what gpu for part time gaming?

[mestizo73]

I am looking for a decent gpu for some part time gaming. I have a 22" lcd screen and would like to play a native resolution but dont mind dropping down a bit to keep the fps up. I play games on a completely part time basis I do mostly video encoding and recording hdtv work, but would occasionally like to play some of the latest games(cod4,world in conflict, assasins creed etc.) any recomendations would be greatly appreciated.

my system specs are:
Q6600 @3.00ghz
gigabyte x38 ds5
4 gigs of ram
ati x2600xt
1x 320gb hard drive and 1x 750gb hard drive
Zalman zm600hp psu

 

[emp]

Any of these two will be worth looking at:

XFX PVT88SFDF4 GeForce 8800GS 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150275

PNY VCG96512GXPB GeForce 9600GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133216

I'd get out of those two the 9600GT if I were you, a little bit more expensive but also slightly faster, and more importantly has 512MB of memory over the 8800GS 384MB. Any of those would do just fine though...

 

[wolfseeker2828]

Just for reference, the 8800gs is similar to the Radeon 3850 512 MB (at 1/2 the price) and the 9600gt is comparable to a Radeon 3870. The gs is a great deal. At a hundred dollars? I bought my Radeon 3850 for $200.

 

[mestizo73]

yeah I was thinking the 9600gt or the hd3850 or 3870, but leaning more towards the 9600gt.

 

[pchoi04]

I vote for the 9600GT.

 

[mestizo73]

here in australia I can pick up a 9600gt for $182, 8800gs for $179, 3850 for $233 and a 3870 for $265. By the pricing I should probally go for the 9600gt, but I was thinking if i got the ati cards i could go crossfire? In reality crossfiring a 3850 is probally overrated heh?

 

[nukchebi0]

No, but the 9600GT is still the option you should take.

 

[mestizo73]

yeah your probally right cause I dont game often and crossfiring the 3850 would put me out of my budget for 1 and 2 being a part time gamer a single card would be more logical heh.

 

[pchoi04]

If crossfire is in your future I would go 3870. I think for multi GPU setups you should always get the best single card that fits your desired budget will allow.

The difference between a 9600GT and a 3870 is probably pretty minute. But I think that the best pound for pound video of the ones you've chosen is the 9600GT, but of course on a X38 you would not be looking forward to SLI.

 

[mestizo73]

yeah thats the only reason I brought up the 3850 & 3870 is because I have a x38 with crossfire board. If i were gonna crossfire a 3850 I mize well just get a 8800gt or 8800gts.

 

[mestizo73]

so the 9600gt is the way to go heh?

 

[nukchebi0]

If you aren't planning on spending more money on a video card for a couple of years, yes.

 

[crusoe74]

here in australia I can pick up a 9600gt for $182, 8800gs for $179, 3850 for $233 and a 3870 for $265. By the pricing I should probally go for the 9600gt, but I was thinking if i got the ati cards i could go crossfire? In reality crossfiring a 3850 is probally overrated heh?

Wow, are the ATI cards that much more expensive than the NV cards in Australia? Both in UK & US the reverse is true.

In that case I concur with everyone else and say get the 9600GT

 

[mr_moon]

9600gt definetly but your configuration deserve at least 8800gt512
think about it and you will not be disapointed,its beter choice for everything
including your lcd ,9600 gt loses breath from 22" and up.
9600gt is only 30-40 euros cheaper than 8800gt512 it is a good investment,
and for future though,for long runs 8800gt is more payable than 9600gt and has a longer life span. Your choice