Overall Game performance is based upon the combination of Graphics card and CPU capabilities, along with other factors of one's Rig. In my case, I have a near state-of-the-art PC, upgradeable in key areas when I feel it necessary...specifically Quad-core, Doubling of RAM, and going SLI.
P5N32-E SLI, 680i
Dual core E6700 Cpu (Mobo upgradeable to Quad-Core)
2GB OCZ PC2 8800 (1100Mhz) RAM (Mobo upgradeable to 4Gb)
BFG 8800GTX Graphics card (Mobo upgradable to two 8800 cards in SLI configuration)
One question I have is how does one specifically identify the cause of a reduction in FPS as being the "fault" of the Graphics card rather than other aspects of the PC, such as CPU, etc?
Meanwhile, as I understand it, some Games are (and others will be) designed to take advantage of SLI...if that were the case, then is it not possible that two 8800's could serve fairly favorably iin comparison to a single 9800 series card? I intend to double my RAM in the next few weeks just for the heck of it (VISTA eats up a lot of RAM), though I've actually experienced no problems that I am aware of due to lack of RAM. Again, in my case I see nothing coming down the road of interest to me which will necessitate upgrading further, graphics card-wise...with the possible exception being the SOW:BofB flight sim, which is being designed for OGL, not DX10....In thqt regard, the latest version of OGL (3.0) under development is being cited as simply requiring a DX10-capable card.
All in all, I remain quite optimistic for the future (18 months) of my Rig with the 8800 card(s).
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