Videocard frustration...

[Noobtastic]

Current system build (haven't bought yet):

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119068
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$49.99



Western Digital Caviar RE WD3200YS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136053
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy


FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX400-PN, RoHS, 12cm FAN, version 2.2, 2 SATA, 20+ 4 pin, PCI Express, 400W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817104953
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

SAPPHIRE 100196L Radeon X1950PRO 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814102075
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy


Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT12864AA53E - OEM

GIGABYTE GA-965P-S3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128017

Intel Core 2 Duo E6320 Conroe 1.86GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6320 - Retail




Now, the only games I will be playing are Battlefield 2 and Battlefield 2142 (and whatever the next battlefield game is.)



Some of the internet reports say the nvidia cards run the BF games faster than the ATI ones, yet everyone is recommending me ATI.



What's the deal?? I'm not getting the 8800GTS so please dont suggest it. (I'm not buying windows vista anyways)

My budget is already 1,300 with the above parts (when factoring software, games, moniter, accessories, additional parts.)



What do you guys think?


If I do go nvidia, would I need to change my other parts for it to be compatible??




thanks for any suggestions!! I'm ordering in less than 2 weeks.

 

[Matt2]

You wont have to change any hardware.

What resolution are you playing at?

 

[Noobtastic]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Matt2
You wont have to change any hardware.

What resolution are you playing at?</end quote></div>



I'm buying this moniter: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?item=N82E16824002129

So it will be at 1280 x 1024.


I want settings MAXED out.

This is the card I have on my list:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?item=N82E16814102075



If I went $100 more, what are my options? (remember, BF2 and BF2142 ONLY. No fear, or half life, or any of that )



edit: Thanks for the quick response.


I really appreciate it.

 

[Paratus]

X1950PRO has better IQ than the 7950 and is only slightly slower. Both will run 12x10 with no problem

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: Paratus
X1950PRO has better IQ than the 7950 and is only slightly slower. Both will run 12x10 with no problem

English?


Just give it to me straight - will the card run Battlefield 2 and Battlefield 2142 maxed out??

 

[evolucion8]

Yeah, the Radeon X1k series has a slighly less impact on performance when FSAA is activated, better go off with a 7950GT which is slighly faster than the X1950PRO in many scenarios, or better yet, a Radeon X1950XT which offers higher image quality and better performance than both.

 

[VinDSL]

No doubt about it...

"7950pro 256mb" trumps "x1950pro 512 mb" big time!

Only thing is, x1950pros are more common, e.g. easier to find - and lots cheaper...

 

[Noobtastic]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: VinDSL
No doubt about it...

"7950pro 256mb" trumps "x1950pro 512 mb" big time!

Only thing is, x1950pros are more common, e.g. easier to find - and lots cheaper... </end quote></div>



In BF2 and BF2142??

Those are the only games I'll be playing.



I can't find the 7950pro on newegg. I saw it earlier...wtf??


Is the 7950GT the same??



Can someone just copy the link for me. I've been researching for over a year, constantly updating parts.


I'm exhausted.


requirements: All BF games MAX settings.




edit: whatever card is better than the x1950pro and is in my budget that plays BF2 and BF2142 maxed out, post it for me.

please?

 

[SolMiester]

You wont run the X1950pro with that PSU unless of course it has a 30a 12v rail.

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: SolMiester
You wont run the X1950pro with that PSU unless of course it has a 30a 12v rail.

Someone on AT recommened me that PSU.


Ok, what videocard do I need to run BF2 maxed out (that's equal to or above the x1950pro (without lag or any stutter, about perfect) that is compatible with my parts??



Please.



edit: the x1950xt or whatever it's called requires 450 watt minimum psu. That would up my budget when factoring in shipping..

 

[Noobtastic]

Is this the card you guys recommened?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102067


What kind of PSU will I be looking at (it says 450 wats minimum,) will I also need more fans..or..?? I'm getting the Centurion case.



it's only 5 dollars more than the 1950pro and you guys are sure it's faster??

 

[ItsAlive]

If you went $10 more on the power supply you could get a 500watt Xclio and the x1950xt with the rebate would make it $5 more than the x1950pro and the FSP power supply. In my opinion it would be a much better combination.

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: ItsAlive
If you went $10 more on the power supply you could get a 500watt Xclio and the x1950xt with the rebate would make it $5 more than the x1950pro and the FSP power supply. In my opinion it would be a much better combination.

That's not that big of a deal. I just want to make sure the power supply can sustain the graphics card. 10 dollars over isn't a problem.


Does that psu have the correct rails? I'm a complete idiot with power supplies (and virtually everything else computer related.)


I've heard the XT runs pretty hot and is very loud compared to the pro. What type of cooling system can I get?


someone on newegg saod they used this Acelero X2.



What's the total gpu+psu+cooling/sound depressor going to cost me?

 

[ItsAlive]

The Accelero X2 cooler is another $25 shipped, but should be significantly more silent than the stock cooler.

EDIT: Just noticed you are located in CA, are you figuring in tax?

 

[covert24]

I currently have a EVGA 7950GT KO SuperClocked gfx card. it plays all my games on max settings no problem. like any video card, make sure you get all the stock thermal compound off and use something like AS5 or the likes to improve cooling.

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: ItsAlive
The Accelero X2 cooler is another $25 shipped, but should be significantly more silent than the stock cooler.

EDIT: Just noticed you are located in CA, are you figuring in tax?

total is around 1,400, which is all right.


I just want to make sure everything works.



So, let's recap.


PSU?

GPU?

GPU cooler, or whatever necessary conponents to prevent it from blowing up.

 

[ItsAlive]

I'd go with:

XCLIO GOODPOWER 500W ATX 500W Power Supply
Item#:N82E16817189005

SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT
Item#:N82E16814102067

ARCTIC COOLING Accelero X2
Item#:N82E16835186002

 

[evolucion8]

Originally posted by: Noobtastic
Is this the card you guys recommened?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102067


What kind of PSU will I be looking at (it says 450 wats minimum,) will I also need more fans..or..?? I'm getting the Centurion case.



it's only 5 dollars more than the 1950pro and you guys are sure it's faster??

lol yeah, is gonna be more faster, it has 4 more pixel pipelines, 4 more ROP's, 12 more pixel shaders, that card will beat any X1950PRO or 7950GT without hessitation. It runs hot like any high end card, with that fan is enough to run it without issues in a well ventilated case.

 

[coolpurplefan]

Given the research I've done lately, I'd recommend the following PSUs
although I'll probably add some later if I get the time to do more
research.

Zalman ZM460B-APS 460 watt
Silverstone ST50EF-Plus 500 watt
Antec EarthWatts 500 watt
Fortron Blue Storm II 500 watt

Right now, there is a $10 rebate at newegg that brings down the
Fortron to $77 US. That's the cheapest deal.

I don't know how much BF2 depends on the CPU but instead of getting
something higher than an X1950 Pro, I'd go ahead and get a more
powerful CPU. Then maybe you could keep the PSU you listed.

I've practically never heard of Xclio so I don't know how reliable it is as power supplies go.

 

[coolpurplefan]

http://www23.tomshardware.com/...5&model2=710&chart=277

Look at these benchmarks. By spending more on a GPU, you'd get what? An extra 8 frames per second? I'd rather get the X1950 Pro, keep the PSU and get a faster CPU.

Whatever, that's just my opinion. Keep in mind the benchmarks you see on the Internet are often done with the fastest CPUs they can find.

 

[coolpurplefan]

AHA! Just found it! And it's an Anandtech article as well!

http://www.anandtech.com/printarticle.aspx?i=2795

Scroll down and you will see the E6600 at 121 frame per second and the E6300 at 97 fps in BF2.

EDIT: It's true the X1950 XT is more powerful. The $150 deal after rebate is pretty good. So, if someone is reading this and looking for the best deal I'd say E6600 CPU, X1950 XT GPU and Silverstone ST50EF-Plus 500 watt PSU (because the Zalman ZM460B-APS 460 watt is out of stock at newegg right now).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817256008
(I'm linking to that one although I haven't checked which connectors it has. It was a top rated power supply in a 105 power supply review.)

 

[Noobtastic]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: coolpurplefan
AHA! Just found it! And it's an Anandtech article as well!

http://www.anandtech.com/printarticle.aspx?i=2795

Scroll down and you will see the E6600 at 121 frame per second and the E6300 at 97 fps in BF2.

EDIT: It's true the X1950 XT is more powerful. The $150 deal after rebate is pretty good. So, if someone is reading this and looking for the best deal I'd say E6600 CPU, X1950 XT GPU and Silverstone ST50EF-Plus 500 watt PSU (because the Zalman ZM460B-APS 460 watt is out of stock at newegg right now).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817256008
(I'm linking to that one although I haven't checked which connectors it has. It was a top rated power supply in a 105 power supply review.)</end quote></div>


that PSU is kind of out of my price range.


The ATI rebates are crap.



What can I do?




Go with the pro and get a more power cpu (so I don't have to change PSU..) or...???



I'm awfully confused. With my previous parts (XT, 50 psu, same cpu) the total came to 1,400 shipped.


That's without printer, labor, room furniture, etc...





help?




edit: I honestly don't see the different between the cheaper and more expsnsive cpu's.


I just want to play BF2 and Bf2142 max. With 100 PSU, XT, and 220 psu, the total comes to more than 500 (just those 3 parts.)

This is without the cd/dvd burner as well. I'm not sure what to get.



edit: I'm also not factoring a cooling fan, which it seems most people have bought to reduce noise and heat (I hate noise .)


I know I've been asking a lot lately, but I really appreciate this help.

 

[Flammable]

hold off a month for intel price cuts then upgrade other parts as necassary

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: Flammable
hold off a month for intel price cuts then upgrade other parts as necassary

The price cut won't be that dramatic (unless it shaves off 200 dollars off my entire system.)


I'm going to be ordering thi s very soon before school starts.



if you have time purple, respond to be previou spost.

 

[coolpurplefan]

I used a calculator to figure the difference. It was 18% improvement with the faster video card but 24% improvement with the faster CPU.

I don't know how you get to $1400 but you can always build the computer yourself and get your furniture and printer a Wal-Mart.

Like Flammable said, you can always wait until after July 22 to do your shopping unless you can't wait like you think you're going to pee in your pants.

BTW, I think LG DVD burners are real silent. I have an LG H22N but those are kind of hard to find right now. It did a burn at 8x that was read by a BenQ DW1655 with no problems.