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Video card update

vairo

vairo

vairo

Associate
Joined
12 Nov 2006
Posts
627
Location
London
Hello fellas,

I was thinking of updating the VGA card for a better one, mostly this one would be for Crysis 3 when ever it will come out as well as to play FEAR 2.

Not sure if i will upgrade it now, or after few months but i would like to ask your opinion, since i have been away for ages from gaming side of view.

Firstly my rig is fallowing:

Belinea 22inch 1650x res
Ati 2900XT
Conroe EE600 2.4 clocked to 3.00ghz
Asus Deluxe P5W DH mobo
2gm OCZ ram 677mhz
Corsair VX 550W ATX Power Supply

I was thinking to go for BFG GeForce GTX 285 OC 1024MB GDDR3 PCI Express , but now i am concerned that my PSU wouldn't be enough and i just bought it coz my old one burned down :(( , anyways my main question would be would i see a big boost in games like Crysis, FEAR 2 etc, if i update my ATI 2900XT with this fallowing card without changing my cpu, memory?

And would this new PSU coupe with such a beast card? Or maybe i should wait a bit longer coz there is another beast card ahead the corner and since that one is out the rest of the cards will be cheaper?

Is there a big difference between nvidia 285 cards and 295?

I mean my monitor only supports 1650 x max, so i dont think i need the top range 295 card if i am not wrong, or am i ?


Thanks in advance,

vairo
 
Hello,

I'm not the best person to ask about the higher end Nvidia cards but I'd say comparing one 285 with one 295 would result in a fair increase in performance in favour of the 295; but, as you say, your monitor wouldn't get the money spent out of a 295. Maybe worth a 285 - but only if you can get a cheaper one though. Otherwise I'd get a 260-216 or a 1gb 4870 / 4890. With these cards I doubt you'd need to upgrade your cpu and ram, mobo etc.

Hope this helps and keep your questions coming. :)
 
A 285gtx is basically an overclocked 280...but costs a lot more. Be better off getting a 260gtx an overclocking it. They o/c really well, so I've read.
 
vairo said:
Can you plz fortify that?

And would it be much betetr than mine Ati 2900XT 512mb ?

Thanks for 2 cents to arc@css as well. ;)
Click to expand...

The 4890 is about twice as fast as your 2900XT at high resolutions, especially when it comes to AA on, as the 48 series fixed AA issues. You will be able to play games at higher settings, with better overall framerate with the 4890.

He's said not to get GTX285, as they're too expensive with the 260s at the prices they are and the ATI deals around at the moment.

Your 2900 will still hold its own without AA, but soon as AA is switched on the 4890 will beat it over the head with a stick, although personally I dont think the 2900XT is as bad as some make it out to be, and my mate is still happy with his :D

With a resolution 1680x1050, a 260, 4870 or 4890 will all work really well with any game out there.
 
vairo said:
Can you plz fortify that?

And would it be much betetr than mine Ati 2900XT 512mb ?

Thanks for 2 cents to arc@css as well. ;)
Click to expand...

As above really, the 285 is obscenely overpriced. A 4890 would be a perfect upgrade imo. I have a 2900xt in my second rig and my 4870 is around twice as fast.
 
The GTX285 does have a few advantages over the GTX280.

1) You can still buy them new. The GTX280 was only sold off cheap because no re-sellers wants to be stuck with old stock. If it was still being made it would cost the same. (It cost Nvidia more to make than the new GTX285)
GTX285 prices are still around the same price as the old GTX280 was, because the pound turn into muck. ^^;

2) It only requires 2, 6 pin PCI-e connectors. GTX280 needs a 6 & 8 pin.

3) It uses less power, if you run it 24/7 for 3 years and pay the electic bill, you save make up the difference in price to the discounted GTX280. ^^

3.5) The 4890 also uses about 30w more than the GTX285, idle or under load, so in the long run they aren't so far apart. If you pay the bill. :D (Approx £20-25 extra per year if you run 24/7)
 
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Thanks for your help guys, i am still thinking what to do maybe i should wait for a bit longer since my 2900XT is doing great, a part of Crysis.

MY main need for this card probably would be for Crysis 3 when it comes out as well as Windows 7, they both should be out around September +, at least that is what i have heard.

BTW: this 4870 X2 2048MB looks like a proper beast. Holly mother of god. 2 in 1.

Anyone knows if there is gonna be any price drop for this card any time soon ? is there any new cards even more powerful coming out soon?

What about the noise level of 4890 ?

Today ill try to run FEAR 2 to see if i can still cope for a bit longer with this 2900XT i got.

But thanks for your help fellas.

Cheers
 
I suggest that you wait, you dont seem to be in a terrible need to upgrade really.

If you do, dont buy anything over 4870 1GB or GTX 260.

GTX 275 and 4890 are better but not enough to cover the extra cost. 285 is not worth it. Dual cards are not perfect and i tend to avoid them .
 
Okay cheers for the info, i was just playing fear, almost everything on max, great graphics, and only few time i get small short lag spikes, probably thats a memory issue. Anyways, looks like i can still wait for a bit longer and upgrate when ever before Crysis 3 comes out hehe. :)
 
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