best card for 1280x1024 full settings, 60+FPS?

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programmer

Senior member
Mar 12, 2003
412
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I've got a 19" flat panel running the native 1280x1024. Right now I am using an ATI AIW 8500, which has been very good, but not able to really play newer games.

I've been trying to keep up with all the new cards and reviews but its too much info. I am hoping someone can give recommendations for both ATI and nVidia for a card that can run 1280x1024 at the max settings possible (and latest goodies like shader model whatever) with 60+ FPS.

Can only the X1800/X1900 and 7800/7900 series meet those specs (e.g. Shader Model 3.0)? I'd like to keep the cost below $250. Preferably below $200. If the shader model is an issue, how about recommendations for a card without it, but still able to run high FPS with max settings at 1280x1024?

Thanks!
 
C

Cooler

Diamond Member
Mar 31, 2005
3,835
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0
Originally posted by: programmer
I've got a 19" flat panel running the native 1280x1024. Right now I am using an ATI AIW 8500, which has been very good, but not able to really play newer games.

I've been trying to keep up with all the new cards and reviews but its too much info. I am hoping someone can give recommendations for both ATI and nVidia for a card that can run 1280x1024 at the max settings possible (and latest goodies like shader model whatever) with 60+ FPS.

Can only the X1800/X1900 and 7800/7900 series meet those specs (e.g. Shader Model 3.0)? I'd like to keep the cost below $250. Preferably below $200. If the shader model is an issue, how about recommendations for a card without it, but still able to run high FPS with max settings at 1280x1024?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

If you want a good GPU you need a new mobo because AGP is dead for high end.
 
dug777

dug777

Lifer
Oct 13, 2004
24,778
4
0
Originally posted by: Cooler
Originally posted by: programmer
I've got a 19" flat panel running the native 1280x1024. Right now I am using an ATI AIW 8500, which has been very good, but not able to really play newer games.

I've been trying to keep up with all the new cards and reviews but its too much info. I am hoping someone can give recommendations for both ATI and nVidia for a card that can run 1280x1024 at the max settings possible (and latest goodies like shader model whatever) with 60+ FPS.

Can only the X1800/X1900 and 7800/7900 series meet those specs (e.g. Shader Model 3.0)? I'd like to keep the cost below $250. Preferably below $200. If the shader model is an issue, how about recommendations for a card without it, but still able to run high FPS with max settings at 1280x1024?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I you want good GPU you need a new mobo because AGP is dead for high end.
Click to expand...

:confused:

;)
 
PingSpike

PingSpike

Lifer
Feb 25, 2004
21,758
602
126
The best advice for people looking for a high end AGP video card is to buy a new motherboard and look for a high end PCI-E motherboard, IMO.
 
K

KBTuning

Senior member
Mar 22, 2005
357
0
0
i have a x800GTO2 that is unlocked and oc'd to x850xtpe and in CS:source running 1280x1024 w/ settings maxed i get around 100fps in de_dust2... mind you i am using A64 at 2.25Ghz w/ 1gb DDR400 as well...
 
S

SlowSpyder

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
17,305
1,002
126
I have a PCIE 6800GS (eVGA - oc'd to 490/1.1) and play games at 1440 x 900 (almost the same amount of pixels as 1280 x 1024) without any problems. I'm not sure if the AGP version of the 6800GS is the same or not though.
 
RussianSensation

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
It's not really an upgrade to tell someone with AGP to buy a new motherboard, new cpu, new ram and new PCIe graphics card. That's a full system overhaul. Not to mention that his PSU might not handle the load of the latest system. For a cheap AGP upgrade, I'd look at 6800GS, used X850xt/x800xt, 6800gt, x800pro, x850pro or something along those lines. If you've used Radeon 8500 for this long, any of these cards will easily fulfill your needs assuming you have a fast enough processor.

What are your other system specs, ram, cpu, etc?
 
P

programmer

Senior member
Mar 12, 2003
412
0
0
Doh! Sorry, forgot to mention I will be picking up a new socket 939 motherboard with PCIE for this project. That's part of the reason I want to keep the cost down on the video card. Funny how AGP seems so ancient now I didn't even think to mention PCIE. :)
 
C

CaiNaM

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 2000
3,718
0
0
i don't think you can get a card for $250 or under that will run max (if you mean all details high and 4xaa/16xaf or higher) settings at 1280.

x1800xt & 7900gt class of cards will run most (tho u may have to only run 2xaa in some titles) at max or near max settings, however those are $300 and up... and then there's upcoming games like oblivion, which we really don't know how well they will run yet.
 
H

hooflung

Golden Member
Dec 31, 2004
1,190
1
0
My 7800GT on my X2 3800+ w. 2gig DDR400 cas 2 runs any game I throw at it in 12x10 with flying colors. I'd look into trying to get that at the 250 mark.

My 6800NU that was unlocked and overclocked can't compete. I looked at the 7600GT review and it looks promising indeed. But I am not sure it it has longevity past it being a lowcost replacement for the 6800GS. I'd try to snag a 6800GT or GS from eVGA or BFG before buying a 7600GT. If not, then the 7600GT looks like a fine choice indeed.
 
C

CaiNaM

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 2000
3,718
0
0
Originally posted by: RussianSensation
If you are going with PCIe, I'd consider 7800GT at $250.
Click to expand...
but using CoD2 as an example, at 1280 w/ 4xaa/8xaf, a GTX can't even reach a maximum framerate of 60fps, let alone avg it (avg is 34fps and a low of 19fps).

at those same settings, FEAR is all over the map, reaching a max of 105fps, a low of 21fps, and an avg of 35.

BF2 otoh will avg near 60fps at that resolution, however you will see it hit 30fps or lower at the lowest points.

keep in mind these are GTX numbers; GT figures will be lower.

these cards are great performers, but I think it's a bit of a misconception to think you crank everything up and have 60+fps, even @ 1280.

i'm only saying this as you're setting yourself up for disappointment if you think so. you can get very good performance these days in the < $300 pricerange, but you may have to go with 2xaa or no aa, or lower some other settings if you wnat to run at 60fps +.
 
RussianSensation

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
CaiNaM you are absolutely right that 7800GT wont provide perfect gameplay at the settings specified by OP. I just think it's a good card in that price range and is certainly better than a 12 pipe 7600GT. Of course you can pick up X1800XT 256mb for $289 on newegg right now which is an excellent deal but again above OP's budget. That card would improve the situation in games like FEAR, COD2 and BF2 (where ATI excels over 7800GTX 256mb to begin with).
 
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