New Computer -- GT200 series or not?

[chise1]

Hi guys,

I'm going to be building my own computer in the next month or 6 weeks, and I was wondering what you think would be my best option for a new graphics card. In terms of games, I play Flight Simulator more than anything, and I'm also into video editing and mixing. My budget is ~ 500 bucks for the gfx card(s).

Would you suggest getting the GTX260, or going with some config in SLI? I'm aware that some games don't scale so well in SLI, but I just would like to hear what you guys have to say.

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

For shear power, itll be a great card. And so far, the video editing looks promising too, as the gpgpu cuda is being adapted by many apps, and should show alot of promise in the video editing scenario. One card, no sli/cf problems. Tho fight sim needs a geat cpu too

 

[jay2tall]

Your are best off waiting until you are ready to buy to research what you should be getting as far as graphics. Prices will change and new cards will possibly be out. The bad thing with new cards is you pay a premium and alot of times are in limited supply. So you wait 2 months after they come out and they are cheaper and plentiful. Or you get a current card and get a good deal but not the latest and greatest.

Right now $500 will get you a single 9800GX2 or you can get (2) 8800GTS/512's in SLI.

There is the 3870x2 but it is an iffy card in my book because some games it does Great in and lacks in others. Nvidia is usually pretty solid accross the board. I'd research and see what Flight Simulator likes best.

 

[Guest]

get teh 4870 x2... its almost guaranteed to be better than the gtx 260... even though its still worse than the gtx 280 (probably) it is about 100 bucks cheaper... so i'd say that is your best bet and it doesn't have crossfire compatibility issues

 

[homerdog]

Flight Simulator hates Crossfire last time I checked, so steer clear of that (HD3870X2 included).

The GTX260 will probably be your best bet, but the HD4870 might be good too. We'll have to wait and see.

 

[romulus47plus1]

Just wait for them to come out, then decide.
Cheers =D

 

[jay2tall]

If you can wait the worst thing will be the new cards are $$$$$ and you get a good deal on the 8800GTS or something like that.

 

[romulus47plus1]

^ yep

 

[soundefx]

Patients will pay off in the end.
You will buy the card that was benched with your game and you wouldn't be disappointed.
It's not too long before the new cards are out and then I think is when you should make your decision.

 

[jay2tall]

I waited for the 8800GT and then they were sold out.. THen the 3780 came out and was $220 and then was out of stock. THEN they jacked it to $280 which I wasn't going to pay. THen the 8800GTS came out and I waited for it to come down. Which it did and I got it for $300 w/ $20 rebate several months ago. Not it is about $220-$240. Waiting sucks.

 

[sciggy]

Like everyone else has been saying, unless you are ok with taking a big wad of cash and lighting fire to it you should just wait a few weeks and see how the new cards perform/price/availability. Who knows, they might not be worth the additional cost. We will just have to wait and see.

 

[sciggy]

I waited for the 8800GT and then they were sold out.. THen the 3780 came out and was $220 and then was out of stock. THEN they jacked it to $280 which I wasn't going to pay. THen the 8800GTS came out and I waited for it to come down. Which it did and I got it for $300 w/ $20 rebate several months ago. Not it is about $220-$240. Waiting sucks.

Thats the problem you always will run into with technology. I bought a 26 inch LCD 4 years ago and paid $1700 for it. Earlier this year I bought a 1080p 42 inch LCD for $1100. Prices will always go down. The best thing to do is find what you want and just go buy it and not check prices after that. Right now is one of those rare cases where it will pay to wait a few weeks for new tech to come out. If anything it is a guaranteed lower prices on current cards.

 

[dmacfour]

The release of the new cards is so near; there is no reason not to wait.

 

[homerdog]

I waited for the 8800GT and then they were sold out.. THen the 3780 came out and was $220 and then was out of stock. THEN they jacked it to $280 which I wasn't going to pay. THen the 8800GTS came out and I waited for it to come down. Which it did and I got it for $300 w/ $20 rebate several months ago. Not it is about $220-$240. Waiting sucks.

Dude, Step-Up™

 

[Guest]

the 4870 x2 isn't cross fire...

its viewed as a single card by the system technically its two cores working in one set of memory... so flight sim wouldn't be affected... please get facts right before saying stupid things

 

[homerdog]

the 4870 x2 isn't cross fire...

its viewed as a single card by the system technically its two cores working in one set of memory... so flight sim wouldn't be affected... please get facts right before saying stupid things

Link?

 

[mihirkula]

^ and ^^ ... let the benchmarks release....4870 in CF may or may not make a difference than 3870 in CF... no one can be sure till the benchies release ....

 

[geofelt]

For FSX, the cpu is very important. Spend most of your your money on a good quad, particularly for your type of usage. In the third quarter, there will be good price reductions. The Q9550 will be $316 in 1000 unit lots if you can wait. For the vga card, wait to see the new 200 series cards. If you can't wait, then get a 9800GTX or similar from EVGA so you can "step up" within 90 days if you feel the need.

 

[chise1]

Thanks for all the replies, guys!

Can someone just quickly explain the "step up" program please?

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

You have 90 days from purchase of card to get a better card, and theyll give you full reimbursment from what you paid for your card, tho you pay their current prices, still a great deal

 

[homerdog]

Thanks for all the replies, guys!

Can someone just quickly explain the "step up" program please?

I upgraded from a 320MB 8800GTS to a 512MB 8800GT for $15, and that was just for shipping. It took about a week.

I'll never buy an Nvidia card from anyone but eVGA