Video Card upgrade feedback...

Singular Intellect · Post by **Singular Intellect** » 2008-09-28 12:22am

I'm currently looking into upgrading my video card for my computer system and would greatly appreciate any feedback on options.

Currently I'm sporting a eVGA e-GeForce 8800GTX SC 768MB, and I'm looking around to see what kind of card would qualify as a significant upgrade. I'm also looking into SLI technology, and I'm interested in going at least for a dual video card system.

Any recommendations, hints or suggestions?

Joviwan · Post by **Joviwan** » 2008-09-28 12:58am

I've heard a lot of good things about the RAdeon 4870. But to be perfectly honest, do you really need an upgrade? You've got a 700 meg 8800. When did that stop being pretty decent? When the 9600 came out?

Seggybop · Post by **Seggybop** » 2008-09-28 01:39am

Is there any game that your current video card is actually having difficulty with?

You should also post some additional info like your motherboard / CPU so we know about compatibility and potential bottlenecks. Also, what is your budget?

If you want SLI and you have an SLI compatible motherboard then your best choice would probably be to simply get another 8800GTX; they're not very expensive anymore.

Singular Intellect · Post by **Singular Intellect** » 2008-09-28 12:16pm

Joviwan wrote:I've heard a lot of good things about the RAdeon 4870. But to be perfectly honest, do you really need an upgrade?

Honestly, probably not, but I can afford to get one and I'm looking into doing so. I would like to see a significant performance boost in Crysis for example.

You've got a 700 meg 8800. When did that stop being pretty decent? When the 9600 came out?

I got my 8800 shortly before the 9800 came out, but from what I heard and read the 9800 just wasn't that worth it (especially it's cooling features). I'm not saying my current one isn't a decent card, it's a great card. I'm just looking around to see if there is any aside from the 9800 series that are significantly better and worth getting, particularily in a SLI configuration.

My first instinct is simply to get another GTX, perhaps even two if priced right, but I'm having trouble finding them around...

Seggybop wrote:Is there any game that your current video card is actually having difficulty with?

Aside from lower FPS with Crysis than I'd like, none that I'm aware of. I admit I'm spoiling myself a bit here, but I'd rather do it now than try later when I clamp down on my funds when the economic shit hits the fan.

You should also post some additional info like your motherboard / CPU so we know about compatibility and potential bottlenecks. Also, what is your budget?

You're right, I should've posted my system speces. Here they are:

Motherboard: eVGA nForce 780i SLI ATX
CPU: Intel Core2 Due E8400 3.00GHz 6MB
RAM: 4GB OCZ 2GB PC2-9200 DDR2
Video: eVGA e-GeForce 8800GTX SC 768MB
Power Supply: ANTEC TruePower Quattro 1000 Watt

In my estimation, the only 'bottleneck' in system performance at this point is the video card, and I'm not saying it's a bad card. I'm just looking into how I could improve it.

I'm looking to spend around $500, either for another GTX or a better pair of video cards if possible.

If you want SLI and you have an SLI compatible motherboard then your best choice would probably be to simply get another 8800GTX; they're not very expensive anymore.

That's my first instinct as well; I'm just having trouble finding them. The store I typically buy my components from doesn't seem to carry them anymore, so I'll have to look around a bit.

Braedley · Post by **Braedley** » 2008-09-28 12:39pm

In my opinion, you have three options:
1: Do nothing. The only thing that you say is hurting is your Crysis FPS. You're still doing pretty damn good if you're getting more than 25 FPS (which I assume you are).
2: SLI your current card. If you are going to upgrade, this is the way I'd go. Be aware though, that unless you're running a 64 bit version of Windows, nearly half your ram will become useless.
3: Upgrade to a 9800. There's more future potential in this than 2, but it's also more expensive at present and less total processing power than 2. And it may not improve your FPS all that much.

Fingolfin_Noldor · Post by **Fingolfin_Noldor** » 2008-09-28 12:47pm

A 9800GTX isn't going to be a tremendous upgrade over his 8800GTX. He is either better off waiting for whatever comes out end of the year, or the next. Or, if he really insists, grab the GeForce 280 or something of the like.

Nephtys · Post by **Nephtys** » 2008-09-28 01:53pm

Why on Earth are you upgrading now? The 8800 was super top of the line barely two years ago. Given that I run most games just fine with a freaking 6800 (though that's pushing it), I can't imagine a need to upgrade now.

What games are you trying to play? If you really need more power, I want to know what kind of time machine you use to buy PC games.

Singular Intellect · Post by **Singular Intellect** » 2008-09-28 02:46pm

Braedley wrote:In my opinion, you have three options:
1: Do nothing. The only thing that you say is hurting is your Crysis FPS. You're still doing pretty damn good if you're getting more than 25 FPS (which I assume you are).
2: SLI your current card. If you are going to upgrade, this is the way I'd go. Be aware though, that unless you're running a 64 bit version of Windows, nearly half your ram will become useless.
3: Upgrade to a 9800. There's more future potential in this than 2, but it's also more expensive at present and less total processing power than 2. And it may not improve your FPS all that much.

Sounds like option 2 is the best, if I do decide to upgrade. And I am running 64 bit Windows, hence the RAM. Not much point in getting that much unless you can actually use it.

Fingolfin_Noldor wrote:A 9800GTX isn't going to be a tremendous upgrade over his 8800GTX. He is either better off waiting for whatever comes out end of the year, or the next. Or, if he really insists, grab the GeForce 280 or something of the like.

I'll look into the 280 and see what it's about. I noticed it at Future Shop, but I prefer to do online investigating before even considering buying a new component. Hence all this poke my fellow SDNers for opinions on top of my personal efforts.

Nephtys wrote: Why on Earth are you upgrading now? The 8800 was super top of the line barely two years ago. Given that I run most games just fine with a freaking 6800 (though that's pushing it), I can't imagine a need to upgrade now.

Well, the general consensus right now seems to be either buy another GTX, or don't bother. That is why I asked my fellow computer geeks here, to see what my options are, or if I should even make the effort right now...

What games are you trying to play? If you really need more power, I want to know what kind of time machine you use to buy PC games.

Well, aside from Crysis which is more just me being greedy for FPS, I simply cannot complain about playing any games.

Seems like the best idea so far is either don't bother or just get another GTX for a cheap price if I find one.

My only other idea at the moment is maybe get a newer card (like the GeForce 280) with SLI for a performance boost over my current card.

Seggybop · Post by **Seggybop** » 2008-09-28 03:27pm

In Crysis, depending on your resolution, you may see a greater benefit from overclocking your CPU than upgrading your GPU. When I changed my CPU from an e2180 @ 3.5ghz to an e8400 @ 4ghz there was a significant increase in FPS.

I have seen 8800GTX selling for as low as $120 US on various sites, but I'm not sure how pricing is in Canada. You could even get two of them and run tri-SLI, if you have enough power. SLI with >2 GPUs doesn't have as consistent a benefit though.

If you can't find one for close to that price, there are a lot of alternatives if you've got $500.

A GTX 280 is around $400, while a GTX 260 is $250. 2x GTX 260 for SLI would be a better deal.

It's unfortunate that you have an nvidia 780i motherboard, since ATI cards are the best deal currently. You could get a 4870X2 for $500 and have the best single card, but all the extra money spent on the SLI motherboard would have been wasted using only one card. If you had a p45/x38/x48 motherboard you could have used 4850 crossfire for very good price/performance.

Darth Mall · Post by **Darth Mall** » 2008-09-28 04:52pm

Bubble Boy wrote:
You should also post some additional info like your motherboard / CPU so we know about compatibility and potential bottlenecks. Also, what is your budget?
You're right, I should've posted my system speces. Here they are:

Motherboard: eVGA nForce 780i SLI ATX
CPU: Intel Core2 Due E8400 3.00GHz 6MB
RAM: 4GB OCZ 2GB PC2-9200 DDR2
Video: eVGA e-GeForce 8800GTX SC 768MB
Power Supply: ANTEC TruePower Quattro 1000 Watt

In my estimation, the only 'bottleneck' in system performance at this point is the video card, and I'm not saying it's a bad card. I'm just looking into how I could improve it.

I'm looking to spend around $500, either for another GTX or a better pair of video cards if possible.

I'm currently running a E8500 at 3.9GHz, and a ATI HD at full overclock 4870, a more powerful rig than you, and i am only getting about 25 fps in crysis at max specs when alot of stuff is going on. What exactly are you getting that is so bad?

I think the 4870 is great, but be careful, the stock heatsink sucks, and it runs hot as hell. I was at about 50-60*C idle and up to 70 at full load, and with an aftermarket cooler I'm at about 40*C idle and 50 ish full load. I got a thermalright t-rad2. It looks pretty sweet too.

So if you are getting about 25 fps when a bunch of stuff is going on, it probably won't do to much if you upgrade.