Do I need a new CPU? Games @ 1680x1050

[BrunoPuntzJones]

So I've been running an A64 (939) 2.0Ghz at 2.7Ghz for a long while now and it's been super. Vid card is a Geforce 7900GT KO. Could run every game at 1280x1024 (19" LCD) with all settings maxed.

Then I went and bought that 22" Acer at Best Buy. Forgot about higher resolutions

It runs at 1680x1050. While I haven't really had time to play anything on it, I'm guessing 1680x1050 will be a little much for my rig. Or will it?

I don't need 60FPS or 16xAA. Just smooth enough for me which is generally 25fps or above.

Running 2GB of ram at the moment.

I really don't want to spend much if I need to upgrade. Best bang for the buck.

Suggestions?

 

[deadseasquirrel]

Best bang for buck? Upgrade that vid card to a 320 GTS for ~$250 after rebates.

 

[Geomagick]

A new CPU won't really help. If you find that games start to struggle consider a new graphics card. An 8800gts or a HD2900XT would dramatically improve performance.

 

[MarcVenice]

You're not really going to be cpu bound at higher resolutions, but gpu bound instead. Depending on the games you play or plan on playing it could be wise to get a dualcore processor, like a x2 3800+ for some 70$ and OC it to 2.5-2.7ghz. 70$ is a pretty good buy, but a videocard is more important, so it all depends on your budget.

Then, if you are allready experiencing games being slow as crap on your new monitor, then it's time for a new videocard, 8800gts 320mb is where the sweetspot is and will give a nice boost over your current videocard. If games still play decent, then you might wanna wait till the 8900's or 9x00 serie comes out.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Points noted. I was unsure whether I was bound at the CPU or vidcard.

I'll run some games tonight and if unplayable will look into a vidcard first. If they are fine, then I'll just keep cruising along

 

[Skott]

I've heard the so called experts say to adequately run a 8800GTX you need at least 2.6GHz proc. Since all you really need to game adequately at 1680x1050 resolutions is a 8800GTS I would say your OCed A64 is fine for now. I would say you are not at the point where you have to upgrade just yet. You can hold out a while longer if you want at 1680x1050 resolution. If you move up beyond 1680x1050 resolution and/or up to a 8800GTX then you may want to consider an upgrade but I'd wait to see what the new games, like Crysis, play on your system first before doing so.

 

[SlowSpyder]

I play at 1680 x 1050 with a 7900GS and a dual core A64 on a 22" (1680 x 1050). OC your vid card if you can. My card does ok at that res, sometimes I turn the quality down to medium though.

 

[NoSoup4You]

Not only should you be fine, you should be just about perfect with a 7900GT and 2.7Ghz Athlon 64. Absolutely no reason to upgrade.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Sounds like I still have enough headroom to work with then. I'll get GRAW 2 in a few days and see how it does.

It just didn't cross my mind when I bought the new monitor that the higher res may be a bit much, and I don't have any games at the moment. So I'll sit tight.

 

[VirtualLarry]

While we're on this subject - what about a Radeon X1950GT 256MB, and an Opty 165 @ 2.7Ghz, running on a 20" 1680x1050 screen? Will that rig handle games at that res, or do I need to do some improvements?