Video card on a Budget for Battlefield 2

[MrBond]

About 3 years ago, I bought my GF4 Ti4200 and it's been a GREAT card. It runs all my games just fine, even played the Doom 3 demo fairly well.

I've been reading a lot about Battlefield 2 and it looks amazing. I was good to go until I saw this

From a recent preview:

Minimum requirements

1.5 GHz CPU
512mb RAM
1.4 shader model videocard being ATI Radeon 8500 or above
NVIDIA Geforce FX or above (Geforce 4 series will not work).

Recommended requirements

2.5 GHz CPU
1 Gigabyte of RAM
Radeon X800 or higher
Geforce 6800 or higher.

Apparently my prized Ti4200 won't run the game.

I've been looking at the GF 6600GT at newegg, about $170 is all I want to spend. My current power supply is a Enermax 350watt model, will that be OK for most 6600GT's?

I'm really on a budget here, I'd rather not replace my power supply if I can help it.

I'm open to other suggestions as well, I've used Nvidia cards in every rig so far, so naturally I looked at their line first.

 

[sbuckler]

6600GT would be ok, and doesn't take much power but it is beneath the recommended spec. For AGP there's not much inbetween that and a 6800GT for about $300. That might start to stress your psu a bit more, but it might be fine (a good 350W psu would be fine).

The great value ati X800 cards (X800 vanilla, and X800XL) are either not available or overpriced for AGP unfortunately.

 

[MrBond]

I don't mind it being beneath the reccomended spec, I just want to play the game as cheaply as possible . Bunch of guys on another board I read are getting it and we had DAYS of fun in DC, so I'd expect BF2 to be as much fun at least

 

[RussianSensation]

Your best bet is to wait until Battlefield 2 actually comes out.

1) you don't want to be in a position where a game is delayed and you bought a videocard prematurely (as in HL2)
2) This might result in the more powerfucl cards coming down in price a bit more (ie. 6800nu, X800, x800xl series, or 6600GT coming down more)
3) you'll truly find out if geforce 4 series cards cannot run the game (smoothly?, or not run at all)

I am guessing the problem is the lack of support for pixel shaders 1.4 here because 8500 is a slower card and it has support for them yet geforce 4 only supports 1.3 but is faster.

 

[dripgoss]

If you can find a deal within your price range on a 9800, 9600, 59xx or 6600GT you should be OK. However, on a game like BF2, don't skimp on CPU or RAM if at all possible.

 

[bjc112]

The screenshots don't even look that impressive on BF2, I'm surpised they are recommending a x800/6800 series!

Guess will shall see when it comes out!

 

[Schadenfroh]

wait for the game to come out, then ask

 

[tfcmasta97]

I think its just more demanding in pumping out quantity rather than quality for BF2

 

[ddogg]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
Your best bet is to wait until Battlefield 2 actually comes out.

1) you don't want to be in a position where a game is delayed and you bought a videocard prematurely (as in HL2)
2) This might result in the more powerfucl cards coming down in price a bit more (ie. 6800nu, X800, x800xl series, or 6600GT coming down more)
3) you'll truly find out if geforce 4 series cards cannot run the game (smoothly?, or not run at all)

I am guessing the problem is the lack of support for pixel shaders 1.4 here because 8500 is a slower card and it has support for them yet geforce 4 only supports 1.3 but is faster.

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
Your best bet is to wait until Battlefield 2 actually comes out.

1) you don't want to be in a position where a game is delayed and you bought a videocard prematurely (as in HL2)
2) This might result in the more powerfucl cards coming down in price a bit more (ie. 6800nu, X800, x800xl series, or 6600GT coming down more)
3) you'll truly find out if geforce 4 series cards cannot run the game (smoothly?, or not run at all)

I am guessing the problem is the lack of support for pixel shaders 1.4 here because 8500 is a slower card and it has support for them yet geforce 4 only supports 1.3 but is faster.

It does kind of totally state that in the specs.
Pixel shader 1.4 or higher required. So yeah, duh.

 

[JBird7986]

I was actually shocked to read the specs on this game too...starting to get concerned that the 9700Pro I've got is starting to seriously show its age.

 

[imported_DaveA]

could of swore those recommended specs have gone up from about 2 weeks ago. 9800pro/fx5900 was last recommended specs IIRC.

 

[imported_Ivan244]

JBird-I hear ya. I got rid of Radeon AIW 32mb card because of BF:1942 Desert Combat MOD. Would just chug on it. Got the 9700PRO AIW and never looked back. Now it looks like another BF game is going to make me spend $$$

I wanted to wait until ATI/Nvidia came out with their next rev before committing to something. Hopefully the 9700Pro will be able to do decent at 1024x760.

 

[JBird7986]

Ivan: Ditto...I'm hoping for an R520 AGP bridge. Then I'm done for a while.

 

[dfloyd]

Originally posted by: bjc112
The screenshots don't even look that impressive on BF2, I'm surpised they are recommending a x800/6800 series!

Guess will shall see when it comes out!

Umm are you looking at the same game I am? If so try watching some of the videos, this games looking better than Half Life 2. For the style of gameplay with up to sixty four people thats a mighty impressive feat. The game is looking simply amazing imo.

 

[Waylay00]

Originally posted by: dfloyd

Originally posted by: bjc112
The screenshots don't even look that impressive on BF2, I'm surpised they are recommending a x800/6800 series!

Guess will shall see when it comes out!

Umm are you looking at the same game I am? If so try watching some of the videos, this games looking better than Half Life 2. For the style of gameplay with up to sixty four people thats a mighty impressive feat. The game is looking simply amazing imo.

Agreed, the graphics are very impressive for this type of game. HL2 is more linear (as in missions/levels), but in BF2, you have up to 4 square km of textures being produced at once.

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: DaveA
could of swore those recommended specs have gone up from about 2 weeks ago. 9800pro/fx5900 was last recommended specs IIRC.

I found them at the SA Games forum in the BF2 thread - I haven't checked EA's site for it.

Thanks guys, you're right about waiting to buy the card. I really only play WC3 and DC now anyway, so my current card is fine. Cards could very well drop in price in the month before it comes out, plus I was going to wait a bit to buy it anyway, since we were all excited about BF:V too and ended up hating it. I'd like to see what people think of the game before I drop $50 on it.

 

[JBT]

Originally posted by: bjc112
The screenshots don't even look that impressive on BF2, I'm surpised they are recommending a x800/6800 series!

Guess will shall see when it comes out!

You serious? I thought they looked pretty damn impressive.

At any rate I would wait for the game to come out and play it with thr current card or wait for reviews. If it seems like a great game you'll be playing for awhile I would get either an Nvidia card or ATI card depending on which performs better.

 

[Jeff7181]

Don't get anything for BF2... don't even get BF2. Show EA you're not in favor of a monopoly in the gaming industry.

 

[dfloyd]

I agree Jeff, I dislike EA as well. But honestly I would take EA anyday over Ubisoft. Look at the majority of good games that have come from Ubisoft. Most of them come with a copy encyprtion scheme that is crackable but only seems to hurt paying customers. Tons of people could not even get Splinter Cell Chaos Theory to play. And many more like that. I believe in stopping the pirates, but when your protection schemes are hurting the people buying the software and the Pirates are still finding ways around it then you need to pay attention and stop hurting the paying customers. So if you want to ban anyone, ban someone who makes games that dont even play for people who pay for them.

Edit: And as much as I would like to stand against monopolys I cant do that where this game is concerned. It just looks too amazing. Sorry

 

[joliver]

Why not just get a 6800? I've seen some post in Hot Deals lately that seem to have shown 6800s going for ~150.

I feel you on the 4200 though, I kept mine until last October when I finally replaced it with a 6800. Loved that card, but the upgrade made a world of difference.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: dfloyd
I agree Jeff, I dislike EA as well. But honestly I would take EA anyday over Ubisoft. Look at the majority of good games that have come from Ubisoft. Most of them come with a copy encyprtion scheme that is crackable but only seems to hurt paying customers. Tons of people could not even get Splinter Cell Chaos Theory to play. And many more like that. I believe in stopping the pirates, but when your protection schemes are hurting the people buying the software and the Pirates are still finding ways around it then you need to pay attention and stop hurting the paying customers. So if you want to ban anyone, ban someone who makes games that dont even play for people who pay for them.

Edit: And as much as I would like to stand against monopolys I cant do that where this game is concerned. It just looks too amazing. Sorry

My opinion is based on personal experience. I'm sure there are people who have had no problems with EA, and don't mind their business practices. I on the other hand, have not had a SINGLE EA PC game work as it should. To give a few examples...

- NHL 2003 used a script(s) that Norton AV 2k3 detected as malicious... it took me forever to figure out why it would start loading and just dump me back to the desktop. It was Norton preventing it from running.
- Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 doesn't remember any of my graphics settings. Every time I play I have to set them how I want them again.
- Battlefield 1942 has that annoying refresh rate crap where every time you patch it you have to go into the config file and change the "allow all refresh rates" from 0 to 1 so the game works if you use a refresh rate other than 60 Hz.
- NHL 2004 wouldn't load downloaded/updated rosters. I had to use the default all the time.

I have some Ubisoft games too... Ghost Recon, Ghost Recon Desert Siege, Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield, Far Cry, Silent Hunter 3. All of those work perfectly... so I don't have a problem with Ubisoft. Especially since they're not striking up exclusive deals with organizations to eliminate competition. (as far as I know)

 

[49erinnc]

Ticketmaster is a monopoly and I detest them but I love music and still attend concerts. EA is only doing what they're being allowed to do. And I'm not about to pass up on a great game simply because of the company behind it. That's cheating myself out of a great experience. Someone is getting my money either way so I don't really care where it goes as long as I get to enjoy the product. I respect the rebellion but it's a battle you're not going to win and you're only hurting yourself by refusing to buy the game. There's simply not enough people willing to do the same thing in order to make a difference. Just my opinion.

I think the footage I've seen looks fantastic and I cannot wait to grab a copy, while hoping for the best with my 9800Pro(XT flash).

 

[dripgoss]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Don't get anything for BF2... don't even get BF2. Show EA you're not in favor of a monopoly in the gaming industry.

This is the most rediculous thing I've read on the internet in a while. Do you know what a monopoly is? The last time I checked, there are more great games and game companies that there are hours in the day to play them all!!! If you ask me (and my wallet) there is almost TOO MUCH choice out there.

If you're refering to the NFL exclusivity, remember the NFL was soliciting ALL publishers for exculsivity. Madden makes a ton of cash, is a long standing tradition and is mostly loved by sports gamers. Why wouldn't you want to secure one of your best selling franchises? Get real..

You wanna boycott a monoply? Stop buying gas for your car...

And all the games you have issues with: all developed by different development teams and coders!!! Not even the same guys! It just appears there will be no pleasing you.

 

[imported_BikeDude]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
- NHL 2003 used a script(s) that Norton AV 2k3 detected as malicious... it took me forever to figure out why it would start loading and just dump me back to the desktop. It was Norton preventing it from running.

To be fair: NAV is total and utter crap anyway... If something doesn't run due to AV software, then blame the AV software -- not the other product. (after all, the AV product is designed to keep stuff from working, so that's where the problem is)

Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield

Try buying the game in USA and then the expansion pack in UK. They won't work together. Even the patches are different for the US and UK versions.


But I agree: EA need to be taken down a peg.