by DaddyRabbit » Sat Jan 06, 2007 5:09 pm
While I splurged on an 8800 GTS, and I'm lovin it (HL2 @ 1600x1200, 4x and 16x, full HDR, avg ~230 FPS and it's gorgeuos except for the occasional fog problem). I would say get the cheapest DX9 card that will make you happy for a few months the buy a DX10 part.
Depending on the cost difference the 8800 GTS performs roughly in line with the GX2 as far as I've read but with DX10 compatibility and much better IQ than the DX9 parts (or even ATI for the moment, and I am an ATI "ho" since the GeForce 4 days mainly because of IQ). The GTX is 20+ % faster than the GTS but 20% more expensive as well.
But, since I rambled on and then just re-read the original post "I am not an intense gamer and really only play online games like EQ and WOW." I'd go with a 7900GT or X1950 pro for the moment. Even though DX10 is guestimated for Q1/Q2 2007 games will probably not start hitting much till holiday next year (Crysis and Hellgate London will both support DX10 I believe, and, of course, Halo2 for PC). That gives you plenty of "price drop" and "bugs worked out" time, spend the extra cash on a better CPU or more RAM.
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