PapaDoz
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which future-proof graphics card should I buy to play the latest games (e.g.Crysis, Far Cry2, CoD4) on my XP SP3 system?
My system specs are as follows:
Mainboard: ECS Geforce6100SM-M2 V1.0A (nforce 405 chipset)
Processor: Brisbane Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (2.6GHz)
Video: Onboard Geforce 6100/s VGA
Sound: Onboard Realtek ALC662 6-channel HD audio
Memory: Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400 2Gb kit
OS: Windows XP Pro SP3 (32bit)
Storage: 80Gb Sata II, 7200rpm; 250Gb IDE Ultra/133, 7200rpm
Power supply: Winpower 750 Watt (with +12v rated @ 33A)
The case I had previously and is mid ATX tower sized I believe...
I basically wanted a cheap entry level dual core system (this whole setup cost me slightly less than £100!), but gradually my eye has been drawn towards the eye candy games such as Crysis, Bioshock, CoD4, Assasin's Creed e.t.c.
Considering I'm not going to be updating to Win Vista until it reaches SP12 or 'round about (I'm not contemptous honest, lol) What is the best PCIe card I can/should get? I suppose I would like two options. One where money is no object and one where I had a max. budget of say ~ £100.
Any ideas? Cheers!
P.S - will an upgrade to 4Gb from 2Gb help with these games in XP?
Mainboard: ECS Geforce6100SM-M2 V1.0A (nforce 405 chipset)
Processor: Brisbane Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (2.6GHz)
Video: Onboard Geforce 6100/s VGA
Sound: Onboard Realtek ALC662 6-channel HD audio
Memory: Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400 2Gb kit
OS: Windows XP Pro SP3 (32bit)
Storage: 80Gb Sata II, 7200rpm; 250Gb IDE Ultra/133, 7200rpm
Power supply: Winpower 750 Watt (with +12v rated @ 33A)
The case I had previously and is mid ATX tower sized I believe...
I basically wanted a cheap entry level dual core system (this whole setup cost me slightly less than £100!), but gradually my eye has been drawn towards the eye candy games such as Crysis, Bioshock, CoD4, Assasin's Creed e.t.c.
Considering I'm not going to be updating to Win Vista until it reaches SP12 or 'round about (I'm not contemptous honest, lol) What is the best PCIe card I can/should get? I suppose I would like two options. One where money is no object and one where I had a max. budget of say ~ £100.
Any ideas? Cheers!
P.S - will an upgrade to 4Gb from 2Gb help with these games in XP?
If you are not willing to go Windows vista, have you looked into xp x64? it has alot of the core of windows xp pro, but its 64-bit so you get more bang for your buck with your hardware. and as stated above, XPx86 only sees 3GB of ram, but XP x64 can see 2TB, so you can max your board out and fly.
Also I agree on the 8800GT.
Gaming-wise you can usually see at least a 5-20% increase in performance depending on how well the game was written (the better programmed games you see a 20% increase).
Good luck with your new rig.
Also I agree on the 8800GT.
Gaming-wise you can usually see at least a 5-20% increase in performance depending on how well the game was written (the better programmed games you see a 20% increase).
Good luck with your new rig.
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I agree nothing is future proof. there is always going to be games coming out that require more power. The 9600GT is another good option for you as it is cheaper and you can use the extra money to upgrade the Memory in your system.
In most tests I've seen though, the 8800GT still performs a touch better than the 9600GT does, but depending on the price you get them for, it is a choice you would have to make.
In most tests I've seen though, the 8800GT still performs a touch better than the 9600GT does, but depending on the price you get them for, it is a choice you would have to make.
ASKER
Hmmm, the consensus seems to be to go for either the 8800GT or the 9600GT. How do these cards compare with the 8800 ultra or 9800GTX? Minimal performance increase for the very considerable price increase?
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P.S - In turns of heat, noise, power consumption e.t.c. would it be better to get an aftermarket vga cooler for either the 8800 or 9600? Or indeed the ultra or GTX if they're not too expensive!
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Since your current equipment is pretty much geared for Nvidia, I would agree with Krazy here on the 9600 GT for a good budget card that still offers enough technology and features to keep you gliding. Sure, you won't run Crysis on "Ultra High" hacked settings, but then, who can that doesn't have two or three cards?
Still, if you want an ATI chipset card, the 4850 and 4870 are pretty good in the Radeon HD series. Of course, it's best if your monitor actually supports HD display.
Still, if you want an ATI chipset card, the 4850 and 4870 are pretty good in the Radeon HD series. Of course, it's best if your monitor actually supports HD display.
ASKER
Unfortunately Frank I have to agree with Rhino with regard to ATi. I've been burned by their cards before (literally, lol!) and so am wary of them. Scarred for life you might say. I think I'll just stick with either the 9600GT or the 8800GT for now. If you google my mobo specs you'll see that the SLi option is prob out the window unless I get a new board at the same time. The only question I have now is which one runs cooler? The 9600GT is slightly less powerful performance-wise (from what I gather) but a bit cheaper sooo... if it also runs cooler (stock) I think i'll get it. Especially as we're only talking a 5-10 fps difference between the cards running Crysis for example, right?
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The difference is minimal yes.
According to Nvidia
graphics performance (wtf ever that is supposed to refer to) is 28x on the 9600gt, vs 30x on the 8800gt
texture fill rate is the real winner though 20.8 billion on the 9600gt vs 33.6 billion on the 8800gt
the rest of the "stats" are the exact same
http://www.nvidia.com/HelpMeChoose/fx/HelpMeChoose.asp
Check if out for yourself.
According to Nvidia
graphics performance (wtf ever that is supposed to refer to) is 28x on the 9600gt, vs 30x on the 8800gt
texture fill rate is the real winner though 20.8 billion on the 9600gt vs 33.6 billion on the 8800gt
the rest of the "stats" are the exact same
http://www.nvidia.com/HelpMeChoose/fx/HelpMeChoose.asp
Check if out for yourself.
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ASKER
Okay, I just came across this on ebuyer (I live in the UK so I don't really use newegg)
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/145605
An 8800GT for £90! Done. And I've used Zotac before so I'm not worried it's no XFX or BFG or EVGA e.t.c. The cooling issue was the only thing which slowed this decision down, but that was relieved.
Thanx very much for your help everyone!
PDz
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/145605
An 8800GT for £90! Done. And I've used Zotac before so I'm not worried it's no XFX or BFG or EVGA e.t.c. The cooling issue was the only thing which slowed this decision down, but that was relieved.
Thanx very much for your help everyone!
PDz
Enjoy your new setup.
ASKER
Thanx again for the help guys! You made a choice I had been chewing over for a week get an answer in an hour! Awesome.
Looks like a good choice. Enjoy and Thanks.
And yes it is worth it to upgrade the Memory to 4GB. XP wont see it all, but as long as it is still in Dual Channel and XP sees 3GB about, you will see an increase in performance for little monetary investment, especially in a game like Crysis.
Good luck