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Video Card
Topic Started: Dec 14 2007, 03:51 AM (321 Views)
BloodPheasant741
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Synod Founder - Retired
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Okay guys, I'll come out and admit it... I'm not really in tune with hardware. Yeah, lame, but true.

I want to see Oblivion in all it's glory, with antialiasing and my actual resolution. But I can't with my current settings.

I've got 1GB of RAM, I checked. I've got a 3ghz processor, which is also what Bethesda recommends.

So I'm going to guess it's my graphics card. I currently have a Radeon X600, and that took like ten minutes to find out. So should I upgrade to the X700 (X700) at $179, or make the jump to the X850 (X850) at $315?

Wait, WTF, it lists an X1300 at $100? This is confusing...
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The_Terminator
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Scrap ATI altogether, and go with Nvidia. I used to have an x600 too, but I just bought a geforce 8500GT (512mb ram, SM4.0, dx10, etc) for just £50, which equates to about $100, I think, so it's a much better deal. 768mb 8800 series cards were going for around £80 too, which, considering they're top of the range cards, is pretty good value.
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BloodPheasant741
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So can you link me to what I need to upgrade to, because I don't know what's better in Nvidia than what I have in ATI.
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The_Terminator
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Basically, anything in the entire 8x series, but there are so many different ones, it all depends on what kind of price you're willing to pay, and how long you want it to last for. The 8800 cards are the best of the best, you can get them in all shapes and sizes, the 8500GT is a slightly more mid-range solution... Just have a look around online retailers, see what you can find, that's what I did, anyway. :)

Oh, and I think Nvidia's website has a list of good online retailers that sell their cards, too.
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BloodPheasant741
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Wow, I was expecting it to have to be 3 or $400. That's great! I'm getting a new video card! :P
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chjoco15
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Well... I'm assuming your video card is the 128mb version... so...
If you want a high end card (something that will definatly last a few year, and play crysis :D) then go with an 8800, like this one.
IF thats a little to high up, try an 8600, maybe this one.
If thats still a bit steep.. thres plenty other options... 7300 GT, maybe a radeon 2400 pro?
I am still kind of new to system specs, but not brand new. But im sure bat could probably point you in a better direction :D
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BloodPheasant741
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I just need it to last four years until I'm out of high school and I get a laptop.
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The_Terminator
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7300's almost dead... most of the newer games coming out need at least shader model 3, which that doesn't support... you'd want 512mb ram for it to last very long, anyway
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Iambattosai
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I... Am.... Bat(man)tosai!!! :P
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Ok I'm here to save all your hides as far as hardware goes. :P

Do NOT buy a ATI Radeon HD series card. They're not as good as you might think.

Now, as for Nvidia, I would probably follow Terminator here and buy the 8500 GT.

However, if your willing to spend (Or willing to beg your parents ;) ) $200 I would recommend this card. One review left for it was:

Quote:
 
DDR3, SLI-capable, OC out of the box; Runs Oblivion and UT3 with full effects at 1280x1024 flawlessly.


Oh look, Oblivion 1280x1024 full settings flawlessly. This card also has a max resolution of 2560x1600. Some specs:

Core clock 620MHz (vs. 540MHz standard)
Stream Processors 32
Memory Clock 1500MHz (vs. 1400MHz standard)
Memory Size 512MB
Memory Interface 128-bit
Memory Type GDDR3
DirectX 10
OpenGL OpenGL 2.0
DVI 2
HDTV Out
RAMDAC 400 MHz
Max Resolution 2560 x 1600
SLI Supported Yes
Cooler With Fan

This card has substantial bang for it's buck. And later down the road if your motherboard supports it buy a second one and put them in SLI for even greater performance.

Any questions?
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BloodPheasant741
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No questions, only thanks!
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BloodPheasant741
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I'm definitely getting this graphics card. I've got $90, and I'm hoping to work around the house and earn some more in the Spring. My mom has to work a lot, possibility of lots of overtime, and so I'll be keeping up with the housework while she's away.
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chjoco15
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Which card?
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BloodPheasant741
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The one Bat recommended. 8600 GT.
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chjoco15
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the 8600 gts that i recommended is 20 bucks cheaper and,according to reviews, can run oblivion, bioshock, and call of duty 4 at high settings. But i would still go with the one bat recommended, since i do not know as much as him when it comes to hardware
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BloodPheasant741
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"High settings" as opposed to "1280x1024 full settings flawlessly." And, respectfully, we both are far less competent than Bat.
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Iambattosai
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I... Am.... Bat(man)tosai!!! :P
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Why thank you septim... I'm flattered.

Hmmm this reminds me... look for some new threads by me soon! ^_^
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