Need Help Choosing Video Card

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XvMMvX

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Jan 13, 2005
Messages
1,668
Hi All,

I do not post here much, just mostly browse but I am stuggling with a decision for my next build. I cannot decide on what videocard solution is right for me. I have decided that i will list what games i play and let you guys make recomendations.

Current Games:

Microsoft Flight Sim X
X-Plane 9
Battlefield 2
Roller Coast Tycoon 3
Warcraft III
Starcraft
America's Army

Future Games:

Diablo 3
Starcraft 2

I realize that my current 7850GS (AGP) will run most of the games above at decent settings, but I would like to upgrade my CPU as I am doing a lot of video encoding and such so the new mobo will be PCI-E and is forcing an upgrade (and who knows maybe I will try some of the newer games, as well has be able to crank the settings up on FS).

Also, an important piece of information is that i will be purchasing a 37-42 inch 1080P LCD and would love to be able to play FSX and Xplane (As that is what I mostly use my computer for) at 1080P resolution.

I will say that money is not an issue, but I am a BIG advocate of not spending money on something that I do not truley need. I thought I was dead set on the 4850 but decided that I better get some of you guys opinions as you all have help me greatly in the past.

Thanks in Advance.
 
Well, all your current games don't require that heavy of a GPU (SLI GTX280's, etc) to push that even at 1920x1080 res, I would know, since I own one.

What's your budget for everything? It would help to piece an upgrade setup if we knew that. Also, what are the parts you're re-using? I ask as if you're thinking about a new mobo.. this could mean a new PSU, ram, etc..

As far as your cpu/mobo go:

Get either a e8200/e8400/e8500 depending on your budget or quad (q6600 for $179-199), and pair it with a P35 chipset if you're not planning on doing SLI/xFire. If you wanted xFire, go with a p45 chipset and if you wanted SLI, i would venture a 750i or 780i. (though i personally don't like nvidia chipsets for stability reasons).

Anyway, GPU-wise, if D3 & SC2 are the only games on your horizon, you should be plenty fine with either a 4870 512mb or GTX 260 with that res. In perspective, I can run almost all the games listed in your current games list with my 7800GT sans Microsoft FSX (since i dont own it).

I owned a 9800GX2 before I sold it and that was a champ as nothing really bogged it down at all and seeing the GTX 260/4870 perform on par with it, leads me to recommend it as a good solution for that res.

Granted, if you wanted to run Crysis on Very High settings at that res, then we're talking SLI/xFire here..
 
Gaiden, Thanks for the Reply.

I had not really decided on a budget but I am going to try and keep it around 1250 (not including the TV) if possible.

I am accually not going to be reusing many parts, I had already planned on upgrading my PSU to something a little more beefy that the Ultra 500W I have now. I am also going to use my two 36GB raptors (one as my Operating System Drive) and am going to get at least a 500GB SATA drive and consolidate the 4 IDE drives I have now.

So that leaves pretty much just he DVD burner I will be reusing as that is all that is left (Though they are so cheap i may upgrade to dual layer while I am at it).

I am thinking of getting an SLI or XFire board just to have for the future but am not sure yet, I had also pretty much settled on the Q6600 if you think that is a good choice.
 
@ XvMMvX

I think the q6600 is a great choice :D OC'd to near 3.6Ghz speeds is insanely fast, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Either way, i would recommend the e8400 as well but since that is near that price range, go QUAD!.

Well as far as the SLI/xFire decision goes, you gotta make sure you actually use that as an option later, haha. I bought an ASUS A8N32-SLI with full intention of going 7800GT SLI eventually and that never happened. Personally, I think if you really wanted to future proof your games at that res (for games besides SC2/D3), you should wait and go with a single 4870x2 and get the best of both worlds.

As far as mobo recommendations, gonna quote DannyBui on here:

Originally Posted by Danny Bui
Some motherboard recommendations:
Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L Intel P43 Motherboard - $90
MSI P45 Neo3-FR Intel P45 Motherboard - $120
Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3R Intel P45 Motherboard - $130
Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 Motherboard - $150
DFI Lanparty DK X38-T2R Intel X38 Motherboard - $185
Gigabyte GA-X48-DS4 Intel X48 Motherboard - $225

Just to help you out: Everyone of these motherboards have PCI-E 2.0 which may be useful for future upgrades. If you don't need RAID, more than 6 SATA ports and only need semi-decent overclocking, check out the DS3L. If you need 8 SATA ports, RAID, 4 PCI slots, and legacy ports, then get the Neo3-Fr. If you don't need more than 6 SATA ports but want RAID, firewire, a second PCI-E x16 port, a second gigabit port, support for 16GB of RAM, optional eSATA, and high overclocks, then get the DS3R. If you like the DS3R but need 8 SATA ports, want an onboard pre-installed fast booting Linux setup or don't need a second gigabit port, get the Asus P5Q Pro. If you want Crossfire with full x16/x16 bandwidth, get the Lanparty DK X38.
Click to expand...

Any and all those mobo's are excellent choices.

As far as the rest goes,
i'd go with a q6600 as it's at a great price point compared to the q9450.
this g.skill ram
either a Corsair 620HX or 750TX (depending if you want modular or not)
either a TRUE120-extreme heatsink + s-flex or equivalent fan, Tuniq 120 or the Noctua NH-U12P

That covers about $600~, which includes processor, ram, heatsink, psu and mobo. Not sure if you wanted a new case, but you still have ample room in your budget. Also as far as graphics cards go, again I'd recommend either the 4870 512mb, GTX 260 or 4870x2 depending on what mobo/ or sli/x-fire decision you make.

Also, is OS part of that budget? if so, go with Vista x64 Home Premium. (or ult if you have cash to burn )
 
Gaiden133, I can agree with getting a Q6600 for the CPU. As far as fans go, I can highly recommend any of the Scythe S-FLEX fans but not the Noctua. I use the S-FLEX F model which gave far better cooling than the Noctua. Scythe now has an H model, which runs at 1900 RPMs over the 1600 RPMs on the F. The Noctua wound up ramping up the temps on all cores w/o any real benefits despite the increase in air pressure.

GPU-wise, I'd say that everyone has differing opinions on the subject. Both ATI & Nvidia offer good options to use. I've used a GTX 260 so far and have been satisfied with its performance.

XvMMvX, go with whatever works for you though.
 
I bought a 4850 and love it. I'd recommend ASUS!!! They build great stuff and have the least compatibility issues. I'd say get the P5Q with a 45nm CPU, no sense in buying a 45nm board an a 65nm processor. Especially since you get get a steal now. For the video though, I personally like ATi better. nVidia is nice. Yes, though 4850/4870/GTX9800+ I'm not too sure how much the GTX260 is, but if it's around 200-250 bones, it might be worth picking up. Though the 4850 is 160$ AR, infact... I think I'mma buy another one today :D because... I just feel like it lol.
 
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