So, I'm like... upgrading my graphics card!!!!!

[zuhane]

I was thinking of going for a Radeon 4870. Seems like the obvious and less expensive choice compared to the NVidia cards. 2 questions though:

1. Will I see a significant improvement from my current 8800GT?
2. Is there anything I can still do with my 8800GT? Use it for physics or something?

Anyway, thought I'd treat myself since I've done pretty well with college exams

[Archem]

The 8800 is a good mid-range card, and it'll prob'ly run anything you plan on playing at a pretty decent rate. I don't recall if it has PhysX or DX10/11 support, though. It's worth looking up.

[HobomasterXXX]

The 8800 is a good mid-range card, and it'll prob'ly run anything you plan on playing at a pretty decent rate. I don't recall if it has PhysX or DX10/11 support, though. It's worth looking up.

The 9500, which is pretty much the same, has both of those. I'm pretty sure the 9500 is just a rebranded 8800

[zuhane]

Sorry, I meant I was upgrading FROM an 8800GT. People are saying it'll soon be on its way out!

My friends all have GTX 260/70s now.

[Nandez]

I would recommend to 9500 to everyone. Not because its the best card but it isn't expensive and it will play anything and everything out right now.

[zuhane]

I thought the 9500 was on par / a downgrade to the 8800 GT.

[Archem]

No, you're wrong. it goes like this: 6 series, 7 series, 8 series, 9 series. The higher number the series is, the more recent and advanced the card. Of course, the X00 behind the series number defines just how proficient a card it is. Usually, the highest card in a series is about par with a low-to-middle number of the newer series. The reason you'd buy a low-number card of a new series instead of a high-number card of a previous series is that it's usually capable of using new features. Think PhysX, DX versions, SLI, etc.

So the 8800 is like a 9500, but with a few less features.

[Nandez]

No, you're wrong. it goes like this: 6 series, 7 series, 8 series, 9 series. The higher number the series is, the more recent and advanced the card. Of course, the X00 behind the series number defines just how proficient a card it is. Usually, the highest card in a series is about par with a low-to-middle number of the newer series. The reason you'd buy a low-number card of a new series instead of a high-number card of a previous series is that it's usually capable of using new features. Think PhysX, DX versions, SLI, etc.

So the 8800 is like a 9500, but with a few less features.

Not true some of the 8 series cards are hundres of dollars more expensive because they are better.
Though the 9500 can play anything for a reasonable price

[Archem]

Not true some of the 8 series cards are hundres of dollars more expensive because they are better.
Though the 9500 can play anything for a reasonable price

Not true some of the 8 series cards are hundres of dollars more expensive because they are better.

some of the 8 series cards are hundres of dollars more expensive

hundres of dollars

hundres

Ok, perhaps one zoom too far. That's just rubbing a typo in. My point is, if you're paying hundreds, you're being ripped off. I have a 9800 GT that cost me $125. That's not even two hundreds. An 8800 at more than $100 better have some really ****ing nice bonuses being thrown in.

[Nandez]

Ok, perhaps one zoom too far. That's just rubbing a typo in. My point is, if you're paying hundreds, you're being ripped off. I have a 9800 GT that cost me $125. That's not even two hundreds. An 8800 at more than $100 better have some really ****ing nice bonuses being thrown in.

Blah i don't hit my keys hard enough when i'm lazy.
Oh I agree paying that much is pointless but that doesn't make it any less true.
Edit:
Btw paying 125 for a 9800 gt sounds kind of useless but whatever.

[Archem]

It was a while ago. It's not like I just bought it yesterday.

[HobomasterXXX]

Also, be sure to check that your motherboard and power supply can handle the new card.

[Nandez]

Be sure to check your processor.

Normally I wouldn't tell someone to check that but My computer is crazy upgraded spend hundreds of dollars on it and my old processor sucked so much energy I couldn't even play Dragon Age On low graphics.
I had forgotten about my processore because it could run everything but

DA Arkham Asylum and Ghostbusters.
Now tohugh with new processore and everything else upgraded to

[zuhane]

My actual rig's pretty good. I used to have an 8500 GT, which was just plain awful. Apparently, my
PC was like a Ferrari with square wheels. That's why I upgraded to the 8800 GT and got a new PSU. I know PCs have
evolved since then, but it's still pretty new-ish as far as PCs go.

Q6600 2.4 GHz Quad Core Processor
2 GB RAM
550W PSU
8800 GT