Ghraphics Card Question

The General · 08-09-07, 08:15 AM

I'm sorry my friend, there is no alternative but to buy a better computer. Lidl are doing one at the moment that is cheap and pretty high spec. Good luck.

switch.dota · 08-09-07, 08:41 AM

@The General - SH IV can run just fine on a single core, age-old Athlon XP 1700+, with 768 RAM and a 6600 video card. And the video card is usually underused, too.

@IrischKapitan - For your system and limited budget, I'd recommend you shoot for a cheap 7900GS or x1950 Pro (as much as I love nvidia, an x1950Pro is cheaper and the cheap ATi models are usually better than cheap nvidia cards) and some extra RAM. Then aim for a better processor when the next upgrade comes around

2 GB and one of the above mentioned video cards should last you a while.

FooFighters · 08-09-07, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by switch.dota

@The General - SH IV can run just fine on a single core, age-old Athlon XP 1700+, with 768 RAM and a 6600 video card. And the video card is usually underused, too.

@IrischKapitan - For your system and limited budget, I'd recommend you shoot for a cheap 7900GS or x1950 Pro (as much as I love nvidia, an x1950Pro is cheaper and the cheap ATi models are usually better than cheap nvidia cards) and some extra RAM. Then aim for a better processor when the next upgrade comes around

2 GB and one of the above mentioned video cards should last you a while.

I totally agree on both points..
Except he wants a card that is Vista and DX10..

Quote:

I have a budget of about €150 to €200 for a decent DX10 and Vista card...

rls669 · 08-09-07, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by switch.dota

@The General - SH IV can run just fine on a single core, age-old Athlon XP 1700+, with 768 RAM and a 6600 video card. And the video card is usually underused, too.

O RLY? How underused would a 6600 be playing at 1920 x 1440 with FSAA and AF cranked up? It would be totally underused under those conditions, because after one attempt you'd dropkick it into the nearest dumpster. It's hard to make a recommendation without knowing what someone's definition of "runs just fine" is

Personally, I wouldn't buy anything less than a GF7900GS or X1950 Pro. Both can be found at reasonable prices especially if you go rebate-hunting, and both are available in AGP if you're trying to extend the life of an older system. If budget constraints won't allow that, the GF7600 cards generally outperform the Radeon X1600. If you want DX10, nothing less than a GF8800 will do. The lesser cards might technically support DX10 features, but they don't have the performance to produce anything but a DX10 slideshow.

NefariousKoel · 08-10-07, 12:05 AM

The 7300LE uses the 128MB on the graphics board but it will also share part of the system RAM to add extra to it. Since you only have 1GB of RAM in your system and the graphics card is also using 254MB of that, it leaves little for the actual game while it's running. Since you're using Windows Vista (DX10), it'll be even more pronounced because Vista is such a RAM hog.

Not to mention the 7300 isn't a speedy gfx card. I'd recommend getting a bigger vid card or, at least, doubling your RAM.

AkbarGulag · 08-10-07, 12:59 AM

There is a setting in most MOBO bios's... Its called 'AGP Aperture'....(not sure what it is called on PCI-e slots, but im sure they have one) this controls how much on board ram the card can utilize. Most boards can set this as low as 64meg. May be of help for you for now.

I run a P4 2.8gig single core, 1gig ram, and an old Raedeon 9800XT. With most things ticked and all sliders up I run 25fps... very playable. (yes volumetric fog is 'ON', yes high res textures is 'ON')

IrischKapitan · 08-10-07, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NefariousKoel

The 7300LE uses the 128MB on the graphics board but it will also share part of the system RAM to add extra to it. Since you only have 1GB of RAM in your system and the graphics card is also using 254MB of that, it leaves little for the actual game while it's running. Since you're using Windows Vista (DX10), it'll be even more pronounced because Vista is such a RAM hog.

Not to mention the 7300 isn't a speedy gfx card. I'd recommend getting a bigger vid card or, at least, doubling your RAM.

I'd already figured that, plus I'm planning to upgrade my ram by 1gig and (see first post), I think I'll buy a GF7950GT (plus vista capaple), card as it offers the best comprimise between performance and value ($200 of tigerdirect, about €145 plus 1 gig of Corsair DDR2 ram for under €180!

)

The GF8800 is a bit out of my price range plus its a power hungry and air hungry card which requires more upgrading..... Maybe next time....

Thanks for all the useful info!!!

NefariousKoel · 08-10-07, 03:22 PM

Sure thing!

I've been quite happy with my XFX 7900GS that I upgraded to months ago. You'll be more than fine with that 7950

GnarPow · 08-10-07, 05:31 PM

8800 For The Win! Hands down. Get the 640mb and dont waste money on any other 8 series unless its a GTX or Ultra

And for a little input: Me and my friend did a test the other day to see how the 8 series stacked up to the 7 series. We used Half Life: Lost Coast video test as our base and maxed out the settings. He had a E6600 and SLI OCd 7900GS's. I have a E6400 and a 640 OCd 8800GTS.

We turned the settings up and let the test run. Even with my crappier processor I destroyed him in the test. I got 108fps as a average and he got around 50 something. So for everyone who recommends 7 series. Just stop it, they arent worth it. They are already outdated because they cant play any of the newer games in DX10 and they dont post #s even close to the 8 series.

You might think your saving money now, but your wasting it in the long run.

Also no one even look at anything less than a 8800. THe other 8 series are crap.

My 2 cents

switch.dota · 08-10-07, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rls669

Quote:

Originally Posted by switch.dota

@The General - SH IV can run just fine on a single core, age-old Athlon XP 1700+, with 768 RAM and a 6600 video card. And the video card is usually underused, too.

O RLY? How underused would a 6600 be playing at 1920 x 1440 with FSAA and AF cranked up? It would be totally underused under those conditions, because after one attempt you'd dropkick it into the nearest dumpster. It's hard to make a recommendation without knowing what someone's definition of "runs just fine" is

I'm not talking about pointlessly huge resolutions and extreme eye-candy here, y'know...

cali03boss · 08-10-07, 11:36 AM

It would be nice to know what 100 pounds equals?

08-09-07, 08:15 AM	#1
The General The Old Man Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mountain Ash, Wales, U.K. Posts: 1,548 Downloads: 179 Uploads: 3	I'm sorry my friend, there is no alternative but to buy a better computer. Lidl are doing one at the moment that is cheap and pretty high spec. Good luck. __________________ *THE GENERAL*

08-10-07, 12:05 AM	#5
NefariousKoel Ace of the Deep Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: No-good Missouri scum Posts: 1,223 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	The 7300LE uses the 128MB on the graphics board but it will also share part of the system RAM to add extra to it. Since you only have 1GB of RAM in your system and the graphics card is also using 254MB of that, it leaves little for the actual game while it's running. Since you're using Windows Vista (DX10), it'll be even more pronounced because Vista is such a RAM hog. Not to mention the 7300 isn't a speedy gfx card. I'd recommend getting a bigger vid card or, at least, doubling your RAM. __________________ "When Gary told me he had found Jesus, I thought, Yahoo! We're rich! But it turned out to be something different." - Jack Handey

08-10-07, 12:59 AM	#6
AkbarGulag Samurai Navy Join Date: May 2007 Location: cfgdatsimZOMGddstgasns Posts: 571 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 1	There is a setting in most MOBO bios's... Its called 'AGP Aperture'....(not sure what it is called on PCI-e slots, but im sure they have one) this controls how much on board ram the card can utilize. Most boards can set this as low as 64meg. May be of help for you for now. I run a P4 2.8gig single core, 1gig ram, and an old Raedeon 9800XT. With most things ticked and all sliders up I run 25fps... very playable. (yes volumetric fog is 'ON', yes high res textures is 'ON') __________________ "6 days into his patrol, the first enemy ship was spotted... a trawler... ...It was at this point, Captain AkbarGulag realised how green his crew was..."

08-10-07, 03:22 PM	#8
NefariousKoel Ace of the Deep Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: No-good Missouri scum Posts: 1,223 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Sure thing! I've been quite happy with my XFX 7900GS that I upgraded to months ago. You'll be more than fine with that 7950 __________________ "When Gary told me he had found Jesus, I thought, Yahoo! We're rich! But it turned out to be something different." - Jack Handey

08-10-07, 05:31 PM	#9
GnarPow Gunner Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 96 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	8800 For The Win! Hands down. Get the 640mb and dont waste money on any other 8 series unless its a GTX or Ultra And for a little input: Me and my friend did a test the other day to see how the 8 series stacked up to the 7 series. We used Half Life: Lost Coast video test as our base and maxed out the settings. He had a E6600 and SLI OCd 7900GS's. I have a E6400 and a 640 OCd 8800GTS. We turned the settings up and let the test run. Even with my crappier processor I destroyed him in the test. I got 108fps as a average and he got around 50 something. So for everyone who recommends 7 series. Just stop it, they arent worth it. They are already outdated because they cant play any of the newer games in DX10 and they dont post #s even close to the 8 series. You might think your saving money now, but your wasting it in the long run. Also no one even look at anything less than a 8800. THe other 8 series are crap. My 2 cents __________________ Core 2 Duo 6400 2.13 GHZ EVGA 640MB 8800 GTS Superclocked 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 (667) 20" LCD Monitor

08-09-07, 08:41 AM	#2
switch.dota Captain Join Date: May 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 492 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	@The General - SH IV can run just fine on a single core, age-old Athlon XP 1700+, with 768 RAM and a 6600 video card. And the video card is usually underused, too. @IrischKapitan - For your system and limited budget, I'd recommend you shoot for a cheap 7900GS or x1950 Pro (as much as I love nvidia, an x1950Pro is cheaper and the cheap ATi models are usually better than cheap nvidia cards) and some extra RAM. Then aim for a better processor when the next upgrade comes around 2 GB and one of the above mentioned video cards should last you a while.

08-10-07, 11:36 AM	#11
cali03boss Machinist's Mate Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 123 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	It would be nice to know what 100 pounds equals? __________________ Sargo Class USS Sargo