Ok, here is my dilemma. i have a dell vostro 410 with a Q6600 quad core, 4gb of ddr2 800mhz RAM, and an ATI 2400 PRO. I need a new video card, it really sucks. here are my current options, let me know what you think.
#1: ATI 4670 - $40 (after M.I.R.)
#2: NVIDIA 9600GSO - $55 (after M.I.R.) - comes with COD: world at war
#3: NVIDIA 9600GT - $65 (after M.I.R)
I am currently playing FarCry (the orginal), and I really want Crysis. I can play the demo OK right now. everything is on LOW and at 1024x762 res, which kinda sucks on my 1680x1050 22" monitor.
I am planning to buy the 260GTX once it gets closer to $125, but thats going to be a while and i want to play games now so i need something to fill the current gap.
Save up and get a 4850, there is no point in spending 65$+ on a GPU that will only give you a 20/30% performance increase. You will end-up in the same situation as you are in now. The 4670 and 9600 are weak cards specially for a game like Crysis.
I'd say go with 4670 for sure, it will keep up/beat those other two cards and give you more $ to save for the new one. You won't be able to play on high or anything for sure, but like you said, bridge the gap.
and don't hold your breath on the gtx260 dropping in price either, if nvidia really is shutting down the production of the gt200b chips (like the rumours has it, as they don't want to sell them on loss) there won't be any left around to sink to that price level...
and another vote on the 4670 (or 4770 4850/70)
Message edited by Kari on 10-21-2009 at 08:49:06 PM
Save up and get a 4850, there is no point in spending 65$+ on a GPU that will only give you a 20/30% performance increase. You will end-up in the same situation as you are in now. The 4670 and 9600 are weak cards specially for a game like Crysis.
That would be the best bet as its much better than the 260gtx you were planning on upgrading to later.
If you can afford it now, you won't waste the $50-$75 on the card to fill in the gap.
Im not trying to argue or start a debate, im just using this as my guide to things right now. But, according to the 2009 Q/3 high quality test:
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts [...] ,1447.html the 4870 is about 20fps SLOWER than the 260gtx from sparkel.
However i do not have the $125 now, i was just saying it will be a little while before i upgrade as i also need a new PSU to power this card. Im also not sure what my system can handle (VGA-wise) before something else is the bottleneck. I have PCIE 1.1, ddr2 system memory, and a Q6600 2.4ghz quad core processor.
I just want to maximize my computer before i build the next one so i need a card to fill the gap before cards start passing my computers ability.