Upgrade would be worth it?

[pRATTICUS]

Hey guys, my current hardware is in my signature.

Given that I currently play LotRO and will be going to WAR when it comes out, would you think my gains in going to a GTX280 would be my wisest choice?

I haven't upgraded since Nov'06 and with the launch of the 200 series, I am itching to do something.

Thanks in advance.

*EDIT* sorry, sig added in a post below.

[Wolken007]

you don't have a signature - no current hardware list.

[CaptNKILL]

Err...

You don't have a signature.

[pRATTICUS]

Hehe, I just noticed that - I used to, but it's been awhile since I posted so it disappeared somehow. Sig added - sorry :o

[Wolken007]

I don't have a GTX280, but if you are gaming on a 30" screen with any amount of AA applied, it sounds like you could see some benefits from a GTX280.

[pRATTICUS]

Yeah, from reading the reviews it seems like the minimum framerate at 2560x1600 with AA/AF is where the GTX280 will show me returns.

What about the other hardware? Is $600 better spent elsewhere first?

Also, what is the anticipated release date for the competitor from AMD/ATi - is this something to wait and see if it is only a couple of weeks?

[CaptNKILL]

Your CPU should be fine.

Some games would show a good increase from a Core 2 overclocked to 4Ghz or so, but I wouldn't worry about it right now. Yours should be pretty good for most games.

[LT.Schaffer]

I would also like to ask the same question... should i upgrade to a 280 or 260?

or wait?

Thanks in advance..

I play @ 1680X1050

Also anyone care to try Armed Assault to see if the 280 improves FPS?

[pRATTICUS]

Did a little more research and the money burned a little more hole in my pocket.

Can any of you tell me if the following PSU will run a GTX 280 - I think my question is primarily will the connectors work?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194004

Also, does anyone have any real-world results on 2560x1600 in LotRO?

[spajdr]

Did a little more research and the money burned a little more hole in my pocket.

Can any of you tell me if the following PSU will run a GTX 280 - I think my question is primarily will the connectors work?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194004

Also, does anyone have any real-world results on 2560x1600 in LotRO?

well you have two PCIE 6pin connectors, thats enough for 8pin PCIE to two 6pin connector adapter, but card also have 6pin PCIE to molex (like old PATA dvd rom uses or HDD), so you should be ok, but i think some cards didnt even have 8pin to two 6pin connector adapter, so make sure that bundle will include it, Asus have it.

[Lfctony]

With only two rails, I don't think so.. You'd need at least 4 rails, with two dedicated to the video card, 1 for the CPU and the other for peripherals etc... With only two, the video card will share one rail with the CPU and most likely overload it... I had a 600w PSU that was much better, but it had four rails at 18A each... It's going to be one close call...

[spajdr]

With only two rails, I don't think so.. You'd need at least 4 rails, with two dedicated to the video card, 1 for the CPU and the other for peripherals etc... With only two, the video card will share one rail with the CPU and most likely overload it... I had a 600w PSU that was much better, but it had four rails at 18A each... It's going to be one close call...

Nah its ok, friend have only enermax 500W and GTX 280 and it works nicely :)

[SH64]

I would also like to ask the same question... should i upgrade to a 280 or 260?

or wait?

Thanks in advance..

I play @ 1680X1050

Also anyone care to try Armed Assault to see if the 280 improves FPS?
Its crappy coded so i dont think so.

[Maverickman]

If you have the $$$, the GTX 280 would be a nice upgrade over an 8800 GTX. The GTX 280 affords the BEST gaming experience of any card out there, including the HD 4870 which only has 512MB of RAM.

[pRATTICUS]

Thanks for the responses, guys.

OK, if the PSU is iffy, what would y'all recommend given that me going to SLi in the future is unlikely?

[Blacklash]

The GTX 280 is most useful @ 2560x or if you want to pile 16x AA on the games you play @ lower res. An overclocked GTX 260 offers a lot of stiff competition to a GTX 280 @ 1920x and lower. The same may be said for the HD 4870. The 4870 sometimes falls down in min frames and that will equal to a rougher gaming experiences. You'll feel a drop to 9 much more than you will one to 20-22.

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9479/palithd487064ge2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/1366/palithd4870103jl7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

If you're lower than 2560x and you think the GTX 280 price is a bit much for you, try a GTX 260 from a company that supports user overclocking without voiding your warranty, like Evga or XFX.

So good reasons to have an overclocked GTX 260 or 280 besides solid average frames might be; no worries with multi GPU stutter or bugs, and solid min frames. Hard crashes to FPS below 20 you will definitely feel in game play.

[pRATTICUS]

Well, add me to the list of owners of a GTX 280.

Just bought the EVGA SSC Edition at Newegg. Yay!