Is my X1900XT Good Enough?

[Lonz]

I'm thinking about making a plunge to buy the Dell Ultrasharp 2407WFP. It's native resolution as you probably know is 1920x1200. The thing I am worried about is is this going be a problem with my X1900XT 256MB?

I will be playing games like CSS, Battlefield 2/2142 mostly. At the moment I'm on a 17" 1280x1024 and pretty much everything runs like a dream. Does anyone have any feedback as to whether I should be thinking about upgrading my card as well? I'm quite used to having all of the eye candy turned on, AA and AF usually half way up. Not fussed about Dynamic Lighting though.

Thanks,
Alex

 

[Spetznaz]

You would probably need to upgrade to get the best at that resolution, the X1900XT or XTX is a nice card at 1280x1024 but once you go much higher it will struggle, the 256mb wont help either, you really want 512+ at that res.

 

[Lonz]

Do you have any suggestions then?

 

[willhub]

I think the X1900XT will be perfectly ok for that res in CSS, dunno about BF2142 though, probs 1600x1200.

 

[jaykay]

it will be ok at 1600x1200 at max but
becuase it only has 256mb of memory i think you wont be able to have aa and maybe some af

 

[Lonz]

Should I be thinking about getting a 8800GTS 640MB? Its pricey, I'd more than likely need a new PSU (only on 480W atm), but would more than like leave me in good stead for the next gen games etc.

 

[jaykay]

for that res def go for the 640mb version plus it will be better for newer gamnes with lots of textures

 

[Spetznaz]

Should I be thinking about getting a 8800GTS 640MB? Its pricey, I'd more than likely need a new PSU (only on 480W atm), but would more than like leave me in good stead for the next gen games etc.

Not sure about the PSU(depends on brand) but the X1900XT eats power and probably uses a similar amount to the 8800GTS anyway.

 

[Lonz]

It's an Akasa.

 

[chaparral]

I'd more than likely need a new PSU (only on 480W atm), .

Am using a 350watt PSU in my system (AMD 4400 dual core/8800gtx)

Plus my x1900xt-x use to struggle with games at 1920x1200 on my dell 2405 at 1920x1200....Games like fear i had to play at 1650x1050 or turn the graphic details down..
For high res monitors like the dell 24" you really need a highend video card to go with it...(8800gts 640mb or a 8800gtx 768mb)
I myself wouldn't want a card less then the 8800gtx for gaming at 1920x1200 unless i was running two in SLI/crossfire....

 

[drak3]

I'm thinking about making a plunge to buy the Dell Ultrasharp 2407WFP. It's native resolution as you probably know is 1920x1200. The thing I am worried about is is this going be a problem with my X1900XT 256MB?

I will be playing games like CSS, Battlefield 2/2142 mostly. At the moment I'm on a 17" 1280x1024 and pretty much everything runs like a dream. Does anyone have any feedback as to whether I should be thinking about upgrading my card as well? I'm quite used to having all of the eye candy turned on, AA and AF usually half way up. Not fussed about Dynamic Lighting though.

Thanks,
Alex

Look at my signature. I am NOT happy, since native res gaming (or max res supported by game) is not playable. However, I will upgrade when all the options are laid out by ATI on the table as well.

 

[Mortster]

I have a Dell 2405 (which also runs at 1920x1200).

I previously had a X1900 XT 512MB card, which struggled with most games. I had to compromise and run most games at 1680x1050 - which looks ok, but never going to look as good as running native.

I run a 8800 GTX now. It's amazing with everything I throw at it. Just be mindful that in some benchmarks the GTS 640MB is close to the 1950XT-X which is not much of a leap/step-up from the card you have now.

I would recommend you wait to see what price point the HD2900 XT from ATI comes in at, because if reports are true you should get GTX speeds from the price point of the current GTS.

Also bear in mind the framebuffer (memory) you have on your current card. I hate tearing in games, this is further pronounced when you use a display like the Dell 2405/2407. So to combat this I use VSYNC to keep the FPS in line with the refresh (60Hz) of the display. Because the X1900 would not be able to keep the FPS over 60 all the time you would see a lot of drops to 30fps/15fps etc. To combat this I use triple buffering which introduces a further backbuffer, this in-turn requires more memory on the graphics card. To summarise 256MB is not enough (imo) for running native 1920x1200 - particularly if you want to use triple buffering.

 

[FreeStream]

My X1900XTX @ 709/845 runs pretty much everything at 1600x1200, 4/6xAA and 8/16xAF....

CSS/BF2 will be fine at 1920x1200, even with max AA and AF.

BF2142, dunno, people say its poor performance so might have to knock the AA and AF down...

 

[Participant]

What do you need, constant 70fps? I'd say no, and I'd also agree with Concorde in that your system will run BF2 etc fine at that res. If it chugs slightly then drop the AA / AF - is it worth spending another £300 just to get a big more AA? Maybe you think it is but I'd say stick with what you've got until the prices of fast DX10 cards have settled. In 6 months there'll be something faster than the GTX for £150.

 

[gurusan]

Am using a 350watt PSU in my system (AMD 4400 dual core/8800gtx)....

you need a new PSU buddy

 

[Lonz]

What do you need, constant 70fps?

Constant 60 will do fine.

I have an opinion, like any other person on here; I can't stand drops in FPS, it basically just irritating.

 

[Participant]

I have an opinion

Congrats

Anyway...

I can stand drops in FPS as long as it's still within the realms of playability. I'd make use of what you have until the GTX approaches sensible prices, as there's no way you can call your system unplayable even at that resolution.

 

[drak3]

My X1900XTX @ 709/845 runs pretty much everything at 1600x1200, 4/6xAA and 8/16xAF....

CSS/BF2 will be fine at 1920x1200, even with max AA and AF.

BF2142, dunno, people say its poor performance so might have to knock the AA and AF down...

I will try this right now with mine. However, I am not very confident in the outcomes