Graphics upgrade dilema

[MSIC]

A mini dilema here - will be building a new PC for a friend (yeah i know, 24/7 tech support etc - bad news) principally to get rid of some old upgrade components (P4 bits). My friend is fully aware of this, and is reflected in the low total price. I am buying most other components cheaply from Scan for a total of £300 (including my second hand parts).

I was going to buy a GeForce 6600 AGP as he wont really be playing any games himself, although will have grandchildren popping round from time to time. This would cost about £62. It has just occured to me however that this would also be an opportunity for me to upgrade, from my current GeForce 6800 128MB AGP (vanilla 12 pipe) to something a little better. He will be giving me £62 (i wouldnt charge more since he doesnt want more).
Am considering a 6800 GS (PCI-E, 256MB) such as this one for £139, so it will cost me £77.

Has anyone else done an upgrade like this, and is it worth it? (IE Will i actually notice a benefit? - I play BF2, FEAR, plus lots of older games). I am actually not unhappy with my current card, but it's an opportunity...

Cheers

[ed^chigliak]

That would be a reasonable boost in performance however I think the 7800GT/7900GT is the sweet spot at around £200. Just maybe there will be some bargain or 2nd hand 7800GTs now that the 7900GT is released.

[zulander]

According to this http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/12/...ii/page16.html u should see an increase in framerates. eg to above 44 wich should give OKish performance in FEAR. The extra memory on the card will help display more textures and the newer card will have SM3.) support. For £77 id seriosuly think about it

[MSIC]

It's a tricky one.
The more money i spend, the better the upgrade (am also seriously considering a 7600GT for £100 of my money), but also PROPORTIONALLY the less value for money it is for me.
I also really don't need to upgrade.... but when does need come into it?

[kojak71]

Moving from a 6800GT to a 6800GS is a bit of a sideways (although the amount of RAM will improve performance). If it was me, I would upgrade to a current gen card.

[MSIC]

Moving from a 6800GT to a 6800GS is a bit of a sideways

I dont have a 6800GT.
I have a 128MB 6800 AGP, and am considering a 6800GS 256MB PCI-E.

[kempez]

Moving from a 6800GT to a 6800GS is a bit of a sideways (although the amount of RAM will improve performance). If it was me, I would upgrade to a current gen card.

Its a vanilla 6800 - it will give better performance

and MSIC: who EVER upgrades cause they need to (caertinaly not me )

I'd get a nice 7800GT

[MSIC]

I'd love that too, but honestly can't justify the price of a 7800GT or 7900GT, even though that would give me the more noticable improvement.
I can't really even stretch to £100 of my own money for a 7600GT, so wondered if the £77 for a 6800GS was worth it or not.

If not, i'll hold back for 6 months before getting something proper like a 7800GT.