TR Forums

I'm planning on getting a 8800GTS, but I'm still uncertain whether this is a good jump in performance to be worthy of investment... I kept thinking, Nvidia might launch the 89xx series and maybe even a GTS version of that so it will be even a better bargain... Thoughts?

I went from a 7900GT to an 8800GTS 640MB card and the speed jump is very noticeable. IQ on the 8800GTS blows away the 7900GT. You could wait but it might be awhile.

Volt mod your 7900GT, if you kill it then buy an 8800

If you want better DX9 performance, IQ and budget isn't a pressing concern. 8800GTS 640MB is a viable option.

7900GT isn't exactly a slouch by any means. DX10 will not matter until 2009 at earliest where the 8800GT will most likely be long in the tooth.

NeRve wrote:

I'm still uncertain whether this is a good jump in performance to be worthy of investment...

Well, do you really really love Oblivion and play it every day? If so, then it might be worth it, HDR+AA+AF is so tasty.
If not, then personally I would say no. True, the 8800 is a lot faster than a 7900. But the 7900 isn't chopped liver, it can run almost any game with good resolution and quality settings at comfortable framerates.

Thoughts?

IMHO it's crazy to buy graphics cards less than a full generation apart. Unless you literally have more money than you know what to do with. Wait for 8800 Mark II or whatever.

Later this year/early next will bring faster cards like the revised R600 and the new Nvidias. I'd wait until then personally

Ok, this rant is not directed at you, Nerve, more about computer enthusiasts in general, because I've heard other people talk about "investing" in a computer: Computers are not an investment. Investments are things that give you a return, either in monetary gain or fulfillment of needs. You can invest in stocks, a house, or your child's education. Unless your work needs a top end rig at home, your computer doesn't give return. They are expenditures whose value depreciates to zero very quickly.

Computer games are entertainment. You don't ever say, "I'm going to invest $12.50 in that movie," right? Just because we use our computers every day, it doesn't put a $500 graphics card or cpu in a different category. Buy them if you can afford it, sure, but I know too many people who eat ramen every day to support a hardware habit. And that stuff's got no nutritional value.

NO investing is anything you spend money on

Klyith wrote:

Ok, this rant is not directed at you, Nerve, more about computer enthusiasts in general, because I've heard other people talk about "investing" in a computer: Computers are not an investment. Investments are things that give you a return, either in monetary gain or fulfillment of needs. You can invest in stocks, a house, or your child's education. Unless your work needs a top end rig at home, your computer doesn't give return. They are expenditures whose value depreciates to zero very quickly.

Computer games are entertainment. You don't ever say, "I'm going to invest $12.50 in that movie," right? Just because we use our computers every day, it doesn't put a $500 graphics card or cpu in a different category. Buy them if you can afford it, sure, but I know too many people who eat ramen every day to support a hardware habit. And that stuff's got no nutritional value.

A valid argument but that doesn't negate the fact that one shouldn't upgrade every time a new card comes out.

Klyith wrote:

NeRve wrote:

I'm still uncertain whether this is a good jump in performance to be worthy of investment...

Well, do you really really love Oblivion and play it every day? If so, then it might be worth it, HDR+AA+AF is so tasty.
If not, then personally I would say no. True, the 8800 is a lot faster than a 7900. But the 7900 isn't chopped liver, it can run almost any game with good resolution and quality settings at comfortable framerates.

Thoughts?

IMHO it's crazy to buy graphics cards less than a full generation apart. Unless you literally have more money than you know what to do with. Wait for 8800 Mark II or whatever.

Running Oblivion with HDR is incredible. I have personal experience going from a non-HDR card to a HDR capable card and it is definitely worth it.

I'm in the same boat. I have a x1900xt 512 and I really want a 8800GTS 640. I've decided to wait until either newer cards come out or a new game requires me too, which could happen since I have a 24" LCD.

dolemitecomputers wrote:

Klyith wrote:

NeRve wrote:

I'm still uncertain whether this is a good jump in performance to be worthy of investment...

Well, do you really really love Oblivion and play it every day? If so, then it might be worth it, HDR+AA+AF is so tasty.
If not, then personally I would say no. True, the 8800 is a lot faster than a 7900. But the 7900 isn't chopped liver, it can run almost any game with good resolution and quality settings at comfortable framerates.

Thoughts?

IMHO it's crazy to buy graphics cards less than a full generation apart. Unless you literally have more money than you know what to do with. Wait for 8800 Mark II or whatever.

Running Oblivion with HDR is incredible. I have personal experience going from a non-HDR card to a HDR capable card and it is definitely worth it.

The 7900GT can run HDR. It just cant run HDR+AA.

Definitely wait. Your 7900GT should hold you for another year. Play any game you get over the next year on the 7900GT, and then play them all again on a new card and enjoy the difference. And by the the state of DX10 will have matured quite a bit, in terms of both hardware and software.

I have a dual 7800GTX SLI setup. From what I gather the 7800GTX is fairly close in performance to 7900GT. Do you guys think it's a bad idea to go dual 8800GT 320s?

Synchromesh wrote:

I have a dual 7800GTX SLI setup. From what I gather the 7800GTX is fairly close in performance to 7900GT. Do you guys think it's a bad idea to go dual 8800GT 320s?

See my previous post.

Yes I was actually thinking this too;

I have a 7900 GTX 512 MB, should I upgrade or just keep this card and wait till next gen?