Sweet spot CPU / Gfx card for 3D gaming

[Chunkers]

So if you are considering a new Conroe based system (as I am) and like to play 3D games, FPSes then where is the sweet spot?

I am looking at spending ca £ 430 split between CPU and Gfx card, that looks like the following options :

E6300 + X1900XT
E6400 + 7900GTX
E6600 + 7900 GT

Which do you think will give the best gaming (BF2, Oblivion etc) performance at the resolution I will play at which will be 1680 x 1050? I am guessing that at this resolution I am likely to be GPU limited.

I suppose I have spent too much time thinking about my specs and have confused myself but I'm leaning towards E6600 / 7900 GT as my favoured option even though its probably not the fastest but has the best upgrade path.

Then you throw a bit of overclocking into the equation......

I'm doing my nut thinking about this, time to get out the credit card!

Chunks

[Merlin4458]

i would go for E6400 + 7900GTX and jsut clock the conroe?

[toolsong]

I'd do as you suggest and get the E6600 + 7900 GT for two reasons

-the CPU because it has a higher multiplier for ease of overclocking
-assume you can afford to upgrade to a nextgen GPU next year

I have a X1900XT and it is fine for 1680x1050 but the 7900GT should do the job

I'd be waiting a month or two though because I don't see a clear winner for best Conroe motherboard yet.

[Chunkers]

I'd be waiting a month or two though because I don't see a clear winner for best Conroe motherboard yet.

Yep the selection is poor and they're all either flawed or ridiculously expensive, hopefully a month or two will do it.

CHunks

[chuckskull]

E6600 + 7900 GT Would be my vote.

[Noni]

Conroe and 7900GTX, 7900GT? Pffft.

[rad]

The 7950gx2 is significantly better than the 7900gtx and cost not much more (ie less than 10%)
So I would go with 7950 gx2 and either e6400 or e6300, which ever fits your budget.

[shaithis]

E6300 + X1900XT..........the E6300 can be overclocked a bit and the X1900XT is the fastest single-chip solution around and has great IQ.

Playing at high-res widescreen resolutions means you need the fastest card you can get, plus the ATI does AA at super-high resolutions without taking a huge hit, the nVidia cards cannot.

[rad]

7950gx2 is faster than x1900xt at stock speed, and can also be overclocked a lot higher

[shaithis]

7950gx2 is faster than x1900xt at stock speed, and can also be overclocked a lot higher

Not if you want to turn AA on at the resoultions the OP wants to play at........

[kalniel]

The E6300 + X1900XT option is the only one you should consider if you're playing Oblivion.

[sgoaty]

E6300 + X1900XT..........the E6300 can be overclocked a bit and the X1900XT is the fastest single-chip solution around and has great IQ.

7950gx2 is faster than x1900xt at stock speed, and can also be overclocked a lot higher

Only if the game supports sli Rad as its a dual GPU. So I agree with Shaithis

[rad]

Only if the game supports sli Rad as its a dual GPU. So I agree with Shaithis

What you have said is not quite right, because it is seen as a single GPU, not two GPU's in SLI, so games do not need to be sli compatable.
Anyway, probably best to look at some benchmarks comparing both gpu's on the games you are interested in.

[rad]

Ok here is just one review of many.
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=33079

[rad]

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=33079

Performance wise Leadtek 7950 GX2 is the fastest non overclocked card around. The only disadvantage is lack of HDR and FSAA capability which is a shame but if you want the performance this is the card for you.

Nvidia caught ATI sleeping and its dual chip single card is the winning combination for this summer. ATI don’t have the horces to fight it properly until end of September while we expect to see the new R580+ based Radeon X1950 XTX card out. But beware G80 should be out at the same time.

Until then Geforce 7950 GX2 cards are the fastest one that money can buy. µ

Reviewed and tested by Sanjin Rados and Fuad Abazovic

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=33079

[rad]

The E6300 + X1900XT option is the only one you should consider if you're playing Oblivion.

Show me the proof