8800/9800GT enough for 1280x1024?

[DukeFan21]

I'm thinking about upgrading my video card and CPU for some more power. I'm on a 17" LCD at 1280x1024 and don't see myself upgrading for a while based on limited desk space. Plus, honestly, it's big enough for me right now.

With that said, I'm sort of on a budget and was looking at the 8800 or 9800GT since they can be had for around $110-120 new, less used. Would these be sufficient for at 1280x1024 for the next year or so? AA/AF would be nice. I'm currently on a E2140 @ 3.0ghz, 8600GT and 4gb RAM. Vista 64-bit. I figure the video card upgrade would increase performance more than a CPU upgrade at this point.

 

[anonymous x]

"for the next year or so?"
of course.
I have a 1280 by 1024 LCD also, and I can max out any game I want (and i'm very cpu limited) with a 9800 GTX+, which is slightly faster than the 9/8800 GT cards (well ok when I try crysis 16x AA it slows down to about 15-20 FPS but you get the point)

 

[Rike]

A 9800GT would let you do just about anything you'd like at that rez. I run my 8800GT @ 1920x1200 in every game I have, but I'm not running any hogs like Crysis.

That said, I'd check to make sure those cards are really the bang for the buck in your price range right now.

 

[zod96]

At that res no problem what so ever. Heck even 1680x1050 the 8800/9800Gt is more than enough

 

[Keysplayr]

Even a 9600GT would suffice at that resolution. But if you have any chance of upgrading your monitor to say a 1680x1050 native res (22" usually), it surely would not hurt to have an 8800GT/9800GT for some headroom. Even though the 9600GT pulls it's own weight at 16x10. If you are certain you will not be upgrading your monitor, then a cheaper 9600GT would be more than enough for you at 12x10.

 

[faxon]

you could probably get away with running an HD4670 at that resolution to be honest. what games are you playing and what are the rest of your system specs you are looking at + price range for your new hardware?


ed: you probably only need to upgrade your CPU/GPU unless your MB wont be compatable with a wholfsdale. you could get an e8500 and OC it to like 4.3GHz and then get yourself whatever video card gives you the most performance for the money you have left in your budget. if you can afford it get a 4850, just because the performance on that card is nuts and you will be able to pull off lots and lots and lots of eye candy with it. if not a 9800GT or if thats to expensive an HD4670 will EASILY get the job done and still perform just fine at that resolution

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: faxon
you could probably get away with running an HD4670 at that resolution to be honest. what games are you playing and what are the rest of your system specs you are looking at + price range for your new hardware?


ed: you probably only need to upgrade your CPU/GPU unless your MB wont be compatable with a wholfsdale. you could get an e8500 and OC it to like 4.3GHz and then get yourself whatever video card gives you the most performance for the money you have left in your budget. if you can afford it get a 4850, just because the performance on that card is nuts and you will be able to pull off lots and lots and lots of eye candy with it. if not a 9800GT or if thats to expensive an HD4670 will EASILY get the job done and still perform just fine at that resolution

Meh, take a look here. Seems a few too many games hit between 20 and 30 fps at 1280x1024 with a 4670 or comparable 9600GSO (8800GS) especially when AA is used. Still, either one would be better than what the OP currently has. But at 1280x1024, I'd probably want to use some AA.

EDIT: Oh yeah, the link.

 

[DukeFan21]

Well at the moment I'm really only playing COD4 and some CS:S but I definitely want to get Stalker: Clear Skies, Fallout 3, Red Alert 3 to name a few. I wouldn't mind trying Crysis either. I looked at the 9600GT as well, but wasn't sure if it would be enough juice for some of the games coming out in the near future. Like I said earlier, AA would be nice. I also figured that I'll get some $$$ back by selling my 8600GT so I'd get a 8800/9800GT over a 9600

 

[scheibler1]

Get a 9800gt. They are selling like hot cakes right now with rebates and free games such as crysis

You could get a brand new 9800gt for around $90 i you sold the copy of crysis and after mail in rebate if you don't like the game(I DO!)

 

[DukeFan21]

Pulled the trigger on an EVGA 9800 GT which came with Crysis...$120 after rebate. I realized I had to upgrade my PSU too since it didn't have a PCIe power plug, and got an Earthwatts 500W. Not too bad after I re-sell this PSU and my 8600GT. I'll wait a while for a CPU upgrade. Thanks everyone for your input

 

[nyker96]

just check benchs for 8800GT/512 seems fine in 1280 games.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Here what I get in Crysis on Mid then High detail @ 1280x1024 with no AA or AF using the following config :

4850e x2 @ 3.2ghz
2x 1gb DDR2 @ 914mhz 5-5-5-15 2T
BFG 9600 GT OC @ 650/1650/1800 ( Refference 9600 GT speeds )

On Mid detail
==========================================================
TimeDemo Play Started , (Total Frames: 2000, Recorded Time: 111.86s)
!TimeDemo Run 0 Finished.
Play Time: 45.95s, Average FPS: 43.52
Min FPS: 32.37 at frame 1321, Max FPS: 58.97 at frame 1764
Average Tri/Sec: 31374160, Tri/Frame: 720852
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: 1.27
!TimeDemo Run 1 Finished.
Play Time: 41.10s, Average FPS: 48.66
Min FPS: 32.37 at frame 1321, Max FPS: 58.97 at frame 1764
Average Tri/Sec: 35427956, Tri/Frame: 728035
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: 1.26
!TimeDemo Run 2 Finished.
Play Time: 41.15s, Average FPS: 48.60
Min FPS: 32.37 at frame 1321, Max FPS: 59.11 at frame 94
Average Tri/Sec: 35415772, Tri/Frame: 728737
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: 1.26
!TimeDemo Run 3 Finished.
Play Time: 41.10s, Average FPS: 48.66
Min FPS: 32.37 at frame 1321, Max FPS: 59.29 at frame 101
Average Tri/Sec: 35477088, Tri/Frame: 729108
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: 1.26
TimeDemo Play Ended, (4 Runs Performed)


On High detail
==========================================================
TimeDemo Play Started , (Total Frames: 2000, Recorded Time: 111.86s)
!TimeDemo Run 0 Finished.
Play Time: 71.86s, Average FPS: 27.83
Min FPS: 17.42 at frame 138, Max FPS: 33.51 at frame 1776
Average Tri/Sec: 28146600, Tri/Frame: 1011246
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: 0.91
!TimeDemo Run 1 Finished.
Play Time: 68.30s, Average FPS: 29.28
Min FPS: 17.42 at frame 138, Max FPS: 34.33 at frame 1006
Average Tri/Sec: 29895602, Tri/Frame: 1020994
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: 0.90
!TimeDemo Run 2 Finished.
Play Time: 68.28s, Average FPS: 29.29
Min FPS: 17.42 at frame 138, Max FPS: 34.56 at frame 998
Average Tri/Sec: 29911306, Tri/Frame: 1021122
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: 0.90
!TimeDemo Run 3 Finished.
Play Time: 68.28s, Average FPS: 29.29
Min FPS: 17.42 at frame 138, Max FPS: 34.56 at frame 998
Average Tri/Sec: 29920890, Tri/Frame: 1021459
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: 0.90
TimeDemo Play Ended, (4 Runs Performed)

 

[Noya]

Originally posted by: DukeFan21
Pulled the trigger on an EVGA 9800 GT which came with Crysis...$120 after rebate. I realized I had to upgrade my PSU too since it didn't have a PCIe power plug, and got an Earthwatts 500W. Not too bad after I re-sell this PSU and my 8600GT. I'll wait a while for a CPU upgrade. Thanks everyone for your input

BestBuy has the 4850 for $150 and you get a $10 gift card.

I just ordered an eVGA 9600GT SCC for $65 shipped after rebate from Fry's.

Checkout slickdeals.net for the best deals.

 

[DaFinn]

I have 8800GTS 512Mb, and it runs everything @ 1680x1050 full detail. So 8800/9800Gt will be more than ok for you.

 

[AzN]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: faxon
you could probably get away with running an HD4670 at that resolution to be honest. what games are you playing and what are the rest of your system specs you are looking at + price range for your new hardware?


ed: you probably only need to upgrade your CPU/GPU unless your MB wont be compatable with a wholfsdale. you could get an e8500 and OC it to like 4.3GHz and then get yourself whatever video card gives you the most performance for the money you have left in your budget. if you can afford it get a 4850, just because the performance on that card is nuts and you will be able to pull off lots and lots and lots of eye candy with it. if not a 9800GT or if thats to expensive an HD4670 will EASILY get the job done and still perform just fine at that resolution

Meh, take a look here. Seems a few too many games hit between 20 and 30 fps at 1280x1024 with a 4670 or comparable 9600GSO (8800GS) especially when AA is used. Still, either one would be better than what the OP currently has. But at 1280x1024, I'd probably want to use some AA.

EDIT: Oh yeah, the link.

Crysis and Age of Conan. Then again 8800gt isn't that much better.

8800gt isn't a overkill for 1280x1024 but you can easily be satisfied with 4670 or GSO for such resolution.