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SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
edited February 2010 in Graphical and Sound Issues
I'm currently running STO on a system with Nvidia 7600GT 256MB in SLI configuration (other system specs below). This setup can run the game on "medium" settings... but when I go to Memory Alpha or to systems in which I'm flying through a nebula performace slips.

I was going to upgrade my GPU, but recently became a father so have been out of the loop a while... would an Nvidia 9800GT 1GB be a good single card substitute? My budget is around £80. Any advice would be much appriciated.

System: AMD Athlon X2 (3.2Ghz), 4GB RAM, 7600GT SLI, Win 7 32 bit.
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  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Aneurin wrote: »
    I'm currently running STO on a system with Nvidia 7600GT 256MB in SLI configuration (other system specs below). This setup can run the game on "medium" settings... but when I go to Memory Alpha or to systems in which I'm flying through a nebula performace slips.

    I was going to upgrade my GPU, but recently became a father so have been out of the loop a while... would an Nvidia 9800GT 1GB be a good single card substitute? My budget is around £80. Any advice would be much appriciated.

    System: AMD Athlon X2 (3.2Ghz), 4GB RAM, 7600GT SLI, Win 7 32 bit.


    I would try to save up for an AMD HD 5750.

    Its faster than a GTS 250 with DX 11

    http://www.ebuyer.com/product/175989
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Will your power supply even support higher end cards? 450-500 watts plus? I suspect you have the 7600 for that reason. Smaller PSU requirement. In that case on the Nvidia Side you might consider a GT 240. Probably the best low end solution on the Nvidia side of the house. Not sure what would fit the bill on the ATI side.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    CapnScragg wrote: »
    Will your power supply even support higher end cards? 450-500 watts plus? I suspect you have the 7600 for that reason. Smaller PSU requirement. In that case on the Nvidia Side you might consider a GT 240. Probably the best low end solution on the Nvidia side of the house. Not sure what would fit the bill on the ATI side.

    A 240 would most likely perform worse than what he's got..... it's a horrible low end card.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    If you dont mind ati, go for an ati 4850 or 4875HD 512mb card. Good solid, cheap mid range card, that can handle anything. Especially if you throw a £15-$20 after market cooler on it.

    nvidia wise, you can get a cheap 9800GT DDR3 card for your price range, though bear in mind, some of the cards (not all) might need a better PSU. Check what PSU it requires before you buy.


    http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Components/Graphics-Nvidia/Nvidia9800Series/
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    My parents have an HTPC that I rebuilt for them a couple months ago...it has a GTS 240 attached to a 42" TV and runs the game at decent settings at 1920x1080 without issue. Did the Crystalline Entity Fleet Action without any problems.

    My main gaming PC has a 9800GT 512MB and I run at damn near max settings at 1920x1200 without any problems...although the GPU is trying to melt itself at that point which is why I'm putting in a pair of GTS 250's in SLI later this week.

    Personally I'm not a fan of ATI cards, there are some known issues STO has with them, and nvidia's driver support continues to be superior.

    Just my personal experience and 2c thrown in for good measure :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I work at a computer store that builds a lot of specialized gaming rigs, so, I know a fair amount about this.

    nVidia and ATI go back and forth all the time. For a few months nVidia has a great video cards for great prices, and ATI falls behind. So ATI develops and releases a few series of video cards that outperform nVidia at better prices. They always go back and forth.

    In general, nVidia has more stable drivers -- I've always had the odd issue now and then with ATI's.

    BUT. Right now, the ATI's have a far better price/performance ratio. Chances are if you keep your drivers up to date you won't have any issues with an ATI card and frankly, for the same money, you'll get better performance.

    Until nVidia's GX300 series come out, and the cycle repeats ;)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    salsadoom wrote: »
    I work at a computer store that builds a lot of specialized gaming rigs, so, I know a fair amount about this.

    nVidia and ATI go back and forth all the time. For a few months nVidia has a great video cards for great prices, and ATI falls behind. So ATI develops and releases a few series of video cards that outperform nVidia at better prices. They always go back and forth.

    In general, nVidia has more stable drivers -- I've always had the odd issue now and then with ATI's.

    BUT. Right now, the ATI's have a far better price/performance ratio. Chances are if you keep your drivers up to date you won't have any issues with an ATI card and frankly, for the same money, you'll get better performance.

    Until nVidia's GX300 series come out, and the cycle repeats ;)

    Actually, it's fairly unlikely that the G300 series will fundamentally change the situation. Contrary to semi-popular belief, Fermi isn't any newer than Ati's newest parts, it's just far more delayed. Those delays, along with the fact that Nvidia will be trying to out-produce a well-oiled machine on Ati's end (now that they've had months to work out the kinds in production) mean that the G300 would have had to be a vastly superior GPU for the price initially just to break even with the present situation.

    When the G300 comes out, Nvidia will likely have a card with a price/performance ratio that doesn't touch Ati's, and will either have to throw yet another round, or will have to bottom out prices almost to a point below the level of making a profit, like they did with the ill-fated G200. Either way, the G300 is not going to be some super-card that delivers Nvidia from their present depressed state (at least it's not likely to be), no matter how much the hopes of Nvidia fans worldwide rest on it being just that.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    My PSU can handle it. When I built the system I installed a 650W PSU. It has the PCI-X power supply rail too so can handle the upper-end cards. The only thing I don't know is whether the MoBo has PCI express 2.0 slots. But then these cards are all backwards compatible (to slot 1.0) right? It just won't run at max rate...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Aneurin wrote: »
    My PSU can handle it. When I built the system I installed a 650W PSU. It has the PCI-X power supply rail too so can handle the upper-end cards. The only thing I don't know is whether the MoBo has PCI express 2.0 slots. But then these cards are all backwards compatible (to slot 1.0) right? It just won't run at max rate...

    Then yes, the 9800GT would be fine. If you can find a 9800 GTX that would be a little better.

    The 240GT is just if you have a small PSU as it is an entry level gaming card.

    I also prefer Nvidia but I must admit right now ATI has some good price\performance options.

    Nvidia has been tweaking their next cards before they release them. No sense talking about them until we see a release date and the tech sites get their hands on them and test them.. I have no doubt they will blow ATI away, for a few months then ATI will catch up then ATI will come out with something a bit faster... wash rinse and repeat. Go with what works for you that you like.
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