Video card upgrade for HDTV

[nvme17]

I just sold my old 6800GT and will be moving to the PCI-e, I'm kind of torn between a x1900xt (or xtx), the 7900gt (or possibly a set of used 7800gtx's), and the new 7950gx2.

I have a 32" LCD HDTV that I use for my monitor and the max res is 1280x720 or just a little above that. Since that is my limitation for resolution is the 512mb cards a necesity or would the 256mb versions work fine? Do I need the horsepower of the $450+ cards to have a playable frame rate with all the current games (except oblivion) or could I get by with a $240 256mb 7900gt or a $300 x1900xt?

I don't have much experience with the new high end cards to know what their abilitiy. I've read the reviews and seems the x1900xt would be fine but wanted to hear real world experiences.

The games I currently play - BF2 (this one is the most important), cod2, nfsmw, FEAR.

Thanks for reading.

 

[erwos]

Mentally translate to "1280x720" to "1280x1024", and you'll see how massively overspec'd you're going. A single 7800GTX 256mb is probably massive overkill.

-Erwos

 

[zest]

GeForce 7950GX2 2x's are HDCP/Vita compatible.

 

[secretanchitman]

zest is right. if you want HDCP, you'll basically have no other choice but the 7950GX2...but i remember reading on dailytech that sapphire is close to releasing their HDMI (HDCP enabled of course) versions of the X1600pro/XT.

but i think a 7900GT/GTX will be fine.

 

[soydios]

Originally posted by: erwos
Mentally translate to "1280x720" to "1280x1024", and you'll see how massively overspec'd you're going. A single 7800GTX 256mb is probably massive overkill.

-Erwos

1280x1024 is a piece of cake for any video card produced in the last year to render at. Full HD (1920x1080) requires slightly more power (say, X1900 versus X1800) to render the newest games at high quality.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: soydios
1280x1024 is a piece of cake for any video card produced in the last year to render at. Full HD (1920x1080) requires slightly more power (say, X1900 versus X1800) to render the newest games at high quality.

Yes - but we're talking about 720p here, not 1080p. I would have been recommending those SLI 7900GTXs if it was 1080p. I also take issue with your "full HD" terminology, as higher resolution displays have already been shown - let's just say that 1080p is currently the high end of consumer monitors and TVs.

I was also kind of hedging for newer stuff like Oblivion, where running at even lower resolutions (even 720p) can be a hog. Personally, I would be happy with a 7600GT at 720p.

-Erwos

 

[nvme17]

Thanks for the reply's

My 6800GT was having problems with BF2 @ 800x600 at high settings (3.4ghz @ 3.8 with 2gb). I would like to run BF2 at 1280x720 at full AA and AF is possible if I have the overhead.

This is a LCD HD monitor so it has the dvi connector (no need for hdcp).

So my question now is do I need 512mb or is 256mb enough for the res i'm running? Amazon has a 7900gt for $240 which seems like a good deal. I also can get on trade a x1900xt but would be loosing about $400 of value of the item i'm trading.

Thanks for your help.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Since you're playing games, the 7900GT would be the best choice imo. Anything more, and you're getting into diminishing returns. No need to worry about the TV's resolution, I run a 7800GT (mild OC) and it plays BF2, Oblivion, etc. just fine at 1280x1024 (progressive, obviously). FYI, the amount of data feeding 1080i is equivalent to 540p. The TV likely supports HDCP (Hi Def Content Protection) on the DVI plug.

If the TV is already selected as the primary monitor when you install BF2, all set. If you switch between regular screens and the TV, refer to this thread on AVSForum.

 

[nvme17]

The LCD tv is my only device I have connected.

The reason i'm hesitant to buy the lessor 256mb 7900gt is I had built a system for a friend with a x1900xt Crossfire and in fear at 1280x720 with all the xtra stuff turned on it was pretty jerky (water reflections, dynamic lighting, ect.).

If I'm going to spend the money on a card I want all the eyecandy. Was it something with the system I built (opty 170 @ 2.4) or is it common not to have those effects turned on with fear?

 

[secretanchitman]

naw, trust me...the 7900GT will handle BF2 full blast/all high settings and resolution no problem. if my 6600GT does 1280x1024 all high settings and 2xAA, im sure a 7900GT can do it!

 

[The Boston Dangler]

1280x720 is pretty low resolution, compared to some desktop monitors. It should pose no problems at any settings. If you're seeing problems with a $300 vid card, it could be a system problem, OS or driver issue, maybe the game favors brand X over brand Y. A 7900GT performs similar to a 7800GTX, and 7900GTX is almost twice the price for a small improvement. As for me, no way will I spend $400+ on a card that is obsolete in 2 years.

 

[nvme17]

I'll try the 7900gt 256mb unless I find a steal on the x1900xt. Thanks for all the good information to all.