8800gts enough to game on a 24-inch monitor without SLI?

[semisonic9]

Topic. I've got a build up in the General Hardware forum, but they advised I ask here about GPU/Display related issues.

I'm considering a quad-core build with one of the newer 24-inch panels, and just wondering what the limitations are on a card like the 8800gt or 8800gts before I lock in my mobo/psu/gpu slots for the new build.

~Semi

 

[angry hampster]

GTS is a great card for high resolutions. If you're really feeling saucy, you could put out another $80-90 and get a 9800GTX for a little extra boost.

 

[manimal]

my g92 GTS does great with two 24inch monitors on World in Conflict so one should be fine. You wont be able to run Crysis at OMGWTF settings but everything else out right now should run native. The amount of AA depends on the title.

 

[halabb]

If you're gonna game @ 1920x1200... you might have to turn down the GFX settings to get smooth fps in some games. All depends on how high your 'quality of gaming' (like quality of life hahaha) is.
Me, I can't stand anything below what I have. I actually see 90fps in Crysis at certain times.
I say get that card and hope your games run, if not get another. I suggest checking around for benchmarks comparing different games with the 9800GTX -- which OCs like a madman (just built one for a friend)!

 

[semisonic9]

Mmm, ok. Sounds pretty good, then.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Well I run two 512 gts in sli and after you've played crysis on all high settings during intense combat you won't want to run a single card again. If I were going for a single card solution though I'd get the gx2.

 

[semisonic9]

Yeah. I'm not sure I want to spend the extra cash for a SLI mobo. If it were just the GPU, it wouldn't be so bad, but an extra $200-350 premium to run SLI is a bit steep, especially considering the mobos aren't going to be forward-compatible with many future Intel chips.

I mean, on the one hand, I can afford it and am always tempted to go bigger with my builds. On the other hand (for once!) I'm trying not to go balls-deep in tech I'm not really going to use. I don't play Crysis and don't anticipate playing it anytime in the near future. CoD 4, TF2, WoW, etc will probably keep me busy for the near future.

My build thread is here: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2178643&enterthread=y if anyone has any recommendations.

A few people are advising me to just go bigger on a single card, up to the gtx, which I may consider. 2x GTS in an SLI rig is a nice combo, though. Aargh! *tears hair*

 

[sgrinavi]

I have a single 8800gts/g92, a 9800 gx2 and a crossfire set up all on 24" LCDs. There is a substantial difference between gx2 and the GTS for some games... BUT, the GTS is certainly adequate for most of it.

You might consider picking up a 8800GTS/g92 right now and, in a few months, upgrade to whatever the cool new wiz-bang display adapter; ATI 4870's are right around the corner as are the Nvida GT200's..

 

[Jax Omen]

I just got a G92 GTS. Only two games of mine have given me any trouble running near-max or at-max at 1920x1200

Crysis (DX9 or DX10 - gotta turn shadows and a couple others down to low to keep it playable. DX9 with mixed settings I get like 45fps average, so I'd say it's very playable if you don't mind the lack of shadows).

Lost Planet (DX10 only, had to turn several settings down to keep it remotely playable. Max everything got me ~20FPS indoors, I didn't even try going outside >_<. DX9 ran like a champ though.)

NOTE: When I say "max", I'm not including AA. at 1920x1200, I can't see any difference with or without AA, so I rarely bother turning it on unless I'm playing an older game where my framerate is far, far above 60fps.

 

[taltamir]

the 8800GTS 512 (and it is VERY important that you get the 512MB version, not the 320 or 640 as they are completely different) is generally speaking only eclipsed by the 9800GTX and in SOME circumstances the the 8800 GTX/Ultra. (for SINGLE core setups... if you get a X2 or GX2 or SLI/CF then its a different story)

Is it "enough" to run 60fps on 1920x1200 with max everything? Only on games that are 3 years old...
Is it "enough" to enjoy a smooth gameplay on 1920x1200 with reasonably high settings? Yes, on everything except crysis...

PS. I play on a 24 inch 1920x1200 using a 8800GTS 512MB and it is great. (well, after upgrading my CPU from X2 3800+ to an E8400 it is great...)