Rightsized Video Card

[lifeblood]

Sometimes things just work out.

I was trying to figure out how to convince my wife to upgrade our monitor when she complained to me our monitor was too small (see sig for current system specs). She uses GIS software as part of her PhD program and the PCs at school have much bigger monitors than we do at home (I guess size does matter). So I am looking at 24” 1920x1080 LED Backlit LCD but I am worried about my video card at that resolution. At 1440x900 my card plays everything at max (everything = M.E.2, Rift, Civ 4). Anyone have any thoughts on what level of card I should target for my upgraded monitor, given my current rig? I think a 6850 or GTX 460 would be a good fit. Am I right?

I’m not worried about price right now, I just need a general target based on my rig and then I will start looking hard at current deals, open box, etc. In actual usage the new monitor will be the primary, the Hanns-G the secondary, and the Sony sent to the garage.

 

[tweakboy]

Grab the 460 1GB version. You pay under 200 dollars for a powerful card.

 

[Idontcare]

So I am looking at 24” 1920x1080 LED Backlit LCD but I am worried about my video card at that resolution. At 1440x900 my card plays everything at max (everything = M.E.2, Rift, Civ 4).

I game at 24" 1920x1200 with a 1GB 460 OC'ed to 850'ish MHz. When I max everything out on DAO I get around 24-30fps. It's playable but I wouldn't want anything less.

If I were in your shoes I'd look to something the next tier up. 560/570 or 6950 territory. 460, even OC'ed, is just on the threshold of usable at 1080P if you like your eye-candy.

 

[lifeblood]

Thanks for the info. I am rather impressed a 460, even OC'ed, could do so well at 1920x1200. I will definitely keep my eyes open for a deal on a 560 or 6950 class card.

I almost had a heart attack when we went to Best Buy to try to figure out what size monitor they were using at school. My wife pointed at a 27" LCD and said that was the size. As much as I would like to get one their is no way I can afford it. A good 24" is the max, especially as I have to get the monitor and a new video card.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

6950 2gb can unlock, free performance increase. Something to consider.