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Which graphics card?

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by Naked_Dave, 2 May 2008.

  1. Naked_Dave

    Naked_Dave What's a Dremel?

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    At the moment I'm using a GeForce 8500, running passively as I haven't played a 3D game in years, but looking at some recent reviews has made me want to get back into gaming! Considering I only have a 19" monitor, which card would be the best to go for? Cost isn't too important (although the new dual card beast is too much!), but I would appreciate it not being too loud. I do plan on going watercooled just for the experience at some point, but I don't want to have to put up with a jet engine until then!

    I only have a 19" monitor, so my maximum resolution is 1280x1024. Would going for a high end card such as a 8800GTX or the new 9800 series actually be worthwhile at this resolution, or would I be just as well getting a 9600?
     
  2. Krikkit

    Krikkit All glory to the hypnotoad! Super Moderator

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    I'd go for something like an 8800GT - it'll give you plenty of scope for mega performance at that res. for several years to come. :)
     
  3. Naked_Dave

    Naked_Dave What's a Dremel?

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    I'd barely finished typing before you replied!

    The GTS doesn't seem to cost a lot more than the GT, and well, it looks more awesome! Worth it?
     
  4. crazybob

    crazybob Voice of Reason

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    Are there any particular games you're looking to play? That'd make recommendations a lot easier. For instance, on a 19" screen a 9600gt would be brilliant for most games but might still suffer on the very latest, shiniest stuff. An 8800gt would probably handle anything you can throw at it on that screen (except maybe Crysis). Both cards are reasonably quiet, though I believe the 9600gt is slightly better in that respect. Of course, neither offers a dual-slot cooler on the reference design, and those are quite nice (it's good to keep that heat outside of the case, since those cards produce more heat than current mainstream CPUs).
     
  5. Naked_Dave

    Naked_Dave What's a Dremel?

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    I think Crysis is the main one at the moment. Other than that probably older games I missed out on, like Oblivion.
     
  6. chrisb2e9

    chrisb2e9 Dont do that...

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    At that resolution I was playing crysis with some settings on high, with an ati 1950 pro and a q6600 at 3.0ghz.
    the 8800gt will work great for you.
     
  7. Gravemind123

    Gravemind123 avatar not found

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    Even on my aging 7900GS(256MB, highly overclocked though) I can get Oblivion on high with 2xAA with draw distance sliders towards high and far-off stuff disabled at 1280x1024. In Crysis I ran at about medium. Considering how much of an advance the 8800s are, any of them would be fine for running at 1280x1024. I think you may as well go with the 8800GTS if they are close in price, since then if you upgrade the monitor the graphics card will be better able to keep up, and if you never upgrade it, then the extra performance can't hurt.
     
  8. triplex

    triplex Modder

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    8800GT is better than 8800GTS. I have Asus 8800GT 512MB with a quiet fan and I've read a lot of reviews before I got this card. I could even play Crysis on highest settings, so I would say go for this one.
     
  9. mm vr

    mm vr The cheesecake is a lie

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    :nono:

    The 8800GTS G80 ones (640MB and 320MB) are worse in performance than the 8800GT, but the 8800GTS G92 (512MB) is a bit better. The most surprising thing is that the 640MB model is usually higher in price than the 512MB model, wtf.
     
  10. Ending Credits

    Ending Credits Bunned

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    That's because the 512MB model is based on a newer chipset.
     
  11. Drifter One

    Drifter One What's a Dremel?

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    Hi - In my experience 8800 gts' have worked just fine :d
     
  12. kakoluckiam

    kakoluckiam What's a Dremel?

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    8800gt is nice, but i think that 9x00 family is the best for games, and with dx10 it is better than a 8800gt(only a few fps).
    so, 9800gt will be ok for you.
     
  13. crazybob

    crazybob Voice of Reason

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    Don't let the model numbers fool you, the differences between the 9 series and the most recent 8 series (g92) are pretty insignificant. I haven't seen any benchmarks, so I can't say for sure, but I wouldn't expect huge advancements. I suspect the 98gt is a bit faster, but I'd also expect it to run hotter in equal measure. It may or may not be worth the price difference.
     
  14. kakoluckiam

    kakoluckiam What's a Dremel?

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    differences between the 9 series and the 8 series(g92) are pretty insignificant, that's right,:thumb: but in my recent experience 9 series work better than the 8 series in a lot of applications, not too much, but with dx10(in games) there are some speed's differences. :wallbash:
     
  15. mrbungle

    mrbungle Undercooked chicken giver

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    just get the cheapest 8800gt you can find

    around 110 if you look
     
  16. cl0ck_ed

    cl0ck_ed I know what a Dremel is. Do you?

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    2nd-ed get a 8800gt. Best value for money card atm. I was considering selling my 8800gts 640mb to get a 8800gt. But desided it wasn't worth the hassle. I play crysis at your res with all settings to high. Fairly smooth. :thumb:
     
  17. oasked

    oasked Stuck in (better) mud

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    Ditto. The cheapest 512mb 8800GT that you can find should do the job nicely. :)
     
  18. Naked_Dave

    Naked_Dave What's a Dremel?

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    I think I will go for the GT. I've put in an order for some watercooling stuff, do the smaller cooler won't be a problem anymore, and it gives me more money to spend on that. I can always buy another one later and play around with SLI again!
     
  19. Fishlock

    Fishlock .o0o.

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    Good choice, go for an 8800GT. That way if you ever upgrade to a bigger monitor (you should, it's worth it ;)) then the GFX card will still be able to cope fine.
     
  20. Naked_Dave

    Naked_Dave What's a Dremel?

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    I would get a bigger monitor, but I literally can't fit anything bigger on this desk!

    Is the 1024MB version worth the extra money over the 512?
     

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