Video Card Question: 256mb X1900 AiW vs 512mb 8600GT

[fadywwf316]

Hi all, I am new to the forum and have done some reading around. I had a question and here is my situation, thanks for any help:

I currently have a 256mb X1900 AiW on my PC. The PCs specs include the E6600 CPU, 2GB DDR2 Ram, 750GB on 2 hard drives, Intel mobo, and the rest of the regular stuff (optical drives, HD audio onboard, etc).

I was thinking of getting a HP desktop that's on a sick sale this week. When customizing it, it has a "512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT, TV-out, DVI-I, HDMI." So, I thought to myself, if the 8600GT is worth it (+$100) and its much better than my AiW (which I don't even use for anything but games because the tv tuner doesnt work in vista), then I would put that in my PC and giving the other HP the AiW. The reason I would think of doing this is because even though every game runs great on my PC (including UT3 and Quake Wars), Crysis, runs like crap (and I'm wondering if its because I don't have DX10). I also don't want to play a game if its going to look like crap...eg dropping everything in Crysis just to get better performance. So, do you guys think the 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT, TV-out, DVI-I, HDMI is worth it? I also like the HDMI idea as I have a Xbox 360 HD DVD drive I wouldn't mind plugging into my PC to watch HD DVD movies on my TV (where the 360 isnt already connected).

Lastly, I know this is a video card forum, but I also have the option (in a different transaction) to get a Q6700 quad core. I currently have the dual core E6600. I saw some E6600 vs Q6600 benchmarks and wasn't entirely impressed. If I can get the Q6700 though for only about $280, is it worth it in your opinion? Thanks all in advance!!!

 

[taltamir]

Since you say you are a gamer and want to play crysis then none of the options you gave are acceptable... Reduce 50$ from whatever cpu you go with and choose either a radeon HD3850, HD3870 or a geforce 8800GT (either 256 or 512MB version depending on your resolution).

I would actually recommend the P35 mobo with a E6750 (only 15$ more then E6600 and much cheaper then the Quads... and much faster then the E6600) with a 8800GT 256MB right now... (unless you play at high resolutions like 1680x1050 or above, in which case the 8800 512MB).

EDIT: i see you have a E6600 already... its an excellent CPU, one of the best in the market. Unless you are doing video encoding OR an SLI / CF of 8800GT or 3870 then upgrading to the quad core is a less effective upgrade... upgrading your video card will give you so much more.

 

[fadywwf316]

That sounds like a good idea. I think I'll look into other video cards too. I was looking at other benchmarks and wanted to ask, what do you think would be the best card for around $200 or so? I don't want to go overboard as like I said, most games work fine, just not Crysis...especially not if I try it at 1680x1050 (my 21"'s resolution). Any ideas?