Upgrade SLI 9800GTX+

[jimmyknuckles]

Hi all. First time posting here for advice.

I currently have two nvidia 9800GTX+ cards in SLI, with an E8500 processor. I actively play Guildwars 2 and lag during heavy combat with a lot of characters on-screen, even with the settings mostly on low. I'd like to buy a card that would be a marked upgrade for around $200 ($250 if I can get it on Amazon).

I have had bad experiences with AMD drivers and would like to stick with nvidia unless there is a very compelling reason otherwise. I have had a hard time comparing anything new with what I'm currently running (no one benches the old cards), so I'm not sure what a good upgrade would be, or if 2x9800s in SLI even has a viable upgrade for the money I'd like to spend (~$200). Can you help? Thanks!

 

[jimmyknuckles]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: old cards purchased in 2009, would like new card in next 2 weeks

BUDGET RANGE: $200 - $250 if Amazon

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Guildwars2 exclusively

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY:
GPUs: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS:
MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Amazon, Newegg (USA)

PARTS PREFERENCES: Nvidia over Radeon

OVERCLOCKING: No
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe, but probably no

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

 

[abbadon_34]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

The 9800GX2 is listed, not a benchmark but a general comparison to others.

I would imagine you're CPU is holding you back more than your video cards.

 

[jimmyknuckles]

I was looking at that, but don't know how the SLI affects it. Ie, how much does it move up that list with SLI enabled? Would I see an improvement from any single card higher up in the hierarchy?

 

[Guest]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

The 9800GX2 is listed, not a benchmark but a general comparison to others.

For that price look at a 7870 or 660ti.

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-2048MB-Graphics-02G-P4-3660-KR/dp/B008S15X3W/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1356740654&sr=1-2&keywords=gtx+660+ti

http://www.amazon.com/HIS-Mini-DiplayPort-Express-Graphics-H787Q2G2M/dp/B007HYIRES/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1356740702&sr=1-3&keywords=7870

THose are good choices.

 

[Guest]

I was looking at that, but don't know how the SLI affects it. Ie, how much does it move up that list with SLI enabled? Would I see an improvement from any single card higher up in the hierarchy?

The 9800GX2 is most likely slightly ahead, you want to go at least 3 tiers up on that list. The 660 ti and 7870 are 4 tiers up, so quite a worthwhile upgrade.

Also you can sell those 2 cards for cash if needed.

 

[abbadon_34]

Damn this post moved fast 🙂

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-2048MB-Graphics-02G-P4-3660-KR/dp/B008S15X3W/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1356740784&sr=1-3&keywords=660ti

With you amazon budget and nvidia preference.

But again, a c2d is getting old and usually mmo with lots a players become cpu heavy, and guild wars is generally heavy on both gpu and cpu.

 

[Guest]

Damn this post moved fast 🙂

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-2048MB-Graphics-02G-P4-3660-KR/dp/B008S15X3W/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1356740784&sr=1-3&keywords=660ti

With you amazon budget and nvidia preference.

But again, a c2d is getting old and usually mmo with lots a players become cpu heavy, and guild wars is generally heavy on both gpu and cpu.

Absolutely, you should look to replace that c2d, even a gxxx sandy bridge or an ivy bridge i3 would help in mmo type games.

Although I use an e8400 and still get great fps in WoW.

 

[abbadon_34]

If you haven't read the Guild War 2 cpu and gpu review

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/guild-wars-2-performance-benchmark,3268-6.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/guild-wars-2-performance-benchmark,3268-7.html
Keep in mind when they test GPU's, they use the fastest CPU possible, and vice versa.

 

[jimmyknuckles]

Thanks, guys! That eVga looks perfect, and I've had many of their cards in the past and like the company. With the motherboard I have now, I'd have to replace it to step up to a different board to replace the core 2 duo, right? I don't see the board being compatible with anything newer than what I currently have. Then I'd have to replace the mb, chip, and RAM too, right?

 

[abbadon_34]

True, you're look at complete upgrade after the card.

 

[DarkSable]

That is correct, but it's necessary - MMOs in particular are CPU bound.

Your graphics cards should be plenty powerful for MMOs - the fact that you're lagging when there are lots of characters on screen means that your CPU isn't fast enough, not that your GPUs are lacking.

 

[jimmyknuckles]

Thanks again. I really appreciate the help, and please let me know if I'm posting to the wrong place or overstepping my bounds. I've been building PCs since 1994 but haven't done one since 2009, so I'm a bit behind. What do you think about this as an upgrade? Good bang for the buck, or will it not be a noticeable difference?

MB (ASRock H77) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157302
CPU (i5-3350P) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116782
RAM (corsair 8gb 1600) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186
GFX (evga 660ti 2gb) - http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-2048MB-Graphics-02G-P4-3660-KR/dp/B008S15X3W/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1356740784&sr=1-3&keywords=660ti

My 650w power supply and Antec 300 case should still be good for this, right? Do I need anything else like a CPU fan or will the stock suffice? I don't plan on overclocking.

 

[abbadon_34]

Probably best to start a new thread, you'll get more specific replies, but that looks good and your psu and case are fine to reuse, and if your not overclocking stock cooling is fine. Someone will probably suggest slightly different ram and mobo, and try to convince you get the k and overclock it with an after market cooler, not that it's a bad idea.

 

[jimmyknuckles]

Best answer selected by jimmyknuckles.