Purchasing dilemma

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JonMichaelKelly

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Apr 19, 2008
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I have an AMD 5600+ X2 with 2 Gigs of 800mhz ram on an nForce 570 Ultra mobo. I am thinking of replacing my 7950GT and am wondering 2 things: a) Do I need to limit myself to a PCI-X16 1.0 video card or can I get a 2.0 and not have issues? and b) what would be my best choice for a video card? I play BF2 with various mods. The 7950 has no problem with vanilla BF2. I average about 80fps. But in Allied Intent, Nations @ War, Forgotten Hope and Eve of Destruction I get dips into the 30s. I want to run 1280 x 1024 with anti-aliasing maxxed. I can spend about 250 US $. I don't know if the mods would benefit from more stream processors or more VRAM? Also, I want a card that will play Assassin's Creed well. I have a 19" Samsung lcd. thanx. **Update: I think I am going to go with the GTS. It has the shaders that should help with A.C. and I checked in a forum on a BF2 mod and the GTS runs that mod well. Thanks for everyone's help! :D
 
Dunno about your PCIe 1.0 vs 2.0 question, but for your spending limit, I'd look at either an 8800GT or 8800GTS both with 512MB RAM. That should let you game at 1280x1024 with high settings in everything except maybe crysis... ;)
 
AFAIK there aren't any video cards yet that can take advantage of the PCIe 2.0 bandwidth. And its backwards compatible so you shouldn't have an issue. You'd probably be fine with an 8800GT.
 
JonMichaelKelly said:
So the processing horsepower is more advantageous to a 1GB card?
Click to expand...

Either of the cards I mentioned are 512MB. Either of them should do you fine, with the 8800GT being slower yet less expensive. The 8800GTS is faster and has a better cooler, so I prefer it myself, but at 1280x1024 either should work fine for you.
 
Ok, I was thinking of the 8800GT with 1GB by Asus vs a stock 8800GTS. So the additional VRAM isn't needed for the anti-aliasing, the 512 will be enough? GTS prices seem to be dropping so maybe I will go with a BFG GTS from the Egg for $254.
 
The extra VRAM isn't useful because of the 256bit memory bus...I'd go with the GTS, I have it and it runs everything on max or very close @1920x1200.
 
And the G80 core 640MB 8800 GTS is a bad idea? It has a wider bus than its G92 counterpart but I have read it gets pretty hot whereas the G92 (especially the GTS) stays cooler. Is the new 9600 GT an unwise choice? The 64 processors seems like it would not be a good idea for A.C.
 
If you can find a cheap used 8800 GTS 640 I'd get that - it would be more than enough for 1280x1024 and the extra RAM and memory bandwidth on the card would probably trump the reduced shaders on the games you mentioned (allowing higher AA, for example). I don't know what a used 640 is going for though.
 
Seeing as how you are gaming at 1280x1024, I would think a standard 8800GT would be enough, but there's always that element of future proofing, should you ever upgrade to a better monitor. Still though, if you have $250 to spend, one of the best bang for the bucks right now is what I did about a week ago. I upgraded from a 7600GT > 8800GTS 512mb for $194 after rebate not counting shipping.

If 3dmark is your thing, I gained 6,150 marks between the two with no other changes.There is nothing I cannot play with maxed settings at 1440x900 with 4xAA / 16x AF if I so choose. You would definitely have no problems at 1280x1024.

On top of that, you get more stream processors, a slighty faster card, and better cooling over a standard 8800GT. Just make sure you have room for the added length and thickness of the card if you buy it. It's quite a bit larger (length and height) then the 7950 your used too, but with good reason as well.

The only downside i see is that most of the advantages of the 8800GTS 512 is that you can play at widescreen resolutions with all the eye candy turned up while having a moderate amount of filters (AA/AF) enabled. Seeing as how you are at 1280x1024, it may be a slight overkill for you unless your looking at a monitor upgrade soon.

Anyway, good luck with your choice. I'd be happy to answer any other questions you have regarding the two cards, as im sure anyone else here is.
 
I am leaning toward the GTS 512. My 7950 is 7 3/4 inches and the case can handle up to a 10.5" card without having to move a drive cage. Also taking 2 or even 3 slots won't be a problem. Will the GTS fit? I think the GTS 512 is a better investment than a GTS 640. The 640 looks like it runs real hot. It is ok that it is overkill, I am going to get a new monitor in the fall.
 
The GTS 512 will most likely be a better investment in the long run....and I wish I could tell you for sure it would fit...if no one answers in a bit I'll open my case and measure it for you...
 
Thanks bmorton18, I went to the EVGA website and it states that the 8800 GTS is 9 inches. So I am set, now I just need to order it. I wonder if I should get a new driver?
 
Palit GeForce 9600 GT Sonic
Take a look at the full [H] review here.
http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTQ2OSw4LCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==.
It's just 154.99 AR on newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261001.

I'm building a system for a friend and i was going to go with the msi 9600gt, THANK GOD I FOUND THIS CARD. I would say it has a phenomenal bang for the buck level. It's right on the skirts of the 8800gt but about 50 bucks left. Already comes with an HDMI port spdif, and display port hookup which I would say kinda "future" proof's it for a while. No other card has these added features.
 
The 9600 is quite close to the 8800. I think that I want to stick with an 8xxx series card though as the stream processor count is low on the 9600. It is only double of my 7950. I am either going to get an 8800 GT or GTS. XFX has the GT for $200 including shipping and tax. That has an awesome warranty also
 
1gb? hmm it's only got 512, i guess if money isn't a concern then go ahead an splurge on the 8800 series.
 
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