Oblivion: Hardware upgrade

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random_foxx

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Apr 11, 2006
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Hello. I'm new to the Toms Hardware forums, and I'm here for just one reason: OBLIVION.

Here are my current specs:

AMD Athlon 64 3700+
A8N SLI Deluxe MB
2x512 (1 gig total) dual channel 2-2-2-5 RAM
Nvidia GeForce 6600GT 128meg video card
Dual 115 GB HDDs (raid 0)

With the 6600GT, this game runs horrid. I didn't expect much, but it turns out, I -DID- expect too much. :) After playing for about an hour (and getting past the character creation phase) two things were clear: 1) I needed better hardware and 2) I was willing to shell out around $800 to get it.

At this point, I'm looking at two Oblivion specific upgrades:

1) ATI's X 1900 XTX 512meg video card.

The benchmarks seem to show this is the best videocard for Oblivion. The 1900XT seems to be a better bang "for the buck" but the XTX kicks if you don't factor in cost.

2) WD's 150 GB Raptor HD.

I know my current setup has a RAID, but I'd rather just have one fast HD. Less chance of loosing data, and it'd free up my two 115 GB HDs for other things. I'm hoping the Raptor may actually outperform my RAID 0 setup.

Any thoughts on this? $800 really is the max I can spend, and these two items from newegg come to around $785 w/ shipping. Any input would be valued!

PS: I know there are a ton of Oblivion threads already. I've read them, but I just wanted some input on my specific hardware ideas. THANKS!
 
Ways to save you money
1. I'd probably go with the x1900XT as your saving money and not losing that much performance, but in the end, the choice is up to you.

2. As for the hard drive, maybe consider only getting a 74GB Raptor, you already have over 200GB of space, do you really need another 150GB or just the speed boost?

3. Finally, this has probably crossed your mind, selling your 6600 to maybe a friend who wants to start getting into gaming and save yourself and your friend a few bucks.

Hope it works out for you!
 
Well, the two 115 GB HDDs would no longer be located in my 3700+ if I got the new Raptor HD. In fact, the Raptor would be the only physical drive left in my system if I upgraded it, which is why I felt the 74GB HDD would be too limited.

I do have a system running Server 2003, and it has a 250MB network drive for my long term storage needs.

I'm still torn between the 1900 XT and XTX. They're only about $50 apart on Newegg right now, and I feel the XTX might hold up just a bit longer before I need another upgrade.

Then again, will DirectX 10 bring forth a new need for next gen videocards? Grr.... :)
 
Personally, I have been going over the same dilema you have. I've settled on a $400 CAD price range for my video card. I'm either getting a 7900GT or if all goes well a x1900GT which I hear is comming out soon.
If you want to be able to play the latest games and be able to run them at the highest resolutions and settings for the rest of your life, your going to be spending a lot of money. The best thing to do, IMO, is buy the best bang-for-buck card in your price range at the time.
If you really want to have everything maxed and be set with a good video card until DX10, go ahead and buy the x1900XTX.
The smart choice I recommend is buy a x1800XT for under $300, or wait a little for the new x1900's. While having graphics on Oblivion maxed will make a noticeable difference, it won't be much. You will be too wrapped up in the stuff you can do in the game. As for the hard drive, if it's your only drive, go with the 150GB.
 
the only thing that the xtx kicks is your face. 100 $ for 25mhz....dumass
Click to expand...

Well, yes, it does not seem like much of a difference, but like I said, there is $50 difference on newegg, not $100. Seems more reasonable for $50 to me. But then again, I don't have all the answers, that is why I'm here asking. 😛

BTW, you forgot the letter "b" in dumbass, dumbass. :wink:
 
the only thing that the xtx kicks is your face. 100 $ for 25mhz....dumass
Click to expand...

Woah, woah, relax.

The XTX comes with 1.1ns memory the XT come with 1.26ns memory, that's 100mhz (200 effective) more meory OC'ing potential right there.

If like he says he wants the best, then that's the best and for $50 difference, it is tougher than it used to be.
 
BTW, you forgot the letter "b" in dumbass, dumbass

No, no he just has one extra 's'. I think he was comparing you to Alexandre Dumas and the Count of Monty - Crisco! :tongue:

Quickly as to your questions.

HD- Raptor should be faster in gaming, maybe save on the 150 and put the money towards the XTX, but the impact or the Raptor, vs 7200RPM large cache SATAII vs RAID in this game won't be amazing IMO, most important thing is to have a clean drive, defragged and not full.

CPU - 3700+ should be fine, just be sure to OC it a bit, but not too much of course since this game doesn't readjust people's OC comfort zones like D3 did.

VPU- I think the value of the XTX over the XT will have more impact than the difference of the Raptor over the other options, or even the 74 vs 150.

So keep your CPU unless you really get the urge to go multi-thread, get the smaller raptor and a bigger second drive, and get the XTX for the meager $50 more.

Of course that's just my two frames' worth. 8)
 
Hmm, good points here guys!

Umm, something in a different direction is my monitor. When I first bought my system, I purchased a Rosewill R710S 17" 12ms LCD Monitor. I does not have DVI, and its max res is 1280x1024.

I will not (repeat NOT) be able to upgrade the monitor anytime soon and still buy the other upgrades, but in the future, would it be worth it? Does DVI make a difference? The 12ms seems good, but I've seen 8 or less available.

BTW: I'm thinking the X 1900 XTX is the GPU I'm going to stick with. I tried to play again with the 6600 GT, and I keep thinking to myself that if I'd have just got the top of the line video card when I first bought my system, maybe I'd be able to avoid this upgrade now.... so, I'd rather spend the extra $50 and have a GPU to keep me running that much longer.
 
I will not (repeat NOT) be able to upgrade the monitor anytime soon and still buy the other upgrades, but in the future, would it be worth it? Does DVI make a difference? The 12ms seems good, but I've seen 8 or less available.
Click to expand...

Don't worry you're fine, and if you're gaming on LCD right now, then definitely get the best card you can because you want higher minimum frames on something that doesn't scale well.

I wouldn't worry about replacing anything anytime soon, just use the DVI->VGA adpaters the XT and XTX come with, and then wait for the sweet monitors that should be out at the end of the year beginning of next year with the white LED backlights and super great colour/contrast and they should be HDCP compliant which is nice too.

Of course I'd prefer a nice 40" 1900x1200/1080 over anything in the 20" range.

The Dell 30" wouldn't be too bad though, but of course then that means you MUST get Xfire! :twisted: 8) :twisted:
 
the only thing that the xtx kicks is your face. 100 $ for 25mhz....dumass
Click to expand...
Show me a legit new $350 X1900XT and I'll order tonight. HIS XTX is $450, about $20 more than the cheapest XT's I've seen. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814161169

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814161169 - This is the XTX. After rebate, it is $449.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814142063 - This is the cheapest XT that newegg has. It runs $437.

The difference on these two isn't even $50 - It's $12. Still not quite $350, tho, lol.
 
Unless you like a little brokeback action.
Click to expand...
I look good in a cowboy hat
gayfight2.gif
 
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