Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: bmwgs on October 17, 2011, 02:37:48 PM
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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
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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
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Display Devices
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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
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Sound Devices
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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
---------------------
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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
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no price constraint, and no indication of the performance required. how is anyone supposed to recommend an upgrade beyond "something better"? :headscratch:
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Unless what you have isnt adequate in your daily computing stick with it. :devil
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no price constraint, and no indication of the performance required. how is anyone supposed to recommend an upgrade beyond "something better"? :headscratch:
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
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Unless what you have isnt adequate in your daily computing stick with it. :devil
Sure it is, just looking for something better.
Fred
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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
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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 (http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2011-gaming-graphics-charts/3DMark11-Enthusiast,2660.html) 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 !
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Fred, have you thought about upgrading your windows to a 64bit version to fully utilize your current rig?
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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 (http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2011-gaming-graphics-charts/3DMark11-Enthusiast,2660.html) 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
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Why aren't you using the native resolution for your monitor?
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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.
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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
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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
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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 :aok
edit: how are you connecting to the TV - HDMI cable?
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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
you didn't have something setup properly. what connection are you using on the tv and what's model number on it?
You are probably correct. In my case my eyes are old, and from my understanding better video card = better graphics.
Fred
you're just going to be tossing money out for basically nothing more than higher resolution capabilities and if you keep the resolution you have now, you won't see a difference.
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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 :aok
edit: how are you connecting to the TV - HDMI cable?
I have looked for such a thing in the TV settings and no luck. I will look again. Yes I am using a HDMI cable.
Thanks
Fred
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The overscan settings will be in your graphics card driver...not the tv. I know by experience how ATI/AMDs is setup, but it has been a while since i used Nvidia, so I am not sure where you would look. Maybe someone in here knows?
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The overscan settings will be in your graphics card driver...not the tv. I know by experience how ATI/AMDs is setup, but it has been a while since i used Nvidia, so I am not sure where you would look. Maybe someone in here knows?
depends on the television. my toshiba has it in an advanced menu. the older vizio i bought for my gf didn't have the option.
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just remembered my macbook did this with a panasonic 42", I dug out the TV manual and its under:
Menu -> Picture -> Advanced Settings -> 16:9 Overscan -> Off
make sure Viewing Mode is set to Game too, seems to reduce input lag somewhat (and it may force true HD settings.)
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just remembered my macbook did this with a panasonic 42", I dug out the TV manual and its under:
Menu -> Picture -> Advanced Settings -> 16:9 Overscan -> Off
make sure Viewing Mode is set to Game too, seems to reduce input lag somewhat (and it may force true HD settings.)
My TV is a Panasonic. I went through the entire menu and there are no overscan settings, but there is HD settings. I went to the second setting and I am able to run the native resolution.
Thanks, but y'all still haven't talked me out of upgrading my video card. :D
Fred
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I have a GeForce GTX 260 with Core i7 920 ($189.00) o/c'd to 3.8 on Win7 64bit, and runs everything (highest res and all candy) to the max and never goes under 60fps. Quite happy with it.
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After much thought, I decided to go with a
EVGA SuperClocked 015-P3-1582-AR GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP
I am also adding 6 more gig of Ram which will give me a total of 12 Gig. Do I need it, probably not, but I'm doing it anyway. :D
Fred
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Well I did it. TD installed the GeForce GTX 580 video card, 6 more gig of RAM, and changed my system to 64 bit. The difference is night and day. The 260 may have been good enough, but it is nothing compared to the 580. Sort of like going from a Volkswagen to a Cadillac.
Thanks to TD for doing all the work. Hit attention to detail is unbelievable.
Fred
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that's one BEAST of a card. congrats~ :aok