Video Card Question (AGAIN)

[bmwgs]

OK, here is the scoop.  I am planning on upgrading my video card in the near future.  I have started looking at various cards, and I might as well be reading Greek.  That wouldn't be a problem, but I don't speak Greek.

I currently have a G Force 260.  The only game I play on my computer is Aces High.  The only other thing I do is some web surfing and word processing, basically minor stuff. I am looking for the best bang for the buck for my needs.  In the past, questions like mine usually gets a response asking how much I want to spend.  Well, lets take that out of the equation.  Don't worry about the price, I will decide that later.  What I am asking is for the local experts here to recommend that they feel is an adequate upgrade that my system can handle.  A line or two as to why you think it is would be great.

Below I am posting my system information.  My PS is OCZ OCZ GameXStream 850W PSU OCZ850GXSSLI Premium Gamer and Enthusiast, LED 120mm Fan, SLI 140.

Thanks

Fred


System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/17/2011, 14:25:48
       Machine name: FRED-PC
   Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110622-1506)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: OEM
       System Model: OEM
               BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU         920  @ 2.67GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
             Memory: 6144MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 2552MB RAM
          Page File: 910MB used, 4189MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
   User DPI Setting: 120 DPI (125 percent)
 System DPI Setting: 120 DPI (125 percent)
    DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
     DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

------------


---------------
Display Devices
---------------
          Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260
       Manufacturer: NVIDIA
          Chip type: GeForce GTX 260
           DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
         Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_05E2&SUBSYS_12573842&REV_A1
     Display Memory: 1900 MB
   Dedicated Memory: 881 MB
      Shared Memory: 1019 MB
       Current Mode: 1768 x 992 (32 bit) (60Hz)
       Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
      Monitor Model: Panasonic-TV
         Monitor Id: MEIA08F
        Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (60.000Hz)
        Output Type: DVI
        Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver File Version: 8.17.0012.5896 (English)
     Driver Version: 8.17.12.5896
        DDI Version: 10
       Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
  Driver Attributes: Final Retail
   Driver Date/Size: 7/9/2010 17:37:00, 9818728 bytes
        WHQL Logo'd: Yes
    WHQL Date Stamp:
  Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-46A2-11CF-FA4C-5B321FC2C535}
          Vendor ID: 0x10DE
          Device ID: 0x05E2
          SubSys ID: 0x12573842
        Revision ID: 0x00A1
 Driver Strong Name: oem49.inf:NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTx86.6.1:Section003:8.17.12.5896:pci\ven_10de&dev_05e2
     Rank Of Driver: 00E62001
        Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeVC1_C ModeWMV9_C
  
       D3D9 Overlay: Supported
            DXVA-HD: Supported
       DDraw Status: Enabled
         D3D Status: Enabled
         AGP Status: Enabled

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
            Description: Speakers (Creative SB X-Fi)
 Default Sound Playback: Yes
 Default Voice Playback: Yes
            Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_000B&SUBSYS_00411102&REV_04
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1348 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 7/7/2010 14:14:20, 537048 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: Creative
         HW Accel Level: Basic
              Cap Flags: 0xF1F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

            Description: Speakers (Logitech USB Headset)
 Default Sound Playback: No
 Default Voice Playback: No
            Hardware ID: USB\VID_046D&PID_0A14&REV_0130&MI_00
        Manufacturer ID: 65535
             Product ID: 65535
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: USBAUDIO.sys
         Driver Version: 6.01.7601.17514 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 11/20/2010 04:59:44, 80768 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: Microsoft
         HW Accel Level: Basic
              Cap Flags: 0xF1F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

---------------------  

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Start by reading this, it should give you general pointers on where you are and what you can get. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-performance-radeon-geforce,3018.html

[RTHolmes]

no price constraint, and no indication of the performance required. how is anyone supposed to recommend an upgrade beyond "something better"?

[Chalenge]

Unless what you have isnt adequate in your daily computing stick with it. 

[bmwgs]

no price constraint, and no indication of the performance required. how is anyone supposed to recommend an upgrade beyond "something better"?

Exactly.  I stated something better than what I have, and don't worry about the price.  Not sure I can put it any other way.

Fred

[bmwgs]

Unless what you have isnt adequate in your daily computing stick with it. 

Sure it is, just looking for something better.

Fred

[bmwgs]

Start by reading this, it should give you general pointers on where you are and what you can get. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-performance-radeon-geforce,3018.html

Thanks, this is a good resource.

Fred

[The Fugitive]

Toms Hardware is the best place I've found over the years to check and rate video cards. If you check the 3DMARK11 2011 graphics cards they test all the cards in the same rig with the same test software and then list them by rating. If you check the bottom of that list, your card isn't even on it. So pretty much every card on that list is "better than what you have".

Click a few of the check boxes and compare them from there to narrow down your list. Once you get the list down to a couple you can then start comparing the clock speeds and tech info to see which one fits you best.

Good luck !

[Kermit de frog]

Fred, have you thought about upgrading your windows to a 64bit version to fully utilize your current rig?

[bmwgs]

Toms Hardware is the best place I've found over the years to check and rate video cards. If you check the 3DMARK11 2011 graphics cards they test all the cards in the same rig with the same test software and then list them by rating. If you check the bottom of that list, your card isn't even on it. So pretty much every card on that list is "better than what you have".

Click a few of the check boxes and compare them from there to narrow down your list. Once you get the list down to a couple you can then start comparing the clock speeds and tech info to see which one fits you best.

Good luck !

Thanks, another good resource.

Fred, have you thought about upgrading your windows to a 64bit version to fully utilize your current rig?

Actually I have. 

When I upgraded to Windows 7 I gave it some thought, and after thinking about it, I figured it was something I could really screw up.  This will probably get the Trolls rolling, but my rig was built by TD and it just so happens that the end of next month I will be in the Atlanta area.  I plan on having him install the new video card and go through my system to make sure everything is up to par.  I think I will discuss with him about switching over to the 64 bit version.  I rarely do anything major to my computer.  Working on computers is not a hobby for me, and I really have no interest in learning everything there is about them.

Thanks

Fred

[FLS]

Why aren't you using the native resolution for your monitor?

[Chalenge]

Sure it is, just looking for something better.

Fred

Unless you have a sudden urge to dive into BF3 or some other latest gen video game it would just be a waste of energy to change up cards. Your going to add heat and ask more of the PSU and so on. For word processing and playing AH you have plenty already.

[bmwgs]

Why aren't you using the native resolution for your monitor?

My monitor is a 42 inch Plasma Screen TV.  If I use the native resolution it cuts off the vox text and other things like the frame rate display.  I had to down size it a bit.

Fred

[bmwgs]

Unless you have a sudden urge to dive into BF3 or some other latest gen video game it would just be a waste of energy to change up cards. Your going to add heat and ask more of the PSU and so on. For word processing and playing AH you have plenty already.

You are probably correct.  In my case my eyes are old, and from my understanding better video card = better graphics.

Fred

[RTHolmes]

have a look for some kind of overscan setting on yr TV and turn it off.

AH will look 10x clearer running at native res, and be much less tiring on the eyes


edit: how are you connecting to the TV - HDMI cable?