Video card for 1680x1050

[MacAttack]

I will be doing some gaming, watching DVDs/HDTV, some video editing. I am trying to determine which video card to get. I was waiting for the R600's to come out to see some competition of what to buy. From the recent announcement, the R600 is not performing as well as the G80's (that is just my opinion on how the computer market operates). I have not owned an nVidia card for almost 8 years. I have had an ATI for quite a while now. I am using an FX1500 that is on loan so I can just operate. I have to return it in the next 6-8 weeks. I need to find a replacement.

I am looking for recommendations.

Thanks.

 

[CalvinHobbes]

8800GTS

 

[conlan]

What are your system specs? Which games are going to play? How much are you willing to spend?

 

[Dent0n]

Is 320MB enough for 1680x1050?

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Dent0n
Is 320MB enough for 1680x1050?

1680x1050 is right around where the 320MB starts suffering serious performance hits with AA enabled. Its less pixels than 1600x1200 but more than 1280x1024. Most reviews show the 320MB performing about the same as the 640MB part until 1600x1200 resolutions with AA so 1680x1050 should be pretty safe in most applications. You'll be more likely to hold onto and use AA longer than someone running 1600x1200 or 1920+ though.

I'd wait a week or so to see if any rebates or price cuts start popping up on the 320MB part. The OC'd versions are already dropping to $299 regular MSRP prices. If the price difference between the 320 and 640MB is still within $50-60, you might be better off going with the 640MB GTS.

 

[MacAttack]

The latest game I have been playing is Oblivion. It really begins to lag in many areas due to the video card I believe. I am looking to spend no more than $400. There are a lot of 8800gts around that point. The $150 jump to the GTX is a little too steep for me.

System Specs (no oc'ing yet):
Intel C2D E6300
Mushkin 2GB (2x1GB) HP 6400 memory
Asus P5W Deluxe Home mobo

 

[Smartazz]

Personally, I'm going to wait until the 8 Series refresh and pick up the 8900GTS if it's worth it. For the time I got to use an 8800GTS 640(1 month) I was very impressed with the card and it overclocked extremely well(648/1998). I would also recommend getting the eVGA card. When I did play Oblivion with hit, I was extremely impressed. I did use it at 1920 by 1080 for a while and it ran everything extremely smoothly. I would also suggest getting the 640mb version of the 8800GTS because we don't know how much of a hit the 320mb version will take in the near future with games like Crysis.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: MacAttack
The latest game I have been playing is Oblivion. It really begins to lag in many areas due to the video card I believe. I am looking to spend no more than $400. There are a lot of 8800gts around that point. The $150 jump to the GTX is a little too steep for me.

System Specs (no oc'ing yet):
Intel C2D E6300
Mushkin 2GB (2x1GB) HP 6400 memory
Asus P5W Deluxe Home mobo

If you're @ the $400 price range you have your pick of pretty much all of the GTS variants. Personally I would go with the 640MB EVGA Superclocked or SC ACS3. Make sure you look at the core clock (500/800 stock, 550-600/850-900 OC variant) and part numbers. A lot of e-tailers have begun stocking both for same price without reducing the original stock 640MB price. I'm pretty sure Newegg has simply replaced the original with the Superclocked variant with no price difference.

As Smartazz mentioned, I would go with the EVGA if I bought right now. Great warranty like BFG, but right now the nod would go to EVGA with its step-up program because of the potential for an 8900 refresh. The 8900GTS looks to be a real winner, obviously the GTX will still be king of the hill, but the difference between the 8900GTS and 8900GTX won't be as big as the 8800s based on leaked specs. If you go with the EVGA, you'll be able to step-up to an 8900GTS for maybe $100 more if its released within 90 days of your purchase date. The 8900GTS based on leak specs will have a full 128 shaders, higher core clocks on a smaller process, higher memory clocks using GDDR4, and a 384-bit memory bus /drool.

 

[Makaveli]

i'm currently running a X1950Pro 512MB at 1680x1050 and most games I can play with some form of AA and AF on. Some of the newer games like Fear have to take AA off but still able to play at native res.