Legit Reviews

Ok so CPU build time is getting closer, Do I go with the 7900, 7950 or do I dump the cash in for the 8800.
From what I understand, we are going to DX 10 early this year and I want a machine that will last a few years, but I really don't want to drop that much on a video card, I am not an intense gamer and really only play online games like EQ and WOW.

So do I need the 8800, and if not how long can I expect to live without it before being forced to the new card since the 7900 and 7950 will not run DX10.

You should be fine without an 8800 most DX10 games will be backwards compatible with DX9. I mean just look at Half-Life 2 it even has support for DX7. You might not be on the bleading edge graphics wise butif you can wait for Q2 or Q3 of 2007 then there will be atleast one lower priced DX10 solution out there.

AMD says they are planning something big for R600 so that might include a comprehensive product line launch instead of just their flagship card in which case you might be able to pick up a budget minded DX10 card in early february. But thats just speculation.

Bottom line is if you wait 2 or 3 months you might not have to drop $400 dollars for a DX10 card.

it should be in fact even cheaper than that will be out since nvidia is planning releasing budget and mainstream dx10 cards (derivative of 8800 cards).

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.

I will not be building untill the first week of March, maybe a week or 2 earlier.
But I have been watching all prices since last July and have a price sheet made up of what I wanted and price changes and seeing if I can get better than what was my original price range per product.

You know that sounded kina geekish...LOL

KingClub wrote:I will not be building untill the first week of March, maybe a week or 2 earlier.
But I have been watching all prices since last July and have a price sheet made up of what I wanted and price changes and seeing if I can get better than what was my original price range per product.

You know that sounded kina geekish...LOL

Sounds like you're on the right path then... While I love my 8800GTS I can't help but thinking I should have waited a few but, speaking of "geekish", I'm one of those "instant gratification" types. Hopefully the 8800 isn't actually a DX10 flop...

DX10 isn't important yet and won't be for a bit but man will it do some really awesome things. I'll be looking to upgrade to one also when the more cards start to surface int eh upper mid range and not only extremely expensive range. However nobody said there is a problem with instant gratification.

I'd go with a G80 series to be future-proof, and if you're planning on building in March, hopefully by then the next G80 cards will have been released and you will have more choice to make your video card decision ;)

Well heres how I look at it, If they become affordable buy build time, I will get one, But if they are still in the super high range I will pass for awile.

Thanks for everyone's input

When are mainstream DirectX 10 cards gonna hit the market?

I am looking for a price drop on current generation cards since I will not be upgrading to Vista. I am badly in a need of an upgrade, however, I don't want to spend big bucks on a card that I can get cheaper a couple months later.

Cyber-
As for the price drops, they will always be happening, but right now is a pretty good time to buy the 7xxx series. Most of the DX9 cards are under 200 bucks right now whether through rebates or whatever, but if you want to hold out, the DX10 midrange cards should be coming out by February or March

cyberneticimplant wrote:When are mainstream DirectX 10 cards gonna hit the market?

I am looking for a price drop on current generation cards since I will not be upgrading to Vista. I am badly in a need of an upgrade, however, I don't want to spend big bucks on a card that I can get cheaper a couple months later.

There will be some cards closer to mainstream coming very soon.

"Nvidia is expected to start volume shipments of its forthcoming G84 and G86 graphics chips, respectively targeting entry-level and mainstream markets, from June, after rolling out them in April. ATI will likely ramp up orders for its 80nm R600 at TSMC from February-March, and 65nm RV610 and RV630 are expected to follow in June-July, the paper added."

I can't wait that long. Hahaha!

Ok what’s the difference between
8800
8800GTS
8800GTX

Why do they all end in a different letters and cost is very different as well between the GTS and GTX

8800 is referring to 8800GTS and 8800GTX. It's just not specifying the model.

GTS, and GTX are different models. GTX being the higher end model.

You can read the Legit Reviews article on the GTS, and GTX.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/413/1/

Prices of NVIDIA DX10 cards

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The 8600 Ultra seems the best deal coz it costs a lot less than the high end cards & still have good specs.The new cards will be launched on (as per nvidia sources) 15th-21st March,Hannover Germany on CeBIT 2007.

naw man pick up the new recertified cards. not as fast as the 8800's but they brang back 7800's!!!! now the thing i hear is that they can be updated to dx 10. here

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814130077

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... rchInDesc=

Um, no to the DX10 updating thing. If it's not built in, there's no support.

I'll be buying the G80 when they will become cheap & with less bugs.Maybe i'll go with a 8600 Ultra coz that will be a very sweet deal.

I'll be getting a DX10 card when DX10 is actually out and Vista gets better, if it does