What Video card is right for my system?

[avpoh8]

I have not yet set a budget for my upgrade so price is not the issue. I think my problem will end up being my processor. I don't want to purchase a 7900GT and then have it being bottlenecked by my processor. I play mostly first person shooter. I am more worried about my Frams Per Second than how the game looks. I play at 800x600 or 1024x768 depending on the game. I don't plan on upgrading any thing else for a long time so I would like to get a card that works well with what I have. Thanks for any help.

Games I play:
Counter Stike Source, BF2, Quake 4, Planetside and Fear.

My rig:
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (oc to 2.21)
ASROCK MB has PCI-e and AGP slot
2GB GSkill Ram
Power Color 9600xt
80GB 7200rpm 8MB WD

 

[cleeve]

Which card is right for your system? The best one you can afford. Your CPU is fine.

How much can you afford? If money's no object, look into the X1900 XT.

You mention the 7900 GT, so I assume you have about $300 to spend. The X1800 XT is also in that range, both are excellent cards. The X1800 XT is generally considered to have better image quality than the 7900 GT and is a great stock performer, the 7900 GT is probably a better overclocker's card.

 

[avpoh8]

Well I don't want to break the bank, but I will lay out some for a nice card. around $325 max. I am always open to spending less LOL

 

[Heyyou27]

X1800 XT 256MB or 512MB.

 

[avpoh8]

I have a 400w PS is that enough for a x1800 or a 7900gt?

 

[Ian]

prozac26 wrote:

7900GT WILL NOT BE BOTTLENECKED!!! Your CPU is still very good and it shouldn't hold back a 7900GT. If you have the money for a 7900GT go for it.

Also consider X1800XT.

Yeah, 3200+ A64 wont hold back a 7900 GT.

 

[Ian]

Yeah, I would say that is about as low as you would want to go. Agree?

 

[Ian]

Yeah, sorry that's what I meant, a stock 3200.

 

[thecidsound]

Definately the 7900GT. Its a great card that overclocks very well even on stock cooling.

 

[uber_g]

dont trip with the CPU


but u can overclock it very nice

say 2.4ghz with stock cooling


your fine

 

[avpoh8]

Thanks for the input. 7900GT is where I plan to put my money. Just have to do some saving now.

I have had my 3200 to 2.4 before it runs cool but would lock up in CS after about an hour of playing, so I moved it back down. My board will not let me go any higher. A buddy of my has his at 2.6 and it is stable cool and dosn't lock up in CS or any other games. He has a really nice DFI board though.

Thanks again

 

[clue69less]

I have a 400w PS is that enough for a x1800 or a 7900gt?

From eVGA's website:

http://www.evga.com/products/moreinfo.asp?pn=256-P2-N563-AX&family=22

Requirements
Minimum of a 400 Watt power supply.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 20 Amp Amps.)
Minimum 500 Watt for SLI mode system.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 28 Amp Amps.)
An available 6 pin PCI-E power connector (hard drive power dongle to PCI-E 6 pin adapter included with card)

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BTW, what is an "Amp Amps" ? Is it like a pre-amp?

 

[timberwolf1]

Consider a X1900XT?

 

[unbiased4u]

what about the X1800GTO? is it out yet?

edit: nvm yes they are in newegg
I think that's good enough for your resolutions 😉