Upgrade Considerations

[darkerice]

Hello,

I am considering upgrading my 7900 GTO with something with a bit more kick. I only game at 1280x1024 but like anyone else, maximum quality with at least 2xAA or 4xAA with 16xAF.

I have played the BioShock and Airborne demos. They ran okay without the AA and AF, but once those were put on, they ran....but a bit pokey. By pokey, I mean slowdowns and chugging parts, it just wasn't too smooth.

I have been looking at the cards available, and I want to stick with Nvidia. I have seen the 8800 GTS 640MB, 8800 GTX, and 8800 Ultra, as well as various factory overclocked models. Would it be worth it to go to the GTX or Ultra for the time being or would a 8800 GTS suffice?

If I go to 8800 GTX, I believe I would need a bigger PSU, as I plan to add another hard disk in the near future, but I am thinking the 8800 GTS would be okay with it.

Thanks for your help.

 

[gtsing]

For the resolution you play at the 8800GTS 320MB card would be a really good choice. I wouldn't bother with factory overclocked models because you can just overclock it yourself and save yourself some bucks. But yeah, at 1280x1024 a 8800GTS would do really well. As for the 640 version and the GTX. You won't see ANY performance gain by getting the 640 version over the 320. If you were to get the GTX I don't think your power supply should have a problem. It's pretty high quality, you'd just have to see the Amps it puts out. The minimum recommendation for a GTX is 450W and a power supply with a combined rating of 28Amps on the 12 Volt Rail(s). You'd be happy with either the 8800GTS 320 or the GTX it's just up to you if you want to plunk down the cash for the GTX and be set for a while.

EDIT As far as brands go I'd go with eVGA because they have the set-up program which will allow you to upgrade to future cards without spending the full amount and they usually have the cheapest (don't worry they're high quality) plus a lifetime warranty. If you don't like eVGA for some reason then go with XFX.

 

[darkerice]

Thanks for the reply. If I do go GTX alot of people were telling me that my PSU wouldn't cut it. While I could upgrade, this PSU of mine has not let me down, and its run everything I have listed above including 2 optical drives and a bunch of USB drives and devices. The big reason why I don't want to upgrade the PSU right now is mostly due to the size of the newer PSUs, they are just so long, and in my P182 Case, I would have to remove the lower fan and do some rewiring.

 

[AzN]

GTX doesn't need more than 500 watts. Especially a quality one like yours. You shouldn't have trouble running it.

320meg gts sucks if you want AA. I think you can easily add AA and AF with 640meg GTS but if you have money go for a GTX. I think you already made up your mind.

 

[daveybrat]

Originally posted by: Azn
GTX doesn't need more than 500 watts. Especially a quality one like yours. You shouldn't have trouble running it.

320meg gts sucks if you want AA. I think you can easily add AA and AF with 640meg GTS but if you have money go for a GTX. I think you already made up your mind.

A 320MB will not be any different than a 640MB 8800 for him. He only has a 19" lcd and runs his games at 1280x1024.

You should be able to run all games maxed out with an 8800GTS 320MB.

Unless you have money burning a hole in your pocket, then go for the 640MB i guess.

 

[AzN]

Originally posted by: daveybrat

Originally posted by: Azn
GTX doesn't need more than 500 watts. Especially a quality one like yours. You shouldn't have trouble running it.

320meg gts sucks if you want AA. I think you can easily add AA and AF with 640meg GTS but if you have money go for a GTX. I think you already made up your mind.

A 320MB will not be any different than a 640MB 8800 for him. He only has a 19" lcd and runs his games at 1280x1024.

You should be able to run all games maxed out with an 8800GTS 320MB.

Unless you have money burning a hole in your pocket, then go for the 640MB i guess.

Not with the latest games he won't. Have you tried WIC? 320meg version gets pummeled in that game. http://www.guru3d.com/article/Videocards/459/5/

http://www.firingsquad.com/har..._performance/page4.asp

Call of Juarez. Bioshock with AA as well. Extra video ram helps even @ 1280x1024.

 

[darkerice]

I think I will go for a GTX then...I have the money to spare, and there are some good rebates out there for a few of the BFG and XFX models.

So I shouldn't run into any PSU issues then? Thats good, even with another hard disk, as I really didn't want to invest in an Enermax Galaxy or Infiniti 720 watt at this time. Enermax is the only brand I have used, and I stick with what works.

 

[AzN]

BFG OC Version requirements. You should check your power supply to be sure you have 32A. Make sure you have 2 PCI-E connector or 4 molex connectors.

A 475W PCI Express-compliant system power supply with a combined 12V current rating of 32A or more*
Two 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors
-or-
Four 4-pin Molex power connectors
Minimum system power requirement based on a typical PC configured with an Intel Core2 Extreme X6800 processor

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Maybe it would make more sense to wait for the next line of cards to come out? After all, a 7900 GTO to 8800 GTS is only a one-generation upgrade. On the other hand, he can probably get $150 for the 7900 GTO on eBay.

 

[bryanW1995]

have you played either one of those retail versions? I ask b/c I just left my buddy's house. He was playing airborne on his e6600 @3.2 with x1900 xtx (cf master card but whatever, it's not in xfire) on 1440x900. He told me that he didn't have all the details cranked to max, but JESUS CHRIST that looked awesome. Try getting the full retail versions of those games first before blowing $500 on a card that will be obsolete in a few months. Realistically, at 1440x900 you would be much better served with either the upcoming 2900 pro or an 8800 gts 320 (esp if 2900 pro knocks down the price ). One of the things keeping from getting a 24/30" monitor is the absolute need to have a $300+ video card to run newer games at reasonable details and fps. Unless you're getting one of those soon don't throw away the money.

 

[darkerice]

Thanks for all the information, I decided to take the plunge and picked up a BFG 8800 GTS OC2 640MB. It runs just fine with my Enermax Liberty, and its quite the improvement on the 7900 GTO. This card was about the same price as the EVGA stock GTS, and cheaper than the XFX and Asus models. I decided to step up to 640MB for the extra memory, and I just didn't want to drop from 512MB to 320MB.

Also, its easy on the PSU compared to a GTX, drives 1280x1024 just fine, and its the same length as my 7900 GTO so I didn't have to move my 1 HDD to the 5.25" bays via bracket. $30 dollar rebate as well!

Airborne demo runs great now, no hiccups. Bioshock demo runs great as well. Some of my older games play better as well, including NFS Carbon, and FEAR.