Should I upgrade my video card or build a new system?

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mezlo

mezlo

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May 22, 2006
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I'm trying to decide on whether to spend $300 on an AGP GeForce 7800 GS video card or shell out over $1200 to build a new PCI-E based system.

Here are my current system specs:

ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe MB (Intel 875 chipset)
Intel Pentium 4 3.4GHz 478-pin CPU
ATI Radeon 9800 PRO 128mb video card
2 Gb RAM (4x 512mb Kingston HyperX PC3200 DDR)
Antec 500W power supply
multiple SATA HDs ranging from 120gb to 320gb

I've been satisfied with the performance until just recently. The first game that really seemed to stress it was FEAR and now Oblivion is also suffering. While both games are playable, I'm dealing with under 30 FPS at 1024x768.

I'm looking at an EVGA GeForce 7800GS CO 256-A8-N506-AX video card. Based on various reviews and comparisons, this will solve my FPS issues. But for how long?

If this card will allow me to maintain over 30 FPS in games for the next year (or longer), then it is worth it. But if games coming out in 6 months will require more power than this card will provide, then I think I'm better off saving for a whole new build.

What do the knowledgeable users on here think? Am I thinking through this logically? I realize that this will in all likelyhood be the last AGP card worth buying, but it gets me by for another year, then I'm willing to spend the money on it.

Mezlo
 
spend $300 on an AGP GeForce 7800 GS
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Well it is an EVGA and should be eligable for the Step-up program so if you get a PCIe deal in 90 days, you aren't "stuck" with an old AGP card.

Not to mention your current system rocks. Well except the 9800 pro, which used to rock a couple of years ago - excellent card, I had one and got a 40% overclock and approached 6600gt speeds with the zalman dual-heat pipe heatsink.
 
If I where you, I would do the $300 AGP card.

I was in the same boat as you 1 month ago.

I ended up upgrading to an Abit SLI Fatal1ty mobo 144 Opteron x1800gto. = $500+ upgrade.

Put it this way, I am not very happy with the upgrade. Games look a lot better, yeah. But still has it's flaws. Everyone made this upgrade like it was going to be SOO much better! A $300 dollar upgrade would have been worth it!

So don't let any make you think otherwise!

If I haddent sold my stuff on Ebay already, I would have waited it out and went for the 7800gs for $300 as you are thinking now.
 
As doolittle said, my current system rocks except for the video card. I know the EVGA 7800 GS card will let me run any game out there today. But will it handle games coming out 6 months or a year from now? That's really the question I'm asking.

Mezlo
 
absoultely not recommended. ur system is still good. try to overclock the GPU, CPU and RAM. u shuld get at least 5-10 FPS more. if i were u, i'll wait till DX10 cards available in stores, then i will upgrade to a system that were compatible with Vista Premium.
 
You would have a better chance on playing games 6 months to 1yr with the 7800gs then if you upgraded your system at a $300 cost factor.
 
That's a tough question. But as many has suggested wait for AM2 or Conroe before upgrading.

AM2 will allow you to upgrade when K8L comes out next year, but offers no real performance boost over the S939 Athlons. But faster Athlons will be only released for AM2.

Conroe is a new architecture and should be able to beat the Athlons until K8L comes out.
 
I agree with the waiting strategies offered. Your setup looks like you are using on-board audio. If so, consider upgrading to the sound blaster x-fi xtrememusic audio card. Playing fear and oblivion, you will certainly appreciate it (I do) and the x-fi will free up the CPU a little to give you a few more FPS. When you're ready to build your new machine, the x-fi goes in it. I got my x-fi for $90 with rebate. There is also the earlier Audigy series but I don't think you will benefit enough from it.
 
Actually I already have the X-Fi ExtremeMusic. I got it last October for $126 from NewEgg. I didn't even think about it when I listed my specs. I also have the Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 5.1 sound system which sounds absolutely awesome. I got it used on Ebay for $199 right around the same time. 😀

Anyway, are you recommending that I shouldn't do anything until the new AMDs come out or that I should get the 7800 now and then upgrade the whole system later?

Mez
 
get the 7800 now and then upgrade the whole system later?
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I think that is your best bet since it will extend the life of your current build for at least 6 months, then all things conroe and am2 will be mainstream and not to mention cheaper. One of my coworkers did exactly the same thing and he has no regrets since it is close to a 3x increase in gaming performance over his current 6600 - you should see similiar results.
 
Get the 7800. Playing Oblivion on a 9800 for three months will hurt you far more than building a new AM2 rig in two year's time when your current rig will (maybe) begin to fall short.
 
If looking for a 7800GS variant, look at the Gainward variant if you can find one....

You might also compromise, and look for a 6800GT someone is unloading, they are still quite capable cards, and worlds above the 9800 series...
 
No 6800 :evil: , No wait :x ,
I Have a 7800GS and Oblivion Maxed out (except for shadow on grass) at 1280x1024, is running flawless, I have an average of 25FPS outside, so I dont know your display, but a 7800GS rocks even at 1280x1024 if you have a Flat 19" Panel, fear is a piece of cake for the GS 40FPS with ALL on, and 16AF, 4XA, look at the VGA Charts so you get an idea, you definitly whant to go for the GS, Dont go for a 6800 they will cost 50 U$D cheaper, and are a generation outdated.-
 
I recomend upgrading your whole system, or at least the mobo, and g-card. I wouldn't invest 300+- into dying tech. But that is just me 😉
 
if you can find this board , you can still use your CPU for a while ...
Asus P4V800D-X , a 478 pin MB with both PCIexpress and AGP (so buy it , use current set up, them get PCIexpress vga ) ...


But may be hard to find in US...
 
If you buy the 7800GS you may be able to keep your current system for up to a year or maybe a little bit longer. But that depends on how good you want your games to look.

As far as I know Oblivion and F.E.A.R. are the two most GPU intensive games (Oblivion being #1). Hopefully they are not starting a trend where you need an expensive GPU to play games at reasonable graphics settings. Otherwise people may look to the XBox 360 or PS3 as an option.
 
It may not be a good $300 spent if you are going to upgrade within a year though.
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Less than a year, yes I agree. But if upgrading more than a year then it may be worth it. Exactly 1 year is debatable.

A year from all i965 and i975XBX mobos should be mature and most bugs squashed. 45nm Conroe CPU will be out, and so will DirectX 10 video cards. Also by then K8L should be out and all socket AM2 mobos should also have many of their bugs squashed as well.

The only thing holding back the OP's system is really the AGP GPU. The 7800GS is expensive for the performance you get. But it will also give some time for the OP to save up some money.

Oblivion is especially rough on those who own anything less than a premium GPU, but I can't see all games in the future that will "punish" gamers for not having a $250+ GPU.
 
Maybe a new system would be the better option, for $300 you could get a nice start on a S939 system and reuse older parts(HDD,DVD,RAM,case,etc.)
 
Go for the video card. Upgrade your system in about 2 years. I'm not comfortable with so many people in these forums advocating that everyone should "wait for Conroe or AM2" before doing almost anything to their system. These chips aren't even out yet, and as such, are still unproven. They will also initially come at a premium price. Your system is still good for at least another 1-2 years with a better video card. If you "wait for Conroe" and then upgrade immediately, 6-12 months down the road when things are cheaper and any bugs are worked out, you'll be sorry you upgraded so fast.
 
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