What do I need to run games at 1920x1200

[Dashel]

I was planning a build of an E8400, 8800GT and P35 motherboard with 4 gigs ram and Vista. I also would like to upgrade to a widescreen monitor, probably a 24", possibly a 27.

Will that do the job? I want to be able to play games at 1920x1200 or close to it at decent settings.

What would be a "step up" from that basic build? The game I'm really waiting for is due out in September so I have time to wait if something is on the horizon that would help me run a modern MMO or Shooter at high settings.

 

[alpha88]

I play games at 1920x1200 (24")

I've been very happy with my Opteron 165 @2.7ghz and a 8800GTS 640 meg (about same as your card)

 

[lxskllr]

That's close enough to what I have with the rig in my sig. The 8800GT does pretty well, but the newest games slow it a bit. That's the best card for the money imo, and when you really need something better, there'll be a better bang for the buck card available.

 

[Dashel]

Thanks guys. Is it safe to say the 8800 GT is the bottleneck in that rig? Meaning I'd be good with that CPU for a long while?

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: Dashel
Thanks guys. Is it safe to say the 8800 GT is the bottleneck in that rig? Meaning I'd be good with that CPU for a long while?

Yea, I'd say that :^)

 

[imported_wired247]

I'd go for about an 8800GTS 512mb at that res. I wasn't all that impressed with 8800GT even at 1680x1050, but that's JMHO

 

[imported_trans]

Even I would chose the 8800GTS G92. You can find it cheap on the egg.

 

[jaqie]

There is a not so small question with what you mean by run games.

Some people are fine with an average framerate of 25, others want an absolute minimum of 60 (or higher) even on the lowest dips.
Some people are fine with running with zero or 2x FSAA and aniso, and some people want them both cranked up to the max for the card or they won't play.
(oversimplified but roughly true) Each level of FSAA and aniso roughly doubles the work your card has to do from the previous setting.
And then there's the fact that each game engine pushes cards in different ways.

Basically, look at what framerate you want minimum (the higher the higher card you will need) and then do the same with the FSAA and aniso level you want, then check out benchmarks (available all over the net through a quick google) of the cards versus the games you (will) want to play and find one that is within your comfort zone for performance and budget.

I could have gone with an easy cop out of "xyz would be best" but I thought it best to explain that each person's description of "run games" is much different, and "teach you how to fish" as it were instead of hand you a fish you may not like (or worse yet be allergic to! )

Personally, with the last card I bought (a few months ago, just before 9000 series nvidia cards were out) I did the same thing, and for my own uses discoverd the less expensive 256MB PCIe BFG 7900GS/OCE was actually faster (and better) for what I ran then an 8000 series card, even the 8000 series cards that were almost twice what the 7900GS was.

 

[Dashel]

Yeah I need something that will run say: Call of Duty 4 at 40+ FPS with 20 other people in the game at medium+ settings. Or run the upcoming MMO Age of Conan or Warhammer Online at 40+ FPS with a ton of people on the screen.

So it needs to be as powerful as I can get it.

I can always upgrade a video card easily enough, I just want to be sure the backbone of my system is in good shape. Motherboard and CPU mainly.

 

[crimson117]

I have a similar new system (in sig). I can tell you it runs World of Warcraft at 1920x1200 flawlessly with every setting I can find cranked to the max.

It also runs Team Fortress 2 at default settings again at 1920x1200 with no graphics lag, even in busy situations with 30 players fighting for a control point.

I'm sure it'd choke on Crysis, but who cares.

 

[Jax Omen]

the GT would do that, no real problem.

The GTS is a definite better choice for high-very high settings at 1920x1200, but the GT is fine if you're ok with "medium".

Hell, most games it will still run on high-very high.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

If I play with my 7800GT for TF2 on my Dell 2707, i'm sure you'll be ok with your 8800GT. Well, then again I have yet to get Crysis to even run well... even when I play on the tiny 19" screen =( *tear*

I say go for the GTS. Best bang for the buck right now.

 

[Brian48]

I game at 1920x1200 with my 8800GTX. Been pretty satisfied with the framerate so long as FSAA is disabled. At 1920x1200, it's really not as important anyway. There's really only ONE game (and you know which) that runs like a hog even with 8800GTX (or two).

 

[Dashel]

Originally posted by: DLeRium
If I play with my 7800GT for TF2 on my Dell 2707, i'm sure you'll be ok with your 8800GT. Well, then again I have yet to get Crysis to even run well... even when I play on the tiny 19" screen =( *tear*

I say go for the GTS. Best bang for the buck right now.

How do you like the 2707? Good for gaming?

I think you all are right on the 8800 GTS 512, looking at benchmarks that seems like the right call. Thanks again.