Graphics for 19" screen

Jascomputerguy

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Hi Everyone I have a few questions to ask about building my first computer. At this point i have a 5 year old e machine and while it still works fine I would like to upgrade to a gaming computer. So I have all of my parts chosen except for my graphics card. My concern is it a waist of money to go with something like the gtx 275 or radeon 4890 with only a 19in screen? What do you think, will it be WAY overkill? If so tell me what you would get, Thanks!
BTW- I run at 1280 by 1024 and I would like to play games like H.A.W.X., Crysis, COD, Sims 3 etc
 

belial2k

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What are your other parts? At low resolutions you are likely to be cpu limited in most games, so unless you plan on upgrading to higher resolutions in the near future the 275 or 4890 is overkill. You should be looking at the 4850 for that resolution.
 
My 4850 maxes out everything except crysis at that resolution, and even crysis i can run smoothly on high, just not very high, i wouldnt suggest getting anything more than a 4870 or GTX260 as even those two are more powerful than you need.
 

Jascomputerguy

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My Parts list includes
cpu-amd II x4 940 3.0 ghz
MB- Gigabyte MA790x
RAM- GSKILL 4gb DDR2 1066
PSU- Rosewill XStreme 850watt (I know i dont need that much but got at amazing price)

 

Jascomputerguy

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Aug 4, 2009
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My Parts list includes
cpu-amd II x4 940 3.0 ghz
MB- Gigabyte MA790x
RAM- GSKILL 4gb DDR2 1066
PSU- Rosewill XStreme 850watt (I know i dont need that much but got at amazing price)

 

belial2k

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Well, as I said, with that system your weakest link is your resolution/monitor. Nothing wrong with low resolution gaming. I use a 32inch 720p HDtv for gaming @1366x768. But if you intend on keeping that monitor or staying at that resolution save the money and get a 4850...it will serve you well for years.
 

Jascomputerguy

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Okay cool thats great I'm glad that I posted this then thanks so much for the help. Lets just say though I where to upgrade to a 22 in screen would the 4850 still be adequate or would I then have to buy a new graphics card after the 4850
 
Depends on the resolution, the 4850 is still pretty good at 1680x1050, if you get a 1920x1200 monitor you will have to lower the details a bit, but prices are constantly dropping so its not worth paying twice as much for a card you dont need right now because when you upgrade your monitor they will be cheaper and you can just add a second in crossfire and it will still come out to be less than a 4890.