7900 GS or DX10 part now

[riversend3]

I am going to start ordering the parts for my next build in about a week or so. Most of the build has been narrowed down (likely Q6600 / P35 board / 2GB DDR2 800 as the backbone), but I have a question about the graphics card. I enjoy gaming, but don't need to have the best graphics running (gameplay elements are what I purchase for, eye candy is just a bonus and I don't get in more than 4-8 hours of gaming in a week). I still enjoy Rome: Total War (ancient, I know) and the next game I purchase is likely to be Medieval2: Total War and expansions, so no real need for DX 10 for games for some time to come.

However, I am considering moving to Windows Vista Home Premium in order to take advantage of some Media Center functionality. I would need a DX 10 part to run the Aero interface, otherwise I don't need a DX 10 card for any other aspect, right? OBTW, I am running a 1680x1050 display. HDTV / HDCP is not all that important to me right now, and likely won't be for a few years.

So, I had been looking at bringing in an 8600GTS or GT as my video card (GTS running from $170-220 depending on OC, GT running from $130-170 depending on OC) until this deal popped up......

Fry's has a BFG 7900GS OC 256MB for 149.99 (with rebate it is only 99.99, can be purchased until 31 August), which seems really tempting. Since I don't really need the DX 10 for some time, would this do well enough at 1680 x 1050 until the next mid-range product line is out, or should I just spend the extra cash to get that mid-range now?

I am sure there is something I am not considering..... any ideas would be great .

RE3

 

[MarcVenice]

7900gs for 99.99$ is a good deal, and blows the 8600gt(s) away in price/performance. In fact, it's almost equaly fast as the 8600gts last time I checked. You do NOT need a dx10 card for the aero interface btw, so dx9 will suite your needs just fine. And a 7900gs will be able to run medieval II: total war kingdoms just fine at that resolution. Btw, I just got a 1680*1050 screen myself, and I love it !!! You'll never want anything less

 

[lament]

7900GS if it truly is $99 after rebate. that's a great price.

ahh.. it is on sale. nice!

 

[Slugbait]

Yeah, the 8600GTS and 7900GS are really close in performance.

Since you said you may want to take advantage of Ultimate's Media Center functionality, then the 8600 GTS is what you want. It is currently the fastest nVidia card that does HDCP, which will enable you to watch HD-DVD or Blu-ray discs at full HD resolution...assuming of course that you also buy the drive to take full advantage of Vista MCE.

It's going to be awhile before you can buy a faster card that does HDCP...so basically you could "retire" the 8600 GTS to a dedicated media center next year (or later), and get a better gaming card that also does HDCP.

Note that you can also go with an 8600 GT in order to get HDCP...however, read carefully, cuz some have it, many don't. Only the GTS will provide HDCP regardless of the manufacturer.

eVGA has a pretty good offering of the 8600GTS: $151 after rebate/shipping.

 

[riversend3]

Thanks for the feedback. :thumbsup: Sounds like I was thinking in the right vein. I won't be purchasing HD-DVD or Blu-Ray drives for at least the next year+, so the HDCP does not matter much. So, sounds like for the money the 7900GS might be the way to go. Then in another cycle of cards I can see how the DX10 chips are falling and figure out if I want to go the full DX10 and HDCP support at that time.

I guess the final thing to do is find someone who is actually running Vista in DX10 and see if it is worth the extra 50ish bucks. (And that EVGA card at $151 is certainly tempting......).

Ahh..... it is good to be looking for hardware right now, seems like you really can't go wrong in any direction.

OBTW, MV, I am enjoying my 1680 x 1050 immensely. I am sure 1920 x 1200 is great, but I'll never be able to afford the hardware to run it even moderately well.

RE3