Video Card / CPU

[spacelord]

With all the new video cards coming out, I was wondering if its worth it to get a nice fancy video card.
I run a P4-2.53GHz system, 768 MB 2100 ram (yes 2100, its 2700 but my crappy Soyo MB is unstable if I run at 2700, even though the MB is said to support faster ram)
and currently have an Albatron ti4200 Overclocked fairly conservatively.

With any of the newer ($175+) DX9 video cards, will I be able to run at high resolutions with details turned up?

 

[ptw]

Right now I'd say your video card is the limiting factor.

I recently upgraded from an XP 2200+ to an XP 3200+ with faster RAM, dual channel, and a faster bus speed. Both with a TI 4200 (not overclocked). I did a couple of benchmarks, and the improvement was pretty negligible. So it looks like my video card was already holding back my XP 2200+.

 

[DrMindbender]

I forgot what website it is which compared the fps increase at different resolutions for different games using a 9800XT and different amd and intel processors on the market. You're going to see an improvement on new games like Far Cry. However with your older processor, you're performance gains might be slow to a crawl or even worse stay the same reaching a certain resolution. I believe on the mid/lower cpus it was 10X7 or lower. The faster your processor the better you get at higher resolutions. What the chart said was Intels above 2.8 ghz and Amd 64's above 3200 will have the biggest gains over using a 9800XT. I know you don't have an XT but the point of the article to me was future games are becoming system dependent rather than your PSU and graphics card. I'd get a 9800 Pro and gradually upgrade the rest of your rig.

 

[RussianSensation]

at $175-200 get either 5900xt/5900nu or my personal recommendation, 9800Pro 256-bit

Unfortunately you will not be able to buy any of the new generation cards that are faster than the above at this price range.

Your cpu is just fine for the 3 cards I've mentioned above. The performance improvement, especially at 1600x1200 with AA/AF enabled (or at other resolutions too) over your ti4200 card should be at least 2x.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: spacelord
With all the new video cards coming out, I was wondering if its worth it to get a nice fancy video card.
I run a P4-2.53GHz system, 768 MB 2100 ram (yes 2100, its 2700 but my crappy Soyo MB is unstable if I run at 2700, even though the MB is said to support faster ram)
and currently have an Albatron ti4200 Overclocked fairly conservatively.

With any of the newer ($175+) DX9 video cards, will I be able to run at high resolutions with details turned up?

Yes, absolutely. A 9800 Pro (256-bit, of course) or 5900 card will be much better for high res gaming, particularly with AA and/or AF enabled.

 

[TStep]

Here and Here are two good reads on this subject.

 

[spacelord]

Thank you all for the helpful insight.