Author Topic: new video card/motherboard  (Read 331 times)

Offline Modas

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new video card/motherboard
« on: April 02, 2002, 07:40:57 AM »
!

I'm debating about upgrading my video card from my SB annhilator pro, to a GEF3.  My motherboard is an ABIT BX6 R2.  I believe that my motherboard only supports 2X AGP.  Will that create a bottleneck for a card that is running 4x  (or capable of running) 4X AGP?

Bottom line is, I don't want to upgrade if my motherboard is going to be a limiting factor and not allow me to take full advantage of the better card.

Thanks for the help!

Offline Lephturn

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« Reply #1 on: April 02, 2002, 08:08:59 AM »
You should have no problem.  AGP 2x vs. 4x is not a big difference.

Far more important is what CPU you are running in that board, as it is more likely to turn out to be the bottleneck.

Offline Modas

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« Reply #2 on: April 02, 2002, 12:49:59 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Lephturn
You should have no problem.  AGP 2x vs. 4x is not a big difference.

Far more important is what CPU you are running in that board, as it is more likely to turn out to be the bottleneck.




hehehe, updated my profile to show system specs.

The reason why I ask about the 2x vs 4x agp is I tried upgrading to a Ge2 something or other (don't remember exact version) which had 64 mb on it.  My FR in AH went from a solid hi 40's/lo 50's to 17-25.  Basically cut in half.  I'm not sure where the bottle neck is.  I figgered it was due to the 2x agp, returned the card, put the old one back in and everything was right with the world.

So I guess I'm cornfused as to what to do.

Offline Lephturn

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« Reply #3 on: April 02, 2002, 01:33:08 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Modas




hehehe, updated my profile to show system specs.

The reason why I ask about the 2x vs 4x agp is I tried upgrading to a Ge2 something or other (don't remember exact version) which had 64 mb on it.  My FR in AH went from a solid hi 40's/lo 50's to 17-25.  Basically cut in half.  I'm not sure where the bottle neck is.  I figgered it was due to the 2x agp, returned the card, put the old one back in and everything was right with the world.

So I guess I'm cornfused as to what to do.


That framerate hit was caused by some other issue.  There are quite a few possibilities.  With that CPU it will end up being the bottleneck, but you should see a nice increase in speed.  The biggest benefit of the GF3 would be that you could increase resolution, color depth, and\or turn on some Anti-Aliasing to get a better quality picture in AH at acceptable frame rates.  It's likely a good upgrade, and the GF3 will be fine for quite a while to play games on.  What do you have for a monitor?  If you are stuck with a 15" POS monitor, your better spending money there.  If you have a good quality 17" or 19", then you will possibly be able to increase the resolution you play AH in and get a much better quality image.

Offline Modas

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« Reply #4 on: April 03, 2002, 10:36:56 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Lephturn


That framerate hit was caused by some other issue.  There are quite a few possibilities.  With that CPU it will end up being the bottleneck, but you should see a nice increase in speed.  The biggest benefit of the GF3 would be that you could increase resolution, color depth, and\or turn on some Anti-Aliasing to get a better quality picture in AH at acceptable frame rates.  It's likely a good upgrade, and the GF3 will be fine for quite a while to play games on.  What do you have for a monitor?  If you are stuck with a 15" POS monitor, your better spending money there.  If you have a good quality 17" or 19", then you will possibly be able to increase the resolution you play AH in and get a much better quality image.


I'm running a 19" Hansol Monitor.  I'm currently running AH in 1024x768 resolution and I think I'm using 32 bit color, but can't remember for sure.  I know there is no AA turned on.  I'm getting good FR's now (hi 40's).  Will the GEF3 make that much of a difference in FR's?  Will I even be able to notice the increase?  Somewhere I heard that the eye can't detect anything over 25 FPS anyways.

Offline Lephturn

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« Reply #5 on: April 03, 2002, 12:09:04 PM »
With that monitor, you should be able to increase your resolution at least one notch and maintain framerates or increase.  With a GF3 Ti200 you may even be able to run 1280x1024 32 bit color and 2x FSAA for a very good quality picture.  At the least you can run your current resolution and color depth with as good or better framerates AND FSAA to make it look even better.  But with a decent 19" monitor, I think you should jump up one notch.  Your CPU may keep you from seeing much higher framerates... but your video card should allow you to go to higher resolutions and increased filtering and quality and maintain playable framerates.

Well, the eye cannot detect individual frames at over 25 fps... but that's if you are talking about a piece of film with no movement in the image.  For moving computer graphics without all the effects like motion blur that tv/film has, you can definately tell the difference between say 30 fps and 50 fps... I know I can.  60 fps is what I believe the limit is given the environment.  Basically, if you can hold 60 FPS at all times, your game should look and feel smooth at all times.  Personally, as long as my framerate in AH does not drop below about 30fps it plays just fine for me.  I really don't have a problem until the fr drops below about 20... then it's difficult to control and shoot.

Offline Modas

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« Reply #6 on: April 04, 2002, 08:15:33 AM »
Cool.  Looks like a new video card may be in order...