Is it worth getting a new video card?

Scythe X10 · 08-23-2008, 12:54 AM

Ok i've been debating if it's worth spending almost 400 bucks on getting a new psu and a new graphics card..

Right now my setup is a phenom 9600 quad core, 3gb of ram, and a nvidia 8500gt 256MB video card.. i get like 15 - 20 FPS in command and conquer 3 kanes wrath on low.. setting and like 20 fps in cod4 on med. basicly goes on like that.

What i plan on upgrading is the psu ( truepower trio 650 watt) and graphics card ( nvidia by egva egeforce 8800gt 512mb superclocked) which will ring in at around 400 bucks.. but the problem i'm facing, i don't know if i will be seeing a massive increase in fps. i want to be able to play most games i come across at high fps.. will i see high fps with this new gpu?

what fps would i be seeing with the new setup?

**Underclocker** · 08-23-2008, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scythe X10

like 20 fps in cod4 on med

That's rather odd, because I can run COD4 with all settings, except Specular Map, on High 1024x768 very smoothly on my box: P4 @ 2.59GHz, 1.5GB RAM and a 7600GT. Your system is definitely much faster than mine so try lowering the resolution a little.

Please post your temperatures and voltages, as well as the specs of your current PSU.

Scythe X10 · 08-23-2008, 04:38 AM

WOW.. I've done some research on this so called TLB bug for phenoms. I've disabled the TLBfix and those games shot up about 10FPS and theres almost no downside to disabling becuase i don't plan on overclocking.. So.. wow anyone reading this and you have a phenom check out the tlb thing.. honestly..

And idk if it matters anymore but.. right now all cores read 0%-5% load it's 33C but under alot of load it goes 45C-55C as for voltages.. idk.. every thing is stock on this computer model number HP M8400f

**FreoHeaveho** · 08-24-2008, 06:18 AM

The 7600 is a better performer than the 8500. You will see a MASSIVE increase in performaance from teh 8500 to the 8800.

Put it this way, i play at 1400 x 900 COD4 maxed (and i mean maxed - I use ntune to crank all settings even beyond the application limits) and i get between 70 - 100FPS.

Well worth it.

BTW, in future avoid the phenom, its not a very good cpu at all.

Scythe X10 · 08-25-2008, 11:55 PM

Aparrently the 9600 beats the q6600 in gaming when the tlb fix is disabled. TBH the reason why every one think it's bad is becuase all those reviews and benchmarks were done with the tlb fix enabled.. ( if you think im making it up, not trying to be offencive but do your research.)

But i really might get the graphics card.. eh if i see a sale i will def grab it.

vIrUs_32 · 08-26-2008, 02:11 AM

i got an e8500 oc'd to 4ghz, 8800 gtx and i play maxed settings, no lag like 180-210fps at 1280x1024

**emosun** · 08-26-2008, 04:07 AM

My pentium 3 pc can play call of duty 4. Really. Its a very forgiving game. I like it.

08-23-2008, 12:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
Scythe X10 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 64 OS: Vista32	Is it worth getting a new video card? Ok i've been debating if it's worth spending almost 400 bucks on getting a new psu and a new graphics card.. Right now my setup is a phenom 9600 quad core, 3gb of ram, and a nvidia 8500gt 256MB video card.. i get like 15 - 20 FPS in command and conquer 3 kanes wrath on low.. setting and like 20 fps in cod4 on med. basicly goes on like that. What i plan on upgrading is the psu ( truepower trio 650 watt) and graphics card ( nvidia by egva egeforce 8800gt 512mb superclocked) which will ring in at around 400 bucks.. but the problem i'm facing, i don't know if i will be seeing a massive increase in fps. i want to be able to play most games i come across at high fps.. will i see high fps with this new gpu? what fps would i be seeing with the new setup?

08-23-2008, 04:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Scythe X10 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 64 OS: Vista32	Re: Is it worth getting a new video card? WOW.. I've done some research on this so called TLB bug for phenoms. I've disabled the TLBfix and those games shot up about 10FPS and theres almost no downside to disabling becuase i don't plan on overclocking.. So.. wow anyone reading this and you have a phenom check out the tlb thing.. honestly.. And idk if it matters anymore but.. right now all cores read 0%-5% load it's 33C but under alot of load it goes 45C-55C as for voltages.. idk.. every thing is stock on this computer model number HP M8400f

08-24-2008, 06:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
FreoHeaveho TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 3,213 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 SP2, Windows XP Professional SP3, Mac OSX Leopard My System	Re: Is it worth getting a new video card? The 7600 is a better performer than the 8500. You will see a MASSIVE increase in performaance from teh 8500 to the 8800. Put it this way, i play at 1400 x 900 COD4 maxed (and i mean maxed - I use ntune to crank all settings even beyond the application limits) and i get between 70 - 100FPS. Well worth it. BTW, in future avoid the phenom, its not a very good cpu at all. __________________ PC Wizard-VGA 2009 Charts-Power Supply Info-Multi/Single Rail PSU?-Speedfan-Driver Sweeper

08-25-2008, 11:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
Scythe X10 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 64 OS: Vista32	Re: Is it worth getting a new video card? Aparrently the 9600 beats the q6600 in gaming when the tlb fix is disabled. TBH the reason why every one think it's bad is becuase all those reviews and benchmarks were done with the tlb fix enabled.. ( if you think im making it up, not trying to be offencive but do your research.) But i really might get the graphics card.. eh if i see a sale i will def grab it. Last edited by Scythe X10; 08-25-2008 at 11:56 PM.

08-26-2008, 02:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
vIrUs_32 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: washington state Posts: 162 OS: windows xp home sp3 My System	Re: Is it worth getting a new video card? i got an e8500 oc'd to 4ghz, 8800 gtx and i play maxed settings, no lag like 180-210fps at 1280x1024

08-26-2008, 04:07 AM	#7 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,950 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Is it worth getting a new video card? My pentium 3 pc can play call of duty 4. Really. Its a very forgiving game. I like it. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list