Newbie gamer, what video card?

[imperfectcircle25]

Ok so I just set up a new system and I luv it. I have never been much of a video game type, but I recently played BF2 at a friends house and loved it. So I am thinking about ding a little gaming on my system. Im currently running the following system
DFI LAnparty ultra D
4200x2 @ 2.6ghz
2gig OCZ Gold ddr500
74gig raptor system drive
300gig wd storage drive
Asus X1600pro 256meg
Creative X-fi extreme music
Silverstone Zues 650w psu
20in Dell widescreen lcd
Do i need to upgrade my video card or will the x1600pro be fine for the ocasional game?? Im not an extreme gamer or anything Ijust want to play a game or two very ocasionally. Am I ok or do I need a better video card??
thanks
Frank

 

[Ika]

X1600 Pro is a little weak for the system, but since you don't play that many games it should be fine. It's not a horrible gaming solution, and since you already have it, you might as well use it. If you really want to upgrade, though, I would suggest either a 7900GT or X1900XT, depending on your budget. but the 1600pro should be fine for medium settings.

 

[namityadav]

I think you have a fairly high end system. And you should buy a 7900 or 1800 / 1900 just to be fair to the system.

 

[Insomniator]

yes, lets spend 300 bucks on something he doesnt need just to be fair..

 

[LW07]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102698

Get this X1800XT for $290 + shipping.

 

[Jeffreyg4]

Buy the game u want to play, try it. if you dont like the preformance than feel free to go and buy a new card. but at least try the game on your X1600 pro before even thinking about changeing the card.

 

[Termie]

Definitely buy the game (or download the demo) that you want to play, and try it out on your x1600pro. If you don't like the performance, you can spend just over $150 on an x850xt for twice the performance - I play BF2 on a Dell 20" widescreen with a similar card, and it's fine. If you need Avivo or other more modern video capabilities, then a 7600gt (comparable to x850xt) or 7900gt/x1800xt would be your best bet, at the $200 and $300 price points.

 

[Ctrackstar126]

My opinion is that you are someoen that doesnt compromise on parts because the rest of your rig is very nice. You also have a nice widescreen monitor and If i were you I would get a used 7800gt for around 200 or jump to around 300 and get a 7900gt. Then you can run all the eye candy and really compliment your system.
Sure youll be only gaming once in a while but If you have a weekend car like a 300zx do you have it all hooked up and just put wal-mart tires on it.
Compliment your system and your monitor will thank you for it

 

[ddogg]

i think buying anything above $200 is a waste since he only plays games occasionally.
the 7600GT should be a good buy.
you can get it here

 

[Ctrackstar126]

Well than I guess the question is what does he do with the system otherwise. If he only surfs the web and does essays for school I guess we could say that his rig is a little overkill already. It just doesnt seem to me that money is a problem for the OP and it seems that he doesn't settle for anything less than the best when it comes to components. I dont think an extra 100 dollars is going to hurt him, but I could be wrong.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Jeffreyg4
Buy the game u want to play, try it. if you dont like the preformance than feel free to go and buy a new card. but at least try the game on your X1600 pro before even thinking about changeing the card.

:thumbsup:

 

[AzNpXdD913]

If you do upgrade, I think a X850XT (best bang for the buck, faster raw power but older tech) for 150-160 or a 7600GS (Newer tech that's on par with the X850 and with more features) for 170-180 would be the best choices. But yeah, like the above posts said, you should try out the games on your x1600pro first to see if the performance is good enough for your likings.

 

[imperfectcircle25]

Thanks guys. I went with mostly topline components on this system because it gets alot of use, for work as well as pleasure. My gurl is an Engineer so she uses CAD alot and her hobbies include photography so she uses photoshop, bith of which can use all the procesing power u can get. As for me, I do some recording/encoding and as the server for my music collection, so its overkill for me but I think its a necessity for the gf. Thanks for all the help guys/gals.
frank

 

[hans030390]

I would get a 7600gt. It's around $200, and it will blow the x1600 away.

If you can afford it, look into a 7900gt.

Even though you dont game much, it never hurts to be safe.

 

[imperfectcircle25]

I made a trade with my buddy for his ATI AIW 800xl, i wanted the tv tuner as well so it works out perfect for me, and i didnt have to spend anymore cash. Is this card anygood?? One other thing is, he didnt have the software cd or I/o cable can I get them anywhere?? I dl the drivers and multimedia center from ATI, but it wont let me load the dvd decoder without the origional software disk, anyway i can get around this??
thganks
frank