Graphics Graphics card upgrade dilemma...

I currently run an ATI Radeon 9600 All In Wonder (AGP) on my main computer, and I'm not sure whether or not to upgrade my graphics card... My new computer will likely have an Intel Q6600 (or a slower core2quad if one comes out soon), 2gb of Crucial Ballistix and either an MSI P6N SLI-FI or motherboard with AGP graphics that runs a Q6600.

The graphics card that I want is an 8800gts 640mb. I have read good reviews on it, and at the resolution that I will be running, I will take full advantage of it... but here is my dilemma. 9600 is a larger number than 8800, and since I am a slave to nVidia's naming scheme, the higher number always means a faster graphics card (I considered a 2900xt, but the number is too low to even consider). The 8800gts is substantially newer, and will probably provide a better computing experience with the PCI-E motherboard. Also, should I consider SLI? 7950 + 7950 is 15,900, making it much better than even my 9600... Help please? I'm oh so horribly confused.

 

You're comparing apples & oranges here.

ATi's naming convention runs:- 9#00 x#00 x1#00 x2#00
Nvidia's naming convention runs:- 6#00 7#00 8#00

In both cases the first digit refers to the card's generation and the second (where I put a #) refers to the capabilities of the card.

So your current card is roughly equivalent to an Nvidia 6#00 series card. The ATi 2900XT is the direct competitor to the Nvidia 8800GTS you want.
I suggest you google for some reviews of graphic cards.

 

ok first sli doesnt double the power, the 8800gts will be better then two 7950s and use less power be quieter, allow for a bigger range of motherboards (p35 based) and give you direct x10 if you want. and isnt the x a roman numeral?

 

as Ianw says, you can't just look at the numbers.

nVidia cards number their card from Geforce 1 -> Geforce 2 -> Geforce 3 -> Geforce 4Mx -> Geforce 4Ti 4x00 -> Geforce Fx 5x00 -> Geforce 6x00 -> Geforce 7x00 -> Geforce 8x00.
while ATI number theirs as: _don't know_ -> _don't know_ -> _don't know_ -> _don't know_ -> _don't know_ -> Radeon 9x00 --> Radeon Xx00 -> Radeon X1x00 -> Radeon HD 2x00

so the Radeon HD2900XT is similar performance to the Geforce 8800GTS (and sometimes GTX)

look at my numbering closely, all the generations match up, so pick a price range and then look at the brand, then the number.

 

I'll sell you a radeon 8500000000 for £500 if you want?

 

giev u 20 notes 4 it

 

quoted for brilliance

 

Only dfhaii and kitt got the humor of my post.

._.

 

I got it from first post...I think CK's prolific and frequently incoherent posting style is making people think you were serious...

 

LOL I was pretty impressed nobody banned you for asking a question like that