Picking a new GPU

[topeira]

hi guys.

couldnt find a better forum here , in the GTA IV PC community, so i am posting here since ppl here know their stuff and looking forward to this game as much as i do. i hope it's ok with the modders.

 

 

im considering upgrading my GPU and i though u might want to help me pick one.

 

can anyone tell me which of the cards i should get comparing bang for the buck and performances.

 

here are the cards i found with the lowest price i found them in my country:

 

8800GT 512mb (at 200$)

9800GT 512mb (at 160$)

HD3870 512mb (at 160&)

HD4850 512mb (at 220$)

HD4870 512mb (at 325$)

 

so, what do u guys think- which is the most worth while and WHY?

[corvettelover]

..I would get the 9800GT (best bang for buck), but the 4870HD would -probably- be the fastest, but it is also twice the price of the 9800GT...

 

Jeez, cards got cheap, just this January I bought a x1300 for around $113

Edited November 26, 2008 by corvettelover

[JayC]

I vote for the 4850. Its a good power/cost compromise.

[SyphonPayne]

Get the 9800GT.

[topeira]

thanks for your advices.

 

i heard that the 8800 GT is not as powerful as the 9800 GT but the 9800GT is cheaper since its being produced in a cheaper way. making the 9800 is cheaper so it's price is cheaper.

 

do u know if this is true?

 

anyways, according to this chart it seems like the 9800GTX and the 4850 are kinda on the same line, but as i said - i think i can find the 9800 GT in much cheaper price than the 4850.

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/gaming-...-Score,794.html

but i dont know the difference between the 9800GT and the 9800GTX.

[jelly]

The 9800GT 65nm is a renamed 8800GT. Exactly the same card. Newer 9800GTs use the 55nm process which makes them more energy-efficient, less hot, and possibly more overclockable.

 

In my opinion you'd be better off with the 4850 or the 4870 if you can justify the price jump. They support DX10.1 and will last you longer as new DX10.1 and DX11 games come out (DX10 cards will be compatible with DX11 games but won't be able to run the new DX11 effects - DX10.1 cards will be better than DX10 cards at future games as they'll support more DirectX functions).

[topeira]

a couple of things -

 

a) to me DX10 looks like a waste of tech. i havent see any game that make me sorry i still have a DX9 card. no game. not crysis (which i personally run at V.high anyways) , not far cry 2, not bioshock.... no game.

i am not a big fan of the hyp about DX10 features.

 

b) my expectations out of game's performances are pretty low. if i can run a game at

1650X1080, 2XAA, 2XAF, Maximum quality and over 30FPS than i am happier than stoned puppy.

my monitor doesnt support higher rezs than 1650X1080 and at that res i even dont feel a need for AA so that's how i am.

 

if i can get a card that can run IV and Crysis at this fidelity than i will be happy.

i dont see upcoming PC games that are gonna be more demanding that these in the next couple of years where most PC games are multi platforms anyways so they lean on more modest tech.

 

 

2.5 years ago, when i bought the x1900xtx 512mb that i have today, i went all out and shelled out about 600$ for that GPU and it holds me pretty damn well up to this date (far cry 2 - 1440X900, no AA nor AF, all details on HIGH at 25-30FPS) and im very pleased. however this is due to the fact that, as i said - most games are multiplatform and will continue to be in the next 2 years or 3.

 

Are these times to save the money and buy more modestly or should i go all the way again?

 

....

[Drag_Drift]

If you have the buck, go for the card that will last you a long time. It sure is a lot more cheaper than buying new cards every time a new game comes out. Get the fastest card today, and still be able to play the newer games for tomorrow.

[GTA3Freak-2001]

Keep in mind what the rest of your system specs are because you may need a new Power Supply.