Time to upgrade my 6800GS?

cjonesct · 01-13-2009, 09:19 AM

Hi everyone,

I currently run a custom built gaming PC with:
Motherboard: ASUS GA-8I945PL-G
CPU: Pentium D 2.8GHz dual core
Power Supply: GTR P4-420w (model: ST-450 ATX12v)
Memory: 2gb (2x KData 1gb x16 DDR2 533)
GPU: NVidia GeForce 6800GS 256mb DDR3 PCIe (Immo3D)

I also run 2x 19" LCD monitors at 1280x1024.

The majority of my gaming is World of Warcraft, which I also play at full screen resolution of 1280x1024 on the primary monitor and Firefox and Ventrillo on the secondary monitor.

I have a decently fast internet connection (shared cable with download speeds of about 2600 kb/s according to Speedtest.net), however, I find I sometimes have to turn down the graphics settings in the game to improve playability.

When in a relatively unpopulated area of the game, I get about 30fps, but when there is a lot of activity going on I fall to less than 10fps.

I suspect this is due to the age of the card and am thinking about upgrading. My budget will only run to about $100, maybe $125 at a pinch.

So my question is, do you think I am GPU limited?
And if so, can you recommend a good card for this price range please?

Many thanks in advance.
Chris

**emosun** · 01-13-2009, 07:07 PM

Welcome to tsf.

We usually recommend not useing WoW as a gpu benchmark since it's an online based game. Things like the connection speed , stability , and the server speed can effect fps. Even someone with a top of the line machine can still lag in WoW. Or someone with a low end machine can get amazing fps. Thats not to say you couldn't upgrade, but if it doesn't improve don't be surprised.

You could probably move up to an 8600 or 9500. Wouldn't go any higher tho as your power supply won't be able to handle it.

01-13-2009, 09:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
cjonesct Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1 OS: WinXP Home v2002 SP3	Time to upgrade my 6800GS? Hi everyone, I currently run a custom built gaming PC with: Motherboard: ASUS GA-8I945PL-G CPU: Pentium D 2.8GHz dual core Power Supply: GTR P4-420w (model: ST-450 ATX12v) Memory: 2gb (2x KData 1gb x16 DDR2 533) GPU: NVidia GeForce 6800GS 256mb DDR3 PCIe (Immo3D) I also run 2x 19" LCD monitors at 1280x1024. The majority of my gaming is World of Warcraft, which I also play at full screen resolution of 1280x1024 on the primary monitor and Firefox and Ventrillo on the secondary monitor. I have a decently fast internet connection (shared cable with download speeds of about 2600 kb/s according to Speedtest.net), however, I find I sometimes have to turn down the graphics settings in the game to improve playability. When in a relatively unpopulated area of the game, I get about 30fps, but when there is a lot of activity going on I fall to less than 10fps. I suspect this is due to the age of the card and am thinking about upgrading. My budget will only run to about $100, maybe $125 at a pinch. So my question is, do you think I am GPU limited? And if so, can you recommend a good card for this price range please? Many thanks in advance. Chris

01-13-2009, 07:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 7,064 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Time to upgrade my 6800GS? Welcome to tsf. We usually recommend not useing WoW as a gpu benchmark since it's an online based game. Things like the connection speed , stability , and the server speed can effect fps. Even someone with a top of the line machine can still lag in WoW. Or someone with a low end machine can get amazing fps. Thats not to say you couldn't upgrade, but if it doesn't improve don't be surprised. You could probably move up to an 8600 or 9500. Wouldn't go any higher tho as your power supply won't be able to handle it. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list