I'm currently looking to upgrade my system and I'm looking at a 7900gs (BFG), I've got a 1280x1024 screen, and currently got a 6600. Would I see a noticeable increase in performance as the 6600 sometimes struggles? Also which 7900 should I go for as there are lots to choose from?
You will see a marked difference in performance with that upgrade. As for which one to go for I would say the best you can afford and you shouldnt go far wrong.
I had a 6600gt SLI rig, just upgraded to 7900GTO and the difference is extreme. More everything .. 3d mark 06 score now 5551 without at stock. There's a GTX going on the for sale forums .. you might be able to pick that up for a song.
If you're coupling it with an AthlonXP the gains will be significantly reduced, the card will be starved. Max out details, AA+AF and up the res in an attempt to utilise the untapped GPU power. For cards 7600GT or faster you really should be using a C2D, P4 3.6ghz or A64_3500+ as a minimum.
Agreed, anything over a 6600GT will probably be wasted. In fact I'd hedge a bet on that being the problem atm. Time for an upgrade my friend.
The problem is that the diffs between lower mid-range, upper mid-range and high-end cards becomes less and less as CPU power decreases. As such there's likely to be very little difference between using a 6600GT, 7600GT or 7900GS on a slow CPU like an AthlonXP or 533FSB P4. If you sling in a faster CPU the cards really begin to show a difference with the faster cards actually able to show what they're capable of. Google 'CPU Scaling' with relevance to gfx card reviews. Upgrading needn't be an expensive affair; Skt754 mobos capable of > 300HT and a CPU capable of o/c'ing past 2.2ghz can easily be had for under £80. Skt939 & 800FSB P4/D are also coming down in price now that C2D & AM2 are popular. With the aforementioned options you can keep existing DDR(1) and even AGP too (if you wish, there's PCI-E options too). An A64 @2.4ghz with 7600GT/6800GT is likely to perform much better than an AthlonXP3200+ with 7900GS/7950GT, and not just in gaming either.
Yep, there's nothing wrong with 754 or 939 for gaming if on a budget A fantastic s939 budget board with great overclocking abilities (regardless of what you may have heard) is what i have. It's still selling for around £40. Coupled with a £64 A64 4000 San Diego you have a hell of a combo for just over £100. The last of the line San Diego 4000's are all KAB1E stepping which are incredible overclockers. Mine will actually allow me to get into windows @3.2 ghz, though it's not stable in 3Dmark 06. If that's a little much than a £40 Venice 3000 which will goto 2.4ghz easily on this board (mine did flawlessly for over a year) is great stuff for £80. Either of these combos with a 7900GS would be ideal for maxing out todays games @1280x1024
