Bottlenecks

[BenF]

I'm looking to do some cheap upgrading for the rig in my sig. I'm currently running a e2180 @ 2.52Ghz and a 7900gs @ stock. The main game I play is CoD5 and I would like to play it at my monitors native res, 1680x1050, high graphics settings (not extra) and with 2x AA. I know my cpu is a bottleneck but what type of card could I get to run the game at those settings? Also, I'm fine at getting 40-60fps in game. Thats what I play with now and the fps doesn't bother me (more is of course better :D)

Would a 4850 be capable? If not how about something like a 9800gtx+ or a 8800gts? Other suggestions are open too. Thanks for the help.

[BenF]

any thoughts?

[ratbuddy]

All comes down to your budget. Are you looking in $100-$200, $200-$300, etc etc?

[Joeteck]

Anything with the word cheap in it, is just that.... cheap. Probably not worth the upgrade. Any beefier video card may require a larger power supply as well. These upgrades should go hand-in-hand, as they're dependent on each other. But then soon after this cheap upgrade, you'll spend more money on something bigger and better. I would save your money for something alot better than cheap. JMO..

[BenF]

Well, I'm looking to get a new card without having to upgrade my CPU (don't have the money for both). I'd like to spend as close to $100-$120 as possible. So a second hand 4850, or 8800 are in that price range. A second hand 9800gtx+ is a bit more but the performance might be worth it. Most of all I don't want to spend a lot on a card that my cpu will hold back which eliminates the $200+ cards iirc.

I'm also looking for something that will play 1680x1050 with at least 2x AA. The higher the texture settings can be set the happier I'll be but the res with the 2x AA is my main concern.

[BenF]

Anything with the word cheap in it, is just that.... cheap. Probably not worth the upgrade. Any beefier video card may require a larger power supply as well. These upgrades should go hand-in-hand, as they're dependent on each other. But then soon after this cheap upgrade, you'll spend more money on something bigger and better. I would save your money for something alot better than cheap. JMO..

Sorry about the double post. I'm looking for a upgrade that will tide me over until late summer-winter when I have some more money which I plan on spending on a new rig. My PSU should be fine with any of the cards I listed. My only real concern is my CPU which is why I'm not looking at an expensive card as I know the extra money spent will be wasted on it.

To me if I can switch to playing at my native res as opposed to 800x640 (on a 22" lcd with native 1680x1050) I will be more than happy. That res on my monitor is painful to look at. I can boost it up to 1024x768 but my frame rate drops down to 30-40.

[ratbuddy]

Sorry about the double post. I'm looking for a upgrade that will tide me over until late summer-winter when I have some more money which I plan on spending on a new rig. My PSU should be fine with any of the cards I listed. My only real concern is my CPU which is why I'm not looking at an expensive card as I know the extra money spent will be wasted on it.

To me if I can switch to playing at my native res as opposed to 800x640 (on a 22" lcd with native 1680x1050) I will be more than happy. That res on my monitor is painful to look at. I can boost it up to 1024x768 but my frame rate drops down to 30-40.

4850 or GTX+ will both be fine for your situation. That PSU will be more than plenty for either card.

[EarthDog]

4850 or GTX+ will both be fine for your situation. That PSU will be more than plenty for either card.I agree with this post and push for the HD4850 1Gb.

EDIT: Gah, did this OSU guy just help a Wolverine?? **places gun in mouth**

[ratbuddy]

I agree with this post and push for the HD4850 1Gb.

Doubt the extra RAM would make a difference at 1680x1050.

For budget concerns, I'd even look at a used 8800GT at $80-$85 shipped in the classies here. I think there's still one of Nitteo's left even.

New, 4850 and GTX+ look to be starting around $130-$140 on Newegg but deals come up in the cyber deals section pretty often.. Bet you can find one brand new for $120 if you are patient :)

[EarthDog]

Ever heard of Far Cry2? ;)

The extra ram could help at that res, especially with higher AA. As time goes on more and more games will flood the buffer with more textures. If he can afford it, why not?

[BenF]

Thanks for the help! I'll be on the prowl in the classies starting next week after I get some birthday money :). Will be checking the cyber deals too. I'm going to get a 9800gtx+ or a 4850 depending on what type of prices I can find when I have the funds available.

-edit- I plan on playing cod5 for most of this year with some very graphics demanding CS1.6 and source in between scrims ;). I'm not too worried about the super demanding games that I do not plan on buying or playing. I also plan on building a new rig late this year. I'm just looking for a card that will meet my current and expected needs for this year. If I good deal pops up for the 1gb version I'll be sure to jump on it. But I'm not going to wait on jumping on the normal version for it.

[Zurvan]

I plan on playing cod5 for most of this year with some very graphics demanding CS1.6 and source in between scrims ;).
Try to get the GTS 250 512 MB edition, and I've felt CoD 5 runs better on nV hardware.