looking for video card reviews

[EvanAdams]

I'm looking for video card reviews using a range of cpus. As so many things are cpu limited, slower cpus should effect what video card you buy.

 

[CU]

Check out firingsquad they have a Intel and AMD cpus at different speeds running a 9800XT and x800pro

 

[Concillian]

Most games are actually *NOT* CPU limited at the resolutions and settings used by normal people

In the cases where CPU affects the AVG FPS, it's usually only really affecting the MAX side of the FPS, and the MIN FPS is actually the same.

For example, I did some benchmarking of Battlefield Vietnam lastnight where I artificially capped the MAX FPS at 80 FPS (by using FRAPS, then copying the results into Excel and using a macro to replace any number larger than 80 FPS with 80.)

I used an Athlon XP that was unlocked and ran 200 x 5,6,7,8,9,10, and 11

There was no significant difference in average FPS until the XP got down to 1200 MHz. Even at 1000 MHz the minimum FPS didn't change from 2200 MHz.

In most cases the CPU is simply not the limiting factor for how you perceive a smooth game. Looking at Average FPS is totally useless. You need to look at a histogram of the data or at the very least a MIN - AVG - MAX. Who cares if you get an increase in MAX FPS? Do you even notice that? HardOCP is the only site that really realizes this. Even that Firingsquad article doesn't tell you enough of the story. Sure you can tell when a CPU is having SOME effect, but you don't know what effect that is. If it's only affecting the times when the FPS is already over 80 or 100 FPS, who really cares?

No, it's the graphics card that affects the smoothness of gameplay. Of course the CPU makers probably don't want people to know this, but it's true.

 

[EvanAdams]

yea I agree, problem is I went overboard with the lcd monitor and have a native resolution of 1600x1200. Thus I'm out of luck. I expected games to go up in resolution but instead we have filters galore. Shoulda gotten a nice crt instead. big mistake.

 

[Concillian]

CPU will have even lesser effects at higher resolutions.

If you look at the articles that look at how CPUs affect gaming performance, they will often use LOWER resolutions in order to show larger differences between the CPUs.

Check that Firing Squad article, and you'll see the lesser CPU impact at higher resolutions. You're pretty much always going to be graphics card limited at that res.

 

[AG73]

good to know, concilian, evanadams, I'm interested in this info also. I have a 2year old Dell 1.6GHz P4 with old PC133 RAM (512MB) and was considering upgrading to maybe a 9800 Pro so I can play doom3 when it comes out. I'm embarrassed to say I have a 32MB Radeon LE right now. I'd like to hear your thoughts, and yes, I've searched the forums and read what people have to say about this. thanks