Been running games fairly smooth at 1920x1200 for the past couple years, but the frames rates are finally starting to slow down a bit. For Examples Star Craft2 was playable, but FPS wasn't quite as good as I'd like. I'd like to get another year out of this gaming rig if I could by upgrading the graphics card, but unsure of what cards would be a good upgrade to. I don't want to make the mistake of going overkill and getting a $400 card when a $200 would do the same thing in this 2.5 yr old beast.

Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L
Q6600 G0
G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL4D-4GBPK
EVGA 8800 GTS G92
Tuniq Tower
Vista Ultimate x64
26" Planar PX2611W (1920x1200)
3DMARK06= 13,961 (11,800 before overclock)

Ah the G92 8800gts 512mb.. Such a great card. I had one myself.

If you can spend $240 to $260 on a GPU, I'd recommend the AMD 6870.

If you can spend $190 to $210 on the GPU, go for the GTX 460 1GB. This can be quickly overclocked to match the 6870's performance level.

Edit- I should have asked.. what power supply are you running?

do NOT buy a gtx 460. The 580 gtx is already out so that means soon there will be a 560 gtx and lower end cards.

I appreciatethe recommendations.Can my power supply handle it?

PC Power and Cooling S61EPS 610W Continuous @ 40°C EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7

PSU PCPWRCL|S610EPS RT

17-703-005

I appreciatethe recommendations.Can my power supply handle it?

PC Power and Cooling S61EPS 610W Continuous @ 40°C EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7

PSU PCPWRCL|S610EPS RT

17-703-005

psilocybn

do NOT buy a gtx 460. The 580 gtx is already out so that means soon there will be a 560 gtx and lower end cards.

blaznwiipspman1

From the looks of things, the GTX 560 will just be a GTX 460 1GB with an extra 48 cuda cores. An OC'd GTX 460 should keep up with it. Plus you can bet that the GTX 560 will be more in the $240 to $250 range.

some thing cheap, a 5770. something strong and long lasting (u'll replace teh CPU before u replace the GPU) a gtx 560

How comes your psu is compatible with i7 yet all your other hardware is older than i7's release date, thats funny :DSPBoss

I couldn't even remember what power supply I had, so I had to look up the part number from my original New Egg invoice and search on the site. I guess they updated the description.

I built this box for $895+ tax on 03/04/08. Bought25 or so PC games in that time and they all played on high settings at 1920x1200. (except Crysis of course)

So when guys on this site say you can build a great gaming pc for under $1000 it's no joke!

Heck you could build a decent one that is more powerful than consoles for $400 ;)SPBoss

That is pushing it. My 6870 is more than half of that price.

[QUOTE="SPBoss"]Heck you could build a decent one that is more powerful than consoles for $400 ;)desertpython

That is pushing it. My 6870 is more than half of that price.

[QUOTE="SPBoss"]Heck you could build a decent one that is more powerful than consoles for $400 ;)desertpython

That is pushing it. My 6870 is more than half of that price.

It wouldn't be hard at all. All you need is any decent dual, triple, or quad-core CPU, pretty much any high-end GPU from 2006 or midrange or better GPU from 2007+, at least 2GB of RAM.. and you're set.

[QUOTE="SPBoss"]Heck you could build a decent one that is more powerful than consoles for $400 ;)desertpython

That is pushing it. My 6870 is more than half of that price.

[QUOTE="desertpython"]

[QUOTE="SPBoss"]Heck you could build a decent one that is more powerful than consoles for $400 ;)ferret-gamer

That is pushing it. My 6870 is more than half of that price.

[QUOTE="ferret-gamer"]

[QUOTE="desertpython"]

That is pushing it. My 6870 is more than half of that price.

SPBoss

How could you build a system capable of 1080p gaming for that price? If you can't play 1080 on a PC you should buy a console.

[QUOTE="SPBoss"][QUOTE="ferret-gamer"] I build a PC more powerful than a console for $450 back in 2008

desertpython

How could you build a system capable of 1080p gaming for that price? If you can't play 1080 on a PC you should buy a console.

It's called being smart about the parts you buy.

And some people like PC gaming better because keyboard/mouse is far superior to a crappy controller.

FPS on consoles are stupid. The whole point of an FPS is having better aim/timing/skill than everyone else. On a console your mental reaction time doesn't need to be nearly as good.

[QUOTE="SPBoss"][QUOTE="ferret-gamer"] I build a PC more powerful than a console for $450 back in 2008

desertpython

How could you build a system capable of 1080p gaming for that price? If you can't play 1080 on a PC you should buy a console.

[QUOTE="SPBoss"][QUOTE="ferret-gamer"] I build a PC more powerful than a console for $450 back in 2008

desertpython

How could you build a system capable of 1080p gaming for that price? If you can't play 1080 on a PC you should buy a console.

Why? The current-gen consoles render games at 720p or below, and at settings that are the equivalent of running the PC versions on medium settings, sometimes with a few settings on high. If I can run PC games at 720p or better, at those settings or better, I have a better gaming experience than the consoles. Being able to run the games at a resolution higher than 1280x720 on high or max settings is just a bonus, and what really sets PC graphics apart.

[QUOTE="desertpython"]

[QUOTE="SPBoss"] Its a shame on system wars how most consolists think it costs more.. i always lol at themhartsickdiscipl

How could you build a system capable of 1080p gaming for that price? If you can't play 1080 on a PC you should buy a console.

Why? The current-gen consoles render games at 720p or below, and at settings that are the equivalent of running the PC versions on medium settings, sometimes with a few settings on high. If I can run PC games at 720p or better, at those settings or better, I have a better gaming experience than the consoles. Being able to run the games at a resolution higher than 1280x720 on high or max settings is just a bonus, and what really sets PC graphics apart.

[QUOTE="hartsickdiscipl"]

[QUOTE="desertpython"]

How could you build a system capable of 1080p gaming for that price? If you can't play 1080 on a PC you should buy a console.

SPBoss

Why? The current-gen consoles render games at 720p or below, and at settings that are the equivalent of running the PC versions on medium settings, sometimes with a few settings on high. If I can run PC games at 720p or better, at those settings or better, I have a better gaming experience than the consoles. Being able to run the games at a resolution higher than 1280x720 on high or max settings is just a bonus, and what really sets PC graphics apart.

yep 100% correct

Also with computer games, you are typically pretty close, and on consoles you are pretty far away, so the crappiness of console graphics is a little bit hidden

[QUOTE="SPBoss"][QUOTE="hartsickdiscipl"]

Why? The current-gen consoles render games at 720p or below, and at settings that are the equivalent of running the PC versions on medium settings, sometimes with a few settings on high. If I can run PC games at 720p or better, at those settings or better, I have a better gaming experience than the consoles. Being able to run the games at a resolution higher than 1280x720 on high or max settings is just a bonus, and what really sets PC graphics apart.

NailedGR

yep 100% correct

Also with computer games, you are typically pretty close, and on consoles you are pretty far away, so the crappiness of console graphics is a little bit hidden

Sitting close to an HDTV while playing Xbox 360 looks like crap to me. It's amazing how much sitting 5-6+ feet away hides the jaggies, muddy textures, and low res.

[QUOTE="NailedGR"]

[QUOTE="SPBoss"] Well said, plus the majority of major games (COD) don't even run at 720p which is abysmal in my opinion Console games look good on small screens, when you go above 32" they start to look terrible on my 50" while testing a few ps3 games all I see is jaggies, low textures and overuse of bloom to hide the fact draw distance is a major issue on consoleshartsickdiscipl

yep 100% correct

Also with computer games, you are typically pretty close, and on consoles you are pretty far away, so the crappiness of console graphics is a little bit hidden

Sitting close to an HDTV while playing Xbox 360 looks like crap to me. It's amazing how much sitting 5-6+ feet away hides the jaggies, muddy textures, and low res.

I wonder if this is why console gamers don't get that their games look like garbage? They are all playing from 10+ feet away

[QUOTE="hartsickdiscipl"]

[QUOTE="NailedGR"]

yep 100% correct

Also with computer games, you are typically pretty close, and on consoles you are pretty far away, so the crappiness of console graphics is a little bit hidden

NailedGR

Sitting close to an HDTV while playing Xbox 360 looks like crap to me. It's amazing how much sitting 5-6+ feet away hides the jaggies, muddy textures, and low res.

I wonder if this is why console gamers don't get that their games look like garbage? They are all playing from 10+ feet away

That's exactly what it is. That, and the fact that they don't realize their consoles are made from outdated, neutered PC parts.

The point is that I wouldn't bother playing any current games below 1080p on a PC, even if they are worse on console.

The point is that I wouldn't bother playing any current games below 1080p on a PC, even if they are worse on console.

desertpython

The point is that I wouldn't bother playing any current games below 1080p on a PC, even if they are worse on console.

desertpython

Yeah.. but we're not really sure why.

[QUOTE="desertpython"]

The point is that I wouldn't bother playing any current games below 1080p on a PC, even if they are worse on console.

hartsickdiscipl

Yeah.. but we're not really sure why.

Its a choice, nothing more.

[QUOTE="NailedGR"]

[QUOTE="hartsickdiscipl"]

Sitting close to an HDTV while playing Xbox 360 looks like crap to me. It's amazing how much sitting 5-6+ feet away hides the jaggies, muddy textures, and low res.

hartsickdiscipl

I wonder if this is why console gamers don't get that their games look like garbage? They are all playing from 10+ feet away

That's exactly what it is. That, and the fact that they don't realize their consoles are made from outdated, neutered PC parts.

[QUOTE="hartsickdiscipl"]

[QUOTE="desertpython"]

The point is that I wouldn't bother playing any current games below 1080p on a PC, even if they are worse on console.

desertpython

Yeah.. but we're not really sure why.

Its a choice, nothing more.

As long as you understand your choice is completely arbitrary and without any discernable logic.

[QUOTE="desertpython"]

[QUOTE="hartsickdiscipl"]

Yeah.. but we're not really sure why.

NailedGR

Its a choice, nothing more.

As long as you understand your choice is completely arbitrary and without any discernable logic.

Precisely. Just like everything else in the world.

[QUOTE="hartsickdiscipl"]

[QUOTE="desertpython"]

The point is that I wouldn't bother playing any current games below 1080p on a PC, even if they are worse on console.

desertpython

Yeah.. but we're not really sure why.

Its a choice, nothing more.

[QUOTE="desertpython"]

[QUOTE="hartsickdiscipl"]

Yeah.. but we're not really sure why.

ferret-gamer

Its a choice, nothing more.

Why? You don't need a reason for anything.

[QUOTE="ferret-gamer"][QUOTE="desertpython"]

Its a choice, nothing more.

desertpython

Why? You don't need a reason for anything.

Maybe you don't but everyone else does.

I need a damn good reason to jump off a bridge, I won't do it for no reason.

[QUOTE="NailedGR"]

[QUOTE="desertpython"]

Its a choice, nothing more.

desertpython

As long as you understand your choice is completely arbitrary and without any discernable logic.

Precisely. Just like everything else in the world.

Maybe your parents taught you: "Because I say so" was a valid reason, but, I, for one, was taught that that type of reasoning was unacceptable.

[QUOTE="ferret-gamer"][QUOTE="desertpython"]

Its a choice, nothing more.

desertpython

Why? You don't need a reason for anything.

[QUOTE="desertpython"]

[QUOTE="ferret-gamer"] " If you can't play 1080 on a PC you should buy a console." You shouldnt make statements of recommendation like that if you have no real reason whatsoever to do so.ferret-gamer

Why? You don't need a reason for anything.

Right. Now I need to justify myself. It isn't going to happen.

[QUOTE="ferret-gamer"][QUOTE="desertpython"]

Why? You don't need a reason for anything.

desertpython

Right. Now I need to justify myself. It isn't going to happen.

That's because you can't. Thank you and goodbye.

[QUOTE="ferret-gamer"][QUOTE="desertpython"]

Why? You don't need a reason for anything.

desertpython

Right. Now I need to justify myself. It isn't going to happen.

When you're giving someone advice on tech, or on other measurable things.. It's a good idea to have some sort of real justification for why you're making a recommendation, other than "because I said so."

[QUOTE="desertpython"]

[QUOTE="ferret-gamer"] You do when you are telling someone they should or shouldnt do something and implying they were wrong to do something.NailedGR

Right. Now I need to justify myself. It isn't going to happen.

That's because you can't. Thank you and goodbye.

Can't? You must be retarded if you can't see this is just a choice.

[QUOTE="NailedGR"]

[QUOTE="desertpython"]

Right. Now I need to justify myself. It isn't going to happen.

desertpython

That's because you can't. Thank you and goodbye.

Can't? You must be retarded if you can't see this is just a choice.

A choice with no justification.

[QUOTE="NailedGR"]

[QUOTE="hartsickdiscipl"]

Sitting close to an HDTV while playing Xbox 360 looks like crap to me. It's amazing how much sitting 5-6+ feet away hides the jaggies, muddy textures, and low res.

hartsickdiscipl

I wonder if this is why console gamers don't get that their games look like garbage? They are all playing from 10+ feet away

That's exactly what it is. That, and the fact that they don't realize their consoles are made from outdated, neutered PC parts.

custom IBM cpus aren't neutered PC parts.....

[QUOTE="hartsickdiscipl"]

[QUOTE="NailedGR"]

I wonder if this is why console gamers don't get that their games look like garbage? They are all playing from 10+ feet away

kungfool69

That's exactly what it is. That, and the fact that they don't realize their consoles are made from outdated, neutered PC parts.

custom IBM cpus aren't neutered PC parts.....

When they're coupled with a crippled GPU from 2005, they may as well be.

[QUOTE="kungfool69"]

[QUOTE="hartsickdiscipl"]

That's exactly what it is. That, and the fact that they don't realize their consoles are made from outdated, neutered PC parts.

hartsickdiscipl

in 2005 the XEON was ahead of its time. what will happen now? ahead of its time now will be massive and expensive!

custom IBM cpus aren't neutered PC parts.....

When they're coupled with a crippled GPU from 2005, they may as well be.

[QUOTE="hartsickdiscipl"]

[QUOTE="kungfool69"]

in 2005 the XEON was ahead of its time. what will happen now? ahead of its time now will be massive and expensive!

custom IBM cpus aren't neutered PC parts.....

kungfool69

When they're coupled with a crippled GPU from 2005, they may as well be.

guess what, the hardware is outdated

When I play on a console I feel very bad. Not so much because of the low-end graphics, bad resolution or the controller but because I feel like a stupid american teenager. No offense to american teenagers but you got to admit it they are stupid.

When I play on a console I feel very bad. Not so much because of the low-end graphics, bad resolution or the controller but because I feel like a stupid american teenager. No offense to american teenagers but you got to admit it they are stupid.

jernas

wow, racist much?

some of us prefer certain genres and titles on console. i actually stand a chance playing online there. i rock serious socks playing Halo reach online, but trying to play CS:S......gawd damn those kids are good at that game!