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Recommend a new video card

S

Seldon

n00b
Joined
Jun 7, 2004
Messages
32
I need a new video card to keep up with the current games that I play, and would like some recommendations.

My system specs are:

AMD MP 1900 x2
Tyan 2460
1GB Memory
Blah Blah

I currently have a MSI Gforce Ti500. I play HL2 and EQ2 and have serious issues with the games freezing up and the HD thrashing for several seconds to a couple of minutes. I have done everything I can think of to drivers and the like, so I was thinking about replacing the video card.

I know the higher/highest end cards would not be fully utilized in my system due to the age, and no I can't replace the system. School is very expensive right now so all the $$$ goes to it. :( But a new video card (price on this not an issues) would not be out of the question.

So what would ya'll who are up on reviews and understanding of system specs/video card specs recommend?? I am not adverse to either brand, but want something to work well with both games.

Thanks for your recommendations.

--S
 
Will the Tyan 2460 support higher than the 1900?? I had heard rumors they did, but never saw anyone detailing their experience.

So you would go with the 6600GT... Any other suggestions... Guys I appreciate the recommendations. Its hard to stay up on reading with my head always buried in a case book..

Also, would you go 128 or 256?
 
You shouldn't need to upgrade dual 1900+'s. As long as you game at high resolutions I doubt it'll bottleneck a 6600GT/6800nu very much.
 
6800ultra or X800XT PE would be the best way to go.
No need to buy a soon to be obsolete vid card like the 6600GT/6800NU/X800Pro.
 
Running 2 processors for games gives you the same performance as running 1 processor, I thought. I wouldn't be going much higher than a 6600GT with the setup you've got.
 
I know most games aren't multi-threaded so running dual processors don't affect gaming. I have the dual for other purposes (web hosting and what not when I am not using the system). But that gets at the heart of my question: Can a 1900 MP take advantage of a 6800 or X800 card.

Can anyone answer the MP 2800 question?
 
Seldon said:
I know most games aren't multi-threaded so running dual processors don't affect gaming. I have the dual for other purposes (web hosting and what not when I am not using the system). But that gets at the heart of my question: Can a 1900 MP take advantage of a 6800 or X800 card.
Click to expand...
As long as you're gaming at very high IQ (I'm talking about having average framerates of about 40fps), the bottleneck will be minimal.

http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/20041221/cpu_charts-15.html#directx_9

Take a look at this chart.
 
I wouldnt go over anything than a 6600 GT AGP or a 6800NU. Your processors will be holding you back a little bit. Dual CPU's at 1900+ doesnt mean you have a 3800+ computer, as most games can only take advantage of just one processor. I'd suggest a 6600 GT AGP, it'll last a long time considering how long you've stuick with your current card.
 
For playing EQ2, you're going to be CPU-bound - the game's not SMP-aware. Unless you've got a hardon for resolutions greater than 1280x1024, you're probably going to hit the limit of what that machine can do with a 9600XT.
 
What is a 6800NU? Does it mean non-ultra??

I appreciate all the response and suggestions that yall have given me.
 
Yes - non-Ultra is clearer than just saying '6800'

The 6800 pecking order (from "slowest" to fastest), ignoring limited editions is:

6800 (aka 6800nu)
6800GT
6800Ultra

There isn't much point in putting anything more powerful than a 6800nu in your system as your CPU isn't powerful enough to get anything like the best out of a better (more expensive) card.
 
Cool, thanks for the clarification.

One last question: Any benefit to 256 v. 128 on the board?
 
The 6800nu is just about capable of fully using 256Mb from what I've seen, but it's not a standard option (there might be a limited edition that costs more somewhere with more RAM), so you have no choice in the matter. Having 128Mb RAM is fine at the resolutions the 6800nu will be used at - 1280x1024 with moderate anti-aliasing. Turn a 6800nu up to 1600x1200 with aa and af and the frame rates might just plummet, through lack of power and RAM.

Don't ever be fooled by someone who has a slower card with 256Mb memory. Chances are that 192Mb of it will be wasted.
 
Don't ever be fooled by someone who has a slower card with 256Mb memory. Chances are that 192Mb of it will be wasted.
Click to expand...

HAHA amen to that one.

*Laughs at the newbs that buy 5200s with 256megs of ram from circuit city*

I'd go 6600GT as well.
 
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