Curse

Tito Bad Boy Ortiz · May 04, 2008, 05:25 PM // 17:25

Hi i am looking to buy a new graphics card and it will be for guild wars only as its the only game i play on pc... could anybody recommend and link me (uk sites please) to some graphics cards which would run guild wars nice. At the moment my fps goes right down if im fighting and alot is happening on the screen (like 25-30fps) and its at around 60+ when nothing is on the screen, which is with a XFX Geforce 7900 GS. Im looking for a graphics card which wouldnt dip as much in fps in "busy" places, and would stay around 40-50+ all the time.

Help is greatly appreciated, thanks.

JAK3US · May 04, 2008, 06:10 PM // 18:10

I 7900gs is a very strong card. What resolution do you play on?

Then again, problem could be a weak CPU or not enough RAM. What are your system specs?

Tito Bad Boy Ortiz · May 04, 2008, 06:18 PM // 18:18

I play at 1280x1024 and I have:

Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit
Intel Pentium D 2.80 Ghz x2
2 gig ram
250 gig samsung hard drive

snaek · May 04, 2008, 06:19 PM // 18:19

"busy" places = more objects to render = more ram usage

more ram would help, but it could also be a number of things

ur prolly playin on max settin/resolution?

i wouldnt recommed it on a gs...
which is teh low-end model
opt for the gt or gtx for best peformance @ high graphics settings

natural_Causes · May 04, 2008, 07:07 PM // 19:07

I have that same video card, and it works fairly well, but like you said, FPS drops when it gets busy. I am thinking of buying another and setting up SLI in my system, because that would probably double performance. The only problem is finding one to buy, since they are so out of date now. Since you have Vista and a good CPU, i would recommend an 8800 or 9800 series card, since you would be able to play GW2 in DX10 when it comes out.

Unreal Havoc · May 04, 2008, 08:22 PM // 20:22

X1800 series renders GW perfectly fine on max settings and they cost relatively cheap nowadays. When I run at the reccomended settings it still runs well, loooks great, and has good FPS.

Sir Owns Alot EP · May 04, 2008, 08:23 PM // 20:23

Guild Wars does not truly require a good graphics card. I get a steady 20-30 FPS with a Nvidea 6800 with 2 GB of ram. Works well enough, and I play on 1280x1024.

Lania Elderfire · May 04, 2008, 08:52 PM // 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tito Bad Boy Ortiz

I play at 1280x1024 and I have:

Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit
Intel Pentium D 2.80 Ghz x2
2 gig ram
250 gig samsung hard drive

That Pentium D is your main problem. The pentium D's and pentium 4's had a horrible archetecture (netburst), compared to the new Core2's... The problem is the CPU becomes a bottle neck as it can't pump enough data to the gfx card. I HAD a 7900GS and it never dipped below 30fps on my athlon X2 5000+, no AA and the same resolution.

Also make sure you aren't running anything in the background that would take up CPU cycles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by natural_Causes

I have that same video card, and it works fairly well, but like you said, FPS drops when it gets busy. I am thinking of buying another and setting up SLI in my system, because that would probably double performance. The only problem is finding one to buy, since they are so out of date now. Since you have Vista and a good CPU, i would recommend an 8800 or 9800 series card, since you would be able to play GW2 in DX10 when it comes out.

IMO SLI is overkill for Guildwars... but like you said, you'd be better off getting a single 9000 series card. SLI also causes some overhead too, so if you don't have enough GPU memory bandwidth, CPU speed, and FSB bandwidth you won't get anywhere near double the performance.

Also a good CPU nowadays for gaming is this Core 2 Wolfdale E8400 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037

it should be able to handle almost anything right now.

Tito Bad Boy Ortiz · May 04, 2008, 09:13 PM // 21:13

Thing is i am up for buying a new cpu as you suggest but i have no clue how to fit it >.<

Tamuril elansar · May 04, 2008, 09:26 PM // 21:26

hmmm, i don't see why some1 should get dual core when you can get a decent quad core for less.

as for graphic card, the 9600GT is a good graphic card and doesn't cost much, 9800 is good if you have enough money.

Tito Bad Boy Ortiz · May 04, 2008, 09:45 PM // 21:45

Ok so do you think upgrading the graphics card is the only thing needed, or an upgraded cpu?

Tamuril elansar · May 04, 2008, 10:18 PM // 22:18

only graphic card and you'll see a great improvement

Arcane Spark · May 04, 2008, 11:42 PM // 23:42

I have a AMD Athlon 64 x2 Dual-Core 4600+, with 2gigs of ram 1440x900 monitor

Used to have a Geforce 6150 LE, would get a disgusting 20-30fps

I've upgraded to a fairly inexpensive, but powerful card, the Nvidia 8600 GTS
It requires extra power, but still runs well if you do not have it.
I get a steady 90-100fps, and it sinks to like 60-70 when i'm in a crowded Kamadan. Overall i'm really happy with it.

Dervish Kid · May 04, 2008, 11:50 PM // 23:50

I love my 8 fps. your best bet is to get the highest g card. I play with 1280x1024 and also make sure your have enough ram left still. For now lower your settings..It would probably make little difference. Go to an electronics store like best buy if they have it in the U.K. and ask for their advice but dont let them get u into buying the more expensice one.

my2cent · May 05, 2008, 03:14 AM // 03:14

depends on ur budget

good buget card now is probly the 9600GT or the cheaper 8600GT both of these card will run gw well above any card u will buy for this price.

if dont mind spending a few more hundred bucks, i suggest u get a 98XX card or the 8800 GT/GTS 512 / GTX ( screw the ultra )

if u want true power i recommend u gettin the 8800GT or 8800GTS 512 in sli OVER the 9800X2 because not only the 8800 performs better (if not the same) than the 9800X2 also its alot less power consuming saving u a power supply.

Tito Bad Boy Ortiz · May 05, 2008, 03:46 PM // 15:46

K i have been looking online at graphics cards and i have liked the looks of this http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/s...tml?MSI-88GTS3

It got a 10/10 review here http://www.xsreviews.co.uk/reviews/g...800gts-320mb/7

Brianna · May 05, 2008, 06:51 PM // 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tito Bad Boy Ortiz

K i have been looking online at graphics cards and i have liked the looks of this http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/s...tml?MSI-88GTS3

It got a 10/10 review here http://www.xsreviews.co.uk/reviews/g...800gts-320mb/7

That is what I have, It's alright, but an 8800GT is better.

This card seems to do horribly in congested towns, I don't know why, sometimes in Kamadan Dist1 I get as low as 20 FPS while looking at the crowds (On 1280X1024 and 1680X-1024 and such), really makes me annoyed.

Because It's an 8800 for christs sake, my old 6600LE on my old computer got like 10 FPS in Kamadan D1, what the heck? Anyway.. maybe it's related to something else, but my computer has an Athlon 64 6000+, 2 GB of ram, 500w power supply etc, there's no bottle-necks. Just putting a warning out that this is one of the older 8800's and it isn't really up to par with some of the newer ones, but it's still good. It gets 60 FPS anywhere else so I'm fine.

Tito Bad Boy Ortiz · May 05, 2008, 07:29 PM // 19:29

Ok, would this be better? http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/s....html?ASU-88GT

Brianna · May 05, 2008, 07:38 PM // 19:38

Yeah, I'd get the 512mb version of it though.

I know you are trying to stay in a certain price range though, but the 512mb version is £136.30, *shrug*.

Tito Bad Boy Ortiz · May 05, 2008, 07:50 PM // 19:50

Yeah im looking to spend around £110 max, so would the ASUS 8800GT 256mb version be better than the msi 8800GTS 320mb?