Any current games need 8800/2900?

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
I have a 22" Viewsonic LCD, and am a light gamer, though the newest thing I'm playing is Enemy Territory (not Quake Wars, but the RTCW:ET one). I have Quake 4, and have played it a couple of times.

I currently have a 7900GS 256MB Evga VIVO card. If I wanted to pick up a new game off the shelf (maybe the new Quake Wars?), would I need an 8800/2900XT to have decent game play @ 1680x1050 (I never use AA/AF, btw)?

I'm thinking at that res, an X1950XT would probably do just as well. Maybe jump to one of the DX10 refresh/2nd-gen cards early next year.

Rest of box :

Asus P5B-something or other (not the Deluxe)
C2D 6400 @ 3Ghz (runs 38-45c on a cheapie Tower cooler)
4GB OCZ DDR2-800
400GB Seagate NCQ Sata 3.0 / 500GB Seagate NCQ Sata 3.0
WinXP Pro / Vista Home Premium
Antec NeoHE 500 Psu (12V+ 17A x 3)
Bunch of other irrelevant stuff

 

Keysplayr

Elite Member
Jan 16, 2003
21,211
50
91
With these two cards this expensive, it would be a shame to buy the and not use AA/AF. So don't waste your money. Your 7800GS should be fine at lowered settings.
 

bryanW1995

Lifer
May 22, 2007
11,144
32
91
if you do run into problems, you can get an x1950xt at newegg for 159.99 right now after mir. I also read today that amd is planning a mid-range card between 2600xt and 2900xt, so you might try the 7800gs for a while and just get that midrange card later if you want a little more power.
 

bryanW1995

Lifer
May 22, 2007
11,144
32
91
I can't find it now, but I would swear that it was on either AT or THG earlier today. The only other web surfing I've done today was to download catalyst 7.6 for the new vid card and there isn't anything on that page.
 

apoppin

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
34,890
1
0
alienbabeltech.com
Originally posted by: Arkaign
I have a 22" Viewsonic LCD, and am a light gamer, though the newest thing I'm playing is Enemy Territory (not Quake Wars, but the RTCW:ET one). I have Quake 4, and have played it a couple of times.

I currently have a 7900GS 256MB Evga VIVO card. If I wanted to pick up a new game off the shelf (maybe the new Quake Wars?), would I need an 8800/2900XT to have decent game play @ 1680x1050 (I never use AA/AF, btw)?

I'm thinking at that res, an X1950XT would probably do just as well. Maybe jump to one of the DX10 refresh/2nd-gen cards early next year.

Rest of box :

Asus P5B-something or other (not the Deluxe)
C2D 6400 @ 3Ghz (runs 38-45c on a cheapie Tower cooler)
4GB OCZ DDR2-800
400GB Seagate NCQ Sata 3.0 / 500GB Seagate NCQ Sata 3.0
WinXP Pro / Vista Home Premium
Antec NeoHE 500 Psu (12V+ 17A x 3)
Bunch of other irrelevant stuff

depends what new game you pick up ... If you want the DX10 pathway, a GTS/2900xt is the minimum for titles like CoJ, Lost Planet and more.

2600xt or 8600 don't have the performance to play them at even 10x7 ... and x1900/7x00 series are DX9
 

firewolfsm

Golden Member
Oct 16, 2005
1,848
29
91
Only upgrade when you feel the need. Ride your 7900GS until it starts to annoy you and you think more money is worth it. If you can go until the end of this when the (inevitable) new generation comes out you'll be better off.