New Video Card Suggestions

[pet3rrr]

Currently, I am using a 1920 x 1200 monitor and looking for a single-card solution. I am willing to spend up to $350. I have been eying the 9800 GX2, but according to the benchmarks on bit-tech.net, the GTX 260 beats the GX2 in several cases (at the resolution mentioned above), albeit I've read around on this forum and others that it's vice versa. TIA. :)

[JonSimonzi]

I've never seen a benchmark where the GX2 is beaten by a GTX260. Most of the time, the GX2 beats out the GTX280, which people pass off as premature drivers. For the price I'd say the GX2 is one of the best bang for your buck setups. It might be rivaled by 4850 CF, I've never compared the two, but generally the GX2 is quite a bit cheaper.

[pet3rrr]

Okay, sounds good. My next question is, will my CPU and mobo cause bottlenecking? Specs: E6750 and Gigabyte GA-P35. I was thinking of getting an E8500 or Q9450 and the 780i SLI mobo (might SLI in the future).

[necrokiller]

At stock speeds, yes. That CPU will hold back your GX2. That upgrade will help you a great deal...although you might want to check some reviews before you invest in Quad-SLI. If I remember correctly it does not scale well.

[pet3rrr]

Cool deal. If I don't plan to SLI in the future, what would be a solid chipset to accompany the GX2? ($300 max).

[JonSimonzi]

E8400 and Asus P5Q-Pro would be $309.98. Close enough to $300 and a good solid build.

I assume when you say "solid chipset" you mean the CPU and Motherboard.

[pet3rrr]

I meant chipset as in P35/P45/X38/X48/750i/780i/etc. I looked into the P5Q Deluxe, and placed my order on Newegg, along with an E8500. Thanks for all the help :) Oh yeah, and of course, a 9800 GX2 is on its way as well. xP

[necrokiller]

Have fun man! Perfect time to buy the gx2. :thup:

[pet3rrr]

Thanks! :)

[JonSimonzi]

Have fun man! Perfect time to buy the gx2. :thup:

Mmmm... Mine will be ordered this Saturday when my paycheck gets deposited :)

Can't go wrong with the P5Q-Deluxe and E8500 combination. Very similar to what I got last week, E8500 and P5Q-E. Is doing 4.2ghz on a crappy cooler.

[doublejack]

I see you already made your purchases. IMO, you made some excellent choices! I recently bought a 9800GX2 and I also game at 1920 x 1200. The performance is awesome, I've been extremely pleased.

[JonSimonzi]

Only thing I'm kind of bummed about getting the GX2, is I will loose my 2nd monitor until the 180 drivers come out in September and dual monitor support is added :(