I know you guys had hundreds of these threads, and I actually tried some searching sothat I might find something similar to my situation. But in the end, I really thought I should post my individual case; I hope you guys are understanding about this.
I have a desktop with E6600, 2GB Ram running with XFX Geforce 7950GT Extreme (512MB). I have been, for weeks, researching threads and many articles to get some insights on what I should do for my upgrades. I am entering a professional school from this coming August, and I plan on having not much time to gaming...this means I wanted to maximize my time left for summer and really have some good time. After enough (or too much) readings on everyone's opnion, I am thinking I should upgrade my GPU to 2X9600GT SLI and add 2G of Ram. I am thinking to use about 350 dollars or so around this price range...
I am currently using 19.5 screen monitor with resolution 1600X1200 (or a notch lower to 1280X1080 or something like that...). I would like to use as high AA as well in games like Crysis and Oblivion.
So, here are my questions:
1. I am wondering what you guys were thinking about how sound my idea is to upgrade my cards to 2 9600GT SLI. Some actually said go with 9800GTX (the overclocked version 770MHZ which is the same prize as 2 9600GT...), but I think my monitor resolution would be better off with two 9600s. Any expert opinion would be really helpful.
2.I am wondering whether 9600GT SLI would be limited by E6600. I am a complete novice with computer hardwares, and I have no idea how to Overclock CPUS. So, mine currently runs at 2.4/each as it was set from factory. And no, I don't know anyone who can overclock around me either, and I plan on using the CPU as it is, unless there are stores like Best BUy that actually would OC the stuff for some reasonable labor fee.
3. Would there be a big performance jump from 7950GT if I plan on using XP instead of Vista?
If anyone has a better idea about my choice of cards and any other upgrading features, advises would be helpful. Thanks a lot.
Message edited by Fading on 05-08-2008 at 04:59:35 AM
One 8800GTS 512MB would do well, but for crysis and Oblvion, SLI is great. Those are the two games I most enjoy my SLI 8800GT combo in. So 9600GT SLI is a good option also.
With windows XP, 2GB is fine.
And don't worry about the e6600 being a limit. It's fine, can be overclcoked if you desire, and that's what fsaa is for (letting SLI shine). By the time you crank the eye candy, the e6600 won't be much of an issue.
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MSI P6N SLI Platinum, Q6600, 2GB Crucial Ballistix Tracer PC8000, SLI BFG 8800GT OC 512MB, SB X-Fi Fatality, Antec TruePower Trio 550W, Windows XP pro
Thanks for the reply! BTW, what is "fsaa"? And just so that I don't misunderstand, you are saying my CPU wouldn't be a bottleneck for the SLIed 9600GT?
fsaa = full-scene anti-aliasing. (AA like you mentioned wanting to use).
The e6600 is still very good and would rarely hurt your actual gameplay. The CPU would be a limit in your 3dmark06 scores. It would also limit low resolution no AA gaming benchmarks(limiting to say 120 fps instead of higher if you OC'ed the CPU.) And some games are more CPU limited, not meaning your e6600 is bad (it's very nice), but meaning you won't really need SLI 9600GT or even a 9800GTX level card unless you really crank the resolution. A single 9600GT may do good enough in such a game.
But since you want to play 16x12 with high levels of fsaa in Crysis and Oblivion, you are a good candidate for SLI as those are very GPU limited settings for those games. Still there be parts of crysis and Oblivion that stress the cpu more. Oblivion around a town or around many NPC's. A large battle vs enemy AI or lots of physics effects in crysis. So it's not all cut and dry CPU limited or GPU limited. Sometimes it's your minimum fps that effect smooth gameplay that get CPU limited. You just have to try and make sure neither is out of line like running SLI 9600GT with a P4 3.0GHz or A64 4000+ or gaming with your CPU and a GF8500GT. With the e6600 you have a solid performing gaming CPU to build on so you now need a GPU solution that can handle those games at your desired settings.
Take a look at this comparison. And notice that given the right resolution & AA levels, a single 8800GT and even GTX can become the limiting factor. At lower resolutions the CPU's scale showing they are at least somewhat limiting the overall performance. But are they lowering it to where it hurts gameplay? They Test COD4, UT3, and Crysis with and without fsaa(AA). Crysis it happens quite early. Also keep an eye on the minimum fps that can vary by CPU, although actual gameplay would have meant alot more than a scripted flyby.
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardwar [...] /page5.asp
Message edited by pauldh on 05-08-2008 at 02:13:30 PM
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MSI P6N SLI Platinum, Q6600, 2GB Crucial Ballistix Tracer PC8000, SLI BFG 8800GT OC 512MB, SB X-Fi Fatality, Antec TruePower Trio 550W, Windows XP pro
IF you make those upgrades then later you will only need to upgrade to a direct x10 OS so you can take advantage of your video cards fullest potential and you can add those other two gigs of ram you were talking about.
For now, what your wanting to do will be a big jump in performance. Go for it...
1 of these will nearly keep pace with the 9600's in SLI.
Put 2 of these in SLI and you have a monster.
128 stream processors compared to 64 on the 9600GT.
If you like to turn up the eye candy, for the price there is no card right now that will touch an 8800GTS G92.
Thanks for the help guys! I looked at all the replies and links provided, and just decided to go with SLI 8800 GTS! I will be spending about 100 bucks more, but I think it will be worth it!
Again, thanks so much for the tips. I never found any other site so friendly and helpful.
