7900GT(X) or 8800

[jamiesalter]

Hello all,

I've got to the stage when you need to buy a new computer. This is what i've decided:

Mobo - Asus P5B Deluxe
CPU - Intel E6400
Memory - Corsair dominator 6400 2x1024
Hard Drive - Western Digital WD2500KS
Optical Drive - Samsung SH-S182D
Case - Antec Nine Hundred
PSU - OCZ GameXStream 600W

As you can see, i haven't included a graphics card in that list.
I think you'll all agree with me that the nVidia 8800s are too expensive at the moment in the UK. So do I buy a good 7900gt/gto/gtx now, or buy an average one and upgrade to a 8800 in a few months? Budget wise, if i buy a good card now, i'd be looking to spend around £200.

Also if you see anything in the build above (apart from the memory as i've already ordered it) that you would change please tell me.

Cheers,

Jamie Salter

[vicar]

I will change the Psu to a Seasonic 600, and get a sub £200 graphic card and upgrade later to a 2nd or even 3rd gen 8800s.

You are all good to go.

[chuckskull]

All comes down to money. if you can afford a 8800GTS then buy it. Otherwise theres a few 7900GTX's going second hand now, which will give you plenty of grunt until way into the 2nd and 3rd gen of DX10 cards.

[jamiesalter]

I quite like the idea of buying a second hand 7900gtx and then upgrading to the 2nd or 3rd gen of DX10. Where would you suggest I look for a second hand card? Ebay?

Also what would i look for in a used one? Clearly I still want the manufacturers warrenty on the card, but are there any other "Buying used graphic card" tips and things to watch out for?

[Whiternoise]

Ebay is good, you could hang around the forums a bit and wait till somoene sells one.

If you're buying from Ebay, make sure that the gold contacts are all ok, none of the ports are damaged (and of course that you're not just buying a box ). I would also make sure that they are including either the box or some decent form of packaging - you don't want to cough up money for a broken card.

[chuckskull]

You can post a bit more and get access to the For Sale forum here, thats my first choice for second hand PC bits.

for buying second hand on eBay, dont buy the cheapest or anything that looks too good to be true because IT IS. tbh though you end up paying over the odd's on eBay most of the time now.

[Yellowbeard]

A friend recently bought a BFG7900GT on eBay. He had an issue and discovered that the FULL BFG warranty (here in the US) transfers to the 2nd owner should the original owner ever sell the card. So, if you have the option, you may also want to try to buy BFG.

And, if you are considering power supply options, you may want to look at ours while you shop.

Thanks for choosing Corsair!

[Akutsito]

I would go for a second hand 7900 also, and then get a new video card

[jamiesalter]

hmm...I like the idea of buying a 7900 and then upgrading later. Although i've been looking into it and think i'll go for a sapphire 256mb x1950pro - you seem to get good bang for the buck.

I'm also tempted to just buy a retail one instead of a second hand one just for the ease and safety of it working correctly.

PSU wise, i'm probably going to change to one from seasonic, corsair or enermax.

[Rob_B]

brand new 7900gto? around the same price as a 2nd hand GTX surely? no warranty problems then!

[jamiesalter]

Yeah, i've looked into the gto, but can you find one in stock below £200??

I'm just too late. Also the Sapphire 256mb x1950pro is cheaper so it means i can upgrade to the E6600

[jamiesalter]

I've just found the 7900gto for less than £200.

Is it still worth buying it at this price? Or should i stick with the sapphire at around £130?

Oh and one more question: would it be worth buying a good graphics card, like the gto, if my screen isn't that great??

[Rob_B]

I couldn't comment on comparison between the two (just google it!)

I only have a 17" TFT that can do 1280*1024 'however' i just turn up AA & AF to higher levels than i would if i was running at a higher res, im happy with my GTO but like i said google for a benchmark comparison.

[Pie_uk]

i know some one selling an x1900xt 512mb for £180 if your intrested

[frazered]

those 8800 are scary prices!

the ati x series seem pretty good so I think I will keep on that road

[emul8]

those 8800 are scary prices!

Thats because they are scary cards

For value for money try an go with nvidia