Video Card Upgrade

[imported_DeepFreeze]

OK, here is my problem. I am going to be getting back into gaming soon when Doom III comes out. My system should be able handle it, with the exception of the video card that I have been neglecting for quite some time. I need some recommendations for a new card that won't break the bank, but will handle Doom III and any new FPS coming out this year. (If need be I will drop some serious coin on a card, but I would rather stay under $300 if a card can handle the new games)

My current system:

P4 2.53 GB
1 GB RDRAM
80GB HD
120 GB HD
SB Live Soundcard
17" CRT
16x DVD
4x DVD +R/RW Burner
nVidia 64MB GeForce4 MX 420 w/TV Out

 

[SneakyStuff]

You might find this to your liking, enjoy! Newegg.com

 

[Deeko]

X800 pro?

 

[SneakyStuff]

hehe that'd be nice, I was just thinking a little bit cheaper than that

 

[Celeryman]

Dude, from what I've seen and heard you are going to need at least a Geforce 6800GT or an X800pro to play Doom 3 at decent resolutions (>1024x768). It is generally accepted that the Geforce 6800 series will probably do better in Doom 3 than the X800 series because Nvidias OpenGL drivers are better than ATI's. Personally, I am eyeing the Geforce 6800GT. Hopefully a good overclock and with more mature drivers for its new architecture it will be great card. Don't discount ATI all together though. As you can see on many of the current postings there are fanboys (not this posting mind you, just in general) that won't even consider the other companies card. If the card is better for what you are playing, get it. (ATI "maybe" better for HL2 if you get that game).

 

[Brian48]

Nah. I don't think D3's graphics requirements are going to be as intense as that. Carmack's target is a 64mb GeForce3/R8500 class graphics card and I can vouch that the (very) unoptimized Alpha demo plays very nicely on my 128mb R8500. Like all of his engines in the past, it may appear that you need the latest and greatest video card, but you'd more likely see better results from a faster CPU. I think a 9800Pro will run D3 very nicely at reasonable resolutions. HL2, however, might be a different story if you plan on enabling all the nifty DX9 features.

 

[imported_DeepFreeze]

Thanks for the input. I forgot to add that I will not be buying a new card until Doom III is released, so I have a few weeks for any new cards to come out, as well as prices to drop a bit.

 

[bluewall21]

Originally posted by: DeepFreeze
Thanks for the input. I forgot to add that I will not be buying a new card until Doom III is released, so I have a few weeks for any new cards to come out, as well as prices to drop a bit.

Good idea

 

[SickBeast]

You shouldn't make any "serious upgrades" until Serious Sam 2 is actually released. Unless, of course, your current system can't even run Serious Sam 1.

I'm being 100% serious by the way.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Carmack is not aiming at 8500 and GF 3 levels. That is a load of sh!t. Remember way back when the 5800Ultra came out? Oh yeah that horrible doorstopper/ vacuum cleaner. Well Anandtech did a review on it which included Doom III benches. And they were by no means having an easy time. Also consider that was an Alpha. The new one will DEFINATELY have more advanced features and higher details. I would recommend a 590)XT/9800PRO or higher for D3. HL 2 on the other hand ATI or nothin. Damn valve is biased!

-Kevin

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: Brian48
Nah. I don't think D3's graphics requirements are going to be as intense as that. Carmack's target is a 64mb GeForce3/R8500 class graphics card and I can vouch that the (very) unoptimized Alpha demo plays very nicely on my 128mb R8500. Like all of his engines in the past, it may appear that you need the latest and greatest video card, but you'd more likely see better results from a faster CPU. I think a 9800Pro will run D3 very nicely at reasonable resolutions. HL2, however, might be a different story if you plan on enabling all the nifty DX9 features.

You don't think there have been any new features added since the D3 early Alpha three or four years ago? Psshaw.

I bet HL2 will get 80+ FPS with all effects turned at high res on on a Radeon 9800 too .

 

[Gamingphreek]

It has been confirmed... lol albeit i dont know where but i know there have been newer features added. The 9800 series is INCREDIBLY optimized for HL 2.0. Basically valve screwed all Nvidia owners over. Whereas Doom III will still run better on Nvidia hardware but ATI will prob still be able to run at decent FPS with max settings.

 

[GeneralGrievous]

9800 pro.

 

[Brian48]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
Carmack is not aiming at 8500 and GF 3 levels. That is a load of sh!t. Remember way back when the 5800Ultra came out? Oh yeah that horrible doorstopper/ vacuum cleaner. Well Anandtech did a review on it which included Doom III benches. And they were by no means having an easy time. Also consider that was an Alpha. The new one will DEFINATELY have more advanced features and higher details. I would recommend a 590)XT/9800PRO or higher for D3. HL 2 on the other hand ATI or nothin. Damn valve is biased!

-Kevin

You guys are missing my point. Carmark WAS targeting GF3 class cards as the minimum at the time the alpha was demo'd (he stated it). That may or may not have changed, but either way, it's irrelevant now. The point of what I'm trying to get across is that it's ridiculous to assume that the game is ONLY playable with a next gen x800 XT or 6800gt, which IdSoftware had absolutely no time to test with. REREAD that last part of what I wrote. A 9800Pro class card will be more than adequate for this game.

 

[howdyduty]

I'd be interested how D3 would work on your current system with the MX420. If you get a chance, let us know. Thanks.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
Carmack is not aiming at 8500 and GF 3 levels. That is a load of sh!t. Remember way back when the 5800Ultra came out? Oh yeah that horrible doorstopper/ vacuum cleaner. Well Anandtech did a review on it which included Doom III benches. And they were by no means having an easy time. Also consider that was an Alpha. The new one will DEFINATELY have more advanced features and higher details. I would recommend a 590)XT/9800PRO or higher for D3. HL 2 on the other hand ATI or nothin. Damn valve is biased!

-Kevin

Dude, you're nuts. The 5800 Ultra was either the best or second best video card when it came out, period. I traded my 9800Pro for one 2 moths ago to check it out, I can guarantee you there hasn't been one day where I've wished I had the 9800Pro back.

 

[Algere]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
It has been confirmed... lol albeit i dont know where but i know there have been newer features added. The 9800 series is INCREDIBLY optimized for HL 2.0. Basically valve screwed all Nvidia owners over. Whereas Doom III will still run better on Nvidia hardware but ATI will prob still be able to run at decent FPS with max settings.

Might as well include Core(Tomb Raider: AOD "The Way It's Meant To Be Played") onto that list of developers who screwed over all nVidia owners.

 

[Gamingphreek]

THat post made absoltuely no sense rollo. It says it was best at the time but your 9800PRO is better or something. Could you clarify before i post.

-Kevin