Another Video Card Question

[Tyguy]

I haven't updated my specs in a while so Im not up to speed with what is good anymore. My current specs are in my sig and I just played the bioshock PC demo. It wasnt as smooth as I wanted so I think its time to upgrade. Would something like this be a good choice?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121034

Thanks

 

[Rapstah]

Was that a rethorical question? Of course it's good.

 

[Tyguy]

Good as in the best for the money, or is their a cheaper version which will not sacrifice power...You know as well as I do that video card prices vary greatly day to day

 

[Rapstah]

That's the best card on the marked right now. If it was the GTX version, that is, can't be assed to click the same link twice.

 

[The Brick]

Good card? yes.
Worth it? If you don't care about money at all, yes.
Will your cpu bottleneck it? yes.

The 320mb version would be of better value to you.

 

[Tyguy]

ugh, i dont really want to admit the fact that i have to get a new mobo....****in 939 pin ruined everything!

 

[B_MAN]

ya unless you're going to bring the rest of your system up to speed i would suggest going with the 320mb version or even downgrading to the 8600

 

[The Brick]

His 7900GT is faster than the 8600gt...

 

[Tyguy]

Alright, I suppose ill need to upgrade everything. As far as motherboards go, what is considered a really good one, yet not terribly expensive?

Also, I havent kept up with the new AMD processors....any suggestions?

 

[Asus]

Your 4400+ won't bottleneck a 8800. You'll get a few frames less but within just a few percent if you had a faster CPU. Bottleneck would be if your FPS did not improve after switching to a fast GPU because a slow CPU was holding it back.

Talking less than 10fps gap between one model less than yours (4200+) to a X2 5200+ with a 880GTX in Oblivion @1280x1024 with NO AA/AF. Raise the rez or detail and you'll get even less of a difference.
A CPU bottleneck would look like this. 8800Ultra giving the same ~22 FPS as a 7800GTX.

Actually here are some better comparisons that you could look over. Shows different CPU and GPU combinations on the same graph. Could help make up your mind on what to get.
AMD + 8800 cards.
Intel + 8800 cards.

I didn't see any instance when a 8800 was held back to the performance of the lower performing X1950 with just the 4200+ CPU and not with faster CPUs. Good scaling with the GPUs and CPUs across the board.

 

[3ssence]

People get hung up on the bottleneck issue. I'm amazed how many people think it's not worth getting an 8800 just because you are on socket 939 :\ !

You may lose a few fps here and there, but you will still be getting a hell of a card, well worth the pennies it cost. We're talking a neglidgible difference.

 

[Tyguy]

I didn't see any instance when a 8800 was held back to the performance of the lower performing X1950 with just the 4200+ CPU and not with faster CPUs. Good scaling with the GPUs and CPUs across the board.

So you dont think I necessarily need to upgrade everything, just get something like an 8800 for now?

 

[Asus]

I'm assuming you have PCI-Express. You're not doing an AGP->PCI-Express switch, right? So just buy the card you want. Run the games. See how it runs. If you're getting the same FPS and you think the CPU is holding you back too much you can make that system upgrade choice separately?

HL2 is the only game out of the ones they tested that would be considered CPU bottlenecked. But the bottleneck is only with lower to mid resolutions. And looking back at previous reviews it's the same with going from a 6800GT to 7800GTX too so HL2 in general can take advantage of more CPU power to help those faster GPUs. But then again the FPS is still very good with the lower parts which makes upgrading not necessary.

EDIT
Here are some Bioshock numbers with a few GPUs (OCed CPU). With the settings they used it doesn't look like the GTS 320MB or 640MB have much difference. I'd guess memory used is less than 320MB then. GTX has a NICE lead though. And it looks like the 8800GTS cards have a huge improvement over the 7900GTX. (Keep in mind the CPU is OCed a lot. Not sure how CPU speed affects this game.)