.
If performance is as expected it'll be a great performer with good value. Not worth waiting for the 9900 Nvidias in my opinion.

 

[Mousemonkey]

I'd personally wait the for the 4870 until the end of May/June.
If performance is as expected it'll be a great performer with good value. Not worth waiting for the 9900 Nvidias in my opinion.

Ahh, but what if the G200 GPU turns out to be a real botty kicker. [:mousemonkey:2]

 

[Jaevric]

With rebates you may be able to get an 8800GTS (G92) for around $200.00. Either that card or an 8800GT would be good on this system.

A 4800 or 9900 may be too much card for that PSU & the CPU may be a bottleneck. You won't get either of those cards for $200.00, though I suppose you could buy an EVGA 8800GT or GTS and try to "step up" if you come into some funds and something better comes out within 90 days.

 

[Mousemonkey]

With rebates you may be able to get an 8800GTS (G92) for around $200.00. Either that card or an 8800GT would be good on this system.

A 4800 or 9900 may be too much card for that PSU & the CPU may be a bottleneck. You won't get either of those cards for $200.00, though I suppose you could buy an EVGA 8800GT or GTS and try to "step up" if you come into some funds and something better comes out within 90 days.

Good point.

 

[LukeBird]

Ahh, but what if the G200 GPU turns out to be a real botty kicker. [:mousemonkey:2]

It won't!
Seriously, A G200 is going to be over the OP's budget, at best it would push the price of 8800GT/S/9800GTX down to a better level. But I think the HD 4xxx's will do that just fine, hence my comment

 

[Mousemonkey]

It won't!
Seriously, A G200 is going to be over the OP's budget, at best it would push the price of 8800GT/S/9800GTX down to a better level. But I think the HD 4xxx's will do that just fine, hence my comment

I see your point but I'm trying to remain optimistical on the proposed performance of the 'true' 9xxx series that the g200 may deliver as opposed to the re-hashed G92 offerings currently available.

 

[LukeBird]

I see your point but I'm trying to remain optimistical on the proposed performance of the 'true' 9xxx series that the g200 may deliver as opposed to the re-hashed G92 offerings currently available.

I'm not! :lol:
I'm fairly new (this is only my 2nd build, although it has been rebuilt many times) to the PC building lark (no I'm not 12!) and I fancy ATi for my next video card(s). I don't like the way Nvidia is going and also if Assassins creed is using DX10.1, I can't see any point in buying more Nv DX10 stuff and losing any future performance...
That and the 4xxx's look like they'll be mighty performers with low power usage and heat compared to the 99xx's...

 

[Mousemonkey]

I'm not! :lol:
I'm fairly new (this is only my 2nd build, although it has been rebuilt many times) to the PC building lark (no I'm not 12!) and I fancy ATi for my next video card(s). I don't like the way Nvidia is going and also if Assassins creed is using DX10.1, I can't see any point in buying more Nv DX10 stuff and losing any future performance...
That and the 4xxx's look like they'll be mighty performers with low power usage and heat compared to the 99xx's...

Fair nuff', I've been at this since the early nineties myself and have seen a few promises come and go as far as graphics are concerned so these days I tend to wait until things are released and benched by independents rather than going by the 'Chinese whisper' approach if you know what I mean, it's each to their own really and there is no wrong or right way as I see it.

 

[physx7]

OK, so I've been a long time lurker, first time poster. I have to say that you all have been very helpful over the years.

Well, I went the cheap-o lazy route last year when I wanted a new computer, and got myself a Dell E521.

AMD X2 4400+
2gig 800mhz ram
8600gt 256mb graphics card (stock, tried OC but it was never stable)
450W PS upgraded from stock 305W
20" display at 1440x900
Windows XP sp2

I've been pretty happy with my graphics card and my rig, it's played everything I own at decent frame rates (CS:S maxed at 50+fps, CoD4 smoothly with almost everything max, Flight Sim X suffers if not at medium, and Oblivion honestly was almost not playable- every time I got on a horse it was like a slideshow, Medieval 2 plays well at almost all maxed, TF2 and Portal all very good)

But I really want that "next gen" look and feel, mostly for GTA:IV

My budget is anything under $200

If you all say that I should wait, what should I wait for, and until when? I mean, looking at newegg, I can get a nice 8800gt (which seems to be popular) for about $150 after rebates. Will it go down much more? By the time GTA 4 comes out to PC will a better card be $150?


Thanks for all the help!

With your current rig I would go for either the 8800 GT or the 9600 GT.

 

[physx7]

And as for the ''next Gen look'' You are running XP right now so you can't get DX10.

 

[LukeBird]

Fair nuff', I've been at this since the early nineties myself and have seen a few promises come and go as far as graphics are concerned so these days I tend to wait until things are released and benched by independents rather than going by the 'Chinese whisper' approach if you know what I mean, it's each to their own really and there is no wrong or right way as I see it.

Yep, totally agree!