Help in choosing graphics card/s

[Smills]

I am purchasing a new computer in a couple of weeks (the one in my sig).

I have everything figured out apart from the graphics cards. This has become a real frustration to me. I want the maximum power I can get, but I also don't want to just throw money away (ie 2 9800GX2's). I was thinking of getting a low-end graphics card for now and waiting till the new generation come out of both Nvidia and ATI. The problem with that is that I then have to suffer with similar results as to what I am getting now for another 6 months. All the while the rest of my hardware would be getting more and more obsolete.

I am really at a loss as to what to do. It seems like a fairly good time to buy a CPU with the 45nm Core 2's having just been released. The motherboards out at the moment are very good. The RAM is fine. Everything else, really, is fine. My only gripe is the graphics cards.

Your opinions would be greatly appreciated. As you can hear I am very torn between several different options.

Basically, just think what you would do in my situation.

Regards,

Smills

 

[Brooksie]

What about a 3870x2?

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=752979

Or if your money is a bit more on a budget may I suggest a 8800GT/GTS 512mb

 

[markkleb]

what GPU are you using now?

 

[Smills]

What about a 3870x2?

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=752979

Or if your money is a bit more on a budget may I suggest a 8800GT/GTS 512mb

I could, but really, an 8800 Ultra offers more consistent performance than the 3870X2. Also, I am looking more along the lines of SLI, Tri-SLI or Quad-SLI, or just waiting for the next gen.

Basically, I want a significantly faster computer than my current old, slow one (Athlon X2, 8800GT, 2GB RAM).

The problem I can see is that I was origionally going to wait till the 9800GX2 came out and get 2 of those. I now realise that may not be the best of ideas value wise since almost no games will get a boost out of quad-SLI and in fact I could probably get more overall performance with 8800GTS 512 SLI (which I would like to have something more powerful than).

 

[markkleb]

I could, but really, an 8800 Ultra offers more consistent performance than the 3870X2.

For almost double the price its just a little better, and the 3870 X2 is only gonna get better with newer drivers.

If you already have a 8800GT why are you saying you want to get a low end card?

 

[Smills]

For almost double the price its just a little better, and the 3870 X2 is only gonna get better with newer drivers.

If you already have a 8800GT why are you saying you want to get a low end card?

I want to get the highest possible end I can but without wasting money. 2 9800GX2's is wasting money.

The 8800GT I currently have is on my old computer that I am keeping fully intact for lanning. While it can't play the latest games very well it is still usable for lanning for if I have a mate over that doesn't bring a computer, for instance. Basically my old computer's components are not relevant to my new computer.

Also, I am planning on getting an SLI motherboard not a Crossfire motherboard, so really, an ATI card is not going to work so well because it limits my upgrades.

I may just go for Tri-SLI 8800GTX's since they are only $650 AUD each now. As opposed to ultras, which are $999.

 

[markkleb]

Have you read any reviews on Tri SLI? (waste of money)

Did you just say a 8800GT dosent play the latest games very well? Lol, I am happy with my 8600GTs.

 

[Smills]

Have you read any reviews on Tri SLI? (waste of money)

Did you just say a 8800GT dosent play the latest games very well? Lol, I am happy with my 8600GTs.

Well, each to their own I guess. I like to play games on the highest possible settings. Something I just cannot do on my old system (The 8800GT is good value but severely lacking in power). Games like Crysis kill pretty much everything. I was hoping to play Crysis on very high at 1920x1200. I realize this is next to impossible with the current sad state of graphics cards but I heard that Tri-SLI had successfully achieved Crysis on very high at a playable frame-rate.

 

[markkleb]

If tri sli is your thing maybe a 30" will better suit you. I have a couple friends with Tri Ultras and they arent so happy.

Not to mention the horrible cooling by stuffing the cards so close together.

(this is Riches Skulltrail rig)

 

[Smills]

Wow, now that is a nice set-up. As to the 30". Nah, the resolution on those is just rediculous. That is just going to significantly drag down my framerates. I am happy with a 24". It is a good mix between size and clarity.

And yeah, I am aware there are issues with Tri-SLI. Really, I have no idea what I am going to do. I might just wait it out until early march when the reviews of the 9800GX2 will start coming out. If it does alright in Quad-SLI, I might just get 2 of those. If not, I might just get 3 8800's or even 2.

Thanks for the help anyway.

 

[markkleb]

Not really help, just my opinion.

One thing I have noticed about SLI over Crossfire is there seems to be a lot less probs with the SLI (both reg and Tri)

I would like to use 3 or 4 3850s in my SFF case (add to that the MSI mobo probs) but am to worried the drivers will be a mess.

 

[Slatter]

Hiyall,

I was wondering if you guys could help me decide as well.

I have a Samsung 22" at 1680x1050 and don't intend to change it any time soon. What would be the best card for me 9800GX2 or the 3870X2?

I will also be getting the E8400 on a Maximus Formula or Striker 2 depending on which card i get. Quad GPU is not planned anytime soon either.

Please Help....

 

[firefly]

Well the GX2 is the better card, though it runs hot so good airflow will be important.

But at that resolution you should be fine with a cheaper card, such as a GTX, or a 8800GT which can be picked up rather cheaply.

Be aware that there are new cards due out around July - so if you spend a lot on a GX2 you may regret it then.