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X6800 cpu bound with a gtx280 or better?

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - X6800 cpu bound with a gtx280 or better?

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Debeucci   03-02-2009 at 09:46:16 AM

My 8800gtx finally pooped out yesterday and i'm thinking about getting a new vid card, gtx280, gtx285, or gtx295. My concern is, My cpu is a x6800 extreme edition 2.94ghz. Am I going to be cpu-bound? Is it a waste getting such nice video cards? What video cards would be more apropriate for that cpu?

Thanks!

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Debeucci   03-02-2009 at 09:53:05 AM
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Oh yeah. I'm also playing at 2500x1600 on a 30 inch screen if that is a variable in the equation.

thanks again.

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zipzoomflyhigh   03-02-2009 at 04:24:41 PM
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Yeah your going to bottom it out, try overclocking it to 3.5, you should be safe there.

------------------------------ P965/Q6700@3.2 8MB HD4850 OC Edition
4GB Corsair XMS 800
Vista64/Win7
Fatality 550w/Antec 300
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Debeucci   03-02-2009 at 04:42:14 PM
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Thanks for the input.

Unfortunately, I got the first gen 690i evga mobos, which is is kind of a pain in the ass. I haven't been able to OC it past 3.3 without stability issues. It's also seems that my current mobo is suffering from overheating, which caused it to crash. I'd rather not OC if possible.

What would be a good video card then, that would be appropriate for the x6800? Might as well get a cheaper card if I'm not going to get the benefit out of it.

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Helloworld_98   03-02-2009 at 06:16:48 PM
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GTX 260 or 4870 1gb would be my guess.

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wonderingwhatis   03-02-2009 at 07:01:15 PM
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Get the best video card that you can. At that resolution you are going to need it.
You shouldn't be too limited with a gtx285

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Debeucci   03-02-2009 at 07:13:21 PM
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Thanks for the input. My ol'x6800 at 2.93ghz core 2 duo won't be a problem then?
It's either that or just say hell with it and move to an i7 920.

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Bronze Graphics badge coozie7   03-02-2009 at 07:19:50 PM
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At that resoloution you should be looking at a GTX260 (216) or 1Gb HD4870 as a fairly direct replacemet for the 8800 but forget a 512Mb card, it`ll die at your resoloution.
If you`re thinking of an upgrade instead of a direct replacement, check out the reiews at Xbitlabs and Hardwarecanucks, both use your resoloution for testing and both have reviews on the cards you have in mind, just remember their test rigs may not be as fast/slow as yours so add/subtract frames accordingly.

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Craxbax   03-02-2009 at 08:30:24 PM
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+1 At your resolution the GPU is the limiting factor but as mentioned you will neeed at a minimum 260 GTX 216 or HD 4870 1gb for most current games.


Message edited by Craxbax on 03-02-2009 at 08:31:15 PM
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mrcrybaby   03-02-2009 at 08:40:29 PM
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have you considered the Sapphire 4850x2 ??? For higher resolutions, more gpu ram is always a good thing :) I'd go with 4850x2 or the 285 since it seems to be coming down in price lately. The gtx260 (216) is also quite a good card (I have the xfx black edition), but for that high of a resolution something with more memory would be better for you + more future proofy.

------------------------------ Asus a8n-sli // AMD Athlon64 x2 4800+ toledo 939 // 2gb ddr OCZ Platinum // xfx GTX260+ black edition // Tuniq 650w 80 plus psu // Antec p182b

 

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zipzoomflyhigh   03-02-2009 at 08:48:44 PM
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Well if you can afford a whole new platform with i7, got for it and get a 285.
However, your cpu will hang pretty good with a 285 at that resolution things are more video card dependent than cpu dependent. So I say if you cant overclock, go ahead and get the 285 anyways. You can always move it to your new platform down the road and maybe even add a second 285 later.

------------------------------ P965/Q6700@3.2 8MB HD4850 OC Edition
4GB Corsair XMS 800
Vista64/Win7
Fatality 550w/Antec 300
 Reply to zipzoomflyhigh
michaelmk86   03-04-2009 at 02:12:37 PM
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At this resolution the GTX295 is the limiting factor not your CPU. SO get a GTX295 or 4870x2.

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Bronze Graphics badge Bluescreendeath   03-04-2009 at 02:56:31 PM
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Get the 4870. It'll be only $150 in a week or so after the price cuts take into effect, and it outperforms the much more expensive GTX260. Don't bother with the GTS250 since that's just the 9800GTX rebranded.

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Debeucci   03-04-2009 at 06:53:25 PM
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Thanks for all the input. I ended up buying the best value bang for the buck card, the 4850x2 1g, in tom's recommendations I trust.

I really wanted to build a new computer next year, but the vid card crashing forced me to buy the vid card early. I'll just build a new comp next year and stagger my vid card/comp purchases every other year.

One thing, will my antec truepower 650 psu be ok with this card?

Thanks

Reply to Debeucci
invisik   03-05-2009 at 12:23:08 AM
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I advice you to pay a little extra and get the 2gig version at that resolution.
Your psu should be fine.

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