I'm freaking out man...no DX10

[The549]

I blame you all. Apparently I feel really funny not being able to play games at decently high specs....and finding out that I can't play stalker with AA in DX9 is killing me.

I realize that I don't have enough money to build a system that will play everything that I want to at high, but looking at possibly Vista and a HD4850, I think I may be able to swing what I want. with the intent of being able to play newer games with 2xAA and at medium to high settings, IS THAT a smart purchase?

I will probably buy Far Cry 2 and Crysis. Playing STALKER Clear Sky. I like outdoorsy games with trees.

1280X1024, 2xAA HIGHLY preferred
7200rpm 16 meg cache HD's
Gigabyte M55SLI Mobo AM2 only. No Quad core I believe
3gigs 800 RAM
X2 4600
X1950GT
barebones XP Pro install

 

[swaaye]

Yup a 4850 is a "can't go wrong" purchase. It will be stunningly faster than your current card. Well, until you turn on all the features anyway!

Your current rig can probably take it pretty far too. Just give it a try. Oh, and a quad core gets you zilch from games. You're better off with a higher-clocked dual core.

 

[Rodéric]

If you can, go up to a HD4870, it has more punch.

 

[suryad]

Yes I second Roderic's suggestion. I bought my younger brother a 4870 and its a bitchin' card!

 

[The549]

The 4870 is out of my price range unfortunately...what about the Vista upgrade to dual boot for DX10? I can check my compatibility myself, but how about speed-wise?

 

[pjbliverpool]

The 4870 is out of my price range unfortunately...what about the Vista upgrade to dual boot for DX10? I can check my compatibility myself, but how about speed-wise?

Vista is as fast or faster than XP for gaming with current drivers.

TBH unless you have some old hardware which you absolutely need and which isn't supported by Vista, dual booting would be a waste of time. Despite the reports, aside from some very minor compatability issues with older hardware that remain, Vista is an all round better OS.

As for the GPU choice, I agree you can't really go wrong with the 4850. Your only alternative from NV is the 9800GTX+ but the nod would have to go to the 4850.... that is unless you can find a GTX260 within your price range. They might start falling now that the new 260 is out.

 

[suryad]

I dont think Vista is faster than XP...it might be fast but not as fast as XP.

 

[BRiT]

I dont think Vista is faster than XP...it might be fast but not as fast as XP.

You should look at some of the recent reviews which cover this. You may be surprised.

 

[pjbliverpool]

I dont think Vista is faster than XP...it might be fast but not as fast as XP.

Yeah you need to look at some of the newer reviews. Its definatly at least as fast in most situations and ATI cards, especially in Crossfire are quite a bit faster in Vista.

Here's one, but there are better ones out there:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2302495,00.asp

 

[suryad]

Wow thanks for that link guys. That is quite impressive indeed! Hmm Vista is getting more and more tempting for me. I do want something a bit new after all. I just dont want to spend any money at the moment though. Maybe 2009

 

[The549]

So, Windows Vista Business for $90 or Vista Home 64 Premium for $100?

 

[mrcorbo]

So, Windows Vista Business for $90 or Vista Home 64 Premium for $100?

IMO the inclusion of Media Center in the Home Premium version is well worth the $10 extra.

 

[The549]

4850 ordered.

Now to decide Vista options. Hopefully the school can get me a discount on a premium 64 bit.

 

[suryad]

You should be able to get quite a discount if I am not mistaken.

 

[pjbliverpool]

IMO the inclusion of Media Center in the Home Premium version is well worth the $10 extra.

Does Vista Business use Aeroglass? I can't remember.

Either way I agree, Home Premium is the way to go for an extra $10.

 

[suryad]

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/default.aspx

Looks like it does support aero glass pjbliverpool