Need a suggestion for a new Video card for Q4!

[hijiok]

My current system specs are...
P4 2.8
1 Gig Kingston ram
9800 XT

Just bought Quake 4 and whenever I enter open areas in the game, my FPS takes a huge hit. Upgrading my cpu/mobo is not really an option right now (sadly) so I was wondering what a good vid card for my comp would be. I was thinking of buying a 6800GT, but worried that the fps hits I am currently taking might not go away (since my cpu is so slow). Is the 6600 a viable option? Thanks.

 

[hijiok]

Also I'm just looking for a card that could possibly get rid of the drop in frame rate (I go from 60fps down to 30-40 in firefights).

 

[Fern]

Hi hijiok and Welcome to the Forums!

I'm one of those that thinks CPU bottlenecking is way overstated, especially with fps games.

I ran a 6800GT with my CPU clocked at 1.8ghz and didn't notice any CPU bottlenecking when playing D3. Q4 is using the same engine so, without having played Q4 or seeing any benchies with it yet, I'd guess the 6800GT would do you fine.

Fern

 

[fbrdphreak]

Best bang for the buck: 6600GT/6800nu/X800XL (used X800XL's are ~$200)

Best performance for the money: 6800GT (~$250 refurb/used)

Search FS/FT here for a used X800XL or 6800GT, 6600GT/6800nu isn't worth it with new games coming out IMO.

What res do you want to game @? Budget?

 

[jiffylube1024]

If you're playing Quake4, get the 6800GT. MUCH better performance than the 6600GT (double the pipelines!) and it excels in Doom3 engine games (like Quake4), moreso than the competing ATI card (X800XL). Although an X800XL for $200 is a tough deal to pass up.

 

[lifeguard1999]

AGP Video Card Doom3 Benchmarks

That should give you an idea of what you need. The question is, what can you afford?

 

[Rage187]

6800gt sounds good

 

[Sunrise089]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Best bang for the buck: 6600GT/6800nu/X800XL (used X800XL's are ~$200)

Best performance for the money: 6800GT (~$250 refurb/used)

Search FS/FT here for a used X800XL or 6800GT, 6600GT/6800nu isn't worth it with new games coming out IMO.

What res do you want to game @? Budget?

I thought "bang for the buck" and "performance for the money" meant the exact same thing

I woud hold off on that 6800GT right now. In case you haven't noticed, the 7800GT is getting pretty close in price to the 6800GT, and offers a big performance jump. Since a 6600gt would not be that big of an improvement overall from your present card, I would really try to afford that 7800GT, or take a chance on a Connect3D x800 GTO if you think you will not primarely play OpenGL games in the future.

 

[A554SS1N]

...Except he has AGP, and a 7800GT may or may not be avilable in AGP format somewhere in the future. (Probably not).

 

[Sunrise089]

Originally posted by: A554SS1N
...Except he has AGP, and a 7800GT may or may not be avilable in AGP format somewhere in the future. (Probably not).

ah...well then.....[hangs head and hides in corner]

 

[CalvinHobbes]

Man, I sure hope they do a 7800 AGP some day. That would be great.

 

[swamyg1]

I have an x800xl slightly oc'd and it runs Quake 4 flawlessly.

 

[Crescent13]

6800GT. Slap on a zalman vf-700CU and OC past 6800 Ultra speeds.

 

[VIAN]

6800GT because it will work better in Quake 4 than any ATI cards for the same price.

 

[JonnyBlaze]

Originally posted by: VIAN
6800GT because it will work better in Quake 4 than any ATI cards for the same price.

where can that card be bought? newegg only has refurbished ones.

 

[BenSkywalker]

6800GT AGP in stock at NewEgg.

 

[Wreckage]

At least get a 6800nu, but if you can spring the extra cash get a GT.

 

[Randum]

x850xt works great for me, maxing settings out, looks great!

 

[WhipperSnapper]

He should consider the 6800nu and the possibility of unlocking it to 16 pipes (from 12). That's probably the best bang-for-the-buck but not necessarily the best choice since today it would be nice to have 256 MB of RAM. Perhaps could look for an x800xt or x850xt on clearance or with a rebate deal. If doesn't want to go with the 6800nu, he might consider the Leadtek 6800gt (decent prices relative to other 6800gt's in AGP, nice HSF)..