Worth getting a 8800gts 320MB?

I have a Pentium D 930 overclocked to 4GHz, 2GB DDR2 RAM, ASUS P5LD2 mobo. Currently I have a 7600gs in my system and playing games with my 19' wide 1440x900.

I'm experiencing choppy framerates with latest games so I guess my 7600gs is holding me back. After seeing 8600gts benchmarks, I feel it's better to get a 8800gts 320MB. The only concern is that I'm afraid my Pentium D will bottleneck the 8800. I dont think its worth spending on a C2D and new mobo(Beyond my budget).

Do you think I should get the 8800gts 320MB or save my money and get 7900gs/7950gt or radeon 1950pro? Or even wait for the R600s and retail 8600gts?

Thanks!

Well, I do think your cpu will bottleneck the 8800Gts 320, depending on your resolution of course. But the 8800 GTS 320 is still a beast, you could propably turn up AA and stuff like that so you won't be as bottlenecked. It's that or either get a 8600GTS or wait for the middrange r600 cards to hit the market.

At this point I don't think it would be wise to get a 7900gs/7950gt or 1950 pro. Basicly because a 8600GTS will do the same and a little bit more. Plus you can go dx10 with a 8600 gts (whenever those games hit the market anyway..)

One Bull said:

Well, I do think your cpu will bottleneck the 8800Gts 320, depending on your resolution of course. But the 8800 GTS 320 is still a beast, you could propably turn up AA and stuff like that so you won't be as bottlenecked. It's that or either get a 8600GTS or wait for the middrange r600 cards to hit the market.

At this point I don't think it would be wise to get a 7900gs/7950gt or 1950 pro. Basicly because a 8600GTS will do the same and a little bit more. Plus you can go dx10 with a 8600 gts (whenever those games hit the market anyway..)

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Thanks for your advice. Anyway I running on 1440x900 resolution and I dont plan to get a bigger LCD unless mine malfuntions. Well, I'll be waiting for the R600s or 8600gts before I decide. Do you guys think 8800gts is too much for 1440x900?

hmm, it's not too much for 1440x900 when you max out everything. Yeah sure the gts will have some power to spare but at least you're futureproof.

But I do think a 640mb GTs is too much for your cpu. Your d930 just won't be able to keep it up. But then again, when you upgrade in the future everything will fall into place then...

Just a stupid question, if you were lower the resolution wouldn't that give you better frame rates?

I would upgrade if I were you, but not quite yet. Wait 3 more weeks for the ATI release. It will drive prices down. R600 10-20% better 3dmark than the GTX @ $399. Very nice.

8800gts 320 is the best card for the money right now, IMO. 8600gts came out today, but its so worth it to spend the extra 50 or so bucks to step up.

higher the res, more strain on the graphics card, lower, more cpu dependent

iConFEWscious said:

Just a stupid question, if you were lower the resolution wouldn't that give you better frame rates?

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Generally.. Yeah

I'm thinking of this too. Instead of getting a 8800gts, I get either a 1950Pro or 7900GS. With the spare cash, I could get another 250GB 7200.10 and do RAID with some cash left. Im in Japan and here's roughly the cost for the stuff :

My budget : 45000yen

8800GTS 320MB : 44000yen

7900GS : 20000yen

1950GT : 24000yen

1950Pro : 26000yen

7200.10 250GB : 8200yen

I would trade in my 7600GS for around 7000yen. I have enough budget to upgrade to C2D but I cant trade in my Pentium D because warranty is void. My 945P mobo doesnt support C2D.