HD3870, 8800GT, 8800GTS...

[Cloudium]

I'm looking for a card to last me two years on high settings in the first months, then medium for the rest of the time periode. Then I will upgrade again to a new series. Of course, I don't want to spend too much money on the upgrade so I have more money to upgrade latter. I'm also willing to OC, as long as it doesn't involve getting a whole new cooler to my GPU. I won't be going SLI/CF and I'm going a X38 based board.

I'm going to get the 520W Corsair PSU which will more than enough for any of these cards. One thing though, do you think it will be enough for the post R700 and 9000 series? I'm only going to get a midrange card, not some power eating monster such as the current GTX, HD2900 or Ultra....

Thanks in advance.

 

[imported_Section8]

I would not go with the 8800 GTS unless you can find it cheap, less than $250.00. The 8800 GT or HD3870 will do you fine. Just get which ever is the least costly. On the PSU, not all are created equal. Look at the amps on the 12v rails and refer to the video card web site or on these forums for the answer. That said, if you go for a good name brand like Enermax, a 520w should be fine.

 

[RussianSensation]

I would wait until 8800GTS rev 2 is released on December 11th. 8800GT sells for the most part way above MSRP. Therefore if 8800GTS comes in at $299, it will make a lot more sense to get that card instead. However, if you find HD 3870 for around $220, that represents great value as well.

As far as the 520 Watt Corsair, it's a good PSU and will most likely let you power even 2 8800GTs cards. It's difficult to say what GF9 or R700 will consume though.

You can also consider OCZ GameXStream 700 Watt for $100 net of MIR

The 520 Watt corsair can be had for $100 or so at Buy.com with New customer google checkout and free shipping.

 

[AzN]

Go with 8800gt. Just try to find it for a decent price than $300. It's 98% of the new 8800gts speeds and a bit faster than 3870.

 

[Syntax Error]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
I would wait until 8800GTS rev 2 is released on December 11th. 8800GT sells for the most part way above MSRP. Therefore if 8800GTS comes in at $299, it will make a lot more sense to get that card instead. However, if you find HD 3870 for around $220, that represents great value as well.

Yeah right.

But I would agree going ATI if you can't find any deals on the 8800GT, or if the 8800GTS won't come out at $299. At $220, it'll have better price value, as opposed to the tremendous value of the 8800GT, which is marred due to the higher prices due to lack of supply.

 

[Skott]

I think you'll be fine with the Corsair HX520w psu. If you are worried about the future just step up to the Corsair HX620w psu. It should be more than plenty.

 

[Skott]

Sorry, double post.

 

[fd9]

Originally posted by: Syntax Error

But I would agree going ATI if you can't find any deals on the 8800GT, or if the 8800GTS won't come out at $299. At $220, it'll have better price value, as opposed to the tremendous value of the 8800GT, which is marred due to the higher prices due to lack of supply.

Give me a break, you'll be lucky to find a 3870 in stock, much less for $220!

 

[ronnn]

I recommend waiting a couple of weeks. Supply of all these cards has made for prices that will drop quickly when they hit the shelves.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: fd9

Originally posted by: Syntax Error

But I would agree going ATI if you can't find any deals on the 8800GT, or if the 8800GTS won't come out at $299. At $220, it'll have better price value, as opposed to the tremendous value of the 8800GT, which is marred due to the higher prices due to lack of supply.

Give me a break, you'll be lucky to find a 3870 in stock, much less for $220!

Fair enough. However, if you look around, you can still find great deals out there like $210 700mhz clocked 512mb 3850

 

[Gikaseixas]

Originally posted by: ronnn
I recommend waiting a couple of weeks. Supply of all these cards has made for prices that will drop quickly when they hit the shelves.

what he said

 

[bryanW1995]

if possible, you should wait until january to get the vid card. there is simply no availability at reasonable prices on either 3870 or 8800gt. 8800gt is about 15% faster and represents a great value if you buy it for the suggested msrp of 200-250, but as many have posted, good luck finding one for that right now. 275-325 is more likely on one that is in stock right now. 3870 is a decent value at 220, but again is mostly 250+.

if you have to upgrade right now then that 3850 mentioned earlier at 210 is probably the best bang for buck card right now. if you can wait 4-6 weeks then you should be able to get 3870 or 8800gt for well below $250.

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: Syntax Error

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
I would wait until 8800GTS rev 2 is released on December 11th. 8800GT sells for the most part way above MSRP. Therefore if 8800GTS comes in at $299, it will make a lot more sense to get that card instead. However, if you find HD 3870 for around $220, that represents great value as well.

Yeah right.

But I would agree going ATI if you can't find any deals on the 8800GT, or if the 8800GTS won't come out at $299. At $220, it'll have better price value, as opposed to the tremendous value of the 8800GT, which is marred due to the higher prices due to lack of supply.

You can now preorder the 8800WTF (8800GTS v3) 512MB version for 470$ on some website.
Atrocious price really. I don't know what they are thinking...

 

[Wolfstan]

All this price and availability bullshit has got me pretty indecisive about what to buy and who from.

I just want a good mid-range card for a mid-range price. Is that so much to ask for? :[

 

[Syntax Error]

Low supply, high demand = high prices. You've been screwed by market forces, my friend!

 

[bryanW1995]

nvidia has done a masterful job of stealing amd's thunder with the 3870 release. the only thing is that nvidia severely underestimated demand b/c amd still seems to be selling all that they can make of their cards, too.