GTX260 Advice over current GPU

[levsummers]

Hey guys,

This has been on my mind for some time now and thought what perfect place then to ask for advice here at tomshardware, with so many experienced builders. I currently have an 8800GTS(512mb) and run at a 22' monitor resolution of 1680X1050. My question is if I upgrade to a GTX260 216 core would I see a substantial improve movement in games such as Crysis, Call of Duty Modernwarefare and up coming MMOS such as Champions Online and Aion.

Current System Specs:
P35 Gigabyte DS3L Mobo
8800GTS(512mb)
3.0 6850 duoCore2
4gb G.skill
700W Power Cooling
250 7200rpm Seagate
NXZT Zero Case
Vista 64bit
Sound Audigy Blaster

So should I upgrade to a GTX260 216? and will I have enough room to fix this card in or should I just stick with the 8800GTS if my improvements in game wont be substantial at my resolution? Also another concern on my mind if I do upgrade would I be faced with any bottlenecks?

This Card I've been looking at is at newegg and has a great incentive of the new Batman Asylaum Game
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130433

I wouldnt say I'm a fan boy of Nvidia and I dont oppose Ati, but as of now I've never till this day had a problem with nVidia cards so I'll be sticking with them until I ever have a mishap.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks all

Levsummers~

 

[invisik]

A jump from a 8800gts to gtx260 is a good upgrade. The gtx260 is about 40%-70% faster (varies from game to game). It would be a great investment.

Review:
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/10103-evga-geforce-gtx-260-core-216-216-sp-superclocked-edition-review.html

 

[CAPP]

I just went from a 8800GT 512Mb in my Dell XPS720 to a GTX260 OC 898Mb (got it at Best Buy) and noticed a change for the better. The card is 10 1/2" long and covers 2 slots...so make sure you have the room. It does run just a tad warm but not bad. Also I run a 750W power. COD never looked as good as it does now.

 

[levsummers]

thnx for the advice guys, still thinking on it ^_^ hopefully more advice will come = p

 

[MGDJoker]

I will soon find out. I just ordered and i7 setup from tigerdirect.com and a GTX260. Im sure with that combo i will see a huge boost.

Anyways from experience even the 9800gt is a decent step up from the 8800, My friend popped one in his system and it made a decent framerate boost in Fallout and Crysis.

I should have my rig put together tomarrow if all goes well.

 

[levsummers]

Thats awesome to hear man, I've decided to go with the 260 I listed card should get here this afternoon so cant wait to test it out.

 

[jeffredo]

I had an 8800 GTX and upgraded to a GTX 260 (216). Have used both on an X2 6400+ and my new X4 955. My advice, wait a bit. There are a new crop of ATI and Nvidia cards due this fall. The 8800 GTS 512MB is a darn good card - as good as my 8800 GTX and I saw some improvement on a 22 inch monitor, but not enough to justify the cost of the GTX 260.

 

[cliffro]

I will soon find out. I just ordered and i7 setup from tigerdirect.com and a GTX260. Im sure with that combo i will see a huge boost.

Anyways from experience even the 9800gt is a decent step up from the 8800, My friend popped one in his system and it made a decent framerate boost in Fallout and Crysis.

I should have my rig put together tomarrow if all goes well.

Depends on which 8800 you are referring to, Seeing as the 9800GT is just a re-badged 8800GT. Faster than a 320/640 8800GTS yes. Faster than the card he has? Not likely.

Personally I am happy with my move from an MSI 8800GTS 512mb OC ---> EVGA GTX 260 216 55nm. But with new cards coming out soon, you may want to wait. Prices will drop when they do.

 

[levsummers]

I had an 8800 GTX and upgraded to a GTX 260 (216). Have used both on an X2 6400+ and my new X4 955. My advice, wait a bit. There are a new crop of ATI and Nvidia cards due this fall. The 8800 GTS 512MB is a darn good card - as good as my 8800 GTX and I saw some improvement on a 22 inch monitor, but not enough to justify the cost of the GTX 260.

Well I went ahead and purchased the 260 so far its been great, also went with eVga so if anything comes out within the next 3 months I should be good with thier step up program

 

[jeffredo]

Well I went ahead and purchased the 260 so far its been great, also went with eVga so if anything comes out within the next 3 months I should be good with thier step up program

The Step Up program is great. I think the New Nvidia cards are due around October. Also, eVGA's warranty is very good - just be sure to register your card within 30 days of purchase.

 

[levsummers]

Yea definatly gonna register the card as soon as I get home, cant wait to see the new line up in Oct.

 

[cliffro]

They don't tell you this but you should also get a key for 3DMark Vantage Advanced, when you register as well. It will be listed in http://www.evga.com/community/myproducts.asp , I also had some worthless 2 week trial for Eve Online.