Will my PC be any good for 3D gaming?
Hey all. Just been doing a lot of reading up on 3D gaming over the past couple of weeks and I'm very interested in getting the new Acer monitor coming out and a set of 3D glasses. Only worry I have is if my PC is good enough to run games in 3D. If it isnt I may as well just save up my money and buy a screen and the upgrades all at once. Here's my specs:

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (@3ghz)
4gig DDR2 ram
GTS 8800 512mb

Nothing else in the rig out of the ordinary... Got a seperate soundcard and an Asus P5K mobo.

Is that liable to run games in 3D at a decent FPS? I wouldn't know because I don't know how resource intensive it actually is. I can probably overclock my CPU upto 3.5ghz with no problems, although I have never done it before I have a cooler. As for a gfx card, Im planning on buying one soon anyway but I want to try and hold out for DX11 Nvidia cards. But if it's a case of the 8800 just won't, then I will buy a GTS240/250 or something to tide me over.

Anyway... Any help from you guys would be great. Thanks!
Hey all. Just been doing a lot of reading up on 3D gaming over the past couple of weeks and I'm very interested in getting the new Acer monitor coming out and a set of 3D glasses. Only worry I have is if my PC is good enough to run games in 3D. If it isnt I may as well just save up my money and buy a screen and the upgrades all at once. Here's my specs:



Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (@3ghz)

4gig DDR2 ram

GTS 8800 512mb



Nothing else in the rig out of the ordinary... Got a seperate soundcard and an Asus P5K mobo.



Is that liable to run games in 3D at a decent FPS? I wouldn't know because I don't know how resource intensive it actually is. I can probably overclock my CPU upto 3.5ghz with no problems, although I have never done it before I have a cooler. As for a gfx card, Im planning on buying one soon anyway but I want to try and hold out for DX11 Nvidia cards. But if it's a case of the 8800 just won't, then I will buy a GTS240/250 or something to tide me over.



Anyway... Any help from you guys would be great. Thanks!

#1
Posted 02/12/2010 12:06 AM   
Hi,

I was wondering myself about the same thing, but didn't get a very firm reply. Since I had a similar system before I switched to 3D, here are my thoughts:

1) Your CPU, although still decent, is kinda mid to low range as of Feb 2010:

[url="http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=Intel+Core2+Duo+E8400+%40+3.00GHz"]http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php...400+%40+3.00GHz[/url]

2) RAM shoudn't be an issue

3) Your card, like my old one, passes the minimum requirements but not the recommended ones, at least if you believe nvidia's online detection utility.

I'd say you'll still be able to play older games (0 AD - 2008 AD) fully maxed out or almost fully maxed out and still get a playable fps value, while for newer games (2009 and after) you'll either have to compromise and select low quality graphics in oder to get a playable fps, or -depending on the game - not be able to play at all (e.g. Shattered Horizon, Dirt 2).
Maybe somebody with actual experience can step in and confirm/infirm what I told you :)
Hi,



I was wondering myself about the same thing, but didn't get a very firm reply. Since I had a similar system before I switched to 3D, here are my thoughts:



1) Your CPU, although still decent, is kinda mid to low range as of Feb 2010:



http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php...400+%40+3.00GHz



2) RAM shoudn't be an issue



3) Your card, like my old one, passes the minimum requirements but not the recommended ones, at least if you believe nvidia's online detection utility.



I'd say you'll still be able to play older games (0 AD - 2008 AD) fully maxed out or almost fully maxed out and still get a playable fps value, while for newer games (2009 and after) you'll either have to compromise and select low quality graphics in oder to get a playable fps, or -depending on the game - not be able to play at all (e.g. Shattered Horizon, Dirt 2).

Maybe somebody with actual experience can step in and confirm/infirm what I told you :)

#2
Posted 02/12/2010 12:27 AM   
You are correct abramburici, i had an identical setup to the op but the 8800gts started to cave in, just added a gtx260 and im maxing everything in 3d and its flying so if you can stretch to a 260 then go for that. you wont be disappointed but its also worth noting that the new Fermis are not far away so perhaps hanging on to what you have for a couple more months may be the best solution as a whole?

You will not regret 3d either, its simply stunning.
You are correct abramburici, i had an identical setup to the op but the 8800gts started to cave in, just added a gtx260 and im maxing everything in 3d and its flying so if you can stretch to a 260 then go for that. you wont be disappointed but its also worth noting that the new Fermis are not far away so perhaps hanging on to what you have for a couple more months may be the best solution as a whole?



You will not regret 3d either, its simply stunning.

#3
Posted 02/12/2010 12:40 AM   
One word on this Fermi thing... maybe I'm dreaming but I think I saw a comparative review (against GTX 295 and ATI's biggest and greatest) and Fermi wasn't all that great, at least the early engineering sample they were showing. Clearly it will turn out to be faster than a GTX 285 and will support DirectX 11, but exactly how fast, who knows?

He'll have to upgrade the PSU at least... even I had to, when switching from a 8800 GTX to a GTX 285.

Last but not least, I wonder if the almighty Fermi will be busy doing nothing when teamed up with a relatively old system like that. I don't know what chipset/mobo the OP has, but I wonder at what point some other component (chipset, CPU) becomes a bottleneck, before jumping to such a monster like Fermi is supposed to be.
One word on this Fermi thing... maybe I'm dreaming but I think I saw a comparative review (against GTX 295 and ATI's biggest and greatest) and Fermi wasn't all that great, at least the early engineering sample they were showing. Clearly it will turn out to be faster than a GTX 285 and will support DirectX 11, but exactly how fast, who knows?



He'll have to upgrade the PSU at least... even I had to, when switching from a 8800 GTX to a GTX 285.



Last but not least, I wonder if the almighty Fermi will be busy doing nothing when teamed up with a relatively old system like that. I don't know what chipset/mobo the OP has, but I wonder at what point some other component (chipset, CPU) becomes a bottleneck, before jumping to such a monster like Fermi is supposed to be.

#4
Posted 02/12/2010 12:52 AM   
I use a Q6600 @ 3ghz, 4GB ram, and the 9800gt. I'm not sure about how much 3d vision relies on processing power, but with my graphics
card i am able to get most games on high settings at 1680x1050 including Avatar, ME2, Arkham Asylum, Nfs Shift. Of course some game suffer
bit more, but if ur willing to omit AA or run at 720p(which isnt that bad, contrary to the beliefs of people who think they have super fidelity eyesight /teehee.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':teehee:' /> )
you can play even the most resource hogging games.
I use a Q6600 @ 3ghz, 4GB ram, and the 9800gt. I'm not sure about how much 3d vision relies on processing power, but with my graphics

card i am able to get most games on high settings at 1680x1050 including Avatar, ME2, Arkham Asylum, Nfs Shift. Of course some game suffer

bit more, but if ur willing to omit AA or run at 720p(which isnt that bad, contrary to the beliefs of people who think they have super fidelity eyesight /teehee.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':teehee:' /> )

you can play even the most resource hogging games.

#5
Posted 02/12/2010 12:54 AM   
Thanks very much guys! I think I'll go ahead and buy the Acer when it comes out now. And you can get a GTX 250 for 100 pounds (180 dollarsish) nowadays so if I struggle i'll buy one of those just to tide me over. And I think im gonna save up for an i7 processor anyways.

Thanks again!
Thanks very much guys! I think I'll go ahead and buy the Acer when it comes out now. And you can get a GTX 250 for 100 pounds (180 dollarsish) nowadays so if I struggle i'll buy one of those just to tide me over. And I think im gonna save up for an i7 processor anyways.



Thanks again!

#6
Posted 02/12/2010 06:53 AM   
if you have an asus p5k motherboard, then overclock your processor to 3.8 ghz for a massive speed boost. Remember that most games are STILL not properly quad threaded, so often times a dual core is a much better deal for the dollar.

Don't waste your money on an overpriced i7 just yet - overclock the crap out of your current rig and save up for fermi.

ALSO! DO NOT!!!!!!!! buy a gts 250. This is the same card as your current 8800 gts 512, just in a different box. You will only notice 10 to 15 percent performance difference, and only in extreme situations. Spend that money on a new cpu cooler and learn to overclock, I promise that's the best deal for you.
if you have an asus p5k motherboard, then overclock your processor to 3.8 ghz for a massive speed boost. Remember that most games are STILL not properly quad threaded, so often times a dual core is a much better deal for the dollar.



Don't waste your money on an overpriced i7 just yet - overclock the crap out of your current rig and save up for fermi.



ALSO! DO NOT!!!!!!!! buy a gts 250. This is the same card as your current 8800 gts 512, just in a different box. You will only notice 10 to 15 percent performance difference, and only in extreme situations. Spend that money on a new cpu cooler and learn to overclock, I promise that's the best deal for you.

#7
Posted 02/12/2010 08:19 AM   
Ok I'll bear all of that in mind. Thank you for the advice. I'll sit down tomorow and start to overclock the CPU. I have an aftermarket cooler already. Thanks a lot :)
Ok I'll bear all of that in mind. Thank you for the advice. I'll sit down tomorow and start to overclock the CPU. I have an aftermarket cooler already. Thanks a lot :)

#8
Posted 02/12/2010 06:07 PM   
[quote name='f3likx' post='999995' date='Feb 12 2010, 08:19 AM']if you have an asus p5k motherboard, then overclock your processor to 3.8 ghz for a massive speed boost. Remember that most games are STILL not properly quad threaded, so often times a dual core is a much better deal for the dollar.

Don't waste your money on an overpriced i7 just yet - overclock the crap out of your current rig and save up for fermi.

ALSO! DO NOT!!!!!!!! buy a gts 250. This is the same card as your current 8800 gts 512, just in a different box. You will only notice 10 to 15 percent performance difference, and only in extreme situations. Spend that money on a new cpu cooler and learn to overclock, I promise that's the best deal for you.[/quote]

I agree with f3likx in most regards, however if the graphics card is simply not up to the task, I don't know how much an overclocked processor would help. Certainly it won't hurt (if overclocked properly), but it won't push de GT 8800 beyond what it can do.
Also, expect newer games to be more and more "aware" of more than 2 cores... after all if I'm not mistaken then newer i-line based on Nehalem have 2,4, and 6 cores respectively (the last still in research phase probably).
I also have to agree that GTS 240/250 would be more of a lateral move than an upgrade. However Fermi may be held back by some other component(s) in your system. It's a good idea to wait until it's released anyway (if you're willing to wait) because a) the specs and system requirements will be much more clearly defined and B) the price for GTX 285/295 will likely drop a bit, should you decide to go for one of them in the end.
[quote name='f3likx' post='999995' date='Feb 12 2010, 08:19 AM']if you have an asus p5k motherboard, then overclock your processor to 3.8 ghz for a massive speed boost. Remember that most games are STILL not properly quad threaded, so often times a dual core is a much better deal for the dollar.



Don't waste your money on an overpriced i7 just yet - overclock the crap out of your current rig and save up for fermi.



ALSO! DO NOT!!!!!!!! buy a gts 250. This is the same card as your current 8800 gts 512, just in a different box. You will only notice 10 to 15 percent performance difference, and only in extreme situations. Spend that money on a new cpu cooler and learn to overclock, I promise that's the best deal for you.



I agree with f3likx in most regards, however if the graphics card is simply not up to the task, I don't know how much an overclocked processor would help. Certainly it won't hurt (if overclocked properly), but it won't push de GT 8800 beyond what it can do.

Also, expect newer games to be more and more "aware" of more than 2 cores... after all if I'm not mistaken then newer i-line based on Nehalem have 2,4, and 6 cores respectively (the last still in research phase probably).

I also have to agree that GTS 240/250 would be more of a lateral move than an upgrade. However Fermi may be held back by some other component(s) in your system. It's a good idea to wait until it's released anyway (if you're willing to wait) because a) the specs and system requirements will be much more clearly defined and B) the price for GTX 285/295 will likely drop a bit, should you decide to go for one of them in the end.

#9
Posted 02/12/2010 08:09 PM   
The 8800 GTS is a pretty fast card, nice hardware. I am using one and 3D Vision is usable, but my real bottle-neck is my CPU (Intel Dual Core 2.2 ghz). It works out ok for me because I'm playing on a projector that does 3D @1024x768. If it were me, I'd probably upgrade the CPU.
The 8800 GTS is a pretty fast card, nice hardware. I am using one and 3D Vision is usable, but my real bottle-neck is my CPU (Intel Dual Core 2.2 ghz). It works out ok for me because I'm playing on a projector that does 3D @1024x768. If it were me, I'd probably upgrade the CPU.

#10
Posted 02/12/2010 08:34 PM   
I think your 8800 GTS will struggle with 1080p in 3D, but I wouldn't buy a new card now with fermi just around the corner. You'll just have to stick to older games for your first few weeks of 3D until fermi arrives, but playing old games and seeing them in a whole new light in 3D is half the fun TBH. I just played Far Cry again in 3D and it was awesome. CPU wise a E8400 is completely fine, no reason to change it.
I think your 8800 GTS will struggle with 1080p in 3D, but I wouldn't buy a new card now with fermi just around the corner. You'll just have to stick to older games for your first few weeks of 3D until fermi arrives, but playing old games and seeing them in a whole new light in 3D is half the fun TBH. I just played Far Cry again in 3D and it was awesome. CPU wise a E8400 is completely fine, no reason to change it.

#11
Posted 02/12/2010 09:42 PM   
Nice to know. I finally took the plunge and did some overclocking. Currently running Orthos testing at 3250mhz but no probs whatsoever. I think if I can hold this PC off of being upgraded for another year then I will do a major overhaul after that.

Thanks a lot for all the advice guys, very friendly board :)

Edit: Just going to bed with the CPU overclocked to 3.6ghz and left on test. Can't go any further without overclocking my memory which probably won't go well as it's only run of the mill corsair at 5-5-5-18. Gonna test it out in ME2 tomorow as I had noticed my CPU holding me back in that game, particularly getting in and out of that damn lift >.<
Nice to know. I finally took the plunge and did some overclocking. Currently running Orthos testing at 3250mhz but no probs whatsoever. I think if I can hold this PC off of being upgraded for another year then I will do a major overhaul after that.



Thanks a lot for all the advice guys, very friendly board :)



Edit: Just going to bed with the CPU overclocked to 3.6ghz and left on test. Can't go any further without overclocking my memory which probably won't go well as it's only run of the mill corsair at 5-5-5-18. Gonna test it out in ME2 tomorow as I had noticed my CPU holding me back in that game, particularly getting in and out of that damn lift >.<

#12
Posted 02/13/2010 01:44 AM   
[quote name='Spikey101' post='1000489' date='Feb 13 2010, 02:44 AM']Nice to know. I finally took the plunge and did some overclocking. Currently running Orthos testing at 3250mhz but no probs whatsoever. I think if I can hold this PC off of being upgraded for another year then I will do a major overhaul after that.

Thanks a lot for all the advice guys, very friendly board :)

Edit: Just going to bed with the CPU overclocked to 3.6ghz and left on test. Can't go any further without overclocking my memory which probably won't go well as it's only run of the mill corsair at 5-5-5-18. Gonna test it out in ME2 tomorow as I had noticed my CPU holding me back in that game, particularly getting in and out of that damn lift >.<[/quote]

You should be good to overclock your memory a bit. Bump the ram voltage up to 1.9 volts, keep the timings at 5-5-5-18. You should be able to get at least 850 out of it. (425 in the bios, probably)
[quote name='Spikey101' post='1000489' date='Feb 13 2010, 02:44 AM']Nice to know. I finally took the plunge and did some overclocking. Currently running Orthos testing at 3250mhz but no probs whatsoever. I think if I can hold this PC off of being upgraded for another year then I will do a major overhaul after that.



Thanks a lot for all the advice guys, very friendly board :)



Edit: Just going to bed with the CPU overclocked to 3.6ghz and left on test. Can't go any further without overclocking my memory which probably won't go well as it's only run of the mill corsair at 5-5-5-18. Gonna test it out in ME2 tomorow as I had noticed my CPU holding me back in that game, particularly getting in and out of that damn lift >.<



You should be good to overclock your memory a bit. Bump the ram voltage up to 1.9 volts, keep the timings at 5-5-5-18. You should be able to get at least 850 out of it. (425 in the bios, probably)

#13
Posted 02/13/2010 05:25 AM   
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