video resolution/video card

[msi1337]

I have a basic gaming desktop..sadly all I can afford right now.

It is essentially AMD x2 (I think 2.6ghz), 3gb ddr2 memory, 500gb sata 7200rpm drive, 512mb 8800 GTS (evga), on an Asus mobo. The monitor I am using is a Dell 19" (5:4 LCD). Running Win7Pro

I can play most games fine at the 1280x1024 max resolution of the monitor..however games like Skyrim wont run well. It is very close to being fluid, but still not close enough and I end up getting a headache if I play it for more than 20-30 mins.

My question is: I need to find a video card that is both fairly inexpensive (hard times these days) and will allow me to play some of the games in my steam acct. that I haven't been able to play. I am raising a 4 year old and have half of my extended family living with me and I cherish the times when I can sit down and just enjoy a game. The 19" monitor doesnt bother me, I don't need any higher resolutions to be happy.

These are some of the games in my steam queue that I would like to play, but not sure if they will run well.

Games:
Assassins Creed II
Bioshock 2
Crysis 2
Dead Space
Dragon Age
L4D & L4D2
Medal of Honor
Portal 2
Mass Effect 2
The Witcher


Update: wife got me a 7750!!

 

[Zeze]

Any $70-90 GPU will do a great job.

My ancient HD4850 played Skyrim very well on 1920 x 1080 with nearly most things max. And I'm sure you can buy GPU much stronger than 4850 for $70 today.

 

[msi1337]

and it may be a situation where I just need to save up $70 over a few months to get one.. I got the 8800gts from an ebayer for $20, which I felt was a good deal

 

[DDRGamer]

If you can spare the time and effort, the FS/FT thread may have something up your alley. I think a 7770 should be able to handle most modern games at that resolution (and maybe even a small bump up) and can probably be snagged for $50-$60.

 

[KingFatty]

Have you tried overclocking? It might be helpful to see how fast you can overclock your video card and CPU, and maybe that can help reduce the headache for a bit, if you can squeeze more performance for free.

 

[toyota]

that cpu is pretty darn slow so I would there for blame. in fact you are likely to see no improvement at all in cpu intensive games by getting a faster gpu.


and btw 1280x1024 is 5:4 not 4:3. 5:4 is even worse and I dont see how you play modern games on that aspect ratio as games are designed for widescreen. you are literally missing 1/3 of the game by playing in 5:4. I would vomit having to play with such a tiny fov.

 

[msi1337]

sorry, not everyone has the money to buy a rig like in your sig. Some of us have to just get by. My wife ended up getting me a 7750 XFX 1gb gddr5 card for $59 after rebate at newegg this weekend. Hopefully it will do well, and then I can upgrade my system as I can afford.

 

[skipsneeky2]

that cpu is pretty darn slow so I would there for blame. in fact you are likely to see no improvement at all in cpu intensive games by getting a faster gpu.


and btw 1280x1024 is 5:4 not 4:3. 5:4 is even worse and I dont see how you play modern games on that aspect ratio as games are designed for widescreen. you are literally missing 1/3 of the game by playing in 5:4. I would vomit having to play with such a tiny fov.

Listen to Toyota here,i had to pick up a used spare 19'' 1366x768 monitor cause the old spare which was a 17'' 5:4 1280x1024 absolutely sucks for gaming.5:4 is great for the ancient games that predate widescreen but besides that in this day and age 16:9 or 160:10 is where you should be looking at.

Basically have hell of a better time even if you don't game,everything is mostly widescreen and you miss out on much going anything but widescreen.