Graphics Card/Upgrade Questions

[David M]

Which is going to be faster? Two Nvidia 7800GTX's running in SLI, which is what I have now, or a single overclocked and watercooled 8800 GTX? This one specifically: http://computers.pricegrabber.com/vi...847/search=gtx ..it's pretty much as fast as an Ultra.

Also, I am using an older AMD FX-57. Would there be a bottleneck at the CPU if I were to upgrade my graphics cards? If this is the case then I am considering going with a DFI Lanparty for its ease of overclocking capabilities and an Intel Duo E6850. Would this be a good idea? Any other suggestions on motherboards and CPU's along these lines?

For the same 8800 series graphics card, does it run faster using DX10 under Vista or DX9 under XP? I am hearing Vista runs games slower but DX10(Vista only) is faster than DX9...so which is the truth?

Would my current FX-57 become a bottleneck if I were to upgrade my graphics cards?

My display is a Dell 1920X1200.

The reason I ask is I have a few new games and cannot run them at my monitors native resolution with my existing system.

Any recommendations on overclockable DDR2 RAM?...something that has a lot of bang for the buck?

Thanks!

[shadowpr]

I'm pretty sure the 8800gtx will do better then the 2 7800gtx in sli.

Hre is a chart showing the 8700's in sli: http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphi...=813&chart=378

And here is one with the 8800gtx: http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphi...=706&chart=318

[David M]

Shadow...your right.

7800GTX in SLI: 1738.3
8800GTX as a single card: 2281.8, A 24% gain.

Just for kicks, 8800GTX in SLI: 2757.8, A 17% percent gain.

Thanks!

[Katreat]

I am pretty sure from reviews on tomshardware that the basic 8800 GTX pretty much trumps all of the 7000 series in SLI. Now, if you are using a monster monitor, that really benefits from SLI, the end results might be different, but on speed alone the 8800 GTX is definately faster.

Kat

[Caddywompus81]

Currently, even the standard 8800 GTX's aren't king of cost/performance. The new 8800 GTS 512MB or if you're feeling really saucy, SLI two 8800 GT cards. As it stands, it is pretty hard to justify the cost of high end GTX cards when other more affordable options are performing at near-equal levels.

[David M]

Originally Posted by Caddywompus81 Currently, even the standard 8800 GTX's aren't king of cost/performance. The new 8800 GTS 512MB or if you're feeling really saucy, SLI two 8800 GT cards. As it stands, it is pretty hard to justify the cost of high end GTX cards when other more affordable options are performing at near-equal levels.

Agreed... In CPU magazine, "Sharky" was saying the same thing. I may just get two GTS's and leave it at that. $1000 to $1300 total for a couple GTX cards seems ridiculous for such a small improvement in framerates.

I just found this overclocked eVGA GTS for $385 (total price) http://computers.pricegrabber.com/vi...ds/m/53348355/

[liambl]

Beware that is the old 8800GTS, the newer one is faster than the 8800GT but under the GTX. Now it seems there are 3 cards with almost identical performance.

[David M]

So I am confused... Is there a new and old GTS? How do I distinguish the difference in the specs?

[shadowpr]

The new ones should say (G92) or something like that. And the new ones have 512mb while the old ones come in either 320 or 640mb.

[Katreat]

Originally Posted by shadowpr The new ones should say (G92) or something like that. And the new ones have 512mb while the old ones come in either 320 or 640mb.

It is kind of confusing, but it looks like performance wise they now run weakest to strongest:

GTS (320), GTS (640), GT, GTS (512). Although depending on the size of your monitor and other peramenters the GT and the GTS (640) seem to swap around some in the ratings. It is very confusing.........

Kat