Planning a video upgrade?..You might want to wait

[Pr0fessional]

Originally Posted by Defiler

This may be bad for my aionsource rating to attack the GM of the site, but Mark, you asked for it.

As a system builder, your rant borders in the immature and infantile. Parts do go bad, period. For instance, how would YOU fix a cracked motherboard or improperly soldered parts on a mb? LOL yah, thought so. Also, you are failing to realize that MOST ppl in the world don't have a clue about how to build or repair computers. That's the reason we can charge them $70 an hour to change their video card, haha.

Here's the facts, especially in Florida where we live Mark, parts are man made and parts break. Also, things like electrical strikes cause computer failures both to battery backups (I'm on #3 in 4 yrs). And when I had an internet cafe in Orlando a few years back and got an entire batch of faulty motherboards. Yes, I could have spent many hours fixing them, but I also don't think it's unfair to expect a product to work out of the box...or a game at launch. :P

I think you are frustrated at something that now comes naturally to you but will not for MANY others. It is up to ppl like us to try and help them if they truly want help. Some ppl will come and complain just to complain, but I think alot of concerns are legit. That's why when I build a computer, I made a video that shows them EVERY component inside their system and how to reset/replace each one. It saved me hundreds of hours a month on the phone explaining simple things and how to fix em.

Just my 2 cents. It's obvioius you care about us by making this site. Just remember many ppl are lazy or lack the intellect/time to understand something we love and understand so easily.

Mark makes alot of good points, you just missed them all.
Point is, people need to learn things for themselves and not expect everything handed too them.

And anyone who charges 70 an hour for anything computer related is a crook imo my time is valuable but even I ain't worth 70 an hour for a job like that

[Kalean]

I didn't want to get into what defiler stated...But I do agree with pr0fessional on this one. But damn man, 70 an hour?...I don't even charge more then 30...average I charge is around 15-25...Heck, I charge around 50-100 for building a rig, and around an extra 50-100 if they want it overclocked as it requires time to use the rig and stress test....70 an hour is just too much...

But in light of everything, I don't think everyone should be forced to learn how a computer operates...Some people just don't have the passion for it or the drive. I've spent years in acquiring my knowledge and experience in system building/fixing/etc...The only thing I do have a problem with is those who don't have the experience trying to give advice...Same goes with fan boys...That topic LITERALLY gets on my nerves...I just can't stand fanboys giving advice. >_<

[Maconi]

A couple questions since you seem reasonably knowledgeable about such things Kalean...

I see you mention XFX/EVGA often in your posts. I know both of them well, but what is your opinion on BFG?

Also, surely you know of the performance differences between Windows XP and Vista ATM for gaming (both in driver support and DX). In the near future, do you think the performance of DX10 in games will end up pushing Vista over XP's DX9 in performance? Or never gonna happen? lol

-Mac

[Kalean]

Maconi: I recommend XFX/EVGA due to their lifetime warranties and their special programs. BFG is also a strong candidate that carries a lifetime warranty. Of these three, they are the only ones worth purchasing based on the fact they honor their lifetime warranties and have fantastic support...Why buy a MSI? Leadtek? No point imo with their limited warranties. I've personally never owned a BFG card, but have heard good things in terms of support and honoring their lifetime warranties...I just recommend EVGA/XFX completely due to the special programs which BFG lacks to have.

In regards to Vista...With time it is a possibility...The main reason why vista is slow is due to the amount of redundant code...It's just not a very well coded operating system. Sp1 for vista has fixed some issues though which wasn't too surprising, especially with crossfire and certain titles...Performance will keep improving, but I don't see it getting any better relatively soon....But one of the reason Vista is slower is due to the redundant code...Vista was suppose to be a ground up OS..but that never happened...Windows 7 which is stated to be released next year is following the path of being a ground up OS...If microsoft can actually make it happen this time. But yea, don't expect Vista's DX10 to push over XP's DX9...I expect XP to be a better performer indefinitely..lol..Overall, I see Windows vista as the ME of the current generation, will have to see what Windows 7 brings to the table.

[Maconi]

Originally Posted by Kalean

Maconi: I recommend XFX/EVGA due to their lifetime warranties and their special programs. BFG is also a strong candidate that carries a lifetime warranty. Of these three, they are the only ones worth purchasing based on the fact they honor their lifetime warranties and have fantastic support...Why buy a MSI? Leadtek? No point imo with their limited warranties. I've personally never owned a BFG card, but have heard good things in terms of support and honoring their lifetime warranties...I just recommend EVGA/XFX completely due to the special programs which BFG lacks to have.

In regards to Vista...With time it is a possibility...The main reason why vista is slow is due to the amount of redundant code...It's just not a very well coded operating system. Sp1 for vista has fixed some issues though which wasn't too surprising, especially with crossfire and certain titles...Performance will keep improving, but I don't see it getting any better relatively soon....But one of the reason Vista is slower is due to the redundant code...Vista was suppose to be a ground up OS..but that never happened...Windows 7 which is stated to be released next year is following the path of being a ground up OS...If microsoft can actually make it happen this time. But yea, don't expect Vista's DX10 to push over XP's DX9...I expect XP to be a better performer indefinitely..lol..Overall, I see Windows vista as the ME of the current generation, will have to see what Windows 7 brings to the table.

QFT about Vista=ME.

XP is the 98 of the day, I'm not even looking 7's way until at least SP1 comes out for it (even XP was a bit off till a while after SP1).

What special programs do EVGA/XFX have? I heard something about trade-in's before, dunno much details about them. Also does it only apply to their video products? (I've seen a few decent MB's from XFX and the likes)

-Mac

[Kalean]

EVGA, along with their lifetime warranty, offer their 3 month step-up program. Basically, once you registered your card within the month of purchase, you activate the lifetime warranty and the 3 month step-up. You have 3 months if you'd like to call EVGA and trade in your card for something better up the chain. You just have to pay the difference between the two cards.

XFX, offers a VERY mod/OC friendly lifetime warranty. They also offer their Double lifetime warranty...Basically, if you plan to sell your card to someone, they just have to register it on the site like you did before, and they get the lifetime warranty as well. this only happens once, when changing hands.

It's a toss up between the two, but I prefer XFX...why?...Because it's a absolute steal for their high end cards. think of it this way...let's say the 9900 GTX is about to be launched (as it is)...I pick one up on day 1 from xfx...I use it and enjoy it. As time goes by and their next architecture is on the verge of release, I pop it up on the net and sell it within a month or two of the new architecture, I sell it for around 50 or so below the current MSRP. Since it has a transferable lifetime warranty, it'll sell quickly ^_^. I take the money I get from selling the card, slap on an extra 150-200 or so...and pick up their new high end on release...For just a bit of effort and time, you can pretty much have indefinite high ends for around 100-300 depending on the current price and state of the market...to me that is invaluable ^_^....Much better then a 3 month step up...considering you can wait a year or so and just sell it when the next big baddy is about to be released ^.^.

[Defiler]

I wasn't trying to rip on anyone when I made my post; just inform. As for charging $70 an hour...that's standard rate if you own a computer repair shop and even more sometimes if you do house call repairs. If you do work in an enterprise environment, it can be alot more than that per hour depending on what you are there to service.

My point was this: People that are in the industry, whether as a hobby or profession, understand computers and love them. Most people don't care and therefore don't even want to think about them. And tbh, I don't blame them for not wanting to know something they don't really care about. They are here on this site to enjoy a game, not computer repair, design, or implementation. Which is why they ask questions that we all consider "common sense". Just my opinion and why we should show love.

[Kalean]

Defiler: No sweat man, we didn't take offense...If I charged 70 bucks I'd be a happy fellow ^_^. But with my personality, and how I help my customers, the recommendations are for more valuable for me...Since I work out of my home =P.

[MochiYum]

Im going to get a laptop which has the 8800M GTX and i was wondering if i should wait also, but i have a feeling the new GPU's are meant for desktops aren't they? If they also r going to making some for laptops, should i wait or no?

[tsn]

I saw this coming along time ago I just didnt know when.

We also should wait and see if the current CPU's will bottleneck this card.

Because when I bought my 7800 series card 1gig ddr2 ram was old with in a month Intel > AMD for the first time in a while, AMD getting a new socket making it impossible to upgrade you're CPU.

Oh great DDR5 is memory.

[Marady]

Honestly the 8800MGTX is pretty beast for a laptop card. I'm not sure when 9 series M's will trickle down to the notebook market. Heck, they might have already and I just may fail at internet searchery.

[MochiYum]

From the mass amount of research i have done their is no hint or even availability of a laptop with the new 9 series graphic cards. Except the ones that r like equal to the 8600M GT i think. so i mine as well just get the laptop with the 8800M GTX.

[Kalean]

8800M = G92....A mobile verison of the gpu in the 8800 GT/8800 GTS 512/ and 9800 GTX....So technically it's as new a card as you can get. Don't let the 8800M name confused you...Pick it up and enjoy ^_^.

[Duine]

Hello,

I'm currently running a 1680x1050 Monitor supported by a single 256mb Nvidia 8600GTS. Recently I've noticed a bit of graphical lag and low framerates in certain situations on the game World of Warcraft (I.E. flying into crowded cities at 290% movement speed locks up for 1-3 seconds) All graphics settings are on the max.

To counter this I have recently purchased a 512mb Nvidia 8600GTS and an SLI bridge in the hopes of alleviating the lag. I am only now starting to become interested in top end graphics cards as it is safe to assume I will buy Aion and play it frequently. I expect Aion is perhaps twice as graphics intensive as WoW.

Upon study of the new architecture coming out and a realization that SLI may not provide as much of a benefit as I had thought, I am wondering if I should return the second card and simply wait for the GT200 (equivalent) to come out and buy the best version?

I realize the 8600GTS is a medium-end card but would 2 in SLI be adequate? or do you think the new architecture would be a significant upgrade? What it boils down to is:

1. If I keep the second card in SLI and problems arise requiring a GT200 series I will be stuck with 2 old cards.

I'll throw in some specs in case it makes a difference (I apologize for being rather unskilled in PC performance matters)

Intel Core2 Duo processor E6850 (3.0GHz,1333FSB) w/Dual Core Technology and 4MB cache

2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz

20 in E207FP Widescreen Flat Panel Display

250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/ DataBurst Cache

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005,English (service pack 2)

Pretty sure I have a 1,000 power supply, but am unable to find it in the specs

Any feedback is appreciated, I have a lot to learn.

[Howling]

return the second card and wait for R770/GT200.