November, The Month of Midrange GPUs
10.22.07 - 06:02pm
It’s been a year since the 8800GTX was released and DX10 hit the market and we still haven’t received a properly priced mid-range DX10 card. The ATI HD2600XT and Nvidia 8600GTS were both terrible excuses for midrange cards with performance that results in barely playable DX10 experiences. For the most part Nvidia has been leading the GPU race with their 8800 series with the 8800GTS 320MB, until recently price above $300, landed in the upper-midrange while the 8600GTS was priced at roughly half the cost and less than half the performance. Finally though we will be seeing the launch of cards within the $250 bracket that will pack the punch of a current $400-$500 cards. Once again upper-midrange will bring the heat but while sipping on electricity. The 8800GT, which will feature performance that’ll surpass the 8800GTS and potentially rival the 8800GTX will face off against the HD3850 which will feature HD2900 performance with considerably lower power consumption and potentially astronomical overclocking opportunities. Both cards are projected to compete in the $250 price-point, expect more information as it becomes available and possibly a personal review.
Think the prices will drop for any cards by this holiday? I was wanting to get a 8800 GTX but if the GT is comparable then I just might get that instead. I’m looking to get something that will let me max out most setting in for example Crysis.
The 8800GTX won’t drop in price until the next flagship GPU launches, most likely the 9800GTX. Honestly right now there is no point in buying an 8800GTX with the 8800GT offering nearly identical performance at half the cost. I personally would get an 8800GT, GTX would only be useful if I was 3D benching but then I’d step up to SLI Ultras.