johnwhelan,
Once again you are making a LOT of sense . . . and I can't ignore what you said.
As with any "electronic" gears . . . the closer you get to the top . . . you pay loads of money for very little real world gains in performance. I do understand that. Paying $200~$300 more to get that last few more FPS is a lot of money to spend for gains that are questionable if it will REALLY BUY that few extra FPS.
I had to re-evaluate the wisdom of a NEW computer at this time.
1. OK . . . this is a hobby after all.
2. There are other "wants" that I've been waiting to take care of like a Blue Ray player, better camera etc. on a long list . . . we all have this list :hehe:
3. After much poking around, the conclusion is that I will have to build my own to get a system I'd really like and thats over $2500 in cost.
4. My work environment is moving in the direction of "Rivet", the next generation of AutoCad thats heavily 3D based that requires a VERY fast computer. This would be a good excuse for me to spend a good sum of money for my home workstation with a 1080p monitor . . . which should run Trainz very nicely AND it will be an income producing computer.
So . . . I'm back to UPGRADING my current computer. After checking at tomshardware.com . . . I've come to realize what feeble performance my card is showing. A $75 card was at least twice as better than what I have.
I was really sold on the 8800 GTX SC but by the time I upgrade the power supply, its still an investment around $500 or so. I paid $575 for my computer. Perhaps THIS is a picture of an OVERKILL :hehe:
I read the review by C-net on the nVidia 9600 GT. First of all, its impossible to ignore the price/performance ratio. At a street price of $180 to $200 you are getting, basically an over clocked 8800 GT. It is still a card based on the same processor found in the 8800 series. The new 9xxx name is more a marketing move than anything else. The specs are impressive but how that translates to real world, specially Trainz . . . your guess is as good as mine.
THE PRICE is perfect for an UPGRADE. While I considered the ATI 3870, the 8800gt (nearest kin to 9600) seems to edge out the 3870 . . . plus I like nVidia.
I found a super-clocked version of the 9600 for $219. I think this is what I'm going to get. I'll probably order it today. While I do not give too much credence to specs, the Core Clock is stepped up to 740Mhz, Memory clock to 1950Mhz, Shader clock to 1835Mhz and has 64 stream processors, 512MB RAM and Memory Bandwidth is at 62.4GB/sec. Quite respectable on paper for a $220 card. Minimum power requirement is at 400 watts.
I will also up the power supply to 600 watt ($60) and keep the existing on a shelf as back-up . . . ya never know.
In a year or so, when I build my new computer it will have an SLI motherboard so I can still use this card and possibly add another one . . . or two. So it won't be a wasted investment when the new computer is built.
To benefit others in similar upgrade mood, I'll run a before and after comparison using FRAPS on my route and the Marias Pass built-in route in a couple of weeks.
Thanks again johnwhelan . . . I owe you one.
Now... I wonder if that highly raved Panasonic Blue Ray player has come down in price . . . :udrool: :hehe:
Once again you are making a LOT of sense . . . and I can't ignore what you said.
As with any "electronic" gears . . . the closer you get to the top . . . you pay loads of money for very little real world gains in performance. I do understand that. Paying $200~$300 more to get that last few more FPS is a lot of money to spend for gains that are questionable if it will REALLY BUY that few extra FPS.
I had to re-evaluate the wisdom of a NEW computer at this time.
1. OK . . . this is a hobby after all.
2. There are other "wants" that I've been waiting to take care of like a Blue Ray player, better camera etc. on a long list . . . we all have this list :hehe:
3. After much poking around, the conclusion is that I will have to build my own to get a system I'd really like and thats over $2500 in cost.
4. My work environment is moving in the direction of "Rivet", the next generation of AutoCad thats heavily 3D based that requires a VERY fast computer. This would be a good excuse for me to spend a good sum of money for my home workstation with a 1080p monitor . . . which should run Trainz very nicely AND it will be an income producing computer.
So . . . I'm back to UPGRADING my current computer. After checking at tomshardware.com . . . I've come to realize what feeble performance my card is showing. A $75 card was at least twice as better than what I have.
I was really sold on the 8800 GTX SC but by the time I upgrade the power supply, its still an investment around $500 or so. I paid $575 for my computer. Perhaps THIS is a picture of an OVERKILL :hehe:
I read the review by C-net on the nVidia 9600 GT. First of all, its impossible to ignore the price/performance ratio. At a street price of $180 to $200 you are getting, basically an over clocked 8800 GT. It is still a card based on the same processor found in the 8800 series. The new 9xxx name is more a marketing move than anything else. The specs are impressive but how that translates to real world, specially Trainz . . . your guess is as good as mine.
THE PRICE is perfect for an UPGRADE. While I considered the ATI 3870, the 8800gt (nearest kin to 9600) seems to edge out the 3870 . . . plus I like nVidia.
I found a super-clocked version of the 9600 for $219. I think this is what I'm going to get. I'll probably order it today. While I do not give too much credence to specs, the Core Clock is stepped up to 740Mhz, Memory clock to 1950Mhz, Shader clock to 1835Mhz and has 64 stream processors, 512MB RAM and Memory Bandwidth is at 62.4GB/sec. Quite respectable on paper for a $220 card. Minimum power requirement is at 400 watts.
I will also up the power supply to 600 watt ($60) and keep the existing on a shelf as back-up . . . ya never know.
In a year or so, when I build my new computer it will have an SLI motherboard so I can still use this card and possibly add another one . . . or two. So it won't be a wasted investment when the new computer is built.
To benefit others in similar upgrade mood, I'll run a before and after comparison using FRAPS on my route and the Marias Pass built-in route in a couple of weeks.
Thanks again johnwhelan . . . I owe you one.
Now... I wonder if that highly raved Panasonic Blue Ray player has come down in price . . . :udrool: :hehe: