Need Help Selecting Video Card for new system build

[jto168]

I'm very close to completing my next system, which will be intended for general computing and some gaming.

Here are the core components (for reference, my current system specs is in italics)

Processor: Intel Q6600 + Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme(AMD Opteron 144 + Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro)
Mainboard: Gigabyte P35-DS3R (Asus A8N-E)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix DDR2-1066 2GB (OCZ EL Platinum DDR400 2GB)
Audio: Sondigo Inferno 7.1 (Same)
Display: Sharp Aquos 42" 1080p D62 series LCD (Same)
HDD, Others: 2 x RAID 0 arrays, will be transferred over along with other components
Video Card: ???? (EVGA 7600GT CO)

My current system is connected to the Sharp TV via EVGA 7600GT CO PCI-E by DVI-HDMI.

I have experienced difficulty playing games at 1920 x 1080, and I don't think I can transfer over this video card to the new system. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I think the 7600GT would be quite the bottleneck to the new system's performance in games.

I've narrowed down my choices to either the 8800GTS 320mb, or the 8800GTS 640mb.

Since I want to enjoy my games at 1920 x 1080, I was leaning towards the 8800GTS 640mb, as the extra memory has proved to be beneficial at higher resolutions. I've come across general statements such as "get the 320mb if you are gaming at 1920 x 1200 or under", which makes me wonder if I should be fine with just 320mb. Would I be better off with the extra memory? I'm right at the border line of the so called frame rate deterioration that occurs with the 320mb, so I am sort of lost.

I won't be playing any games at resolutions higher than 1920 x 1080 since my display cannot go any higher than that. I'm hoping to squeeze at least a year of usage out of my chosen video card, as my 7600GT has been performed pretty well for the last year and a half.

In terms of time frame, I intend to purchase the video card before the end of September. With the speculation of new graphics cards in late November, I am wondering if I should hold out longer and hope for a price drop for the current 8800xxx series. Am I needlessly holding my breath?

Any input and help is appreciated!

 

[mpilchfamily]

In the end the larger 640mb version of the GTS many be your better option. Higher resolutions need more VRAM. Even though the 320mb is plenty of VRAM for your resolution. Either way both cards are the same and you'll get the same FPS in games with either card. If you have the money get the 640 otherwise the 320 is fine.

 

[MarcVenice]

at 1900*1200 it's getting borderline, the last review from hardocp showed the 320mb version performing similar to the 640mb version, in newer games things might change though. And the new videocards might come out early november, but the latest rumour has it that there were some silicon issues, which might mean delay. Whose to say. If you want another 1.5 years out of your videocard, it might be best to wait a bit longer though.

 

[jto168]

Well I bit the bullet and bought an 8800GTX.

I don't feel like waiting another 2-3 months for a new video card line to be released, as my incomplete system has been collecting dust.

Hope I can play in 1920 x 1080 with full details!

 

[Barrok]

What brand did you buy? EVGA has the step up program incase something new comes out.

 

[jto168]

EVGA!

The card is new/sealed and was purchased off ebay.
I hope EVGA will accept my registration even though it's purchased from an online auction site.

 

[JPB]

I heard before that it must be purchased at a place such as Newegg, Zipzoomfly and the likes to be available for step up and that places like Ebay you could not. Could be wrong tho, but I swear someone here on AT said that before. Retail or Etail to be eligible, not auctions but someone correct me if im wrong.

 

[jto168]

Originally posted by: JPB
I heard before that it must be purchased at a place such as Newegg, Zipzoomfly and the likes to be available for step up and that places like Ebay you could not. Could be wrong tho, but I swear someone here on AT said that before. Retail or Etail to be eligible, not auctions but someone correct me if im wrong.

I read over EVGA's lifetime warranty policy, and there is no clear indication or statement that defines that the warranty is only valid on cards purchased through authorized retailers or e-tailers.

The warranty is non-transferrable, and I am aware of this. The card I won/bought on ebay is New/Sealed according to the seller, and the pictures support that. I assume that this card is also unregistered with EVGA since it is sealed.

I believe the (lifetime) warranty is only valid if the card is registered within 30 days from the purchase date of the card. When I receive my card I'll attempt to register it, and see what happens. EVGA keeps track of all the cards they ship out to distributors and such, and the SKU on the 8800GTX is valid for the lifetime warranty.

I'll be crossing fingers in the mean time.