Need video card suggestions

[Deputy]

Well my attempt to upgrade my processor on my tower comp was a dismal failure. The Pent 4 3.2 gig processor arrived Saturday and one pin was broken off and a bunch were bent. Fortunately, I used Pay Pal, so I got a full and immediate refund. But that still left me with a Pent 4 2 ghz processor and the "need for speed".

[Lothar]

Why wouldn't you be a great fan of ATI? They seem to beat Nvidia right now. And from my experience the image you get is better also. But it is true ATI is less mediatized.

Anyway, I don't know much about it. I'm sure someone else will jump in and give you a good answer. I seems to me there are some really computer skilled people over here in the DDz.

[Deputy]

I've had ATI Radeon AGP cards in the past and wasn't that impressed with the performance. Also, the driver updates seem to be few and far between. I know nVidia is falling on tough times financially right now, but I've got an nVidia in my laptop and tower right now and the performance has been excellent. Plus they always seem to be on the cutting edge of technology. Just my opinion, of course

[Cold_Gambler]

Deputy,

take an hour and look at the GPU reviews on Anantech, Abitlabs and Tom's Hardware (amongst others).

The unanimous opinion with reviewers is that right now the price/performance ratio is with the ATI 4850 and 4870 series as compared to nVidia.

Just my 2 cents,

C_G

P-S: In my view (and personal experience), a single 4850 will do you just fine in IL2/1946

[Deputy]

Deputy,

take an hour and look at the GPU reviews on Anantech, Abitlabs and Tom's Hardware (amongst others).

The unanimous opinion with reviewers is that right now the price/performance ratio is with the ATI 4850 and 4870 series as compared to nVidia.

Just my 2 cents,

C_G

P-S: In my view (and personal experience), a single 4850 will do you just fine in IL2/1946

Think I'll pass on that. I've been reading other posts on here about the problems with ATI cards.

[Quazi]

Here is a 9800GT for $94 from Tiger Direct.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4131689&CatId=3585

Here is a eVga 9800GT from a seller on eBay for $96 with free shipping

http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-EVGA-512mb-GDDR3-9800GT-for-the-serious-gamer_W0QQitemZ290282228454QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCC_Video_TV_Cards?hash=item290282228454&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

Here is a superclocked 9800GT on eBay with free shipping for $129. 50MHz more on the gpu and 100MHz more speed on the memory

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-EVGA-GeForce-9800GT-Superclocked-512MB-GDDR3-128_W0QQitemZ350139422267QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCC_Video_TV_Cards?hash=item350139422267&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

And better yet and most of all, here is a 8800GTX with free shipping from a seller on eBay for only $100. His feedback rating is a little iffy, but nothing a little communications can't cure. And by reading his recent feedbacks and all from the last year I wouldn't have a problem purchasing from him myself.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nvidia-EVGA-GeForce-8800-GTX-Video-Card_W0QQitemZ300280708017QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCC_Video_TV_Cards?hash=item300280708017&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

[Deputy]

Thanks Quazi!!!! I need to find out one more thing before ordering a video card. The power supply on the comp is 500 watt. I may need to upgrade to a more powerful supply when I install the video card. Here's the one that gives me a woodie right now:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2700093&CatId=2535

It's an Ultra X3 1000 watt unit. I just need to get the comp first to find out if it will fit in the tower okay. The X3 dimensions are Length 7.50, Width 5.75, and Height 3.25 inches. I'm pretty sure that unless it's some super-powered supply like a 1200 watt version, the sizes are pretty much universal. But I want to measure the old one and make sure before ordering. It's a PITA to send that stuff back for a refund.

[Sid]

Hi Deputy, From Quazi's list I'm only familiar with the Nvidia 8800GTX as that is what I am running as a solo card along with an 800W power supply - it is more than adequate for this game.

Everyone's settings are different because of other hardware/software/tweaks etc. but I run mine with these settings and the latest Nvidia driver (180.48):

Anisotropic filtering Application

Antialiasing gamma correction On

Antialiasing mode

[Deputy]

WOW!!! Great info Sid!!! I'll check those settings when I get mine together. Is that a solo card that only uses up one or two slots when installed? Is your motherboard using 1.1 or 2.0 specs to run under? Mine will be 1.1. I hope that isn't a major handicap. Still gotta be better than the AGP I'm using now.

[Sid]

It takes up one pci-e x16 slot but as it's a deep card can obstruct the one below.The mobo is designed to take these cards so the other x16 slot is lower down the board so would be available for sli.

The mobo runs on 2.0. Don't know how 1.1 goes, I'm afraid