Best video card for 1280x1024?

[wrx962]

My current system is this:
AMD 3000+ 64bit 939pin
MSI Neo2 Platinum
ATI 850xt AGP
2gb Geil DDR-400

I plan on upgrading to:
Intel E4300 Duo
Gigabyte GS-965P-DS3
1gb Corsair DDR2-800

Here I am left with choosing a video card. I have a 19" Hyundai L90D+ that runs a max: 1280x1024. What card will do me well for another two years? I was planning on getting the 1950xt for $221 at Newegg, but to my demise came this 8800gts 320mb card to make my decision tougher. I don't mind throwing down the extra cash if I know the product is not going to become obsolete soon, but if I can save $80 by grabbing the 1950xt & not see a noticable difference at 1280x1024 then I'll do it. Also, I have a projector that has a native resolution of 1024x768, would either card be a better fit?

Thanks

 

[wrx962]

Also, I want to MAX out all settings on every game I play (Fear, CS:S, BF2142, WoW, and all the upcoming games like UT3 & crysis).

 

[40sTheme]

X1950XT will work wonders. No need to go with the 8800GTS.

 

[swtethan]

i didnt see your upgrade, but 8800GTS 640 is your best bet (with overclocks to GTX levels)

 

[crazydingo]

Originally posted by: 40sTheme
X1950XT will work wonders. No need to go with the 8800GTS.

.

1024x768 - X1950 Pro
1280x1024 - X1950 XT
1600x1200 - 8800 GTS 320MB
1920x1080 - 8800 GTX

 

[chizow]

I don't mind throwing down the extra cash if I know the product is not going to become obsolete soon, but if I can save $80 by grabbing the 1950xt & not see a noticable difference at 1280x1024 then I'll do it.

DX10 vs. DX9 part, no brainer here, especially considering the resolutions you plan to run. The only other option that makes sense here is waiting on ATI's DX10 parts expected in March/April. The 320MB GTS was made for you.

 

[nullpointerus]

Originally posted by: wrx962
My current system is this:
AMD 3000+ 64bit 939pin
MSI Neo2 Platinum
ATI 850xt AGP
2gb Geil DDR-400

I plan on upgrading to:
Intel E4300 Duo
Gigabyte GS-965P-DS3
1gb Corsair DDR2-800

Why downgrade the memory? You'll get some stuttering in F.E.A.R. with only 1GB, and I'm finding it impossible to run Oblivion w/ mods in 1GB memory. 1280x1024 does not require a top-of-the-line 3D card, so my advice is to forgo the $300+ GPUs and get the extra memory if possible.

 

[wrx962]

Yeah that is exactly what I was thinking. I like the price/performance ratio of the 1950xt, but DX10 seems to be the way to go. Would I be better off waiting until Vista is patched for Nvidia & ATI's products hit the shelves and hopefully by that time prices will start to come down?

 

[wrx962]

Yeah I was planning on getting 2gb after my wallet has time to relax. I think I remembered reading some reviews that 1gb to 2gb wasn't as big of a performance increase with DDR to DDR2. This hold water?

 

[cubeless]

the mem type isn't the issue... if u r paging, performance will get killed... coh needs more than 1gb, too, even at res u r stating... u r probably better off with the 1950 and more ram... an 8800 would just exacerbate the system ram issue, because u would want to use more iq options...

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: swtethan
i didnt see your upgrade, but 8800GTS 640 is your best bet (with overclocks to GTX levels)

if he's only running 1280, the 320mb GTS will be more than enough...

to the OP, you might even hold off just a bit to see how the new upper-mid range cards from nvidia perform (8600 variants).