Video Cards

[mheil]

I've been currently running SH IV w/ a Ge Force 8400 PCI and have been getting tired of the low frame rates. I've checked the recommened cards that UBI lists and it seems a little outdated. Can people post there cards and how they are working for me? Thanks.

[AVGWarhawk]

EVGA 9800GT 512mb. Runs like a champ.

[mheil]

Thanks, Warhawk. I'll look into the 9800.

[TDK1044]

Bear in mind that the video card is only one component. I run a three year old Geforce 7600GT with 2 Gigs of Ram and only a P4 3.0 processor. yet I get 35 to 50 fps most of the time, and I only drop to about 25 fps in port. :)

[banjo]

And I run a three year old 7600GS w/500mb and a 2.8 processor with 2 gigs of ram. Game runs smoothly but with some graphics turned off. Game look super anyway.

[Fincuan]

Sure vid card isn't the only thing, but generally the faster the card the better looking settings you can use. Playing with SH4 graphics menu and ATT settings I can make my Radeon two X1950 Pros run the game with FPS in the low hundreds all the time(looks like crap), or just as easily in the low teens(looks great but unplayable). Just switching on all the bells and whistles from SH4 graphics menu while completely disabling AA and AF from ATT gives a comfortable fps of 40-100, but again it doesn't look all the good with all the jaggies and blurry textures.

The point here is, just because some card can run the game doesn't mean it's a good choice. Different graphics settings have a huge influence in this. I don't know which one you should pick, but speaking from experience do not pick a Radeon X1950 Pro :lol: Better and faster alternatives are available

[TDK1044]

The other point I'd make here is that you are never going to see a higher fps rate than the rate that your monitor refreshes at. So even if you have a suped up high end video card that tells you that you are seeing 120 fps....in reality you are only ever going to see the 60 or 75 fps that your monitor is capable of delivering.

The real test for a video card therefore, is not how high is the fps, but rather what fps rate does it deliver under full load. And if that figure is anywhere near the fps rate of your monitor then you are in great shape.

[mcarlsonus]

It looks like it's probably about time to upgrade any video card that isn't capable of doing DX10. Although this'll have no effect on the DX9-based SH4, the latest game releases are compromised if ones video card isn't 10-compatible!

[mheil]

went with the Ge 9400. It's not on the list but I'm going to chance it. Should be only one way to go with the frame rates I currently have. The card should be waiting for me at home right now. Here's to hoping for "high" settings!

[Soundman]

I'd like to add another consideration. Before purchasing, make sure your power supply can handle the wattage needed. Many of the newer cards require more juice and alot of computers out there don't have a big enough power supply to handle them.

[Morpheus]

E8400 2x3Ghz
GF8800GTS
2 Gig

Min 90 FPS @ all times - mostely up to 150+

[gimpy117]

1GB Saphire Radeon 4850 no issues. :arrgh!:

but don't just think your video card is enough.
make sure you PSU is able to keep up, the same with your motherboard and CPU

[mheil]

The new card works great - noticed right away- control room fan blades were spinning instead of stuttering! Getting 30 fps at High settings external cam. Much better than the old card - and cheaper. Researched this forum and on-line quite a bit before deciding this time. A lot of good info on the forum if you look around :). I'll be tweaking the settings over the next few weeks to make sure I still get good rates when its busy.
Thanks again!