New Video Card

[Beasty]

Okay, question:

I'm thinking of upgrading my current video card (Nvidia 7950GT) to a more powerfull DX10 card. However, I don't have a pci x16 2.0. I've heard that you can run a 2.0 in a 1.0, but will it not work as well as a standard 1.0 card?

[shipwreck]

I have a 2.0 slot with an 8800GT. From what I've read, though, the difference is negligible like so many new advancements in hardware (like quad-core and DDR3).

[dark.rabite]

most motherboards can run a 2.0 card in a 1.0/1.1 slot. it depends on the motherboard and how awesome it is.

However my old computer would not run my 8800GT card. Luckily i just replaced the computer 4 months later.

[pr0phetik_dreamz]

If you can do CrossFire, then 2x HD4850 *cough cough*

[BigDXLT]

After seeing another 8800GT for the cheaps, I'm kicking myself in the ass for not buying a SLI capable motherboard (one pci-express slot ftl.)

[shipwreck]

After seeing another 8800GT for the cheaps, I'm kicking myself in the ass for not buying a SLI capable motherboard (one pci-express slot ftl.)

Does it really make a difference? I heard too few games can really take advantage of dual GPU's.

[BigDXLT]

Well, from what I understand, there is too little benefit to be had to buy pay $300+$300 for the two video cards, but considering they sell the 8800GT for a lot cheaper (I'm sure I saw a $50 sale somewhere) it could make for a good little upgrade. I'm pretty sure the limiting factor on my current card is the 320MB (damnit, should've got the 640MB...) I wouldn't recommend paying for SLI all at once, but wait a year and get the second card then.

Basically, it's a futureproofing thing to get the two pci-express slots. And considering that was what I was trying to do with my computer (quadcore, 64bit windows...) it's sort of slap my forehead in hindsight for me. D'oh!

[shipwreck]

Here we are a year later and I think I'm ready to SLI. But...did most places stop carrying the 8800GT? I couldn't find one at Microcenter or on New Egg. Bizarre. They're pretty cheap on the Google shopping search but I hate buying from scheisty online shops I've never heard of.

The other upgrade will be top-notch heatsink for the CPU so I can finally crank the mother up.

I'm just wondering if it would be worth the cash to buy something like a fancy new ATI card. Probably not and I probably won't have the cash.

[Beasty]

I dont think any one really carries the 8800, but the 9800 is suppose to be a pretty close match, performance isnt all that much different and you can get those for about $140 or so.

[Feyd Rautha]

Both sli and cross fire have 'issues' with multimonitor support. Until they fix all those for good, I'm swearing off both.

[Niteowl]

IIRC, SLI doesn't offer a huge boost in performance.

I just got the ATI HD4770 from NCIX, and it runs hella fast. It was also about 100 bucks. Quiet, too.

[Beasty]

Well I finally bought a new card, got a SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4890. Haven't tested it out yet. I had to reinstall windows because my HDD failed on me. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[pr0phetik_dreamz]

Has anyone gotten a chance to test out ATi's new HD 5k series' EYEfinity for multi-monitor support? I'm tempted to pull the trigger now ... but most likely will be waiting to around mid-March for my new gaming rig. The Core i7 9xx market is a bit shaky of late... so until prices stablize or drop, I'm not so sure on building one. The i7 8xx and 7xx and even i5's end up overclocking to the same speeds as the high end i7 9xx's so.. yeah.

[Furious Gorge]

Just picked up the 5850 and installed last night. Really nice and smooth. I don't think I'll get a chance to try out the eyefinity support though as I no longer have more monitors to test it out.

[Pykl]

So I'm totally out of date on gpus and might be forced to buy one soon. What's the latest and greatest mid range. I've got a core 2 duo 6600 with asus p5n32-esli and 4 gb ram. I've had nvidias forever, not sure if ati is the current king of the roost.