What sort of monitor can I support with this GPU?

[Essence_of_War]

I'm putting together a new box with a 7870 LE this weekend.

In the next few months, I was thinking about upgrading from my old 2x 19in 1280x1024 TNs to an IPS monitor.

Some games I would like to be able to play:
Starcraft 2, DOTA 2, TF 2, Dragon Age 1/2, Mass Effect 1/2/3, Dawn of War 2, Skyrim, Dota 2, Witcher 2, Darksiders 2, Fallout 3 and New Vegas, Deus Ex Human Revolution.

With my gpu, what sort of resolutions would I be able to play these games at and still get respectable frame rates? I was hoping to be able to pick up one of the nice 2560x1440 monitors (I was leaning towards the HP zr2740w) but I think I'd be pretty happy if I could play most or all of these at 1920x1080 with say, a Dell u2412.

 

[KingFatty]

Do you plan to overclock?

 

[Essence_of_War]

The GPU or the CPU?

I was going to do a minor overclock of the CPU just for funsies, but I hadn't planned to overclock the GPU.

Would it make much of a difference? Is it hard to do?

 

[Shmee]

with a single 7870, I probably would stay at 1200p or below with the games you listed.

As for OCing the 7870, for that card it can make a huge difference, and it is relatively easy to do.

 

[Essence_of_War]

So let me pose a few follow-ups then:

If the 7870 seems like it'll come up short at higher than 1920x1200, what sort of GPU would I need to play those games at reasonable frame rates at 2560x1440?

Is there any sort of rule-of-thumb from the GPU specs as to what sort of gaming resolutions it will support, or is it more of just a matter of looking at benchmarks are trying to assess how demanding the games I want to play are compared with the benchmarks?

 

[tweakboy]

You know you still get 8ms latency Im guessing. Games will not be smooth and ghost free, also 60hz will heart your eyes at that resolution. gl

 

[MeldarthX]

Its the 7870 LT/XT - so its the cut Taihti - it can do some stuff at 1440 by HardOCP's report but the best setting and max setting looks to be around 1080p....

I think it would handle 1200 - with most setting high; but not maxed with a overclock of the card. It will match a standard 7950 with an overclock and possibly slightly go higher than it.......but 7950 is in its own when overclocked....

so I'd say playing it safe 1080p np most thing maxed........1200 most things high

You'll do most things maxed at 1080p with 7870 XT/LT - but if you're wanting 1440 - 7950 oc is the way to go.....

*Edit after reading*

 

[KingFatty]

But the 7870 LE can still overclock right, beyond what a normal 7870 could hope to reach when overclocked?

The other issue is some of the features you can turn down may be stuff you don't value as much as resolution. So maybe you could run 1200p and turn down the settings on the shadows, and get a more enjoyable experience.

But subjectively, what is your preference? Do you want to see super-fancy shadows at 35 frames per second? Or do you want to see somewhat less fancy shadows at 55 frames per second?

 

[Essence_of_War]

Considering that I'm coming from an nVidia 8500 GT, I think I probably wouldn't miss the fancy shadows for some playable frame rates.

 

[MeldarthX]

King I'm going by reviews - as I haven't bought mine yet as money pit I call a car is sucking another 100 pounds out of me

Essence; which screen are you going to get; then we can recommend the best card for ya....

If you're going 1080p or 1200 the 7870 LE will do the job with a nice over clock.......anything higher I think you should step up to 7950

 

[Essence_of_War]

Meldarth,

The free parameter here is actually the display. I'm already committed to the 7870 LE, I'm trying to pick the right display for purchase in the next month or two, such that I'll be able to enjoy those games on reasonably high settings w/ good frame rates.

 

[MeldarthX]

ah for the best settings 1080p with the 7870 LE specially when overclocked......I think for good to high settings with over clock you could do 1200.....

1440 - I think might push it a little too hard but - Hardocp has shown it can play some games there comfortably.....

if it was me; I'd find a good 24 in 1080p or 1200 for a decent price and let er ripe

 

[Essence_of_War]

Heh, heh, that seems to be the best play, doesn't it?

I'm having trouble justifying the cost of a good 1440 if I wouldn't be able to rock out all of those games on it. Instead, I can get a very nice 24in 24in/23in 1200/1080, enjoy the high settings, and pocket the difference (around $400!) towards other gpu/display upgrades down the line.

 

[Midwayman]

I'd stay 1200p/1080p with it. I have the card, and it does great at that res, but if you want to push 1440p you should probably do a 7950.

 

[Essence_of_War]

Good to hear from someone actually using the card. Are you OC'ing it? Or is it performing adequately stock?

 

[Midwayman]

Good to hear from someone actually using the card. Are you OC'ing it? Or is it performing adequately stock?

I have it at 1100mhz, most of the reviews OC them to about 1200. Tomb Raider looks great in ultra+tressfx. It runs crysis 3 at VHQ pretty well (except for the first level, which is a bit choppy at vhq) Stock would be perfectly adequate, but why leave performance on the table when it OC's so well?