Gaming @ 1920x1200

[dmw16]

I have been out of the world of pc gaming for a long while now, but I am coming back in. I am currently building a computer w/ the following specs:

Intel E6550
2x2GB DDR2 PC-800
eVGA 8800GTS w/ 640MB

and all the other stuff, but I wouldn't expect it would have any bearing on my question.

I want to be able to use my 24" LCD which has a native resolution of 1920x1200 to play games (TF2, CSS, Crysis, etc). I am ok with not being able to crank all the setting way up, but I want it to look nice. So will my system do that for me? If not, what upgrade(s) should I make? New video card? Go with a monitor that has a lower native resolution?

 

[postmortemIA]

don't play crysis and you're all good. Crysis at 1920x1200 = expensive and doesn't pay

 

[madbutcher88]

a radeon 4870 would be perfect for that resolution(and youl be able to put the settings on high in most games)

 

[Sylvanas]

4870 would be the best option for 1920x1200 and will provide a noticeable improvement over a GTS 640- the rest is fine.

 

[dmw16]

So now I would have a 8800GTS, 8600GT, and a 6800 that I need to sell. If I never post again it means my wife killed me

 

[SolMiester]

Originally posted by: dmw16
So now I would have a 8800GTS, 8600GT, and a 6800 that I need to sell. If I never post again it means my wife killed me

I hear ya!

 

[dmw16]

How much different is the 4850 from the 4870

 

[faye]

E8400
HD4870

i heard that 4870 is 20% faster than 4850, but if you are running at this resolution, 4870 is the way to go.

Please be noted, 4870 is hot, it will also make your room temp goes up.

 

[Cheex]

I concur. The HD 4870 is the way to go at that resolution.
I also agree that the E8400 is a better CPU purchase.
:thumbsup:

Good luck with the wife

 

[dmw16]

CPU is purchased and installed. I will probably OC a little bit. I am hoping the video card can do it without needing to upgrade CPU.

 

[faye]

many people get a cpu with 3.6ghz or OC to this range for some reason.
Try your luck and oc your cpu to 3.6ghz

i had my e8400 at 3.6ghz at default voltage with stock hsf with no problem.

 

[dmw16]

The 6550 is 2.33Ghz (7x multiplier stock) and I have DDR800 ram, so I don't expect to be able to reach 3.6Ghz. I figure I can hit 2.8Ghz without issue, but 3.6 might be a stretch if for no other reason than my RAM. I also dont want a computer that screams like a banshee so I dont want to go way nuts on cooling.

Anyway, I sucked it up and bought the 4870. Hopefully I can find a home for the other 2 cards I bought for this hackintosh turned gaming rig.

 

[soccerballtux]

Hm, bought a 6550 cpu? Good luck with that... hope it was a good deal/cheap?
I would have got the e2180 like me, or something else equally cheap (there is better I think) with higher multiplier so you could OC more.

 

[toyota]

Originally posted by: dmw16
How much different is the 4850 from the 4870

why not check out the dozens of reviews online that will show you exactly what the difference is? sorry but I just dont get why people ask questions like this when the answers are already out there. the performance of these cards is no secret and 5 minutes on google will answer any questions about their performance. :light:

 

[Qbah]

If you always had an nVidia card and never had a problem with one, you can also go with a GTX260 Since at 1920x1200 high AA levels are not attainable with this class of cards, the AA debate is moot I went with a HD4870 (cause I like ATi cards more), however both cards can be seen as pretty much equal.

EDIT: Or wait a bit for the nVidia refresh! Heard they're getting a nice speed bump.

 

[angry hampster]

Wait for a 1GB 4870. You'll want the extra VRAM for the huge resolution.

 

[dmw16]

Originally posted by: soccerballtux
Hm, bought a 6550 cpu? Good luck with that... hope it was a good deal/cheap?
I would have got the e2180 like me, or something else equally cheap (there is better I think) with higher multiplier so you could OC more.

I'm glad you would have done what you did, those split personalities can be a pain sometimes when choosing computer parts

Seriously tho, yes, it was a good deal - paid $80 for it. This project started life as something totally different, but it is bad enough how many different video cards I have bought, I am not getting another CPU right now.

As for waiting, not really seeing the point. There is always something just around the corner. That is the issue with computer parts and tech in general. At some point you just need to bite the bullet and buy something.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: dmw16
I have been out of the world of pc gaming for a long while now, but I am coming back in. I am currently building a computer w/ the following specs:

Intel E6550
2x2GB DDR2 PC-800
eVGA 8800GTS w/ 640MB

and all the other stuff, but I wouldn't expect it would have any bearing on my question.

I want to be able to use my 24" LCD which has a native resolution of 1920x1200 to play games (TF2, CSS, Crysis, etc). I am ok with not being able to crank all the setting way up, but I want it to look nice. So will my system do that for me? If not, what upgrade(s) should I make? New video card? Go with a monitor that has a lower native resolution?

How much are you willing to spend?

HD4870x2 is the performance champ with GTX280 close behind; $550 and $450 are their approximate pricing.

HD4870 and GT260 are damn close in performance for ~$250. Pick 260 for potential PhysX if you think you will like it. The 4870 is about to have a 1GB model and the 260+ is around the corner. We are also expecting the GTX280+ in its shrink to 55nm.

My OWN 4870/512MB is not satisfactory for 19x12 imo. That is why i got a 4870x2 for my own rig. Now that i have it, i have to upgrade my CPU as my e4300 @ 3.33Ghz is not enough

[my 4870 scores 13.3K in 3DMark06 and my 4870x2 scores 14.8K; a CPU over 4Ghz should allow my X2 to stretch its legs]

IF i went for a "single gpu" i would pick GTX280 with a view to SLi.
-but that is just me

 

[dmw16]

Thanks for the thoughts. I know this seems stupid, but whatever I get needs to be available at best buy as I want to get this computer finished (before my wife kills me). I bought a 4870, but haven't gone to pick it up yet. It was $300 which is $30 more than the cheapest on NewEgg, but at this point, I am not too worried about $30.

I don't know much about PhysX and $500+ is too much right now. $300 is about my cap. It seems like the 260GTX and 4870 are about the same price at Best Buy ($30 more for the 260GTX which only has GDDR3 but has 896MB vs 512MB on the 4870).

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: dmw16
Thanks for the thoughts. I know this seems stupid, but whatever I get needs to be available at best buy as I want to get this computer finished (before my wife kills me). I bought a 4870, but haven't gone to pick it up yet. It was $300 which is $30 more than the cheapest on NewEgg, but at this point, I am not too worried about $30.

I don't know much about PhysX and $500+ is too much right now. $300 is about my cap. It seems like the 260GTX and 4870 are about the same price at Best Buy ($30 more for the 260GTX which only has GDDR3 but has 896MB vs 512MB on the 4870).

i got my 4870x2 for $469 at Best Buy
- by coincidence

right now, i would pick the GT260 over the 4870 for 19x12. They are very close performancewise; however i have not tested 260 yet.

You can SLi them later if you like; i am not counting PhysX - just for the 896MB vRAM. If you go with 4870, Crossfire is an option later - depending on which MB you have/choose.

 

[chizow]

Personally I would've gotten the monitor first, see how your games ran, then looked at an upgrade if it wasn't enough. Many of us were gaming on a GTS 512 or similar only a few months ago and somehow we survived. For single cards, GTX 260, 4870, GTX 280 are all great at 1920, so you can't really go wrong, except with your wife.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: chizow
Personally I would've gotten the monitor first, see how your games ran, then looked at an upgrade if it wasn't enough. Many of us were gaming on a GTS 512 or similar only a few months ago and somehow we survived. For single cards, GTX 260, 4870, GTX 280 are all great at 1920, so you can't really go wrong, except with your wife.

most of my friends with 19x12 were running GTX SLi - or DX9
- yes, "survived" is the word i would choose also

IF you want *max details* with AA/AF - on the very latest games, a single GPU - other than the 280/x2 - is a bit weak imo

that is why i waited to go to 19x12 over 16x10
- but that is just me

 

[dmw16]

I don't need MAX details, just decent. I know did this a little backwards, but this is how I'm doing it so I am just trying to make the best decision.

It seems like a very split decision between the 260 and the 4870. Price is almost even, so that is no help. I don't know much about PhysX. I doubt I'll SLI or Crossfire the cards because I already have a board and it doesnt support either one. So before I updated the board and got a 2nd card I'd probably just buy a new single board (maybe dual GPU) card.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: dmw16
I don't need MAX details, just decent. I know did this a little backwards, but this is how I'm doing it so I am just trying to make the best decision.

It seems like a very split decision between the 260 and the 4870. Price is almost even, so that is no help. I don't know much about PhysX. I doubt I'll SLI or Crossfire the cards because I already have a board and it doesnt support either one. So before I updated the board and got a 2nd card I'd probably just buy a new single board (maybe dual GPU) card.

Check out the PhysX thread here in Video .. it is a long one

it IS a tough decision between the two

toss a coin

IF what you describe fills your needs, i think you will be happy with either one; just kinda plan eventually for multi gpu with your MB purchase, is my suggestion.

 

[dmw16]

Thanks. I know nothing stays modern forever. But if I can get a year to a year and a half I am happy. I think that if they are all the same I'll probably save my $30 and go for the 4870. Good thing that they dont carry the 4870 x2 in the store or i might crack and buy it

Tomshardware has a review of the 260 and 4870 head to head so I am going to read that and hopefully decide.

Either way, I assume the machine I am building is pretty cutting edge (for this week anyhow )?