What do you all think?

**Muqtar SGT_Clintok** · 09-09-09, 09:59 PM

I have a $250 gift card that I can either spend responsibly on home repairs, or on a new video card.

I am leaning towards the video card, because I have already put the 10K in cash into home repairs this year.

I have an GEForce 8800GT. The card OCs inside the Nvidia control panel as shown:

Default = Core 600/Memory 900/Shaders 1500
Optimal = Core 688/Memory 1006/ Shaders 1649

I was looking at the following card:
GeForce GTX 285 OCX 1GB GDDR3 PCIe 2.0

I need to measure to ensure it will fit, but it seems to be a bad ass card.

Any opinions before I proceed?

**ElFuriosoGato** · 09-09-09, 10:12 PM

What is wrong with the 8800? The card could easily last you the next year. Invest it on the home.

**reject_wolf** · 09-09-09, 10:21 PM

If you only play BF2, then keep the card. Anything else will probably not make the game perform any better, the 8800 should max it out with a steady, high frame rate. If you want to play games like COD:MW, ARMA2, Crysis, then go for the upgrade. Just my two cents.

**vafaskillz** · 09-09-09, 11:47 PM

You can even enjoy games like crysis with an 8800gt. If you are running a resolution less than 1920x1200, then I wouldn't even consider it.

**Red_Lizard2** · 09-09-09, 11:52 PM

how much return on investment while the house repairs give you?

If its nothing or very little, i'd say use the money for something you really want. If its a decent to good amount it would make more sense to spend on house repairs

**HeavyG** · 09-10-09, 01:55 AM

Nothing wrong with buying a new toy. Personally, I have put thousands into home upgrades this year. Every once in a while it is nice to buy a toy. Life isn't all about making investments. If the $250 is going to go into something that makes you happy, even if for the home, that is what is most important.

**iowafred** · 09-10-09, 08:26 AM

If you do decided to go with a new video card make sure your power supply will handle the new card. Nothing will be more frustrating than getting your brand new card and not be able to use it right away.

My two cents

**Muqtar SGT_Clintok** · 09-10-09, 08:52 AM

It will work - I have more than enough power.

I am debating it and appreciate the input. I know I dont need it. I want the PC to be relevant for the next 24 months or so. We are having a baby in January and I know discretionary spending will drop at that time. I have played a trick on myself looking at this gift card as free money, although I know the free money could be spent on the house.

I have already shelled out 10,000 in cash on home improvement in the first 5 months of this year. I also shelled out 10,000 in cash on a down payment for a new car for my wife that will carry us, the dogs, and a baby seat. I am tired of being responsible and want to be impulsive. There. I said it.

Break.

What about the performance increase between the two cards. The newer card seems to be bad ass and could be overclocked to crush the older card. I know I dont need it, but I have had the itch to upgrade the card.

/bites fingernail and looks at shoes.

**Mad_Hatter** · 09-10-09, 09:01 AM

The 5870 is about to come out, and ATI announced last night it will be twice the power of the 4870. I know i'm going to wait a month for that.

**dex71** · 09-10-09, 09:05 AM

Just get the card......DO IT NOW!!!!

Once Muqtar Jr. is born,it will just be that much harder to justify e-toy purchases. You have done all of the right things....house is good-to-go,transportation has been taken care of.....now Daddy deserves a little something for himself. Go get the card.