retired_suzannechua

Basically if I buy a 8800 Ultra now, will I be running games at midrange settings in 3 years time?

retired_felina

3 years. most definately yes. As Oasisi said, the very best cad out there today struggles with crysis maxed out.

the next gen 9800s are going to be a massive improvement over the current 8800s so the options are 1) wait until 9800 is out, 2) go top end now and see how long it lasts, 3) get a temporary card like the 8800GT then upgrade again when 9800 is released.

retired_felina

sorry for double post. when is say yes to the 3 years question, my answer should be dont expect anything higher than midrange at best

retired_suzannechua

Well how much better are we talking a jump here.

8800 to 9800 a regular generation jump or is this one something special?

retired_mphska

I would say about 1 1/2years.

With Dx10 with vista, Graphic cards are going to be pushed harder, As game designers develop better Graphics.

Graphic card change all the time the 8800 series has been out now for about 9 months. The next is 9800 which comes out next year.

The reason i would'nt recommend a top end card,
Is because i bought one myself when the 7800 came out for about £350.
It's great for saying 'Oh i have the fastest card' Within about six month there is newer and better things.

retired_suzannechua

But the 9800 will be surpassed within a year will it not?

retired_mphska

People are not sure.

Some think next gen, Some think a smaller die(ie Same Card as 8800 but quicker)

retired_felina

New chip design. Although nothing is official its believed to have:

- DDR 4 memory (up to 1 gig)
- Support for PCI-E 2.0
- Some kind of onboard chip that gives free 4xAA
- 512 bit memory interface
- DX10.1 support

ive read speculation, and it should be treated as such, that it 'may' be twice as fast as the 8800 ultra. Pinch of salt required though.

retired_suzannechua

Technology is always going to get better I understand that really. Money isn't really an issue here and it's only an extra ~80 quid from the 2x 8800GTS to the Ultra.

retired_mphska

Yep.

That's what i'm saying there is no point on paying top whack on a graphics card when you can get very similar perforance on mid-range cards for a fraction of the cost.

Then when the next gen comes out you sell your currant card and get a mid-range card again.

If you sell at the right time and get abit of luck, You can get the next gen card for about £30 there for alway's having the latest cards.

If you buy a top end card you lose too much money trying to sell it again because the price drops so much.

Hope this helps