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Graphics upgrade time

madindehead

madindehead

madindehead

Soldato
Joined
30 May 2009
Posts
4,629
Location
Maidenhead
Hello,

So, it's time for me to upgrade from my ageing 8800GT graphics card which has served me well for a year and a bit.

I mainly play games such as Crysis, WoW, Left 4 Dead, TF2, FEAR 2, FarCry 2 and such. I like to run all my games at full graphics all the time, and run at 1680 x 1050 resolution. I want the card to be reasonably future proof, leaving me good options for upgrades such as SLi if the performance can be increased by doing so.

Was hoping you could maybe give me some good recomendations. Preferably Nvidia. I was possibly looking at a GTX 285. Any thoughts on this and other options?

Thanks
 
How much cash? If not very much I would reckon either a Gainward Golden Sample GTX 260 Core 216 or a Gainward GTX 275. Or ATi alternative, definitely an XFX 4890. Hope that helps.
 
Given that the GTX 295 is basically 2 GTX 275s on a card, would it be a good idea to buy a GTX 275 now, and possibly upgrade to an SLi config later? Or is the SLi not really worth it?

I have between £200-350 to spend by the way. So most options apart from the GTX 295 are open to me.
 
Tarqy said:
if your considering that then you might aswell spend an extra £6 and get the

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-174-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1235
Click to expand...

Well, at the end of the day. From reading what people have said, that card is amazing from 1920 x 1200 resolutions and up. Have also managed to find the GTX 275 for £200. Also gives the option to upgrade to an SLi config (if it is worth it) which could be similar to the GTX 295. It is effectively the same thing.

Also, I own a nForce 680i SLi motherboard.
 
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Just read it. Thanks. Looks like a single GTX 275 is the way to go for now, and I can upgrade to SLi in a month or so when I have the cash for a second one ^^
 
true^

But then you have all the possible problems that come with a dual gpu solution like micro-stuttering, worse min frames and some games not utilising sli/x-fire.
 
True. But from what I have read on one review, the Zotac AMP! Edition of the GTX 275 is a beastly card. I realise there are problems with micro-stutter etc, but an SLi solution would be in the future. Also, as I have a good motherboard that supports SLi (nForce 680i SLi) it might be worth considering. Given two GTX 275s are cheaper than a GTX 295, and can achieve the same performance, it might be worth a shot?
 
What is the performance of 2x 275s vs 1x 4870x2 though? If the performance increase justifies the price then go for it..if not..don't :)

I've not looked at SLI'd 275s enough myself to see if the performance difference is that big though.

Then again, I've just seen that you're running at 1680x1050 - both SLI and crossfire are pretty pointless in that situation. Even a 512MB 4850 or 9800GTX+ would be able to max most games at that res.
 
Aekeron said:
What is the performance of 2x 275s vs 1x 4870x2 though? If the performance increase justifies the price then go for it..if not..don't :)

I've not looked at SLI'd 275s enough myself to see if the performance difference is that big though.

Then again, I've just seen that you're running at 1680x1050 - both SLI and crossfire are pretty pointless in that situation. Even a 512MB 4850 or 9800GTX+ would be able to max most games at that res.
Click to expand...

I would imagine sli overclocked 275's would outperform a 4870x2. Probably not by a huge amount though.

Also a 9800 is defnitely not enought to max out many modern games at 1680x1050. especially if you want maxium everything with AA and AF.
 
Jono8 said:
I would imagine sli overclocked 275's would outperform a 4870x2. Probably not by a huge amount though.

Also a 9800 is defnitely not enought to max out many modern games at 1680x1050. especially if you want maxium everything with AA and AF.
Click to expand...

Take Crysis, etc out of the equation and you'll find that a 9800GTX+ can run most games at full settings with AA and AF.
 
Aekeron said:
Take Crysis, etc out of the equation and you'll find that a 9800GTX+ can run most games at full settings with AA and AF.
Click to expand...

not if you like things buttery smooth. I can't abide anything going below 30fps. i have a very low framerate tolerance :(
 
Same. I want to be able to have AA and AF on full. And for the game to be smooth. From the looks of this http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/geforce-gtx-sli,review-31577.html, the GTX 275s seem to be very nice. Especially the one I am considering. The Zotac AMP! Edition 275 vs a stock 285 is much better. And even then can be clocked slightly. Using the GTX 275 offers me more upgrade paths, ie SLi later on. I want the card to be able to hang on, into the end of next year, so upgrading to a GTX 275 SLi combo in a few months would then seem best, after running one for a few months.
 
I think I will get a GTX 275 and SLi it come September. Seems like an amazing card. Gives me a good card until then, and even better come September. All the GTX 295 is, is two GTX 275s.
 
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