Getting some stuff next week

[FlightSimBoy]

I wanted some opinions before I invest another 500 dollars in my rig.

I am planning on a new GPU and with that a new PSU.

I am really confident in this as my new PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005 Enough watts for a nice gaming rig, and also enough amps on a single rail to power everything I need and then some. Also keeps my rig somewhat future-proof to any other upgrades I might want.

Now the GPU. This is a tough decision to make. I have really wanted an 8800 GTS with the G92 core, but I found something ATi had that appears to be better, but cheaper. Here is the GTS I am looking at: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121218 and here is the other GPU that stuns me: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103057 - The Diamond Viper HD3870 with 1 GB GDDR3. I am leaning more towards the 3870 because it has much better features: more memory, faster memory clock, faster core clock, and more stream processors. Only thing I'm wondering is that even with the better/faster features, would the 512MB of extra memory bog it down some? Even then, I might get the 3870 because it is not PCI-E X16 2.0. I don't know if my PC supports 2.0. I also like ATi drivers, because they are simple like 8.1 and next month or so 8.2 and not something like 167.11 and then next WEEK 189.12 or something like that.

Opinions?

 

[Prodigy146]

Diamond Viper 1GB

http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=294&i=crysisdemocputestji7.jpg

8800GTS (This is the AVERAGE FPS)

http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=294&i=crysisrescomparisonbz5.png


It looks really close, but i would go with the diamond because it has 1gb of memory and everyone that has it is saying it has amazing overclocking potential. Also i love your psu. Very good quality for the price.

In that price range you could get one of new HD 4xxx series graphics card in about 2 weeks. why dont you just wait for that?

 

[Lord Mythirion]

Between the two, I would suggest the 3870, because it's cheaper. The two are really close in benchmarks, and if I remember correctly can overclock well. I was going to get that, but I'm going to wait for the 4850 to come out on the 25th(just 2 weeks) which is supposed to outperform or be close to in performance as the 9800gtx. I like your PSU though, that's the one I'm probably going to get.

EDIT: Lol, the Prodigy beat me to it

 

[FlightSimBoy]

It looks like the 3870 is a better buy from those benches alone. The thing about overclocking: the card may OC like a beast, but my PC doesn't like OC'ing too well. I tried it with my X1650 Pro. Moved the clock 1 MHz and my PC crashed. Even tried UNDERclocking 1 MHz and my PC crashed.

Wait for the 4XXX series? I don't know, because I am on a budget. I really can't push more than 500 bucks (my birthday is coming up. My mom usually gives me 400, I have 70 of my own saved up, and I get about 100 from friends and distant relatives) -- I know that's near 600, but I wanna save some of it. I forgot to mention in the first post I am getting a 4 GB RAM kit and a new DVD drive. I personally think a HD3870 will exceed what I want in a GPU for a long time. I was really happy with my X1650 Pro, and I still am, but I want more.

Anyone have a price estimate on the 4870?

 

[Lord Mythirion]

I think the price on the 4850 should be from $200-$230 and the 4870 from $250-$300. Someone correct me if I'm wrong

 

[Prodigy146]

$259.99 to be exact

 

[Lord Mythirion]

$259.99 to be exact

Thank you

 

[FlightSimBoy]

Ok, this is getting tougher and tougher to make a decision.

But I think I am just going to get the 3870, and add this as an excuse: when the 48XX series comes out and they are as good as ATi says they are, then it will be hard to find for the first few weeks and I don't want to wait 2 more weeks on top of waiting 2 weeks. Also have to consider that the 3870 I want is only 199.99 after rebates.

 

[Prodigy146]

yeah i would go with the 3870. 820mhz core clock and 1GB of gddr3 all for $200

cant go wrong with that

 

[vaio-fx]

I had to make the same descision when I built my computer. I chose the 8800GTS G92 over a HD 3870 becuase it only cost £10 more and everywhere I looked it seemed to suggest that it was the superior card. It is great at overclocking too, with the stock cooler I have gone from a 650MHz core up to a 760MHz core, and from what ive read it is possible to get it up to 800. It got a 3D mark 06 score of 13480 before I even overclocked it! It can also run any game I have tired on it, for example it plays Assassins Creed flawlessly. Also people have told me that although the 3870 looks better on paper, it isn't as good.

As you can see here on crysis, the 3870 is beaten by an 8800GT which is worse than an 8800GTS But the ATI 4XXX are even better so I'd personally wait for them.