New hot shit video card? + upgrading questions, need PC bore's help.

[Don Flamenco]

I don't know why, but I'm looking into new video cards...possibly in the next few months after I get job.   Maybe it's because I want Fallout 3 to run at 60fps outside in the wasteland maxed (because 60fps inside isn't good enough.)  So that's my flimsy pretext for wanting to drop a few bills.  I'm out of the loop, so I've got a bunch of questions...

Seems like the the 4870 X2 is the current top card in terms of performance, but it's $500:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102768

Just wondering if that's because it's new and in-demand, like with the 8800GT last year?  How do the newer Nvidia cards compare?  Any chance that price will drop early next year, like because of a new card or something?

I have to say, this upgrading shit is insane. I built my first gaming PC last september, so I'm new to it.  Got the G92 8800 GTS 512 when it launched and it's already down to about $100....from like $300 or $350.   Not resentful, but when people said hardware dropped in price, they really meant it.


Here's my set up:
--8800 GTS 512
--E6750 overclocked to 3.0ghz
--2gb DDR2 800 ram (6400)
--Gigabyte DS3 965P mobo
--XP
--I switch between 1280x720 and 1440x900, depending on whether I hook shit up to my TV or monitor.

Just wondering if you guys agree that replacing my vid card would give me the best framerate boost (as opposed to more RAM, better CPU etc.)

[Brehvolution]

I'll buy your old card off you for cheap. That should help offset costs.

[Don Flamenco]

I'll buy your old card off you for cheap. That should help offset costs.

I'll keep you in mind.  Would be nice to sell it here instead of ebay.  but like I said I won't be upgrading for a little while.

[Fragamemnon]

Get a ATI 4780 or nVidia GTX 260 216  if you want a mid-range upgrade. They would be drastic overkill at those resolutions.

Don't think CPU is the problem. going to 4GB of RAM and a 64-bit OS *might* help, I'll let smooth groove say whether that is a good idea or not.

[Don Flamenco]

Looks like the regular 4870 would be a pretty noticeable difference...if those start dropping in price, I'll probably snag one.

also added that I'm running XP (32 bit) to the op.

[laesperanzapaz]

please realize that a 4870x2 is a very high end, and very expensive option for the desktop.  And at if you're not even gonna go past 900 rez, I don't know why you would even need them.  Even a Radeon 4850/9800 GTX is bordering overkill at those resolutions.

CPU is ok.
Ram should ideally be 4 GB, depends on game, of course.  [and you need 64bit OS to do so]

You know what? just get a higher rez monitor. just my 2 cents

[Don Flamenco]

please realize that a 4870x2 is a very high end, and very expensive option for the desktop.  And at if you're not even gonna go past 900 rez, I don't know why you would even need them.  Even a Radeon 4850/9800 GTX is bordering overkill at those resolutions.

CPU is ok.
Ram should ideally be 4 GB, depends on game, of course.  [and you need 64bit OS to do so]

You know what? just get a higher rez monitor. just my 2 cents

I could go for a third gb of ram in XP, though I'm not sure how many more frames that'll get me. 

A higher res monitor would be nice, but I'd still want the better video card for better framerates in Fallout and Crysis/Warhead, as well as whatever is coming out next year. I don't mind going overkill, since I'll likely upgrade my monitor before upgrading anything else after the video card.

the 4850/9800GTX are just a tad better than the GTS 512 though, so I'd still probably get ~30fps in the Wasteland in Fallout, and about ~30 in Warhead on medium. 

[Smooth Groove]

Get the original 260 GTX.  There's a newer,slightly faster but more expensive 216 shader version.

You won't see any difference between the newer and older version in most cases.  The original 260 GTX is currently the best deal since Nvidia is phasing it out.

If you want to got ATI instead, then make sure to get the 1gb 4870 instead of the 512mb 4870.  It's only a little more and the extra ram makes a big difference when you move up to a higher resolution with a new monitor.   

[Don Flamenco]

I'll probably go for the 4870 when they drop a little more, seems like that'll be a very noticeable step up at sub-$300.

[FatalT]

When you guys talk about getting a bigger size monitor, what size do you have in mind? My 19" is big enough for me right now at 1440x900. I suppose a 22" monitor wouldn't be too bad.

[Don Flamenco]

I take it to mean higher res...but size wise, 19" is a nice size, but 22" is totally sweet.  When I can, I have my stuff hooked up to my 32" LCD TV though...I take a hit in resolution and image quality, but c'mon, 32" is great!

[laesperanzapaz]

well i dont really look at size so much as resolution

i ideally prefer over 900 in rez.