Need help determing system's limit v.s. video card

[GTOnizuka]

Hi guys,

I'm not the most computer savvy, so bear with me. Although I think I know more than the avg joe.

My 6600GT PCI-E recently died on me (RIP) and now I'm looking for a replacement. I want to maximize performance, but I don't want to spend a ton of cash on a card that will only get bottled necked by my system.

So my question is:

What is the best video card I can get before my system becomes a severe hinderance?

I'm currently running on a Dell 4700 P4 3.40GHz.
(In my defense I got a great deal on it thanks to these very forums)

Is the X1950GT a good match? Can my system handle something abit faster? Any help would be much appreciated!

Oh and I should mention that I'm not really in a position to get a new computer.

 

[BassBomb]

X1950 would be a great choice...

 

[GTOnizuka]

Sweet! Thanks for the reply Bass.

Do you guys think the X1950Pro (as opposed to GT) would be considered overkill? Or if it is even possible with my PSU?

I mostly lurk the forums, but I have learned much from here.

 

[tuteja1986]

I would wait for a week or two. ATI 2400 , 2600 , 8600 are about to be released but if you were looking at card for $150 then x1950gt is your best choice. Don't get X1950pro unless you have a decent PSU.

 

[GTOnizuka]

Thanks for the heads up tuteja. I think I'll take your advice and wait until the end of April. I thought the 7950GT would be a good match ($50 more over the X1950PRO). Stuck my friend's 7950GT into my system and it ran fine idle and seems to be holding up well under stress. Read they are much more energy friendly than the X1950s? But the price is kind hard to swallow when it cost the same as the X1950XT (which I'm reading beats the 7950GT by a signifcant margin). But I imagine if a X1950PRO is pushing my PSU to its limits an XT is out of the question... making it a moot point.

 

[BernardP]

Your Pentium 4 @ 3.4 GHZ is quite adequate for a gaming system, since most games are not optimized for multi-core processors. There is no need to make excuses for it. It will be good for a couple of years without problems with a well-matched videocard.

I say wait for a good deal on a 7950GT and jump on it. Power consumption is lower than competing ATI cards, something to consider with your system.

This EVGA 7950GT looks good to me at $185 even with the $15 mail-in rebate. Good cooler, lifetime warranty.

Don't wait for the 7xxx Series to be discontinued (end of April), because choices will be dwindling fast and you might find yourseld stuck between a too-weak 8600 or a too-power-hungry 8800.

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: BernardP
Your Pentium 4 @ 3.4 GHZ is quite adequate for a gaming system, since most games are not optimized for multi-core processors. There is no need to make excuses for it. It will be good for a couple of years without problems with a well-matched videocard.

I say wait for a good deal on a 7950GT and jump on it. Power consumption is lower than competing ATI cards, something to consider with your system.

This EVGA 7950GT looks good to me at $185 even with the $15 mail-in rebate. Good cooler, lifetime warranty.

Don't wait for the 7xxx Series to be discontinued (end of April), because choices will be dwindling fast and you might find yourseld stuck between a too-weak 8600 or a too-power-hungry 8800.

I second this option just for the 512mb of ram and cool low power consumtion. 7950gt ftw.

 

[GTOnizuka]

Thanks guys, that sounds like sound advice. I really do appreciate it. I was unclear about how well my rig has aged, thanks for the insight.

I have been gaming over the weekend and thus far the 7950GT is running like a champ... great stability and low temps.
Performace is like night and day, granted I was running a 6600GT beforehand... so any sizable upgrade would have impressed me.

Edit:

One last question!
Do you guys think it is worth paying extra for 512mb (approx $30 difference) as opposed to the 256mb? I don't see myself running games higher than 1280x1024 on my 19" flat panel.