Spec me a card to run games at 1680x1050

[DoBie_Smalls]

Hi there folks i'm looking at upgrading my aging system, probably going to go with a mid to high end Intel CPU and 2GB RAM with an eye to move to 4GB when 64Bit OS upgrade comes along. I have a 20" widescreen monitor running at 1680x1050 and i want to know what's the best card i should get to power this.
I've been looking at a 8800GTS 320MB however i'm wondering if for new games i'll be needing either the 8800GTS 640MB or maybe i should save up a bit and get a 8800GTX, i had consider the 2900XT or maybe an SLi combination but the reviews don't sound so good. i'd like to run my games as high as possible obliviously, but i understand performance comes at a price.

 

[Alexrose1uk]

Regardless of resolution, the 8800GTX is always going to be the best, but the HD2900XT is a good second option, and the 8800GTS 640 is the last option you should be choosing if you want to run high detail at 1680x1050.
Reviews for the HD2900XT aren't that peachy, but the card has been improved a fair bit with recent driver releases (whereas the original pre-release drivers were used in most of the reviews), so, especially without AA, it's now commonly beating the 8800GTS640 in most titles, AA makes it much closer, although like always theres swings and roundabouts. If you have the cash, you'll enjoy the 8800GTX, if you dont want to spend that much, providing you have decent PSU, the 2900XT should also make you happy, and the 8800GTS is still a good card anyway. ATI apparently do have better Vista support now though, if that makes any difference to you, but thier DX10 drivers aren't finished right now, and are still work-in-progress, but with monthly driver support and true dx10 games starting to rear, I'd imagine thats a high priority for them to get sorted.

At that res, you shouldnt really bother with the 320 GTS, the lack of memory will really hold it back in newer games at that resolution.

 

[J.D]

A very good post from Alexrose1uk .

I'd get the 8800GTX. Keep your eyes on the next big card to come out. Wait till 2 weeks before the release and then sell the GTX while you can still get good money for it and upgrade again for a lesser hit to the pocket. This won't probably happen till next year though. It's going to be a year and a half at the top for the GTX which is rare . You will still get a good run at the top with the GTX as there is nothing to challenge it from ATI/AMD.

If the prices are ridiculous when the 8800GTX's successor launches then you could invest in a cheap X1950pro to tide you over until the prices on the new cards will fall. It's only £86 for a X1950Pro 512mb model just now so by next year you should be able to get one even cheaper.

I know I'm talking a lot about the future but I think it's a great idea. Especially with this card being out for nearly a year. This way you can stay at the top more easily.

 

[saffyre]

Just built a rig for my brother with an 8800GTX for a monitor with that res and its perfect. Bioshock on full will give it a good run tho around 50 fps so if u want high details a GTS might struggle. Lovely card all round tho ive got the BFG one and its very quiet.

 

[LoadsaMoney]

Either get the 2900 XT now, as its faster than the 640mb GTS, or save and buy the GTX when you can afford it.

 

[WarBird]

Just built a rig for my brother with an 8800GTX for a monitor with that res and its perfect. Bioshock on full will give it a good run tho around 50 fps so if u want high details a GTS might struggle. Lovely card all round tho ive got the BFG one and its very quiet.

actually i run bioshock on full at that res with a gts 640 with aa and i get and average of about 50/55fps