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Minimum video card recommendations

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Dryden

Dryden

Sober as Sarkisian
Staff member
Tech Admin
I just built a new desktop PC for my Office: Intel Core 2 Duo 6600 @ 2.4Ghz, 2Gb RAM, x2 150Gb WD Raptor HDs, 4Gb i-RAM RAM Disk, and some generic $50 ATi chipset PCI-16 Video Card that supported DVI for my 22" FP monitor, and Vista Business 64. It's a business PC. :wink2:

So, anyway, I'm loving the setup, and my wife is complaining about needed a better desktop at home (if not a laptop, or both). I think I'll probably copy this setup for a home PC sometime in the future after Christmas, but am wondering what's a decent video board on the market today that's still a few months behind the curve (my days of paying $200+ for graphics are over).

I downloaded the UT3 demo (UT is my favorite PC gaming series) at work to take a look and see where this PC setup stands, and the thing is a clunker even on this brand new PC thanks to the hamstrung video. It's butter if I knock the resolution all the way down to 720x480, but I'm probably getting about 5 to 10 fps at 1680x1050.

What are the best options for my home build?
 
Buckeneye;1001364; said:
8600GTS is a nice option, I have a foxconn model and its solid.

Depends, if your playing @ 1680x1050 and plan to have all the goodies as well, you might want to aim a little higher.
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I would like to play @ 1680x1050. Scaled video on LCDs looks like ass.
 
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k. However do you usually play at the maximum possible settings?
I myself prefer to play the game the way the artist intended; but if your happy with mediocre settings - I can't recommend an 8600GTS enough.

Do remember the RV670 line was just launched though, and while I dont have my hands on one (yet) the initial results have been quite positive.
 
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Buckeneye;1001372; said:
k. However do you usually play at the maximum possible settings?
I myself prefer to play the game the way the artist intended; but if your happy with mediocre settings - I can't recommend an 8600GTS enough.

Do remember the RV670 line was just launched though, and while I dont have my hands on one (yet) the initial results have been quite positive.
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Yeah, at least I used to. I haven't really been into PC gaming since UT2003. At that time my PC was top of the line, and I was rocking the 15" LCD that did 1024x768 and a Ti4200 ...

So yeah, I'm due for an upgrade at home. :tongue2:
 
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The price difference between the 8600's and the 8800's are quite steep. But I have a machine here with an 8600GT and this one has 2 of the card I linked you at the top..........both of them run crysis at 1680X1050, with no prob at all.
 
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BrutusMaximus;1010494; said:
Changed my mind. Just picked up an ATI 2400XT. runs circles around my 8600, and it runs $119 on newegg. Kick ass card.
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I think you got the last one, cause I can't find it for that price. I'm trying to find a card that will run COD4. Anyone have a suggestion on a card that will run it at medium to high settings for under $200?
 
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Buckeneye;1010565; said:
Newegg.com - GECUBE GC-HD3850PG3-D3R Radeon HD 3850 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

or


Newegg.com - EVGA 256-P2-N765-AR GeForce 8600GTS Superclocked 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail


I have a 3850 en route....so I'll have more personal experience within a week or so; depending on my schedule.
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Thanks. I won't be buying one till after the holidays, so I'd like to hear what you think of the 3850.
 
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I have an 8600GTS sitting in a box with an X2 6000+, its quite nice;
I give the nod to the X2600XT at slighty higher resolutions, but I'm noticing draw distance issues when AA is in use.

Not sure if this is a large driver issue or other, currently looking into it.... so I"ll have more info soon.

I wont like though, if it wasnt for the UVD, I wouldnt have bought an X2600 for gaming... there are some instances where
i'm near doubling the frame rate in the 8600GTS.
 
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