GPU, upgrade now or wait?

[TheDiceman]

Currently I have an x1800xt 256mb card and while it actaully is not a bad performer, it does not really cut in with some of the newer titles like STALKER. I am torn between just getting an x1950 series card now, or holding out for a DX10 card (likely an 8800GTS, 8600 just not worth it). There is a good hundred bucks in price difference there holding back my decision. My main worry is woudl a 1950 card hold me over for at least another year and a half since I doubt I coudl upgrade again any sooner than that. Oh yes, and my current rig, besides my GPU, is a 4200x2, 2 gigs of patriot (only stable at 533), KA3 MVP mobo from ECS and a 550watt antec truepower.

 

[TheDiceman]

More specifically I am looking at a 1950 Pro 512mb by Sapphire.

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100196L Radeon X1950PRO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail

 

[b1gapl]

Get the 8800GTS 320mb.
Newegg.com - EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail

Or if you can't afford right now, go for a 7900GS, instead of the X1950PRO. It overclocks really well, and will perform better than the X1950PRO. It's around the same price as an X1950PRO.

 

[TheDiceman]

The 7900 is much more in my immediate price bracket. I hate how hard it is to predict the lifespan of DX9 over X

 

[JoshSB]

You can always buy an eVGA card and then use the stepup program within I think 3 months and just pay the difference for a bigger card.

 

[b1gapl]

Yea, you can get an evga 7900GS, and when you have a little more money, you can use the step-up program for an 8 series.

 

[TheDiceman]

Step up Program? Have not heard of this, although I was looking at EVGA anyway because of their replacement policy.

 

[veg1992]

go with this 256 MB XFX Xtrne edition:
Newegg.com - XFX PVT71PUDP3 GeForce 7900GS 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 EXTREME Video Card - Retail
or go with this factory overclocked one 2 512 MB for 20$ extra bucks: Newegg.com - MSI NX7900GS-T2D512E-OC GeForce 7900GS 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Over CLock Edition Video Card - Retail

 

[TheDiceman]

Does the jump from 256 to 512 make that significant of a difference?

Also, I notice that the 7900GS actually is listed below my current x1800xt 256mb on the card rankings sticky.

 

[b1gapl]

The memory helps in the resolutions you're playing games at. The higher the resolution, the more memory you should have.