How much is too much for a video card?

[KusoSamurai]

What? no DX10 card? hmmm

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by fullpicture

I totally agree. Would be worth spending $500 for a graphics card that would last 4 years and STILL be able to play all the newest games at the highest frame rates after 4 years. However, what are the odds of that happening? With the rapid development of new graphic cards, the current generation cards will always become obsolete within a couple years. Thats why I like to spend under two hundred bucks when I buy a card because I know I will have to do it again within a couple years.

I have to admit, there's some truth to what he's saying. Right now I have an EVGA Geforce 7800 GTX Ko Acs in my main machine. A long name for a video card you say? Well the price was equally as impressive, close to around 400 dollars at the time. Since I used to game at around 1920x1200, it was a good buy, but even then, and this is only a few years ago mind you, there were some games, like certain RTS titles, that my card simply couldn't handle at that high resolution. So the fact that you'll need to upgrade can also be tempered a bit by the knowledge of your desired resolution. I think that's one of the reasons the majority of gamers tend to lean in around 1280x1024 or thereabouts - it looks good and a medium range video card can handle it for many years with aplomb on a range of titles.

[BentFez]

I have had good luck going low (~$150) and haven't really had to upgrade more often. Picked up a 1950gt earlier in the year for around $125, expect it to last two years, but if it lasts more, that is gravy. I like having less resistance when I do want to upgrade. The fact is that I can play on these cards for years (still use a 9700 in one machine). There is definitely diminishing returns on video card performance.

Depending on the game, I do have to turn off a good bit of eye candy for the 9700, not so much for the 1950.

[jwied]

I visited Fry's electronics (a giant electronics warehouse) recently and bought a 7950GT for $199 and an 8500GT for $159. I couldn't understand why the 7000s cards could still be so highly priced with 8800s at $259. I did see the monster 8800GTX 640mb there for $500 and the sales rep told me he could order a 8800 Ultra for $700.

How much is too much? If the video card costs more than the rest of my system (minus monitor) combined... it costs too much, imo.

[flashive]

I used to think $100 was enough to get a videocard and I am a gamer. But seeing how my Radeon X300 just keeps on dissapointing me I'd say whatever the 8800GTS costs at the moment is what I would spend on a card

[sbrehm72255]

For me anything under the $300 range is pretty much ok I guess. At todays prices, that would put a 8800GTS 320 in my box, but I'm actually still happy with my 7900GT.............

[madstork91]

im still happy with my 7800gt...

w/e that costs atm...

[sbrehm72255]

Got a 7800GS (AGP version) for the wifes rig not to long ago, it ran a little over $100 after MIR, she's happy with its performance playing Oblivon..........

[madstork91]

Id prob never pay over 300 for a vid card. Period.

[b1lk1]

Came into some money and spent $500 on a video card recently. While I am not usually a fan of spending so much, it is nice to have a high end card for now.

[sbrehm72255]

Now if I was to come into some extra cash that I didn't have a need for (EI; win the lotto) then I would buy the best of everything out there just because I could..........

[madstork91]

Originally Posted by sbrehm72255

Now if I was to come into some extra cash that I didn't have a need for (EI; win the lotto) then I would buy the best of everything out there just because I could..........

Will you say no to a fool and his money?

[sbrehm72255]

No better money than free money money, that's even better than free computer parts.

[madstork91]

YOU LIE!

No telling how much fun from a free computer part!

You speakn blasphemously now!

(def lulz)