Do I "NEED" a 8800GT from a 7800GT?

hok

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I have the following:

E2160 OCd to 3.2Ghz, 2 gig ram, 7800GT

I am playing Half life 2 at 1920 medium and it runs fine. I was going to get one of the first cards for the 8800GT but missed out by a couple hours. But after thinking about it, I don't really feel the need as i am not going to play with Crysis any time soon as i havn't finished HL2 yet. I want to wait until the next high end comes along and see what it provides and also the X3800. The reason is if I get the 8800GT I will want to get a new case, new PSU (all high end) and use my older hardware that is gathering dust as a server and build, then i would need to spend close to 900.
 

Dahak

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The 7800GT is a very strong card,contrary to what some would say.I suspect you should be able to play HL2 at max settings.I own two 7800GT's,bothe are from EVGA and they are great cards especialy in an SLI configuration.I would only upgrade if you need to or really want to.But hey,if you got the money,go for it.It never hurts having a better video card.Goodluck.The 8800GT would be a solid step-up from the 7800GT,and it would allow you to play the newest games that are out.

Dahak

M2N32-SLI DELUXE WE
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bazza

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i upgraded to 8800GT from my 7900GS and the only difference is the sustained higher fps on my old dx9 games

if you plan to play the new dx10 games, crysis etc then upgrade otherwise dont bother
 

jaculum

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I already run Half-Life 2 at 1920x1200 on high at 2x AA and 8x AF and it runs fine for me. My processor is only an Athlon 64 X2 3800+ too.
 

MrCommunistGen

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The 7800GT is still a reasonably fast card. I'd wait *at least* until the HD3800s come out to see what that does to the market, and for the 8800GT prices to stabilize. A DX10.1 card wouldn't hurt...

-mcg
 

sharp910sh

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hmmm i would get the 8800gt as the 7800gtx isnt really good card. i have the x1950 pro which is better than the 7800xt as games strugle ie crysis. even though i have an e6850 so if you want to play games for teh presnt i would get the 8800gt its cheap also.
 

zenmaster

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Never upgrade until you feel the need.
Stuff just bets better, cheaper, faster.

By the time you think you "need" the 8800GT, you will wish you had the card that is not even on the market yet.
 

stooeh

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Hi, my 8800 has just arrived replacing my 7800GT which I have had for some time.

Ran 3DMark06 before and after swapping the cards

7800GT: 3983
8800GT: 11617

Fair improvement I'd say though I'm not sure if I should be getting worried about the GPU temps as they reached 90C by the end of the test. :s

Stoo
 

night_wolf_in

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dude, "need", n "want" are all relative terms. only u can decide that. of course in all history, newer cards will be more expensive, u wait for them to get cheaper then ull c newer cards then the previous newer. n the cycle keeps going.
 

fjabad

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Don't do it. You don't need an 8800GT. As others have said, just wait for the next gen.

As for Crysis, an 8800GTX can't even run the game silky smooth (with eye candy on). So just wait, I'm sure other 65nm gpu's will be released, with higher clocks and room for overclocking.
 

gscrugg2

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I only got an 8800 GT because my ATI x1900GT has ram chips failing on it. Seems like the 8800GT is at least twice as fast.
 

honestjohn_

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I believe you already answered your own question. No you don't .....
 
i have an X2 3800+ and a 7800gt... runs the crysis demo at 1680x1050 with low/medium settings (cant use HDR :( ). I wouldnt upgrade, and I wont until the next round of cards come out. although the 8800gt is very tempting
 

deathblooms2k1

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If you are content with what you have then wait. Computer parts are never a good investment. Very similar to buying a car they always depreciate in value as time passes. And as time goes on newer more powerful components come out for the same price. I suspect after the 8800GT and AMD launch really gets rolling this month that you will see a substantial drop in price on directx 10 cards.

So like I said if your living happy there is no harm in waiting.
 

choirbass

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im in a similar situation, X2 3800+, 2.5GB PC3200, 7800GT. for me, it plays even the newest games at what could still be considered acceptable settings, even crysis and oblivion.

i was also contemplating an 8800GT, but reasoned that even with games running at reduced details and settings, as long as the framerates are still playable, its more okay.

what may be the deciding factor for a gpu upgrade though, is the possibility of a matrox TH2G DE and a 3rd 19" lcd (have 2 already, but theyre seperated, as a center gap is no good for a lot of games). but if i do get it, and the framerates are still playable for a lot of games (20-30 fps), then all the better. and i may be able to hold off even longer on a gpu upgrade. otherwise though, i definetly might see a new gpu in my future after not too long.

it is pretty expensive for what little it actually does, but it would definetly be a large step forward from the typical 'stare staight foward no peripheral vision' kinda gaming, and would definetly seem to also warrant a new gpu most likely, above all else even.
 

hok

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THANKS! you guys made up my mind. The card has served me well for almost 2 years. Thanks for all the insight
 

mitchellvii

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You can OC an 8800 GT to 728 core by 1040 memory (2080 effective) and get 3DMark06 scores 600 points higher (12,240) than an 8800 GTX which is a $600 card.

Get the 8800 GT.