which one is better for playing FEAR?

[rickyman]

i got DFI nf4 board , amd64 3200+

i want to know which one is better for playing FEAR and quake4?

value 2 GB (2x1 GB)+ 6800gt/ultra vs. fast 1 GB (512x2) + 7800 series video card.

i also have 17inch LCD.

 

[CraigRT]

for actual FPS, the 7800 is going to rule, even with 1GB... but load times may suffer, depending on how much memory FEAR uses. I know BF2 sucks with only 1GB, but once it's loaded, it runs fine.

I still vote for 7800/1GB.... If you have the $ though, get VALUE 2GB and a 7800 card still.

 

[dug777]

with that res limitation i'd go with the 6800GT and 2gb...

 

[Acanthus]

Fear does not use 2GB.

 

[DJSfurry]

get a 7800 to last longer and 1x1gb stick.. then add 1 more stick of 1gb ram later

 

[kurt454]

Definitely get the 7800 and 1 gig of fast ram.

 

[Marshall1]

Originally posted by: Acanthus
Fear does not use 2GB.

Depends, I peak at 1.3GB running 1600x1200 2xAA/8xAF everything else max with no soft shadows. Edit: I guess that's not 2gb but it is more than 1 I'd still go with the 7800/ 1gb though.

 

[Corporate Thug]

the 7800 will be a better setup

 

[JRW]

Even at 1280x1024 (im assuming thats the OPs Native resolution) a 7800 will be noticabley faster vs. 6800GT + 2gb,especially with FEAR. I recently upgraded from a P4 2.8C @ 3.3ghz / 6800GT to an AMD X2 4800+ / 7800 GTX and my FEAR framerates skyrocketed, I cant imagine what SLI will do when I eventualy get a second card. I ran Fear's in game benchmark to compare:

P4 2.8C HT @ 3.3ghz / 1GB / 6800GT 256mb (stock speed) / FEAR Retail v1.1 with Default "High" on both Computer and Graphics card in FEAR settings @ 1024x768 (screenshot of results):

Minimum 30fps
Average 57fps
Maximum 131fps

0% below 24 FPS
22% between 25 and 40 FPS
78% above 40 FPS

-------------------------------------------

AMD X2 4800+ Dual Core @ stock 2.4ghz / 7800GTX 256mb (stock speed) / 1GB ram used when test was ran (have 2gb now), Identical FEAR settings used as above (screenshot of results):

Minimum 51fps
Average 106fps
Maximum 244fps

0% below 25 FPS
0% between 25 and 40 FPS
100% above 40FPS

 

[VIAN]

I'd say get the 7800 and 1GB.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: Marshall1

Originally posted by: Acanthus
Fear does not use 2GB.

Depends, I peak at 1.3GB running 1600x1200 2xAA/8xAF everything else max with no soft shadows. Edit: I guess that's not 2gb but it is more than 1 I'd still go with the 7800/ 1gb though.

Same here, 1.3 gig peak, though I'm 1280x1024 2AA/8AF

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Acanthus
Fear does not use 2GB.

But it uses damn near to close to 1GB and that includes the OS (XP pro and small memory resident programs. Antivirus etc.). My system running XP pro, Norton Antivirus, MS antispyware, a few others and FEAR running pegged my system at 1.08GB of memory usage. That includes a large use of the OS page file which is hard disk space. Monstrous amounts of stuttering and hitching with 1GB. I added a second GB and the stuttering went completely away. Did not improve framerate, but solved the stuttering.

I would be a little more thrifty on the memory if you don't plan on overclocking. Value memory does just fine and you may be able to get a Gig and a half of RAM. (2x512 & 2x256) and try to look for an outstanding deal on a 7800GT. IMHO. There is nothing worse than stuttering when your getting wailed on.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: Marshall1

Originally posted by: Acanthus
Fear does not use 2GB.

Depends, I peak at 1.3GB running 1600x1200 2xAA/8xAF everything else max with no soft shadows. Edit: I guess that's not 2gb but it is more than 1 I'd still go with the 7800/ 1gb though.

Check out the reviews out there, they disagree with you. while it can consume the memory by caching more, it does not actually gain any noticable performance.

 

[Fallengod]

IT seems like the whole 1gb vs. 2gb thing has been beaten to a pulp, so Ill skip that.

F.E.A.R. seems to be stressing peoples systems alot, so id go with the 7800gt, unless you play at low resolutions(like me, then a 6800gt would be fine). 1gb is plenty of memory(except for lame bf2, ohh! thats right I said it! )

 

[Sunrise089]

No question: 1 gig and 7800gt.

 

[rahzel]

Originally posted by: Acanthus
Fear does not use 2GB.

NO game uses more than 1GB, but games DO benefit from 2GB of memory. You wont see any performance gains, but you will remove the stutters.

with that said, id still go for the 7800 and maybe you can add another GB later on.

 

[theMan]

i vote 7800

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: Marshall1

Originally posted by: Acanthus
Fear does not use 2GB.

Depends, I peak at 1.3GB running 1600x1200 2xAA/8xAF everything else max with no soft shadows. Edit: I guess that's not 2gb but it is more than 1 I'd still go with the 7800/ 1gb though.

Check out the reviews out there, they disagree with you. while it can consume the memory by caching more, it does not actually gain any noticable performance.

As others have said, 1.5GB or more gets rid of the (occasional) stutters that happen with 1GB.