I have a 9800GTX, and I'm thinking about upgrading to a 8800Ultra in the future. Is it really worth it? I've heard many people saying an 8800Ultra has only a 10% diffrence or something. (Stock Speeds)
 
Please vote: Updated Poll.
 
9800gtx:
 
Core/Mem/Shader
688/2200/1688
128 Stream Processors
512mb DDR3 memory (frame buffer)
256-bit Memory Interface
70.4 GB/second Memory Bandwith
43.2 Billion/Second Texture Fill Rate
 
8800 ultra:
 
Core/Mem/Shader
612/2260/1500
128 Stream Processors
768mb DDR3 memory (frame buffer)
384-bit Memory Interface
103.7 GB/Second Memory Bandwith
39.2 Billion/Second Texture Fill Rate
 
From what I see, the 8800 ultra has:
 
60 mhz higher memory clock
256mb more DDR3 memory (frame buffer)
33.3 more GB/Second Memory Bandwith
*384-bit Memory Interface allows higher Memory Bandwith*
 
From what I see, my 9800gtx has:
76 mhz higher core clock
188 mhz higher shader clock
4 Billion/second more Texture Fill Rate.
 
Now is it really worth it to upgrade to an 8800ultra?
 
 
Screw the ultra.  
 
 

No sense at all. Ultras cost $500. For that price, you get a GTX260 or GTX280.
Or better, you get a second 9800gtx for $250, run them in SLI and save money!

Having a look at the Radeon HD 4870: Better Than GTX 260! article will show you the answer, as both cards are included in the benchmarks for comparison. I don't think, based on those tests, anyone would consider it worth the money to go ultra.

Of course, I'm assuming you have a nVidia mobo.
If you don't, consider 4870 as justjc just said.

Uh.  Why would you go from a 9800GTX to an 8800Ultra?  That doesn't make any sense at all.  The 9800GTX is faster than the Ultra in a lot of cases.  The only time you should really see the Ultra edge out are in bandwidth limited games/settings, which usually only happens at high res.  
 
Stick with the 9800GTX, and if you want to upgrade do SLI or grab up a GTX260 or HD4870.  

YOU SHOULD TOTALLY GET THE ULTRA! JUST DO IT MAN!!!

HD 4870 is better choice!!

There are plenty of benchmarks and comparsisons around on this site - there's no real reason to ask here. Also, the other posters are right except rodney_ws

I was under the impression that the logical sequence of events here is:
 
8800GTX/Ultra -> 9800GTX
 
On paper, the 8800 looks like a clear winner over the 9800.  
 
In reality, what benefits do the newer cards bring that compete against the older, raw horsepower?

omg stay with your 9800gtx

The Ti4600 is a good card, too.

Screw it all.
 
Go get an ati 4870 or a new mobo and dual 4850s

The Ti4600 was no match for the Creative Banshee Blaster 4x AGP 16MB. Oh Do I wish we Creative still made video cards!  
 
Got it to play Decent 2/freespace 1/2.

Oh wow... another Descent fan!  I thought I was alone... now that was a FPS!

 
You're right, but keep in mind that 9600s came after 8800Ultra, and the later outperforms the former.

Both cards are in the same class of performance.   While one or the other might do better in a particular game, changing will be a disappointment.  Don't upgrade your video configuration unless you can jump a tier.   In this case, it means a gtx280 or a strong sli/crossfire setup that is better than a 9800GX2.

 
 
Freespace... I have to install it again with the new texture pack (like 12gigs of new textures) and play it. That had the best story and voice acting! The beginning to both are amazing.

Don't forget Galta either.  If your looking for more power, the 4870 is a great idea.  Better then the 9800GTX, or even the GTX260.  There is no reason why you couldn't run this in just about any PCIe slot.  (I wouldn't run one thats only 4x...)  The chipset doesn't matter, just the slot.
 
SLIing a second 9800 isn't a bad idea either.  Should give you the power of the 9800GX2.  In most games, this would also be faster then the GTX260.

Not much of an ATI/AMD fan, I'm more of an Intel&nVidia.....
Now can I have some real, genuine benchmarks of the 4870 and 4850, versus the 9800GX2, GTX260, and GTX280? I hope the 280GX2 comes out.... These cards never get much cheaper anyways, because of their 65nm die, so I might upgrade to ATI in a while... Now I know not to get the 8800Ultra, but what about which ATI Card? I think I'll edit my thread poll now... If that's possible

Check out toms video section, the reviews of the 4870 and 4850 are there.
 
In order of performance, the rankings are 280 > 4870 > 260 > 4850.  Both the 4870 and the 4850 can outperform the 280/260 from time to time, but that ordering is mostly correct.  (no, the 4850 can't outperform the 280, but it can outdo the 260.)  When you take price into consideration, its no contest.
 
The 280GX2 will probably never come.  The chip is simply to big, and creates to much heat.  (as evidenced by the noise of the card.  They are either using the worst fans known to mankind, or those things are in overdrive trying to remove the heat from that huge chip.)  Perhaps if they shrink the die and downclock it a bit, but we'll have to see how much the shrink helps.
 
Which AMD card depends.  You already have a 9800GTX, so its pretty pointless to get the 4850.  The only bigger AMD card is the 4870.  If you play at a large enough res, then it might make sense for you to get it.  If your at 1680x1050/1600x1200 or lower, then you might as well stay with the 9800GTX.  Is there any reason why you are looking to upgrade your card?  

the only difference that matters lol is the 350 pound 8800 ultra and the 100 pound 9800 GTX so the clear and cheaper more oviace choice is to go for the cheaper unless u are willing to spend out more dosh for a bit better card that was made a year ago. but surely oh surely buy the 9800 GTX+ 128 cores each core running at 1.9 GB or buy the quadro 5600 its 3000 quid but worth what u pay 4 well its 3000 on nvidia website...[#f0ff00][#001ce2][#00e21c][#b80046][#f0000e][#9b0063][#55ff00][#d4ff00][#ffb800][#ff3800]                        :bounce:  uch:  :sarcastic:  :na: