What is the main bottleneck for DX9 games?`

[Nyquest007]

I ask mainly for an idea of an upgrade path. Are the new GFX cards the only requirement for decent frame rates in upcoming dx9 titles? I know with more powerful cards you get a good increase in FPS, but I see the same effect with newer mobos and procs. From what I understand DX9 is much more GPU stressing than CPU. I know some games naturally are more cpu bound with physics and other calculations. Can on still use low latency single channel ddr and achieve good results from just upgrading a V-card? How much would upgrading to a dual channel mobo boost fps in precent games? Just a few questions, thanks in advance for replies?
I ask alot of questions because I'm leaving for Air Force basic at the end of this year, I'm going into programming, and will be gone for a while to tech school after basic. I'm thinking of giving my PC to my dad because he does alot of work and play on his machine, still running the ole AMD 1 ghz 200 fsb. I was thinking of either starting all over with new set up, or just upgrading to a few new parts to suffice till the next big thing from the chip makers. I'm still running my 1.8a @ 2.4 w/ 1g mem and a 4400ti. 110g of hdd space and a full tower windowed case with 3 blue cathode lights. I think he'll enjoy paying his bills with it. Ha! Any suggestions?

 

[modedepe]

I think the bottleneck will depend on the game, just like how it is for current dx8 games. Overall though, based on some of the benchmarks we've seen, I'd say all parts of current systems will be fairly stressed.

 

[Jeff7181]

GPU speed. DX9 Pixel Shaders require GPU power. With the GeForce3 and GeForce4, it was mainly memory bandwidth that made the biggest difference... now they've got pleanty of memory bandwidth, but need more GPU power to processor those shaders faster.

 

[Nyquest007]

jeff7181, how is your 2500xp system with games out today? If I go all new system, I'm looking at going green with the 2500xp and would also hope to stay with an nvidia card, I'm not a "fan boy", just have a little more confidence in there cards than ati. Any suggestions?

compare to my current rig
1.8a @ 2.4
abit bg7 845g
4400ti 300/615

My aquamark score is around 20,000, my cpu is about the same, but my gfx card is piss poor at 1800.

 

[Jeff7181]

I haven't found a game yet that I can't play with 4XAA and 8XAF. Soldier of Fortune 2 looks great... FPS is always maxed at my refresh rate no matter how many players, what map, or how heated the action gets. BF1942 (and Desert Combat) looks and plays great... I only use 2XAA though because of the text being scrambled with more than that. Although I have played it with 4X and it still plays great.

*EDIT* I should mention I haven't played Halo... so I don't know how it would run on my rig... just not that interested in it so I haven't bought it.

 

[Nyquest007]

I downloaded the demo from microsoft and with nothing enabled it plays okay. that's at 10x7. I'm thinking maybe I should drop about 90 bucks on the abit 865pe board, enabling dual channel on my rig with my oc'd 1.8 cause shes a beaut, and using the rest on a new geforce, maybe a 9800pro, cause there prices are dropping, but I hope nvidia can come down with there pricing to make them more accessible to the little people. Good idea or not? Atleast I will have the option later to go with a C version of the P4 w/ HT!!

 

[Nyquest007]

P.S. what did you give for your 5900, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Jeff7181]

$250 shipped

 

[Genx87]

I think it is going to depend a lot on the game. But I think we are nearing the time when GPU speed more than memory bandwidth may be the determining factor.

I would wait till the next generation cards come out if you have the time.

 

[Necrolezbeast]

I have been an Nvidia man since my first build...with a geforce2 mx200 32mb, then a Geforce3 ti200 then to a ti500(both 128mb), then ti4200 128mb, and I just recently upgraded to a 9800 Pro 128mb and this thing is awesome. It was like going from the mx200 to the ti4200 in one big leap. My FPS is great in everygame I play with settings maxed at 1024x768 and 6xAA and 16xAF...in case you were all wondering, I play BF1942 (Road to Rome, Secret Weapons, and DC), Counter-Strike, SoF2, UT2k3 (I haven't checked FPS in this but it runs smoothly, and I am very picky)..and some others...but anyway, I was very nervous about getting an ATI card because all the driver problems I have heard about (I now beleive those were all user errors!), but my transition from the ti4200 to 9800pro took nothing but an uninstall of the old drivers -> driver cleaner -> install new card -> new drivers.....no problems what-so-ever. From all the reviews and threads I have read the FX line isn't up to teh competition especially for the prices, but that is just what I have seen so don't yell at me ya'll.

 

[Nyquest007]

I'm starting to agree with you, looking at the new5700 ultra bench's. Although the 5900 is not bad at 219 @ newegg, compared to the 9600xt at near the same price. I'm sure it is faster (the 5900).