graphics card for new build (2560x1600)

[Redox]

Although I have been waiting patiently for truly next generation graphics cards to come out, I am at the point where I need to build a new PC (need to pass my existing PC to my daughter as she needs one now). I plan to go with the C2D 8400, 790i MB, Vista etc. for the new build. Gaming performance is a primary consideration.

I use a 30" 2560x1600 display with a single 8800 Ultra currently. Although the card is a year old, reviews of the latest high end product offerings (9800 GTX, 9800 GX2) suggest the 512MB memory/256 bit memory interface is not ideal, especially at 25x16 resolution. As such, I plan to keep my 8800 Ultra for now as the 768 MB memory and 384 bit memory interface still seems to be the best option for now.

The question is, should I consider purchasing a second 8800 ultra for SLI while I can still find one, or take my chances and wait for the as yet unknown G200/48xx cards to come out in the hope that it will offer significantly improved single card performance at 25x16.

Appreciate any thoughts ... thanks.

 

[error8]

The 8800 Ultra is quite the best card to have right now for 2560X1600 gaming, but I don't think SLI is the way to go for the moment, since all the Ultras right now are hard to find and quite expensive. I'd say to wait for the next generation of high end graphic cards, which should be right "around the corner", faster and blessed with directX 10.1 visual effects.

Except Crysis, I don't think there is another good game out there that you can't play it on your Ultra with lots of eye candy on, at your resolution, so no need to change/add anything.

 

[Aberforth]

Originally posted by: error8
Except Crysis, I don't think there is another good game out there that you can't play it on your Ultra with lots of eye candy on, at your resolution, so no need to change/add anything.

Really? Try Flight Simulator X with DX 10 Enabled.

 

[taihuia13]

WAIT for the new cards . Ati should beat the ultra and i bet nvidia will top them.
At least if you wait you wont kick yourself later. Im waiting , and have not picked which camp . Even though my board only able to do crossfire. Nvidia should release one powerfull single card.

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: Aberforth

Originally posted by: error8
Except Crysis, I don't think there is another good game out there that you can't play it on your Ultra with lots of eye candy on, at your resolution, so no need to change/add anything.

Really? Try Flight Simulator X with DX 10 Enabled.

Yes, but Flight Simulator X is not a good game.

 

[Redox]

I have seen an 8800 ultra in the local shop so they are still available but it is $600.

By July I'm pretty sure it will be impossible to find one so I hope by waiting I will have chosen wisely.

It does not seem like Nvida and ATI are catering to the ultra high rez gamers at least based on the latest 256 bit offerings like the 9800 series. The current sweet spot seems to be 1920x1200 for which these cards are just fine but there is a huge difference when you bump up to 25x16.

 

[Tempered81]

wait for triple 9900ultras or triple gt200's. You'll find them in about 45 days.

 

[Aberforth]

Originally posted by: error8

Originally posted by: Aberforth

Originally posted by: error8
Except Crysis, I don't think there is another good game out there that you can't play it on your Ultra with lots of eye candy on, at your resolution, so no need to change/add anything.

Really? Try Flight Simulator X with DX 10 Enabled.

Yes, but Flight Simulator X is not a good game.

Yep, only for those who can't fly an airplane. Not all tom, dick and harry can fly. I didn't expect FPS fans to play it

 

[happy medium]

Sell your ultra on Ebay for big bucks and buy 2 8800gtx's and overclock and sli them. I've seen 8800gtx's in the fs/ft forums for 250/275$ each.
Or play the waiting game for gt200.

Edit ;can't you just buy a 8800gtx (overclock it) and sli it with the ultra?


8800gtx 260.00$

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...key=y&keyword1=8800gtx

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: happy medium
Sell your ultra on Ebay for big bucks and buy 2 8800gtx's and overclock and sli them. I've seen 8800gtx's in the fs/ft forums for 250/275$ each.
Or play the waiting game for gt200.


8800gtx 260.00$

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...key=y&keyword1=8800gtx

This is too much work.

OP:

I'd wait and see what the next month or two have coming based on the rumors we've seen, your Ultra can handle it without AA till then.

Both ATi and NVIDIA supposedly have new cards coming out soon, you can always get another Ultra when you've seen what they both have to offer.

Another 8800Ultra would obviously do the job, but at this point I'd hold off before making that big an investment in it.

 

[happy medium]

nRollo can you sli a gtx with a ultra?

 

[bryanW1995]

he's not going to answer that b/c it plays to one of ati's strengths: nvidia cards have to be EXACTLY THE SAME to sli, ati can crossfire many different gpus together.

 

[happy medium]

If you overclock a 8800gtx to ultra speeds(bios flash?) you should be able to sli. It dosen't matter who manufactures the cards anymore.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: bryanW1995
he's not going to answer that b/c it plays to one of ati's strengths: nvidia cards have to be EXACTLY THE SAME to sli, ati can crossfire many different gpus together.

I'd love to answer that:

1. No, you can't SLi a GTX and an Ultra, only the same models can be SLi'd. I don't know if the bios flash would make a GTX an Ultra, or vice versa.

2. I don't consider it an "advantage" to be able to CF different cards. AFR has to be sychronized, and scaling is reduced when mixing slower cards with faster ones. Your best option is always similar cards. (with the exception of 3870X2+3870)

 

[Redox]

Thanks for the responses. I ordered the parts for the new build today and took the advice to hang on to the ultra for now ... really hoping for a new single card over the coming months to dethrone it.

 

[SlowSpyder]

Originally posted by: nRollo

Originally posted by: bryanW1995
he's not going to answer that b/c it plays to one of ati's strengths: nvidia cards have to be EXACTLY THE SAME to sli, ati can crossfire many different gpus together.

I'd love to answer that:

1. No, you can't SLi a GTX and an Ultra, only the same models can be SLi'd. I don't know if the bios flash would make a GTX an Ultra, or vice versa.

2. I don't consider it an "advantage" to be able to CF different cards. AFR has to be sychronized, and scaling is reduced when mixing slower cards with faster ones. Your best option is always similar cards. (with the exception of 3870X2+3870)

Yea, having the flexability to add different cards is totally not an advantage at all.

Right now I'm running a 2900Pro, when the next cards come out it may push the prices of 3870's way down. I consider that a huge plus to be able to add a 3870 to my 2900 Pro if I choose to.

 

[OCGuy]

not that hard to find...NE has them for $519, and there are some on EVGA's website

 

[jkresh]

if you are willing to be nvidia's card will be out within 90 days (and continue to be better then amd/ati's best) then why not just get an evga ultra to sli while you wait, and trade up when the new card is out. I am still running a 7800gtx (should have gone with an 8800gtx when it first came out but I wanted another real leap and there hasnt been one), have a 30" monitor coming in this week and trying to decide between waiting 2months with my 7800gtx or picking up a 9800gtx/gx2 or even 8800gt and trading up in July.

 

[Extelleron]

If I had an 8800 Ultra at this point, I'd sell it on eBay and buy some real cheap card to wait it out until R700/GT200 cards comes out. With the kind of price you can get for the Ultra, you could probably get an HD 4870 X2 or GT200 when they come out for not much more cash.

 

[bryanW1995]

Originally posted by: SlowSpyder

Originally posted by: nRollo

Originally posted by: bryanW1995
he's not going to answer that b/c it plays to one of ati's strengths: nvidia cards have to be EXACTLY THE SAME to sli, ati can crossfire many different gpus together.

I'd love to answer that:

1. No, you can't SLi a GTX and an Ultra, only the same models can be SLi'd. I don't know if the bios flash would make a GTX an Ultra, or vice versa.

2. I don't consider it an "advantage" to be able to CF different cards. AFR has to be sychronized, and scaling is reduced when mixing slower cards with faster ones. Your best option is always similar cards. (with the exception of 3870X2+3870)

Yea, having the flexability to add different cards is totally not an advantage at all.

Right now I'm running a 2900Pro, when the next cards come out it may push the prices of 3870's way down. I consider that a huge plus to be able to add a 3870 to my 2900 Pro if I choose to.

yeah, when apoppin added a $150 2900 pro to his 2900xt and got 3870x2-like performance out of his frankenfire I'm sure he was thinking: "dude, I should have gotten an 8800gts 640 and a crappy sli mobo so that I could buy ANOTHER overpriced 8800gts 640 for sli". wait, maybe he was actually GLAD that he could crossfire with different cards. yeah, I'm thinking it was #2.

If I had an 8800 Ultra at this point, I'd sell it on eBay and buy some real cheap card to wait it out until R700/GT200 cards comes out. With the kind of price you can get for the Ultra, you could probably get an HD 4870 X2 or GT200 when they come out for not much more cash.

+1