new graphics card for new system. NEED GAMER RESPONSES

[drip50291]

So I want to build a new system so I can do things most importantly play games more specifically CS:S. My computer (if you can call it one) is an HP t5720 (yea hahaha laugh at the kid with the kiosk as a computer...). I only have it because my dad always used to get me computers and all i would do is play games on it. So this one he made sure I couldn't play any games, he gave me a thin client running XP Embedded he had laying around at home. Biggest piece of **** ever. Lets just say its better to open up a new tab rather then clicking something and pressing the back button and loading the page over again. But yea my last computer I had was around $1000 nothing incredible but it played BF2 and CS:S. I got real into CS:S and thats probably all I'm gonna play if i build a new one. I think if i get a new pc thats better I might get into newer games. Are there any games better than Counter Strike: Source? I dont kno i'm asking you guys. So with that in mind, unless u guys can think of a game I'd play that needs better graphics, what card/s should i get that would run CS:S at max settings. Any other suggestions like monitor, cpu, and mem combo is greatly appreciated. And if you do suggest a game also suggest a card that would run it maxed out. And if someone says I should play crysis then they should buy me a card to run it. CSS players, if your running max settings tell me your resolution and card/s plz. ty


like i dont want to go with a $275 and find out I could have gotten a cheap one b/c realistically I want to build a budget gamer pc that can play CS:S but I cant help but sit here and think of building systems that are $3200. That might be a little over kill if i'm just playing CS:S

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

A lot of guys like crysis, but no card can run it full out. However, for the cards, you can find an ATI 4850 which is quite good for under 200 bucks. If you want to sacrifice performance a little but still get a good card, the nvidia 9600gt can be found for a little over 100. For 500-600 bucks you could actually put together a mean system not counting the OS.

 

[drip50291]

yea like i kno how the cards compare to each other and the best card for a certain range but I just don't kno what range I should be looking at. Like I could go for an HD4870X2 when it comes out but I just need a card that can run CS:S maxed out at 60 fps.

 

[gamerk316]

CoD 4 plays a lot like CS:S online, and Combat Arms is free, but has potential.

Most anything out right now can handle CS:S at 60 FPS. Heck, a 8600GT can handle CS:S at 60 FPS, and those cost $80, at most.

 

[major53]

Drip50291ATI 4850 which is quite good for under 200 bucks.
just about any $200 dollar video card will do what you are asking,also any 8800gt,8800gts and they are under $150.00.hope this helps you out.

 

[omicron_15]

A 4850 would give you plenty of power for CS:S actually a tone more then you need but it would allow you to play most games other then crysis at full detail.

As far as specs for CS:S I built my sister a computer 3 years ago with a nvidia 7000 series card that ran CS:S with full detail fine. Heck my old system with a Ti 4600 could run CS:S decently so you dont need that much power to run CS:S.

COD4 is a great game very similar to CS:S but with a bit more variety in weapons. I was not a fan of the other COD games mainly because I like the contemperary setting of games such as CS but if you havent checked it out I am sure you would really like COD4, the multiplayer is great and the single player is good aswell. The 4850 would let you play it with full detail.

 

[yadge]

Well I have an x1950pro, and I can get over 60 fps with everything at max, 1680x1050.

You don't need a great card to play it.

But I would still recommend a 4850, because it is a really good value, and you might want the power for future games.

 

[ahslan]

a cheap $30 HD2600xt can handle CS:S easily...thats the beautiful thing about the source engine...the spectrum of computers you can play on is sooooo broad...you can easily play on a low end pc and it still looks great...

Other shooters I enjoy: BF series (I have 2142 but my friends really like BF2), COD$ (<<A MUST!), Crysis (multiplayer is lacking though), UT3, and if you dont have it already, get the Orange Box (<<best value)

EDIT: forgot which gpu to recommend...the 4850 for sure...

 

[Nik_I]

it doesnt get much better than the 4850 at this point in time!!

 

[B-Unit]

Honestly, a 9600GT is practicly overkill for CS:S and would provide a great card for what you want to do. What size is your monitor/what res do you play at? 1280x1024 i would get the 9600GT, anything higher, grab an 8800GT ($150 and down). 3870 is a good option as well.

 

[The_Abyss]

You can get CS:S as an Excel game these days can't you?

 

[Cypressstreet]

I would have to agree with B-Unit. I have a 9600GT I run most of my games at 1280x1024. COD 4 I run at 90-100 FPS. I have not tested CS:S yet, but I did play the demo and it ran fine.

 

[eric54]

My last computer with amd 3500+ and x800xt ran cs:s at max settings in 1280x1024 (granted this was before HDR was implemented but nontheless its a baseline). If you have the money, go for 4850, best value out there at the moment. I cant recommend going uber high end just because it costs so much for what is really not much of a gain. The 4850 will get you by for a solid year, and by then you'll be able to get another card with better performance than the top of the line offered before. Spend 200 each year on gfx cards and you're set, upgrade the cpu every 2 years/new architecture and you're golden. You could very well stretch the useful value of 600 bucks over the course of 3 years and stay "with it".

Anyway i've strayed off topic, get the 4850, save your money, go mid-range for cpu since intels new architecture comes out next month (or so) and you wouldnt want to invest too heavily on tech that is going to be outdated and non-upgradable with future offerings from intel.

Best bet is to spend 400-500 less on the rig you're about to get, so get the minimum you need to get by until the next gen proc's become more affordable.

I recommend sticking to no more than 800 for your complete rig, get retail vista 64-bit so you can use it on the next rig you get. All the money you spend on a mobo and proc won't be upgradable with the new stuff intel is releasing. Going 2gig ram, 500gb hdd, 4850, mobo+cpu combo, good PSU, and OS should come to around 650-700 bucks. You dont benefit going high end at this point in time simply because we are so close to the next gen hardware being released.

EDIT: I just priced a very good system that includes everything but monitor for 741.92. It is very conceivable that you can game on a 24" LCD display, expect to spend 300-400 on that. The case+PSU bundle is very good, the PSU is an Antec Earthwatts, which has been proven to be excellent quality, the case is easy to build in too.

Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price
1

Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 2.53GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
Item #:N82E16819115052
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy
Add this item to your cart

$119.99
1

Western Digital Caviar SE16 640GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Item #:N82E16822136218
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
Add this item to your cart

$84.99
1

SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F
Item #:N82E16827151171
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Add this item to your cart

$26.99
1

Antec Sonata Plus 550 Black/ Silver Computer Case
Item #:N82E16811129037
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Add this item to your cart

-$70.00 Instant $179.99
$109.99
1

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4850 100242L Video Card
Item #:N82E16814102747
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Add this item to your cart

-$10.00 Instant $179.99
$169.99
1

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD
Item #:N82E16832116488
Return Policy: Software Return Policy
Add this item to your cart

$109.99
1
OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Item #: N82E16820227178
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy
Add this combo to your cart

BIOSTAR TForce TP43D2A7 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813138122
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy -$40.00 Combo
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate $159.98
$119.98
Grand Total: $741.92

Sorry for all the edits. You can add a 24" monitor for 369.99

BenQ G2400WD Black 24" 5ms, 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
Item #: N82E16824014173
Return Policy: [LCD] Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options) -$30.00 Instant $399.99
$369.99

Grand Total With Monitor 1111.91 <- Pretty effing good deal considering the performance you'll get for that! And you'll have a complete system that'll be competitive for quite some time!

 

[drip50291]

CoD 4 plays a lot like CS:S online, and Combat Arms is free, but has potential.

Most anything out right now can handle CS:S at 60 FPS. Heck, a 8600GT can handle CS:S at 60 FPS, and those cost $80, at most.

wo wo wo hold up. I play CoD 4 on X360 and its no where near CS:S. Is there a big difference between the 360 version and the pc version? How easy is CoD to mod? Probably not as easy as CS:S

 

[drip50291]

Honestly, a 9600GT is practicly overkill for CS:S and would provide a great card for what you want to do. What size is your monitor/what res do you play at? 1280x1024 i would get the 9600GT, anything higher, grab an 8800GT ($150 and down). 3870 is a good option as well.

Thinking of getting a 24 in so 1920x1200 and someone else recommend multiple monitor bc of my budget but I'm not looking to blow all my money although I would like to.

 

[ahslan]

My last computer with amd 3500+ and x800xt ran cs:s at max settings in 1280x1024 (granted this was before HDR was implemented but nontheless its a baseline). If you have the money, go for 4850, best value out there at the moment. I cant recommend going uber high end just because it costs so much for what is really not much of a gain. The 4850 will get you by for a solid year, and by then you'll be able to get another card with better performance than the top of the line offered before. Spend 200 each year on gfx cards and you're set, upgrade the cpu every 2 years/new architecture and you're golden. You could very well stretch the useful value of 600 bucks over the course of 3 years and stay "with it".

Anyway i've strayed off topic, get the 4850, save your money, go mid-range for cpu since intels new architecture comes out next month (or so) and you wouldnt want to invest too heavily on tech that is going to be outdated and non-upgradable with future offerings from intel.

Best bet is to spend 400-500 less on the rig you're about to get, so get the minimum you need to get by until the next gen proc's become more affordable.

I recommend sticking to no more than 800 for your complete rig, get retail vista 64-bit so you can use it on the next rig you get. All the money you spend on a mobo and proc won't be upgradable with the new stuff intel is releasing. Going 2gig ram, 500gb hdd, 4850, mobo+cpu combo, good PSU, and OS should come to around 650-700 bucks. You dont benefit going high end at this point in time simply because we are so close to the next gen hardware being released.

EDIT: I just priced a very good system that includes everything but monitor for 741.92. It is very conceivable that you can game on a 24" LCD display, expect to spend 300-400 on that. The case+PSU bundle is very good, the PSU is an Antec Earthwatts, which has been proven to be excellent quality, the case is easy to build in too.

Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price
1

Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 2.53GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
Item #:N82E16819115052
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy
Add this item to your cart

$119.99
1

Western Digital Caviar SE16 640GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Item #:N82E16822136218
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
Add this item to your cart

$84.99
1

SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F
Item #:N82E16827151171
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Add this item to your cart

$26.99
1

Antec Sonata Plus 550 Black/ Silver Computer Case
Item #:N82E16811129037
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Add this item to your cart

-$70.00 Instant $179.99
$109.99
1

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4850 100242L Video Card
Item #:N82E16814102747
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Add this item to your cart

-$10.00 Instant $179.99
$169.99
1

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD
Item #:N82E16832116488
Return Policy: Software Return Policy
Add this item to your cart

$109.99
1
OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Item #: N82E16820227178
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy
Add this combo to your cart

BIOSTAR TForce TP43D2A7 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813138122
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy -$40.00 Combo
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate $159.98
$119.98
Grand Total: $741.92

Sorry for all the edits. You can add a 24" monitor for 369.99

BenQ G2400WD Black 24" 5ms, 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
Item #: N82E16824014173
Return Policy: [LCD] Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options) -$30.00 Instant $399.99
$369.99

Grand Total With Monitor 1111.91 <- Pretty effing good deal considering the performance you'll get for that! And you'll have a complete system that'll be competitive for quite some time!

Pretty good setup...but I think you could change a couple of things in that list...

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122
Drop 1066 ram and go with ddr2800...if you're using vista, he's definitely gonna need the 4 gigs...

besides that...everything seems fine to me...

EDIT: just noticed that the reason you got the ram was because of the mobo combo...my bad...

 

[drip50291]

So yea that looks like a setup I'd be real happy with but what would be a good future proof setup if you think it would be worth it or not

 

[maximiza]

future poof is impossable right now all new sockets start showing up soon. Certain add-on cards can be moved over to a new system though.

 

[drip50291]

future poof is impossable right now all new sockets start showing up soon. Certain add-on cards can be moved over to a new system though.

o rly? thats lame. wont they still make some new cpus with 775 though?

 

[maximiza]

I belive so, some new 775's, I havent seen the latest roadmaps from Intel. As soon as the Native quads show up the curret ones should drop in price. I think is autum , next month.

 

[terror112]

I have played CS:S for three years and entered in (and won) many lan tournies, and I can tell you that you can run that game on almost anything. I originally ran the game on an FX 5500.

Scale: more >>> = higher margin of *game* improvement

(20fps) (60fps) (100fps+) (200FPS+) (250fps+)
FX5500>>>>6600GT>>7600GT>8800GTS320>HD4850

So after I purchased the 7600GT, I have noticed no difference in game quality due to the fact that FPS in CS:S that is over 100FPS is unnoticeable.