OK, so I've been a long time lurker, first time poster. I have to say that you all have been very helpful over the years.
Well, I went the cheap-o lazy route last year when I wanted a new computer, and got myself a Dell E521.
AMD X2 4400+
2gig 800mhz ram
8600gt 256mb graphics card (stock, tried OC but it was never stable)
450W PS upgraded from stock 305W
20" display at 1440x900
Windows XP sp2
I've been pretty happy with my graphics card and my rig, it's played everything I own at decent frame rates (CS:S maxed at 50+fps, CoD4 smoothly with almost everything max, Flight Sim X suffers if not at medium, and Oblivion honestly was almost not playable- every time I got on a horse it was like a slideshow, Medieval 2 plays well at almost all maxed, TF2 and Portal all very good)
But I really want that "next gen" look and feel, mostly for GTA:IV
My budget is anything under $200
If you all say that I should wait, what should I wait for, and until when? I mean, looking at newegg, I can get a nice 8800gt (which seems to be popular) for about $150 after rebates. Will it go down much more? By the time GTA 4 comes out to PC will a better card be $150?
Thanks for all the help!
Well, I went the cheap-o lazy route last year when I wanted a new computer, and got myself a Dell E521.
AMD X2 4400+
2gig 800mhz ram
8600gt 256mb graphics card (stock, tried OC but it was never stable)
450W PS upgraded from stock 305W
20" display at 1440x900
Windows XP sp2
I've been pretty happy with my graphics card and my rig, it's played everything I own at decent frame rates (CS:S maxed at 50+fps, CoD4 smoothly with almost everything max, Flight Sim X suffers if not at medium, and Oblivion honestly was almost not playable- every time I got on a horse it was like a slideshow, Medieval 2 plays well at almost all maxed, TF2 and Portal all very good)
But I really want that "next gen" look and feel, mostly for GTA:IV
My budget is anything under $200
If you all say that I should wait, what should I wait for, and until when? I mean, looking at newegg, I can get a nice 8800gt (which seems to be popular) for about $150 after rebates. Will it go down much more? By the time GTA 4 comes out to PC will a better card be $150?
Thanks for all the help!