Crysis-killing PC? Problems and ponderings of upgrading further

[Perfectionist]

Please read this? I thought about posting here but I wanted to get Scanny people's personal views on it too (since I know for certain that they are professionals):
http://forums.hexus.net/scan-care-he...g-pc-scan.html

I know there's a lot of hardware-knowledgeable people here too though, so I'd appreciate input!

[moogle]

If you're playing games Perfectionist, an i7 would give you a bigger bill than bigger fps's
Save on getting the i7 for now and get it when it matures sort of, especially if only using it for games.

[Perfectionist]

Is there anything else I can do to it though? You saw the benchmarks? I thought the thing would handle Crysis smoothly but yeah

Also you see the bit about the rocks in the benchmark suddenly appearing popping into existence? and reflections issue in City of Villains

Scan's one is watercooled too, so I could maybe do 3xGTX280s or something (though I said this already guessing you didnt read all of the posts )

[moogle]

At those res's and those high settings I don't think you can
A SLI GTX280 setup or Tri SLI setup would beat that but you'd probably get 20-25fps.
These cards just aren't being built to beat games at these resolutions, and especially Crysis. Most of the res's they'll play okay at would be 1920x1200 or 1680x1050 (High Settings).

[Hicks12]

from what i saw on that thread you're running it in dx10? Try running it in DX9, right click it under my games(or what ever vista calls it) and select run in DX9 and you may see it run better, i found it ran ALOT better.

[Perfectionist]

Ok, DX10 again:

14/12/2008 20:41:28 - Vista 64
Beginning Run #1 on Map-island, Demo-benchmark_gpu
DX10 1900x1200, AA=No AA, Vsync=Disabled, 32 bit test, FullScreen
Demo Loops=3, Time Of Day= 9
Global Game Quality: High
==============================================================
TimeDemo Play Started , (Total Frames: 2000, Recorded Time: 111.86s)
!TimeDemo Run 0 Finished.
Play Time: 60.00s, Average FPS: 33.33
Min FPS: 19.63 at frame 154, Max FPS: 49.86 at frame 92
Average Tri/Sec: -22946438, Tri/Frame: -688414
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.33
!TimeDemo Run 1 Finished.
Play Time: 52.51s, Average FPS: 38.09
Min FPS: 19.63 at frame 154, Max FPS: 62.98 at frame 70
Average Tri/Sec: -26199722, Tri/Frame: -687878
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.33
!TimeDemo Run 2 Finished.
Play Time: 52.31s, Average FPS: 38.23
Min FPS: 19.63 at frame 154, Max FPS: 62.98 at frame 70
Average Tri/Sec: -26320778, Tri/Frame: -688422
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.33
TimeDemo Play Ended, (3 Runs Performed)
==============================================================

Beginning Run #2 on Map-island, Demo-benchmark_gpu
DX10 1900x1200, AA=No AA, Vsync=Disabled, 32 bit test, FullScreen
Demo Loops=3, Time Of Day= 9
Global Game Quality: VeryHigh
==============================================================
TimeDemo Play Started , (Total Frames: 2000, Recorded Time: 111.86s)
!TimeDemo Run 0 Finished.
Play Time: 82.60s, Average FPS: 24.21
Min FPS: 13.56 at frame 140, Max FPS: 33.59 at frame 62
Average Tri/Sec: -8522577, Tri/Frame: -352000
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -2.60
!TimeDemo Run 1 Finished.
Play Time: 76.49s, Average FPS: 26.15
Min FPS: 13.56 at frame 140, Max FPS: 35.76 at frame 82
Average Tri/Sec: -8903235, Tri/Frame: -340508
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -2.69
!TimeDemo Run 2 Finished.
Play Time: 76.52s, Average FPS: 26.14
Min FPS: 13.56 at frame 140, Max FPS: 35.91 at frame 79
Average Tri/Sec: -8869937, Tri/Frame: -339368
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -2.70
TimeDemo Play Ended, (3 Runs Performed)
==============================================================

Beginning Run #3 on Map-island, Demo-benchmark_gpu
DX10 1900x1200, AA=4x, Vsync=Disabled, 32 bit test, FullScreen
Demo Loops=3, Time Of Day= 9
Global Game Quality: VeryHigh
==============================================================
TimeDemo Play Started , (Total Frames: 2000, Recorded Time: 111.86s)
!TimeDemo Run 0 Finished.
Play Time: 92.01s, Average FPS: 21.74
Min FPS: 12.47 at frame 145, Max FPS: 27.63 at frame 915
Average Tri/Sec: -7295312, Tri/Frame: -335637
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -2.73
!TimeDemo Run 1 Finished.
Play Time: 86.12s, Average FPS: 23.22
Min FPS: 12.47 at frame 145, Max FPS: 30.17 at frame 84
Average Tri/Sec: -7486994, Tri/Frame: -322386
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -2.84
!TimeDemo Run 2 Finished.
Play Time: 86.10s, Average FPS: 23.23
Min FPS: 12.47 at frame 145, Max FPS: 31.57 at frame 70
Average Tri/Sec: -7424510, Tri/Frame: -319607
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -2.87
TimeDemo Play Ended, (3 Runs Performed)
==============================================================

Beginning Run #4 on Map-island, Demo-benchmark_gpu
DX10 2560x1600, AA=No AA, Vsync=Disabled, 32 bit test, FullScreen
Demo Loops=3, Time Of Day= 9
Global Game Quality: High
==============================================================
TimeDemo Play Started , (Total Frames: 2000, Recorded Time: 111.86s)
!TimeDemo Run 0 Finished.
Play Time: 80.73s, Average FPS: 24.77
Min FPS: 15.71 at frame 144, Max FPS: 33.81 at frame 62
Average Tri/Sec: -14538916, Tri/Frame: -586879
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.56
!TimeDemo Run 1 Finished.
Play Time: 73.17s, Average FPS: 27.33
Min FPS: 15.71 at frame 144, Max FPS: 36.73 at frame 90
Average Tri/Sec: -15985516, Tri/Frame: -584835
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.57
!TimeDemo Run 2 Finished.
Play Time: 73.06s, Average FPS: 27.38
Min FPS: 15.71 at frame 144, Max FPS: 36.80 at frame 96
Average Tri/Sec: -16017659, Tri/Frame: -585103
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.57
TimeDemo Play Ended, (3 Runs Performed)
==============================================================

Beginning Run #5 on Map-island, Demo-benchmark_gpu
DX10 2560x1600, AA=No AA, Vsync=Disabled, 32 bit test, FullScreen
Demo Loops=3, Time Of Day= 9
Global Game Quality: VeryHigh
==============================================================
TimeDemo Play Started , (Total Frames: 2000, Recorded Time: 111.86s)
!TimeDemo Run 0 Finished.
Play Time: 124.47s, Average FPS: 16.07
Min FPS: 10.97 at frame 611, Max FPS: 20.39 at frame 863
Average Tri/Sec: -2897669, Tri/Frame: -180329
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -5.08
!TimeDemo Run 1 Finished.
Play Time: 117.21s, Average FPS: 17.06
Min FPS: 10.97 at frame 611, Max FPS: 21.91 at frame 89
Average Tri/Sec: -2856404, Tri/Frame: -167394
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -5.48
!TimeDemo Run 2 Finished.
Play Time: 116.95s, Average FPS: 17.10
Min FPS: 10.97 at frame 611, Max FPS: 21.91 at frame 89
Average Tri/Sec: -2837225, Tri/Frame: -165912
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -5.53
TimeDemo Play Ended, (3 Runs Performed)
==============================================================

Beginning Run #6 on Map-island, Demo-benchmark_gpu
DX10 2560x1600, AA=4x, Vsync=Disabled, 32 bit test, FullScreen
Demo Loops=3, Time Of Day= 9
Global Game Quality: VeryHigh
==============================================================
TimeDemo Play Started , (Total Frames: 2000, Recorded Time: 111.86s)
!TimeDemo Run 0 Finished.
Play Time: 157.26s, Average FPS: 12.72
Min FPS: 7.12 at frame 183, Max FPS: 16.93 at frame 1875
Average Tri/Sec: -2075406, Tri/Frame: -163187
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -5.62
!TimeDemo Run 1 Finished.
Play Time: 140.81s, Average FPS: 14.20
Min FPS: 7.12 at frame 183, Max FPS: 17.63 at frame 986
Average Tri/Sec: -2127038, Tri/Frame: -149749
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -6.12
!TimeDemo Run 2 Finished.
Play Time: 143.44s, Average FPS: 13.94
Min FPS: 7.12 at frame 183, Max FPS: 17.63 at frame 986
Average Tri/Sec: -2088050, Tri/Frame: -149760
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -6.12
TimeDemo Play Ended, (3 Runs Performed)
==============================================================

Completed All Tests

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>>--SUMMARY--<<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

14/12/2008 20:41:28 - Vista 64

Run #1- DX10 1900x1200 AA=No AA, 32 bit test, Quality: High ~~ Overall Average FPS: 38.16
Run #2- DX10 1900x1200 AA=No AA, 32 bit test, Quality: VeryHigh ~~ Overall Average FPS: 26.145
Run #3- DX10 1900x1200 AA=4x, 32 bit test, Quality: VeryHigh ~~ Overall Average FPS: 23.225
Run #4- DX10 2560x1600 AA=No AA, 32 bit test, Quality: High ~~ Overall Average FPS: 27.355
Run #5- DX10 2560x1600 AA=No AA, 32 bit test, Quality: VeryHigh ~~ Overall Average FPS: 17.08
Run #6- DX10 2560x1600 AA=4x, 32 bit test, Quality: VeryHigh ~~ Overall Average FPS: 14.07

DX9 (thanks for the suggestion!):

14/12/2008 21:13:51 - Vista 64
Beginning Run #1 on Map-island, Demo-benchmark_gpu
DX9 1900x1200, AA=No AA, Vsync=Disabled, 32 bit test, FullScreen
Demo Loops=3, Time Of Day= 9
Global Game Quality: High
==============================================================
TimeDemo Play Started , (Total Frames: 2000, Recorded Time: 111.86s)
!TimeDemo Run 0 Finished.
Play Time: 59.70s, Average FPS: 33.50
Min FPS: 19.86 at frame 186, Max FPS: 51.69 at frame 884
Average Tri/Sec: -22805844, Tri/Frame: -680794
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.35
!TimeDemo Run 1 Finished.
Play Time: 46.88s, Average FPS: 42.66
Min FPS: 19.86 at frame 186, Max FPS: 58.67 at frame 74
Average Tri/Sec: -28988104, Tri/Frame: -679486
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.35
!TimeDemo Run 2 Finished.
Play Time: 46.38s, Average FPS: 43.12
Min FPS: 19.86 at frame 186, Max FPS: 58.67 at frame 74
Average Tri/Sec: -29244760, Tri/Frame: -678188
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.35
TimeDemo Play Ended, (3 Runs Performed)
==============================================================

Beginning Run #2 on Map-island, Demo-benchmark_gpu
DX9 1900x1200, AA=No AA, Vsync=Disabled, 32 bit test, FullScreen
Demo Loops=3, Time Of Day= 9
Global Game Quality: VeryHigh
==============================================================
TimeDemo Play Started , (Total Frames: 2000, Recorded Time: 111.86s)
!TimeDemo Run 0 Finished.
Play Time: 59.10s, Average FPS: 33.84
Min FPS: 21.20 at frame 190, Max FPS: 54.55 at frame 900
Average Tri/Sec: -23054196, Tri/Frame: -681296
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.35
!TimeDemo Run 1 Finished.
Play Time: 46.82s, Average FPS: 42.72
Min FPS: 21.20 at frame 190, Max FPS: 59.13 at frame 100
Average Tri/Sec: -29058682, Tri/Frame: -680282
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.35
!TimeDemo Run 2 Finished.
Play Time: 46.32s, Average FPS: 43.18
Min FPS: 21.20 at frame 190, Max FPS: 59.13 at frame 100
Average Tri/Sec: -29322736, Tri/Frame: -679083
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.35
TimeDemo Play Ended, (3 Runs Performed)
==============================================================

Beginning Run #3 on Map-island, Demo-benchmark_gpu
DX9 1900x1200, AA=4x, Vsync=Disabled, 32 bit test, FullScreen
Demo Loops=3, Time Of Day= 9
Global Game Quality: VeryHigh
==============================================================
TimeDemo Play Started , (Total Frames: 2000, Recorded Time: 111.86s)
!TimeDemo Run 0 Finished.
Play Time: 61.31s, Average FPS: 32.62
Min FPS: 21.73 at frame 160, Max FPS: 50.89 at frame 896
Average Tri/Sec: -22222030, Tri/Frame: -681245
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.35
!TimeDemo Run 1 Finished.
Play Time: 48.94s, Average FPS: 40.87
Min FPS: 20.73 at frame 1942, Max FPS: 54.87 at frame 87
Average Tri/Sec: -27754560, Tri/Frame: -679156
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.35
!TimeDemo Run 2 Finished.
Play Time: 48.02s, Average FPS: 41.65
Min FPS: 20.73 at frame 1942, Max FPS: 54.87 at frame 87
Average Tri/Sec: -28262740, Tri/Frame: -678655
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.35
TimeDemo Play Ended, (3 Runs Performed)
==============================================================

Beginning Run #4 on Map-island, Demo-benchmark_gpu
DX9 2560x1600, AA=No AA, Vsync=Disabled, 32 bit test, FullScreen
Demo Loops=3, Time Of Day= 9
Global Game Quality: High
==============================================================
TimeDemo Play Started , (Total Frames: 2000, Recorded Time: 111.86s)
!TimeDemo Run 0 Finished.
Play Time: 108.36s, Average FPS: 18.46
Min FPS: 7.47 at frame 88, Max FPS: 22.09 at frame 1749
Average Tri/Sec: -10863041, Tri/Frame: -588585
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.56
!TimeDemo Run 1 Finished.
Play Time: 88.27s, Average FPS: 22.66
Min FPS: 7.47 at frame 88, Max FPS: 35.47 at frame 1741
Average Tri/Sec: -13290420, Tri/Frame: -586579
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.56
!TimeDemo Run 2 Finished.
Play Time: 70.63s, Average FPS: 28.32
Min FPS: 7.47 at frame 88, Max FPS: 35.75 at frame 832
Average Tri/Sec: -16593532, Tri/Frame: -585959
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.56
TimeDemo Play Ended, (3 Runs Performed)
==============================================================

Beginning Run #5 on Map-island, Demo-benchmark_gpu
DX9 2560x1600, AA=No AA, Vsync=Disabled, 32 bit test, FullScreen
Demo Loops=3, Time Of Day= 9
Global Game Quality: VeryHigh
==============================================================
TimeDemo Play Started , (Total Frames: 2000, Recorded Time: 111.86s)
!TimeDemo Run 0 Finished.
Play Time: 108.53s, Average FPS: 18.43
Min FPS: 7.50 at frame 88, Max FPS: 21.91 at frame 1640
Average Tri/Sec: -10843906, Tri/Frame: -588459
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.56
!TimeDemo Run 1 Finished.
Play Time: 88.23s, Average FPS: 22.67
Min FPS: 7.50 at frame 88, Max FPS: 35.22 at frame 1536
Average Tri/Sec: -13300727, Tri/Frame: -586738
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.56
!TimeDemo Run 2 Finished.
Play Time: 70.38s, Average FPS: 28.42
Min FPS: 7.50 at frame 88, Max FPS: 35.88 at frame 864
Average Tri/Sec: -16638193, Tri/Frame: -585468
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.57
TimeDemo Play Ended, (3 Runs Performed)
==============================================================

Beginning Run #6 on Map-island, Demo-benchmark_gpu
DX9 2560x1600, AA=4x, Vsync=Disabled, 32 bit test, FullScreen
Demo Loops=3, Time Of Day= 9
Global Game Quality: VeryHigh
==============================================================
TimeDemo Play Started , (Total Frames: 2000, Recorded Time: 111.86s)
!TimeDemo Run 0 Finished.
Play Time: 113.70s, Average FPS: 17.59
Min FPS: 6.76 at frame 86, Max FPS: 20.76 at frame 1747
Average Tri/Sec: -10367190, Tri/Frame: -589389
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.56
!TimeDemo Run 1 Finished.
Play Time: 93.32s, Average FPS: 21.43
Min FPS: 6.76 at frame 86, Max FPS: 32.31 at frame 1543
Average Tri/Sec: -12595492, Tri/Frame: -587733
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.56
!TimeDemo Run 2 Finished.
Play Time: 74.97s, Average FPS: 26.68
Min FPS: 6.76 at frame 86, Max FPS: 34.88 at frame 1746
Average Tri/Sec: -15659433, Tri/Frame: -586990
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -1.56
TimeDemo Play Ended, (3 Runs Performed)
==============================================================

Completed All Tests

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>>--SUMMARY--<<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

14/12/2008 21:13:51 - Vista 64

Run #1- DX9 1900x1200 AA=No AA, 32 bit test, Quality: High ~~ Overall Average FPS: 42.89
Run #2- DX9 1900x1200 AA=No AA, 32 bit test, Quality: VeryHigh ~~ Overall Average FPS: 42.95
Run #3- DX9 1900x1200 AA=4x, 32 bit test, Quality: VeryHigh ~~ Overall Average FPS: 41.26
Run #4- DX9 2560x1600 AA=No AA, 32 bit test, Quality: High ~~ Overall Average FPS: 25.49
Run #5- DX9 2560x1600 AA=No AA, 32 bit test, Quality: VeryHigh ~~ Overall Average FPS: 25.545
Run #6- DX9 2560x1600 AA=4x, 32 bit test, Quality: VeryHigh ~~ Overall Average FPS: 24.055

Bizarre, I thought Crysis was supposed to be optimised for the latest stuff, but DX9 is a clear winner, thanks again.

Still, I'd like to be able to run it at 16xQ (not sure what the difference is between 16x and 16xQ btw?) if possible, not sure whether I need to upgrade or overclock tho, or what i'd upgrade to?

Also while the averages sound good, if you look at the details you'll see there's some pretty damn low minimum FPS, like 6.97, and that's horrible in an action game.

[Perfectionist]

Hit character limit for posts, sorry:

At those res's and those high settings I don't think you can
A SLI GTX280 setup or Tri SLI setup would beat that but you'd probably get 20-25fps.
These cards just aren't being built to beat games at these resolutions, and especially Crysis. Most of the res's they'll play okay at would be 1920x1200 or 1680x1050 (High Settings).

2 or 3 x 280 you reckon still only 20-25 fps? Again, looking to totally max out if at all possible... I was hoping that it is reasonably possible by now.... :/

[moogle]

Hit character limit for posts, sorry:

2 or 3 x 280 you reckon still only 20-25 fps? Again, looking to totally max out if at all possible... I was hoping that it is reasonably possible by now.... :/

Yeah, the architectures still can't handle those high details and AA that Crysis has. All they can do is ram more cores in for now. I don't see Crysis being toppled anytime soon (at 1920x1200 Max Settings). When it does though that'll be a monster of a card

By toppled I mean around 60FPS average or so.

[Perfectionist]

Thanks, that's good to know, I guess I won't be hunting down more tricked out hardware/computers for now then... Just wait. I hate waiting, lol. :/

Oh well. Maybe I could still get some considerally better FPS with triple/quad sli GTX 280s tho? There's some stuff on Youtube with people claiming things like 20-69 (50 average) fps. But even Scan don't offer that it seems:
http://forums.hexus.net/scan-care-he...g-pc-scan.html (the watercooled Lian Li link is what I was considering when I was talking about i7 PC?) - BTW, regarding the i7 thing, there's a bit of argument going on now if you wanna take a look, I'm interested in what you have to say on the issue.

[staffsMike]

Without reading the particular issues of i7 we know for pretty much fact that anything dual core running around 2.4GHz is enough to play games at high res. THere is no significant advantage of increasing the speed even to 3.0 -4.0GHz as everything falls on the graphics card after this speed.

So for gaming right now i7 is pointless. E8400 are pointless. And Quads in general are pointless.

It's only when you factor in the other things you might want the PC to do that these chips are worth considering over a basic AMD X2 or Pentium dual core (E5200).

[Perfectionist]

Thanks, that's good to know. I wonder if OC'ing the graphics card would do any good hmm... my case is antec 1200 so it's got case fan settings from low to high, if there's such things as extension cables for monitors I guess I could put the PC in another room or cupboard muffled away and have the fans on high... if really necessary, lol. Then again I don't want to be totally wasteful power-wise, bit of a dilemma (though this helps)

[staffsMike]

Well the antec fans on high are very loud but do push a hell of a lot of air which may or may not have a big effect.

The best one to start with is the 200mm big boy. It has the best noise on medium setting

[moogle]

BTW, regarding the i7 thing, there's a bit of argument going on now if you wanna take a look, I'm interested in what you have to say on the issue.

Replied with the best of my knowledge

Thanks, that's good to know. I wonder if OC'ing the graphics card would do any good hmm... my case is antec 1200 so it's got case fan settings from low to high, if there's such things as extension cables for monitors I guess I could put the PC in another room or cupboard muffled away and have the fans on high... if really necessary, lol. Then again I don't want to be totally wasteful power-wise, bit of a dilemma (though this helps)

OC'ing the graphics card will increase your FPS a bit. Depends on what graphics card. For example a GTX260 216 core graphics card OC'ed to lets say BFG GTX 260 OCX Maxcore speeds will make the card give similiar performance to a GTX280 card. That would be a big gain there.

The 1200 will be quite loud on all high (I should know ), but I wasn't that bothered as I was used to the loud sound. Setting it on quiet kept the system cool as well. Medium "Big Boy" like mike said, and medium at the rear and low on the front worked for me

[Perfectionist]

Yeah, that fan is insane, as an initiate to gaming PCs (think I linked my old crappy Pentium 4 1gb ram 9200 radeon somewhere) I was a bit surprised to see a fan that size on a PC.
It's not much louder at med thanks hmm, though I still think I'll keep it on low less I need to. I'd prefer zero noise but from what I've seen on Scan even watercooled need fans (plus scan seem to have hid all the highend non-i7 builds grr).
Is there such a thing as DVI (or VGA) extension cables for monitors and such? I said just monitors at the start but I realised after I'd need one for the speakers too, I'm pretty sure there are for those kind of cables since it's just standard audio kidna thing? I know there definitely is for USB as I've used those. It is indeed pretty quiet, I think either slightly quieter or the same as my old crappy PC, but I'd still like zero background noise if possible via hiding the actual PC box away in a cupboard or somewhere.

I guess I'll go googling for graphics card overclocking, 'less anyone has anything specific to recommend?

Also, any idea about the rocks in the benchmark suddenly appearing popping into existence? and reflections issue in City of Villains? On the techsupportforum link on the scan thread

I'll describe the Crysis one again though here just in case, the CoV one I turned all water effects off I figure it might just be a game issue for latest graphics cards considering the water in Crysis looks like it's out of a real video:

Basically it's like how on old games you'd get stuff suddenly appearing at a certain Level of Detail setting depending on how close you get, but it only seems to affect the small rocks, trees and barrels, it looks very odd they just suddenly pop into existence like they've been there invisible and get turned on "visible" mode - vids on youtube other people don't seem to get this, so I'm wondering what with my system is different considering it's new and I haven't changed much, definitely fully updated drivers etc.

There's also an effect on the trees on the hill where it looks like the graphics card is quickly throwing on layers over the trees in succession to make up the full picture.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Meh!! I played through Crysis and Crysis Warhead with an E4500 at 2.95ghz, a mildly overclocked HD3870 and 4gb in XP. Unless you are playing the game at the highest resolution and settings a 3ghz Core2,4gb RAM and a HD4830/HD4850/HD4870(and their Nvidia equivalents) will still give you a decent gaming experience. I am personally waiting until the next refresh of AMD cards to replace my HD3870. It would be nice to have HD4850/HD4870 level performance in a lower power consumption card.

[moogle]

(plus scan seem to have hid all the highend non-i7 builds grr).

http://forums.hexus.net/general-disc...ml#post1591052

I guess I'll go googling for graphics card overclocking, 'less anyone has anything specific to recommend?

Hmm unsure of when using an ATi card. Perhaps ATITool? If using an NVIDIA card I use RivaTuner, and then I give the card a 3DMark06 run and see if it stands the stress. If it does I leave it on a loop for a bit and if that still works fine I'll increase the overclock orrrrr just leave it at that and save the profile.

Also, any idea about the rocks in the benchmark suddenly appearing popping into existence? and reflections issue in City of Villains? On the techsupportforum link on the scan thread

I'll describe the Crysis one again though here just in case, the CoV one I turned all water effects off I figure it might just be a game issue for latest graphics cards considering the water in Crysis looks like it's out of a real video:

Basically it's like how on old games you'd get stuff suddenly appearing at a certain Level of Detail setting depending on how close you get, but it only seems to affect the small rocks, trees and barrels, it looks very odd they just suddenly pop into existence like they've been there invisible and get turned on "visible" mode - vids on youtube other people don't seem to get this, so I'm wondering what with my system is different considering it's new and I haven't changed much, definitely fully updated drivers etc.

There's also an effect on the trees on the hill where it looks like the graphics card is quickly throwing on layers over the trees in succession to make up the full picture.

Could be render distance? How far are the stones when they appear? I think I remember seeing this as well when playing Crysis but it's so long ago I can't be sure.