GPU Decision

[veg1992]

Yeah, from what I've read before, a 4850 can power a 24" screen at 1920 x 1200, maybe not Crysis maxed out, but sufficiently, and probably most other games maxed out. So, for a 19" screen (1440 x 900), a 1GB 4870 should slay everything, including Crysis, right? Maybe not with all the anti-aliasing and anistropic filtering, but pretty dang high settings.

Does anybody know if my thing about lower resolutions like 1024 x 768 looking the same on smaller screens as higher resolutions like 1920 x 1200 on bigger screens? Because, if 1024 x 768 on my 15" screen looks the same as, or similar to 1920 x 1200 on a 24" screen, then I won't even get a new monitor with my build. I'll just stick with my 15" LCD, cause I don't care about having a big screen.

Believe me, then you should really consider dropping the HD 4850..

At 1024x768, the games tend to be more CPU Intensive than GPU Intensive.. I'd say get at least a 19'' or 22'' Widescreen monitors, those are the sweet spot for gaming

I play at 1440x900 and at that resolution I'd recommend at least a HD 3850 256mb (I have the 512mb though) and its a good balance between a low res and a good looking game (same applies for 1650x1080)

 

[Hussein19891]

Yeah Vernong is right. The 9600 GT, 9600 GSO, 3870 (GDDR4), and 8800 GT can handle a 19 inch monitor without any hiccups.

Save your self some money man and go for those cards instead.

 

[Mikepsyche]

Wow, so me getting a 1GB 4870 for a 19" widescreen is pretty ridiculous?

I mean, I'd like to stick with my 15" LCD at 1024 x 768, which should make any of my three GPU setups ridiculous overkill (seeing as how they're overkill with a 19").

Since a 1GB 4870 is more than enough for a 19" screen at 1440 x 900 (even for Crysis?), I guess I could get away with one 4850 (which I guess is still overkill?). Either way, I'm willing to pay for the 4870. So it comes down to whether 1440 x 900 on a 19" looks better than 1024 x 768 on a 15".

Wow. I think I'll still want at least a 4850 (1GB at that) so I can handle games 100% maxed out into the future. The 9600 GT, GSO, 3870, and 8800 GT would be fine for a 19" though? Even the most demanding games like Crysis, at full settings - 1440 x 900 with full AA and AF? If they couldn't quite do it, that's why I'd like to get at least a 512 4850 (all the way to a 1 GB 4850, 2 4850s in CF, one 512 4870, or one 1GB 4870)

-that last paragraph was an edit for after I saw Hussein's last comment-

 

[Hussein19891]

You have all that money. So instead of getting a 4870 why don't you get a single 4850 with a 22" monitor?

 

[Whirlwind]

I think you would only want the 4870 or the GTX 260 if you are gonna use a 22" or 24" monitor.

My XFX GTX 260 Black Edition handles my 22" at 1680x1050 with ease....and that includes having alot of AA enabled....the thing is a beast i tell you....plus it has a double lifetime warranty.........but it would be over kill for a 15" monitor for sure. If you got a 19" monitor....I would even say either the 4870 or GTX 260 would be ok....because you would be alittle future proof....if there is such a thing.

 

[Mikepsyche]

Yeah, the biggest I want for a monitor is 19". And actually, I'm changing that to a 17" LCD. IF I get a new monitor with the build. So, from what most all of you have said, a single 4850 will max most games with a 22" or 24" monitor. If I get one 1GB 4850 for a 17" monitor, I should be able to max out all games, including Crysis, with full AA and AF. Right?

And if I end up using my 15" 1024 x 768, Crysis at 100% (full AA and AF) should be a walk in the park.

-This 1GB 4850 will probably be with an i7 920 (OC'ed to 3.2ghz), cheapest i7 mobo, 3 GB of DDR3 Triple Channel 1600 RAM- and a 15" or 17" monitor. So I should be able to destroy every game for some time, right?

 

[1337_JohnN]

Why do you want a small monitor? You know you caan play most games on max, with a 52" HDTV with a 4850?

 

[Mikepsyche]

I don't know; I guess it's just that I REALLY want to make sure I can max out any game. And I really could care less about how big the monitor is, seeing as how my face will be like 8 inches away from it.

The 4850 is well under what I was expecting to pay, so getting that with the assurance that I'll easily be able to max out any game (including Crysis) on a 17" monitor is good for me. If I suddenly start wanting a bigger monitor, I'll have the GPU to handle it. Since I won't, I'll probably just be a little future-proof.

So, the bottom line:
If I get one 1GB or 512MB 4850 with my new build on a 15" (1024 x 768), 17"(1440 x 900), or 19"(1440 x 900), I'll be able to max out every game including Crysis, with full AA and AF?

 

[Hussein19891]

Your money your choice. Bigger monitor would have been a bigger improvement on the gaming experience in my opinion.

Also there is NO such thing as future proof.

20 years ago 20MB of hard drive space was considered future proof.

 

[veg1992]

I don't know; I guess it's just that I REALLY want to make sure I can max out any game. And I really could care less about how big the monitor is, seeing as how my face will be like 8 inches away from it.

The 4850 is well under what I was expecting to pay, so getting that with the assurance that I'll easily be able to max out any game (including Crysis) on a 17" monitor is good for me. If I suddenly start wanting a bigger monitor, I'll have the GPU to handle it. Since I won't, I'll probably just be a little future-proof.

So, the bottom line:
If I get one 1GB or 512MB 4850 with my new build on a 15" (1024 x 768), 17"(1440 x 900), or 19"(1440 x 900), I'll be able to max out every game including Crysis, with full AA and AF?

It should on a 15'' But I can't guarantee it