Worth Buying?

[Sniper1432]

At the moment, I currently have an 8800 GTS 320mb video card. I saw the 9800 GTX for only $290. Would this card be worth upgrading to?

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=4835256

Thanks. :)

[=98=]

Re: Worth Buying?

Nah, there should be a completely new set of cards coming later this year. They'll be tuned for CUDA as well (physX) and hopefully will be running a new, or revised architecture.

[sava700]

Re: Worth Buying?

I would... go with BFG since your set for a 100day step up. If you constantly wait for new products you would never upgrade as there is always something new coming out. For PC gamers its a never ending cycle. However going BFG which is what I suggest it would put you up to prob 320$ as they are a better card.

[=98=]

Re: Worth Buying?

I would... go with BFG since your set for a 100day step up. If you constantly wait for new products you would never upgrade as there is always something new coming out.

I agree with that, but Nvidia have nearly finished their work on the PhysX and will, im sure, release new cards to show that.

And, its not as if the 8800gts 320mb isn't a good card. Plus, by overclocking it, you can get 8800gt performance easily.

[sava700]

Re: Worth Buying?

I agree with that, but Nvidia have nearly finished their work on the PhysX and will, im sure, release new cards to show that.

And, its not as if the 8800gts 320mb isn't a good card. Plus, by overclocking it, you can get 8800gt performance easily.

Ohh yeah Overclocking but why OC when you can get a 9800 GTX OCX card already clocked and covered under Warranty..and yes they will KNOW! All companies are testing the units for clocking higher than what the card is designed.. if you don't believe me give BFG Tech a call and ask them and they will tell you just as I asked again yesterday discussing a motherboard issue. Its something they have to do cause people are trashing the cards by clocking them too high then claiming they are faulty by fault of the company.

But back on subject he's better off upgrading for the costs now per performance. I don't expect the next cards to cost any different than what these are now since prices are driving down. They also have no choice but to keep prices low cause the economy's of many nations are hurting and people are having trouble putting gas in their cars let alone buy a graphics card.

[=98=]

Re: Worth Buying?

Ohh yeah Overclocking but why OC when you can get a 9800 GTX OCX card already clocked and covered under Warranty..

Because they cost more, and they only apply like a silly 50mhz overclock on the core, which gives you about a 1fps boost. If it was such a good idea, everyone would buy factory OC'd cards

and yes they will KNOW! All companies are testing the units for clocking higher than what the card is designed.. if you don't believe me give BFG Tech a call and ask them and they will tell you just as I asked again yesterday discussing a motherboard issue. Its something they have to do cause people are trashing the cards by clocking them too high then claiming they are faulty by fault of the company.

To this day, i've never had an issue with overclocked cards RMA'd. Did it with my BFG 7600gt i overclocked. Plus, without voltmodding a card, it's hard to wreck it.
If it was such a big deal, i'm sure you'd see forums like overclock.net covered in complaints. And, half the time you send it back to the retailer.


And, you are overlooking the point that a 8800gts 320mb is still a good card, and unless money was burning a hole in your pocket, it's not really worth it.

And yes, go ahead and OVERCLOCK it. I'll help you and show you all the tools and tricks :)

[sava700]

Re: Worth Buying?

Because they cost more, and they only apply like a silly 50mhz overclock on the core, which gives you about a 1fps boost. If it was such a good idea, everyone would buy factory OC'd cards



To this day, i've never had an issue with overclocked cards RMA'd. Did it with my BFG 7600gt i overclocked. Plus, without voltmodding a card, it's hard to wreck it.
If it was such a big deal, i'm sure you'd see forums like overclock.net covered in complaints. And, half the time you send it back to the retailer.


And, you are overlooking the point that a 8800gts 320mb is still a good card, and unless money was burning a hole in your pocket, it's not really worth it.

And yes, go ahead and OVERCLOCK it. I'll help you and show you all the tools and tricks :)

I'm just telling you what the Tech said on the phone directly from BFG..that their company and others are watching for this as many are getting screwed and they know it. The BFG 9800 GTX OCX bumps up a bit higher than just 50 on the core and shaders etc.. but you have to remember they are using different solutions for cooling under the HSF and a slight difference in Bios to the card vs just downloading Riva tuner and moving sliders... I wouldn't advise it period with any of the new modern cards as it just isn't worth the difference in waste of the warranty not to mention the prices are so low for higher end cards which puts them within reach of someone that needs more.

at the end of the day its Warranty Fraud which drives prices higher... I disagree with it cause I hate paying these high prices for the cards now when directly from the Tech's mouth said that if this was stopped then the prices would come down..must like Insurance Fraud.

[jake_]

Re: Worth Buying?

Just wait for the real 9' series cards.

[Eagle101]

Re: Worth Buying?

Just wait for the real 9' series cards.

:nod::nod::nod::nod::nod::nod::nod::nod:

[=98=]

Re: Worth Buying?

at the end of the day its Warranty Fraud which drives prices higher... I disagree with it cause I hate paying these high prices for the cards now when directly from the Tech's mouth said that if this was stopped then the prices would come down..must like Insurance Fraud.

Well, i guess we must agree to disagree. With companies such as EVGA bringing out their own overclocking tools, it seems like the process is seen as almost legitimate, even if technically, on paper, it isn't.

It's damn hard to write off a graphics card through overclocking as over volting must be done through a volt mod which is risky (usually means using wire and dollops of solder).

I'm yet to see any firm proof that companies are cracking down on self overclocked cards.

[sava700]

Re: Worth Buying?

Well, i guess we must agree to disagree. With companies such as EVGA bringing out their own overclocking tools, it seems like the process is seen as almost legitimate, even if technically, on paper, it isn't.

It's damn hard to write off a graphics card through overclocking as over volting must be done through a volt mod which is risky (usually means using wire and dollops of solder).

I'm yet to see any firm proof that companies are cracking down on self overclocked cards.

eVGA's tool pretty much allows you to do it but at the same time if you checked the cards later on they will be able to tell on these newer cards and the way the bios's are written. As for proof..just call one of them up and ask at least BFG techs told me this over the phone that they are checking cause they are getting back alot of cards here lately with people pushing cards too high then burning them up then claiming the card faulty and expect BFG to foot the bill in repairing or replacing it. Again, its just like Insurance Fraud and If i ever saw it done I'd turn em in.... tired of prices as high as they are for acts like this.

Just wait for the real 9' series cards.

If you ALWAYS wait for the next highest and greatest parts you will never get anywhere as there is always something better being released usually within 90days of the original part etc.... Thats just the thing with PC Gaming vs consoles and something you have to get used to.

[=98=]

Re: Worth Buying?

Well, actions speak louder than words. And i'm yet to see any action.

[Eagle101]

Re: Worth Buying?

Well, actions speak louder than words. And i'm yet to see any action.

:nod::nod::nod:

[Flt. Sgt. Powderhound]

Re: Worth Buying?

BFG are hardly going to tell you "Yup, we charge $50 extra for the OC version, but the normal one does the same speed easy peasy with no risk" are they?

[sava700]

Re: Worth Buying?

BFG are hardly going to tell you "Yup, we charge $50 extra for the OC version, but the normal one does the same speed easy peasy with no risk" are they?

Yeah they will tell you that.. and its no need to ask. Swing on over to newegg for example and they have 3 different versions of the card (stock/reference, OC, and OCX) each version is bumped slightly in price but a decent increase in clocks per core,shaders and memory. The only difference really of each card is cooling compound and bios settings that enable the fan to spin slightly higher or faster with the upward clocked speeds...ohh and a different sticker and box. Overclocking a video card is about as easy as baking a cake but voids warranties regardless if you think they will catch on to it or not..its wrong and shouldn't be done. If you need more performance then I suggest upgrading instead of risking damage to the card which will in turn cause you to defraud the company by claiming product failure under reasonable/everyday use of the card.