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Should my card be able to play new games?

E

Eclipse556

Member
Built my PC last summer, tossed an XFX GeForce FX 5700 LE in it hoping it would be able to play most new games. I wasn't looking for top of line settings cranked out, but i was definitely hoping for more than this. games like far cry, doom 3, and half-life struggle will still chop on baseline settings.

There are a couple games coming out relatively soon, like Battlefield 2 and Close Combat: First to Fight that I'd like to be able to at least be able to play.

Am I expecting too much from my card? What should I expect from this card?
 
The rest of your PC is pretty decent and probably wasn't cheap last summer. It deserves a better video card. I'm running a P4 3.4 Northwood with a 6800GT, and I have no issues running HL2 or Doom3 @ 1680x1050 with eye candy. I would think that you would probably want to get something in that range - either a 6800GT (my preference) or an X800 Pro (X800 XL, if possible). Since your cpu isn't top-of-the-line anymore, I wouldn't bother even considering the 6800 Ultra or an X8x0 XT. These wouldn't be worth the extra money.

If the cards I mentioned are a bit out of your price range, and you are willing to compromise on either the resoltuion or a bit of eye candy, good alternatives would be a Radeon 9800 Pro, or even better an AGP 6600GT. Both cards are in the ~$200 price range and offer competative performance.

Edit: as a general rule, stay away from cards that end in 'SE' or 'LE'. They are usually neutered versions of their namesake.
 
Originally posted by: nitromullet
The rest of your PC is pretty decent and probably wasn't cheap last summer. It deserves a better video card. I'm running a P4 3.4 Northwood with a 6800GT, and I have no issues running HL2 or Doom3 @ 1680x1050 with eye candy. I would think that you would probably want to get something in that range - either a 6800GT (my preference) or an X800 Pro (X800 XL, if possible). Since your cpu isn't top-of-the-line anymore, I wouldn't bother even considering the 6800 Ultra or an X8x0 XT. These wouldn't be worth the extra money.

Edit: as a general rule, stay away from cards that end in 'SE' or 'LE'. They are usually neutered versions of their namesake.
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I don't quite agree with the not top of the line comment. Any P4 over 3.0GHZ with an 800FSB or A64 will be able to drive any high end card quite nicely. (A64 will be better than the P4 however)

What do you game at? If you have an LCD and only game at 1280 or less I'd look at a 6600GT or X700PRO. If you want something higher like 1600 get what nitromullet recommended.

Suprisingly I find that my 9600XT, which can be had for around $130 new, is actually fairly decent at games like HL2, but then again I am not an avid gamer.

Good luck
 
i've got a CRT so i'd like to be able to game at 1600. i pinched pennies on my graphics card when i built it, and i don't really want to make the same mistake again.

will the 6800GT run HL2 at 1600 with eye candy on my system?
 
Even if OP did get a high end card he would still be better off than with the 5700. If you bought a higher end card and you decided to upgrade your mobo/cpu then you would have an awesome system. Just think of it this way..have a nice card now and when you upgrade the rest of your comp you still have a nice card.
 
well, depends on what you call eye candy...2xaa 8xaf might get ~45FPS in some spots at 16x12, but still considered playable for sure.
just FYI, GT's generally overclock to Ultra speeds very easily. So, if you want to save $100, then....you can 😀
 
I don't quite agree with the not top of the line comment. Any P4 over 3.0GHZ with an 800FSB or A64 will be able to drive any high end card quite nicely. (A64 will be better than the P4 however)
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...just the facts

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuch...howdoc.aspx?i=2330&p=2

trailing over 20-40 FPS from the top of the pack isn't top-of-the-line in my book. A decent proc? Yes. Top-of-the-line? No.

will the 6800GT run HL2 at 1600 with eye candy on my system?
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Yes.
 
i'd agree that my proc isn't top of the line and have never made a case to say otherwise.

thanks for the advice with the card...one more question though...i see you have an eVGA, which in your mind is better, eVGA or BFG?
 
eVGA IMO, but you really can't go wrong with either. They're both excellent companies with a reputation for excellent customer service.
 
i'd agree that my proc isn't top of the line and have never made a case to say otherwise.
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That was not directed towards you. 🙂

and, you're most welcome.

They're both excellent companies with a reputation for excellent customer service.
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Agreed. I've owned both, and been happy with both. You will be pleased with either.

 
Ditch the 5700 as quick as you can. I've been making due with a 5200 which technically still "lets" me play HL2 and Far Cry, but only at settings of medium detail and below at 1024 x 768. Even then, game play gets choppy. Can't wait to ditch this card and get something better...
 
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