New GPU / PSU?

[Skaggy]

Time for a GPU upgrade me thinks.

Current Specs:

• Intel Pentium 4 @ 3.20E GHz
• 2GB PC 3200 RAM
• ATi Radeon 9600 XT with 128 MB vRAM
• 160 GB HDD @ 7200 RPM

Current BF2 settings:

• Terrain: Low
• Effects: Medium
• Geometry: Medium
• Texture: Low
• Lighting: Medium
• Dynamic Shadows: Off
• Dynamic Light: Off
• Antialiasing: Off
• Texture Filtering: Low
• View Distance: 100%

Normally I'll get around 30-60 FPS in the average game, but that drops to below 20 when the grenades start to drop. And on some maps, particulalry in PR, I only ever get over 30 FPS if I stare directly upwards at the sky. Personally, I'd like to run BF2 all on medium with a healthy FPS that never drops below 40.

So what do I need? New graphics card?

I was looking to spend about £60 - 80 on a new GPU.

Something like a ATI Radeon X1950 Pro 256MB.

But my question is, if I was to get a card like that, would I have to also upgrade my PSU. I have no idea what the one have at the moment is like, but it was in the PC when it was bought so I can't imagine it being much over 250W.

If I do need to obtain a new PSU, what manufacturers do you recommend? And how, much power do you think I'll need?

[sava700]

Re: New GPU / PSU?

I wouldn't go with ATI for starters but thats your choice.

I'd go with a new 8600GTS, that will put you DX10 capable along with a good performing card. Its going to run you around 250$ US

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143108

I wouldn't suggest anything less right now with the way the prices are so cheap.


As for power supply treat that like the HEART of your computer, as your heart pumps life blood to all your body parts so does your power supply..so get a good one. And I recommend a PC Power and Cooling PSU...best on the market!

This one should do ya good

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

[camper.]

Re: New GPU / PSU?

I wouldn't go with ATI for starters but thats your choice.

I'd go with a new 8600GTS, that will put you DX10 capable along with a good performing card. Its going to run you around 250$ US

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143108

What the flying **** is he going to do with a DX10 capable card that will die in DX10 games? :shock:


Get an x1950 Pro 512MB for £10 more: http://www.dabs4work.com/productview...quicklinx=4N0Q

Added VRAM = higher resolution + higher anti-aliasing + more texture heavy games.


And yes, you'll have to upgrade the PSU.

[Scinto]

Re: New GPU / PSU?

its a good step up card until some decent midrange DX10 cards get released

[=98=]

Re: New GPU / PSU?

I wouldn't go with ATI for starters but thats your choice.

I'd go with a new 8600GTS, that will put you DX10 capable along with a good performing card. Its going to run you around 250$ US

Are you mad, the 8600gt can barely play modern DX9 games let alone DX10 games....

Go for the X1950XT, they are awesome. There is no decent card that fills the gap between the X1950XT and the 8800gts 320mb

[Skaggy]

Re: New GPU / PSU?

Crap.

Just checked, I've got an AGP interface.
So that kinda' limits my options a bit :hmm:.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=GX-137-SP

Going by the reviews, that card would let me go about another year without having to upgrade to a PCIe motherboard.

[camper.]

Re: New GPU / PSU?

Pretty much. Does it have to be from that site?

AGP is around £30-£40 more expensive....

[Skaggy]

Re: New GPU / PSU?

Pretty much. Does it have to be from that site?

Nope, just using it as an example.

AGP is around £30-£40 more expensive....

Certainly seems that way. But the price for a good PCIe motherboard would be more than £40.

[sava700]

Re: New GPU / PSU?

Are you mad, the 8600gt can barely play modern DX9 games let alone DX10 games....

no I said 8600GTS not GT.... thats why I'm not mad and knew exactly what I was talking about..but hey he has AGP so the response is null and void.

[camper.]

Re: New GPU / PSU?

no I said 8600GTS not GT.... thats why I'm not mad and knew exactly what I was talking about..but hey he has AGP so the response is null and void.

Ah. Alright, just checked properly and the 8600GTS statistically is comparable to the x1950 Pro. It will die in DX10 games in any case, just nowhere near enough juice.

[DeadlyMACD]

Re: New GPU / PSU?

The reviews I've seen show the X1950 Pro getting 7-10fps more than the 8600GTS in games like Prey and BF2142. I'd want the extra fps. Especially since neither card destroys the latest games and the 8600 can't really run DX10.

Is that a Dell? PC Power and Cooling makes power supplies for Dell computers.

[AlexIsUber]

Re: New GPU / PSU?

1950XT and you will never drop pass 100 fps

[sava700]

Re: New GPU / PSU?

The reviews I've seen show the X1950 Pro getting 7-10fps more than the 8600GTS in games like Prey and BF2142. I'd want the extra fps. Especially since neither card destroys the latest games and the 8600 can't really run DX10.

FPS with a difference of 20 or so is driver bound... and that depends on other hardware along with it cause not everything is the same. I'd go with Nvidia over ATI anyday! The driver support from Nvidia is really great and plenty to test and choose from to get the most out of your system.

Ohh and the 8600GTS is a DX10 card and will play DX10 games.. I don't know where you came up with that it really can't stuff.

1950XT and you will never drop pass 100 fps

unlock the FPS in game and I'm sure it will stay over 150+ like any card

[Skaggy]

Re: New GPU / PSU?

Okay, so if I was to get this graphics card, what level PSU would I need to let it run to it's full potential.

What amount should I be looking to spend and what manufacturers/distributors do you recommend?

Sapphire ATI Radeon X1950 Pro 512MB GDDR3

[TheButler208]

Re: New GPU / PSU?

I wouldn't go with ATI for starters but thats your choice.

I'd go with a new 8600GTS, that will put you DX10 capable along with a good performing card. Its going to run you around 250$ US

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143108

I wouldn't suggest anything less right now with the way the prices are so cheap.


As for power supply treat that like the HEART of your computer, as your heart pumps life blood to all your body parts so does your power supply..so get a good one. And I recommend a PC Power and Cooling PSU...best on the market!

This one should do ya good

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817703005

you won't need anything dx10 capable until like next year for crying out loud. Crysis will run in DX9. They charge that much for 8600s... yikes. You can get a 7900 series card for quite a bit less and be performing the **** out of an 8600. Like an average of 20 fps better in BF2.


Anyways, you might want to upgrade that cpu along with the gpu and psu. That system isn't going to be dx10 card worthy next year anyways. Just upgrade the video card moderatly (to a great performing dx9 card) because that motherboard and cpu aren't worth the 22 inch rims. You won't even be able to squeeze all the ketchup out of a powerful dx9 card.

Crap.

Just checked, I've got an AGP interface.
So that kinda' limits my options a bit :hmm:.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=GX-137-SP

Going by the reviews, that card would let me go about another year without having to upgrade to a PCIe motherboard.

you should be happy with this: 7900GS AGP

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150174

I cannot stress enough that that processor is going to bottleneck a lot of video cards.