New video card - choice

[Rico]

Well I'm very happy with the new card so far.  Significant bump up over my 8800 GT (which is still a great card and I plan on putting it into a secondary PC back home).  Did a quick run around a few zones last night in WOW.  Got anywhere from about 150 fps down to about 45 fps.  With all settings on high.  The water and light effects look great.  I can see more detail than before, especially since Blizzard has updated the graphics pretty much everywhere now.  This new 460 nVidia card is by no means the top of the line that is available right now.  But it was only $139. - which really is a great price for the performance.  Anyway, I'll do more testing today but here's a screenshot of me flying over the Deathwing burned Stormwind.

[billybob476]

Awesome. Those are some amazing FPS values!

[Blackride]

What are you getting when you turn every video option to ultra? That includes smapling etc..

[Rico]

What are you getting when you turn every video option to ultra? That includes smapling etc..

Haven't tried that yet, but will next time in game.  In most areas on high I was averaging about 70-90 fps.  It would peak up at times and dip depending on the zone, people around me, etc.

[Blackride]

Cool I am interested to see what you get. I have an ATI 5870

[Rico]

This morning I was doing more tinkering with dual display mode.  Since the new video card has an HDMI out, I fed a cable to my nearby TV.  And since it's HDMI, it not only carries the video signal, but the audio too.  In the image below I was watching the latest episode of "30 Rock" on the TV.  Display shows in both places, but the sound is only out of the TV when in this mode.  I might need to try this with WOW later too.  Cool!

[billybob476]

lol! Too bad your computer screen is almost as big as your TV already.

If you switch the display mode to Ultra, common practice is to set shadow detail one notch above 'medium'. It frees up a lot of GPU power and the difference in shadow rendering is not very noticeable.

I've been exchanging emails with the guys at Doghouse since 4.0 hit.

[Rico]

I just tried Ultra in Outland (Hellfire).  Dropped from 70-80 to about 40-50 fps.  I frankly don't see a big graphic difference between High and Ultra.  Keep in mind I run 1920 x 1200 res.  So, right now High setting seems to be a sweet spot to stay at for me.

Oh, the reason I like to pipe over shows and things to the TV is because I can sit on the couch to watch.  But yes, my monitor is big!

[Blackride]

lol! Too bad your computer screen is almost as big as your TV already.

If you switch the display mode to Ultra, common practice is to set shadow detail one notch above 'medium'. It frees up a lot of GPU power and the difference in shadow rendering is not very noticeable.

I've been exchanging emails with the guys at Doghouse since 4.0 hit.

His GPU should be able to handle that at the highest levels though.

[Blackride]

OK so I run everything on ultra bla bla bla on the 5870 and I am getting about 60-80fps. You are getting very good results though at that price point Rico. You definietly should be pleased! I also doubt I can tell the differene in video of 20 fps......yet it costs hundreds more.....

[billybob476]

lol! Too bad your computer screen is almost as big as your TV already.

If you switch the display mode to Ultra, common practice is to set shadow detail one notch above 'medium'. It frees up a lot of GPU power and the difference in shadow rendering is not very noticeable.

I've been exchanging emails with the guys at Doghouse since 4.0 hit.

His GPU should be able to handle that at the highest levels though.

Definitely, I think the main reason they recommend that is there used to be some kind of shadow rendering issue with ATI cards.