Monitor upgrade = gfx card upgrade?

R

Rajveer

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 9, 2005
Messages
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Ok so I'm getting a 1200p 24" monitor, and I'm thinking of gfx cards at higher resolutions (atm I'm running things at 1280*1024). Either I can run my 8800 gts into the ground at 1680*1050 on games it can't handle (like Crysis, although this would give a performance hit compared to what I run atm), or I can shell out for a new card and run everything at 1920*1200. The thing is, there aren't really any new games out that I'll play so will it be a waste?

I play a lot of COD4, a bit of multiplayer Crysis (although perhaps more if I get a card that can actually handle it), bit of Spore, and SOLDAT!! :D So would it be worth me upgrading now, or can my 8800 gts handle 1680*1050 fine? Perhaps if there are some cards coming out soon, I can get an XFX and go for the upgrade?

Ooh and CPU, I don't think I'd really be limited by a Q6600 at 3.3GHz, this cool?
 
You won't be limited by the cpu. IMO, get a monitor and then you can judge if you need an upgrade. What GTS do you have...320mb, 640mb, or 512mb. The 512mb is the only one that is going to cut it @ 1920x1200. It will handle COD4 without AA @ 1920x1200 no problem. Once you start playing new games such as crysis, farcry 2, crysis warhead, world in conflict, company of heroes, etc you will probly want to upgrade

I recommend the BenQ G2400W or BenQ G2400WD monitors
 
I've got a BFG 8800 gts 640mb OC2, so the core is clocked at 580MHz stock. I think you're right, I'll get the monitor and see how my card performs, although I'm probably going to upgrade soon so I'll pick out a card anyways. I'm looking forward to Crysis Warhead and Farcry 2, but I don't want to make the same mistake I did when I brought the 8800 for Crysis, only to find out it doesn't perform as well as I expected. If I were to get a card now it'd be an XFX or BFG that I can trade-in, so I'm wondering if there are any newer cards coming out soon that I can trade for (I prefer nVidia but if ATI have better cards then loyalty goes aside)?

P.S. I'm getting the Hazro HZ24Wi, a nice no-lag 24" IPS monitor for £400 :D
 
Ok so I'm deciding between:

BFG GeForce GTX 280 OC 1024MB -£264.36
BFG GeForce GTX 280 OCX 1024MB - £328.99 (+ ~65)
PowerColor ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 2048MB - £334.86 (+ ~70)

The benefits of going with the BFG GTX 280 cards is that I'll have 100 days to step-up if anything else is released from now until ~December 25th. I heard that there's the possibility of the 55nm GTX 280 card, or maybe another in-between card, being released before xmas, so maybe it's best to go with the BFGs?

My friend says that the 280s are a waste of money and I shouldn't consider anything apart from a 4870x2, but how does the GTX 280 OCX compare to it, being similarly priced? Also, the standard OC is £70 cheaper, a lot in my book, especially if there is an opportunity to tradeup within 3 months to something that will kick the 4870x2's ass.
 
Rajveer said:
Ok so I'm deciding between:

BFG GeForce GTX 280 OC 1024MB -£264.36
BFG GeForce GTX 280 OCX 1024MB - £328.99 (+ ~65)
PowerColor ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 2048MB - £334.86 (+ ~70)

The benefits of going with the BFG GTX 280 cards is that I'll have 100 days to step-up if anything else is released from now until ~December 25th. I heard that there's the possibility of the 55nm GTX 280 card, or maybe another in-between card, being released before xmas, so maybe it's best to go with the BFGs?

My friend says that the 280s are a waste of money and I shouldn't consider anything apart from a 4870x2, but how does the GTX 280 OCX compare to it, being similarly priced? Also, the standard OC is £70 cheaper, a lot in my book, especially if there is an opportunity to tradeup within 3 months to something that will kick the 4870x2's ass.
Click to expand...
Ok, The BFG cards do well, the single fastest is a GTX280, but the are 200 (if you look hard enough) 200 dollars cheaperr then the 4870X2. They have good game play. The OC vs non OC is not much of an issue.
 
Thing is the 280's aren't as powerful as the 4870x2 and looking at the Stalker Clear Sky benchmark, the extra power of the 4870x2 would make a huge difference at 1920*1200. Although with the 4870x2 I'd prob have to upgrade my PSU.

I'm a bit hesitant in buying any of these cards as they can't run Crysis at High with a solid 60fps at 1920 * 1200 yet. It may sound like I'm asking for a lot but it just doesn't feel right that I brought my 8800 gts for Crysis and the next card I get still can't demolish the game. Although even the GTX 280 should run Crysis Warhead fine according to the IGN review...

The only way I'd get a card is if I know there's something better coming out soon that I can trade-up to, so since the stock OC BFG is quite cost-effective and has the trade-up program, has there been any news from nVidia's side on a new card within the next ~3 months?
 
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