So, plumping for a nice big upgrade. Whether to go AMD or whether to go Intel Core Duo - that used to be the question.

However, today (and for the past week), it's actually GFX cards that are making my head (and wallet) hurt.

Here's the thinking. DirectX 10 compliance, so an 8000 series nVidia surely?

But prices, performance and more. Originally i was opting for this one, at £134 (which I thought was stretching the budget as far as reasonable).
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(17160)XFX-GeForce-8600-GTS-256MB-DDR3-PCIE-DVI--675mhz.aspx

However, after doing last minute review reading, it's apparent that the limited 128-bits width of memory interface (I know NOTHING about it) when compared to the 8800 GTS versions. Naturally, they're more expensive, but apparently can get miles better FPS at around £180 quid (when in stock :/).
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(16579)INNO3D-GeForce-8800-GTS-320MB-DDR3-PCIE-HDTV.aspx

But now we are moving up to the stratosphere in price tags (for me, anyways). £180 nicker is coming close to double the price of a x1950 Pro (which does well, but isn't directX 10 compatible).
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(15335)Sapphire-Radeon-X1950PRO-256MB-DDR3-PCIE.aspx


So the question is, what's best value for the buck? I hate upgrading, to give you an indication - my gfx card is still a 9800 Radeon Pro 128Mb. It's a great card, but it can no longer service me in the por... games department.

So - what's best? Should i just buy a "fill in" card, to last a few years - like perhaps 18 months?
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(17156)XpertVision-GeForce-8600-GT-256MB-DDR3-PCIE.aspx

That's a cheap card, and it's been given a fairly good review (comparable to the 8600 GTS?)
http://www.guru3d.com/article/Videocards/426/

Or should I splash out over a TON more on a higher end card, hoping that I don't have to upgrade for 3-4 years instead?


I can read damned reviews all day long (actually, they're not that easy to find suddenly :/) but they only seem to pull you towards buying the top end cards. Reading forums, people seem to be right snobby barstewards as well, and if they can't get 100fps on the highest settings, then a card isn't worth squat... and they'll happily fork out £300 to just see that extra 20fps, or setting of AA.

I've got X3, Darkstar One, Space Force:Rogue Universe - all waiting to be played in their full graphics settings, and I can't really think of any amazing games that may come out which i hunger for (unless anyone knows of some awesome space sims upcoming?).

So, any advice from "normal" peeps is welcomed


Oh, and the annoying thing - PSU's.

What's actually powerful enough? Looking at this one, but when I check out the "rails" for 12V, it always seems LOW to me:
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(11448)Antec-NeoHE-550W-Modular-ATX20-EPS12V-PSU.aspx

Would that be good enough to power any of the above mentioned cards?
Trying to build a rig, hoping to keep price low as possible...


The rest of the system:
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInf ... ctID=14002 (AMD 4800)
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInf ... ctID=14050 (Asus M2N)
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInf ... ctID=14777 (2Gb Giel)

Also seagate drive, a dvd burner etc.

firstly intel core duo gofasterstripeoptionalextraftw!

which one is entirely upto you, personally i'm after a xeon or two

gfx wise, i'm not that interested in dx10 (will get one when there is a game out there that i really want)
having spent 2 years with an fx5100 and played all the games i have now (apart from bf2) and still play,
personally i dont see much point in upgrading the graphics (currently have the the 7800GTX which i think will last me another year or so)

psu?

easy get an enermax at least 800 watt

dvd drive?

10 a penny

HDD?

get yourself a couple of WD40 Raptors

basically i dont think gfx cards are the 'be all end all' component(?) of a good system, not unless you have a lot of money, then in that case


Dr.Strangelove - not really a gamer

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m
mmmmYou sir, are a swaggering addlepated jackanapes!
m

tbh i didnt read all the above posts but i did see 8600.......dont bother.

get a decent 8800gts 320/640.the 640 will allow for higher res.

and C2D over any amd

Tis all about the budget you see, and since i've heard prices on the CPU's will be slashed again shortly (hopefully), i am not going to buy just yet...

However, budget means budget. I could splash out 300 nicker on a gfx card, but in a year - it'll be worth a ton fifty, and will only give me a few fps more than another one I am unlikely to be buying many new games at all... think the last games i bought were:
Spaceforce Rogue Universe, Darkstar One... erm, hmm. That's it for the past 12 months or so.

That's the reason I ask for input. I won't need to (unless another space sim comes out) run things at 1600 x 1200 with all the trimmings on very intensive games, so fully aware I may not require DX10 compatibility for a while yet... so suggestions to other cards that can run reasonably new games beautifully well are appreciated.

My systems are never for top end gaming, it's about getting as much as I can, for as long as I can... on the tightest budget I can - hence the range / variety I am looking at varies in price from cheapish at £80 all the way to (for me) v. expensive £180. The GFX card, coupled with memory, the bit I know the least about.

p.s I will not get 800W PSU. Don't need it, and don't wish to waste that much electricity either As for WD, they run hot - will stick with Seagate thanks Same for CPU, I won't be spending £150 on a CPU just because it gets higher results. I get what I need to run what I want for the foreseeable future. If it weren't for the fact the mobo would be vastly out of date, I'd stick with my P4 3Ghz instead

a copuple of simple questions:

1) Is there anything that your 1950 cant do that you want it to currently?

2) Do you have or intend to get vista in the next 3-5months?

3) Do you intend to play games where you know the 1950 wont be good enough (or really want DX10 effects)?

if the answer to all of the above is NO then


If the aswer to 1 is Yes


if the answer to 2 is Yes


so all that comes back to, if you must upgrade now, then only one choice 8800. other wise wait for Q3/Q4 this year get the Penryn Cpu (refresh to the C2D with lower power requirements, lower heat and high speeds), even if you dont get a penryn cpu, the old conroe prices will drop like stones and the Gen 2 Dx10 cards, which again will mean cheaper 8800s.

hope that makes some sense

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Designer of the hardware used in BF:2020

^^Learning CS2, dont laugh^^

I haven't got an x1950 at the mo, just a 9800 radeon pro

Well my core 2 dou with a x1950 runs games lie CSS with a more than adequate fps, one of the reasons I never bought anything more powerful GFX wise, not being much of a gamer.

Seasonic M12 PSU's are nice, silent and efficient.

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Ultima Ratio Regum

Tbh, either get the x1950 pro or 7950gt or 8800GTS

cheapest to most expensive, the prices atm are a realistic reflection on how well the cards perform, apart from the 8500/8600 range which is still to expensive cos they suck .

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when its time and your ready to upgrade post your budget on here,that way we can try to get the best bang for your buc

chips buy this months copy of "custom pc" its got a review of about 30 graphics cards at every budget the nvidia gts' either seem to be the cards that they reconmend

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I was ready to upgrade, with budget of £400-500 (preferably 400) now - but then someone posted this:
http://www.techpowerup.com/?31180

and i thought of waiting a little bit longer
Maybe see if i can't overclock the current card (never tried it at all).