"cheapest" graphics card to run NS2?

SoilSoil Join Date: 2012-01-15 Member: 140617Members
<div class="IPBDescription">I got a new PC and wish to know from peoples personal accounts :D</div>What is the cheapest graphics card people run NS2 on? I basically got a new PC and need a new graphics card. PC Spec:
PSU: OCZ ZS 650w
Processor: Intel Core i5 2500K 3.30GHz sandybridge
Ram: 4GB
gfx card (at the moment): 6450 low profile :$
I'm going to be upgrading to 8GB ram next week, so now the only thing left to buy is a gfx card : ) Would somethin like the 6850 run NS2? preferablely budget around £100. Any feedback is appreciated <3

Comments

  • FloodinatorFloodinator [HBZ] Member Join Date: 2005-02-22 Member: 42087Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    Even HD 4k cards run NS2. Almost every DX9 card can run NS2. I don't think you will have any problems with HD 6k, 7K series at all.
  • WilsonWilson Join Date: 2010-07-26 Member: 72867Members
    Best thing you can do is overclock your cpu. A better graphics card wont make much difference.
  • SoilSoil Join Date: 2012-01-15 Member: 140617Members
    Ok so I think I will go for the 6850 then, I can over clock my CPU to 4.4ghz apparently but i really havent got a clue how to..
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    edited March 2012
    There are windows programs that are easy to use for OCing, you might want to start off at 4Ghz on the 2500K as that generally can be achieved easily without any after market Air cooling system (or voltage changes AFAIK)


    Build 201 runs in between (22low) 25 and 35FPS (40peak) in combat for me. On an E6420 C2D (2.13Ghz) @ 3.2Ghz with 2Ghz DDR2 and a HD4850 512Mb


    As a side note 202 internal far outperforms 201 for me and I can run the game once more on Medium Graphics without hitching (High is now quite similar to how Medium is in build 201 for me)

    More on this when we do a PT this evening!
  • bEEbbEEb Join Date: 2012-03-24 Member: 149317Members, NS2 Map Tester
    edited March 2012
    <!--quoteo(post=1919004:date=Mar 28 2012, 09:33 AM:name=Soil)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Soil @ Mar 28 2012, 09:33 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1919004"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Ok so I think I will go for the 6850 then, I can over clock my CPU to 4.4ghz apparently but i really havent got a clue how to..<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    If youre getting a 6850 just spend the few extra $ and get the xfx double d 6870.


    Best card ive ever owned. I have a second one coming tomorrow to crossfireX.
  • ZurikiZuriki Join Date: 2010-11-20 Member: 75105Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1919058:date=Mar 28 2012, 08:38 PM:name=bEEb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (bEEb @ Mar 28 2012, 08:38 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1919058"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->If youre getting a 6850 just spend the few extra $ and get the xfx double d 6870.


    Best card ive ever owned. I have a second one coming tomorrow to crossfireX.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I wish I had done this. *sadface*
  • Soul_RiderSoul_Rider Mod Bean Join Date: 2004-06-19 Member: 29388Members, Constellation, Squad Five Blue
    <!--quoteo(post=1919015:date=Mar 28 2012, 06:38 PM:name=Kouji_San)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kouji_San @ Mar 28 2012, 06:38 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1919015"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->More on this when we do a PT this evening!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Great news, now your playtesting has finished for yesterday, where my MOAR! :)
  • SoilSoil Join Date: 2012-01-15 Member: 140617Members
    edited March 2012
    Alright guys, so.
    i5 2500k sandybridge currently OC'd at 4.2ghz
    4gb kingston ram
    and 6450 low prof 1gb
    in game I am only getting 15fps at the best... any suggestions? In combat I get like 8FPS.. lol, i lowered resolution, i did all the r_atmospherics false etc. any suggestions to what i can do to improve gameplay ? D: Any feedback appreciated.
    edit: changed the resolution to 1024x768 and now get 20-45fps :)
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    <!--quoteo(post=1919471:date=Mar 29 2012, 07:02 PM:name=Soul_Rider)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Soul_Rider @ Mar 29 2012, 07:02 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1919471"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Great news, now your playtesting has finished for yesterday, where my MOAR! :)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    my overall FPS has increased by about 5-15 depending on area and combat...
  • bEEbbEEb Join Date: 2012-03-24 Member: 149317Members, NS2 Map Tester
    edited March 2012
    <!--quoteo(post=1919518:date=Mar 29 2012, 01:37 PM:name=Soil)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Soil @ Mar 29 2012, 01:37 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1919518"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Alright guys, so.
    i5 2500k sandybridge currently OC'd at 4.2ghz
    4gb kingston ram
    and 6450 low prof 1gb
    in game I am only getting 15fps at the best... any suggestions? In combat I get like 8FPS.. lol, i lowered resolution, i did all the r_atmospherics false etc. any suggestions to what i can do to improve gameplay ? D: Any feedback appreciated.
    edit: changed the resolution to 1024x768 and now get 20-45fps :)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    That doesnt look right. Personally my fps is anywhere from 50-100+ depending on the situation and I have everything maxxed out at 1920x1080. That was before I crossfired my 6870s too. I cant imagine RAM has that much to do with it but your 4gigs could be the culprit. You say youre upgrading to 8 gigs soon. That should help things. Does your GPU handle the graphics or is the "use application settings" box ticked in CCC? What kind of temps are you showing with your GPU, CPU and mobo?

    i52500k @4.5ghz
    ASrock E3 G3 mobo
    8gb Gskill Ripjaws
    XFX 6870 CF
    Win7 64bit
  • FloodinatorFloodinator [HBZ] Member Join Date: 2005-02-22 Member: 42087Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    edited March 2012
    His problem is the HD6450 that is a low-low end card it's performance us below a Geforce 430 GT!
    That's one of those Cards that are not even worth for Farmville!

    Get a better GPU or your CPU was not the money worth!
    Always always always look for benchmarks! A HD 7420 sound cool and brand new but its often just a rebrand of a old and somerimes veryold GPUs.

    A gaming GPU never looks like this:
    <img src="http://techreport.com/r.x/radeon-hd-6450/card.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
    That card has some strange desing, the heat exhaust is hearing up the connections and some transistors and keeps al the heat in the case....
  • SoilSoil Join Date: 2012-01-15 Member: 140617Members
    What Graphics card would you recommend then Floodi? D:
  • SoilSoil Join Date: 2012-01-15 Member: 140617Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1920058:date=Mar 31 2012, 05:32 AM:name=bEEb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (bEEb @ Mar 31 2012, 05:32 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1920058"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->That doesnt look right. Personally my fps is anywhere from 50-100+ depending on the situation and I have everything maxxed out at 1920x1080. That was before I crossfired my 6870s too. I cant imagine RAM has that much to do with it but your 4gigs could be the culprit. You say youre upgrading to 8 gigs soon. That should help things. Does your GPU handle the graphics or is the "use application settings" box ticked in CCC? What kind of temps are you showing with your GPU, CPU and mobo?

    i52500k @4.5ghz
    ASrock E3 G3 mobo
    8gb Gskill Ripjaws
    XFX 6870 CF
    Win7 64bit<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


    I got no idea what CCC is D: Sorry. but my temperature is fine, goes up to 50 (the cpu) at the hottest and I don't know about hte GPU/mobo :3
  • FloodinatorFloodinator [HBZ] Member Join Date: 2005-02-22 Member: 42087Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    edited April 2012
    <!--quoteo(post=1921412:date=Apr 3 2012, 02:46 PM:name=Soil)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Soil @ Apr 3 2012, 02:46 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1921412"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->What Graphics card would you recommend then Floodi? D:<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Depends on your budget. Now the new cards are getting out the last gen drops in price.
    Take a look on this site:
    <a href="http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html" target="_blank">http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming...eview,3107.html</a>
    Then select your budget.

    If you found a GPU that interessts you f.e. A HD 7770 always check the benchmarks from different brands (Xfx, Asus, Club3D etc) because HD 7770 ❌= HD 7770.
    GPUs with 2 fans got better coolings and are quieter than the standart model, but don't always cost more.

    And last but not least wich GPU brand do you want?
    Nvidia or AMD?
    But in a budget question I would rather say AMD and in 1 or 2 years the Geforce 6xx, when the price dropped alot!

    Edit: CCC= Catalys control center
  • IronHorseIronHorse Developer, QA Manager, Technical Support & contributor Join Date: 2010-05-08 Member: 71669Members, Super Administrators, Forum Admins, Forum Moderators, NS2 Developer, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Subnautica Playtester, Subnautica PT Lead, Pistachionauts
    edited April 2012
    Kouji, for $100 us bucks, you could get the corsair H60 water cooler and OC your processor closer to 4 ghz (big difference!) and upgrade your ram which is CHEAP these days! (largest difference i ever saw in ns2 was moving to 64 bit with 8 gb)
    newegg.com , buddy.

    bet you for that $100, you will get ~ 20 fps increase alone. if you have more than 100 to spend, check out that video card link above.
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    edited April 2012
    <!--quoteo(post=1922752:date=Apr 7 2012, 09:26 AM:name=ironhorse)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ironhorse @ Apr 7 2012, 09:26 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1922752"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Kouji, for $100 us bucks, you could get the corsair H60 water cooler and OC your processor closer to 4 ghz (big difference!) and upgrade your ram which is CHEAP these days! (largest difference i ever saw in ns2 was moving to 64 bit with 8 gb)
    newegg.com , buddy.

    bet you for that $100, you will get ~ 20 fps increase alone. if you have more than 100 to spend, check out that video card link above.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    DDR2 is ~2.5 times the price though and OCZ Reapers PC2 6400 are quite rare these days...

    <i>- The memory might be my bottlenecks though, might have to look at timings+voltages some more. 3.6 on stock cooling is perhaps quite possible if I look into this more. It's just that I've seen my memory run at 450x2 speeds easily in other systems on stock timings (4-4-4-15). However my modules seem to struggle at anything higher then 433x2 on stock timings...</i>


    Also you're correct about the E6420 being able to handle 4Ghz (on serious cooling), I tried it on the stock cooler (which it is running the current 3.2/3.4Ghz on). But the voltages were maddening hot and with summer fast approaching I probably need to look into better OC cooling or maybe Sandy/Ivy. The thing is, I just love pushing oldschool hardware to the max instead of having new stuff that kinda brushes it off as "meh OC-ing ain't so hard" :P


    The difference between 3.2Ghz and 3.4Ghz is about +3-5FPS, I might see diminishing returns on that. That +20FPS seems plausible though...
  • SoilSoil Join Date: 2012-01-15 Member: 140617Members
    Just to update - I'm going to go for the 6850 :D
    <a href="http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-174-OK" target="_blank">http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct....rodid=GX-174-OK</a>
  • FloodinatorFloodinator [HBZ] Member Join Date: 2005-02-22 Member: 42087Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    Good decision, also the cooling seems better than the OEM model!
    Also in the tuning pannel for you GPU (for more GPU intense games) you can fully overclock your GPU without any risks, but you won't need it for NS2.

    With your new setup you are rdy for every game till the new geberation of consoles (not nintendo) +1 year comes out.
  • Mag1cWalkerMag1cWalker Join Date: 2012-03-15 Member: 148818Members
    Buy this!! instead ocUK version <a href="http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-269-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1866" target="_blank">http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct....amp;subcat=1866</a>
  • SoilSoil Join Date: 2012-01-15 Member: 140617Members
    Just to update this post!! Whoever says this game has nothing to do with graphics cards lie!
    My FPS with a 6450 low profile (on low settings and in low resolution) was 10 in late game combat to 30 at the highest (including the r_atmospherics 0 etc etc commands). I got my 6850 and now run it on medium settings with 60FPS in game play and combat (it was the lowest I saw it go :) ) and it was also in a higher resolution. So just to make everyone aware, if you got a ###### graphics card - upgrade it and your performance SHOULD increase :) I can now play as skulk without watching slide show combat :D
  • FloodinatorFloodinator [HBZ] Member Join Date: 2005-02-22 Member: 42087Members, Reinforced - Shadow
  • ScardyBobScardyBob ScardyBob Join Date: 2009-11-25 Member: 69528Forum Admins, Forum Moderators, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow
    <!--quoteo(post=1923846:date=Apr 10 2012, 11:15 AM:name=Soil)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Soil @ Apr 10 2012, 11:15 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1923846"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Just to update this post!! Whoever says this game has nothing to do with graphics cards lie!
    My FPS with a 6450 low profile (on low settings and in low resolution) was 10 in late game combat to 30 at the highest (including the r_atmospherics 0 etc etc commands). I got my 6850 and now run it on medium settings with 60FPS in game play and combat (it was the lowest I saw it go :) ) and it was also in a higher resolution. So just to make everyone aware, if you got a ###### graphics card - upgrade it and your performance SHOULD increase :) I can now play as skulk without watching slide show combat :D<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    That's good to know, though I suspect that it might have been something misconfigured with your 6450 than that it was bottlenecking NS2 on your system. That being said, a 6850 is a much better match to your OCd 2500k.
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    edited April 2012
    I completely forgot to add this, but a x4xx series or in that range have no place to call themselves 3D cards or gaming cards. Heck I bet my old HD4850 could probably outperform that HD6450 (I think my FPS and old CPU combo speak for itself :P)... So yeah the statement still stands, a graphics card has no real impact on NS2's performance. That is unless you're using the low end models that are seriously lacking graphics bellsNwhistles, so to speak... Or maybe a very old card pre-dating shader 3.0...
  • DghelneshiDghelneshi Aims to surpass Fana in post edits. Join Date: 2011-11-01 Member: 130634Members, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow
    edited April 2012
    Totally agree with Kouji. A HD4850 _severely_ outperforms a HD6450. Even the integrated graphics on the i5-2500K can be faster in some games, so there isn't really any reason to use a card like this anymore.
  • SoilSoil Join Date: 2012-01-15 Member: 140617Members
    Well true, but so many people emphasise on CPU and ram and say (and I think they over exagerate ) the GPU isn't important. People who don't know much about computer's could misinterpret that. I thought my 6450 would be quite okay at playing NS2 because my CPU is badass (in my eyes :P) but seriously I cannot give credit to how much this 6850 has made my gameplay so much more enjoyable and smoother
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    edited April 2012
    Nothing exaggerating about it, like I said a card in this low end "office" series is simply not a gaming card. It's not that is doesn't have the "speeds", but it does indeed lack the hardware for gaming. I mean it is literally lacking the hardware pipelines and instructions for gaming :P

    For example, set that i5 2500k at stock speeds, which should be waaaaaay beyond what is needed to run a game like NS2 when it is optimised. You will see a heavy hit to your FPS, even on such a new/powerful CPU. But swapping your new HD6850 out with a HD4850 (or maybe even a HD3850 an even older generation, of course the 512Mb PCI-E version), you won't see much (if any) hit to your FPS.
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