Can any graphics card ever be overkill?

[Black Panther]

I'd like to hear your opinions on the topic, while taking advice myself.

I've been planning to upgrade my desktop's graphics - so far I've put aside €500.
I've found a GTX 295 for €491 including shipping.
I'll probably be waiting more, firstly because I have to save more since I'd be needing a new PSU... and hopefully the 295 prices will stabilise.

Now, on topic, I've been browsing around some online shops forums like OcUK forum etc..., and I keep reading that if your monitor is "only" 1920x1200 getting a GTX 295 is overkill and it's useless getting anything more than a 260.

Now my desktop's monitor is (even more 'only') 1680x1050 and I don't plan to upgrade that for now.

What are your opinions on this?

The thing is - if on my desktop system (see system specs) a 260 and a 295 will be giving me exactly the SAME fps with say Crysis maxed out.... then I'd believe that yes the 295 would be overkill.

But afaik not even the 295 can play Crysis maxed out full AA & AF and get a flat 75fps in all instances...

My opinion is that it wouldn't be overkill.

I mean look at this graph using Crysis Warhead as a test:

The GTX 295 wins hands down except in the highest resolution.

What are your opinions?
Can a graphics card ever be considered "too much"?

 

[Kei]

Personally I don't think that Crysis is a great test for anything as it's very different from all the rest of the games out with it's 'requirements' since it's not really optimized for anything.

On the subject of overkill though I most definitely think that a graphics card can be overkill...so can a processor, ram, etc. etc. etc.

Almost all of us here have overkill in our systems and those that don't are just waiting until the stuff we have is cheaper so they can get some overkill to have fun with. Honestly think about the processor you have and tell me that's not overkill? I know a Phenom 9850BE isn't as fast as your Q9450 and my Phenom is overkill even when I downclock it.

We've all got some overkill so don't beat yourself over the head...get some more and just enjoy knowing that you may have bought a graphics card that will last you the next 5-7 years or much more...as long as you can be content with it that is when the next new hot thing comes out.

Kei

 

[Triprift]

My own person opinion would be the same as yours if you go for the 295 youll be future proofing yourself. Even though like kei said Crysis warhead aint a good one to compare thanks to poor optimisation and the fact its pants with duel gpu setups despite needing more rendering power than any other games. You got the money so go for it i say. You would need more cooling though judgeing by the 4870x2 just keep that in mind.

 

[CyberDruid]

Just waiting for EK to come out with the waterblocks and I'll get some benches out...

 

[spearman914]

U shouldn't need a GTX295 for now unless u play crysis all max with 4x AA 1920 x 1080.

 

[Altered]

You know the whole "future proofing" thing is getting kind of old. Lets take a look back what video cards came out 4 to 5 yrs ago. You have to be kidding if your a gamer to say you would be running a card that old. My X1950 XTX isn't that old but yet its almost extinct in the gaming world. Money permitting 2yrs is pretty much as long as most people go without a upgrade. Some people just cant stand the fact they don't have the latest hoopla. DX10 is one of those scams you can read a thousand posts from back when the 8800 320mb series cards came out and they were saying the same thing this card will last me x# of years. Now look that same card people have been throwing to the side for a year or more looking for the next greatest thing. To this day there is how many actual games that support DX10 and for what a slightly better picture. Sure if having the best PC is your hobby and you have the money go for it but to pay over $400.00 for a video card to say your future proofing is a stretch of the imagination. New games new architecture of video cards will be coming and your top of the line card may or may not do what you want in a game or program in that 4 to 5 yr span. Based on how fast the new cards become old there is no future proofing unless to want to be playing a 4 or 5 yr old game in 4 or 5 yrs. How does that have anything to do with the future.
As far as overkill goes I guess that would depend on what the industry has in store for us to use them on. If they don't continue to make games etc supporting more detailed graphics etc etc then that one time buy might be the best purchase ever. Somehow I doubt that will happen. So for right now if this newest card will play all the games with no issues at max everything then I would say for a serious gamer its not overkill. Its just a little extravagant for the other 98% of the world. I hope quite a few people buy these high dollar cards so in a couple of years I can buy one for a fraction of the original price and still play games at a reasonable resolution turning great fps.

 

[DonInKansas]

Overkill is what you make of it. I think it's overkill to pay more than 30 dollars for a pair of jeans, but some people pay 100. I think it's overkill to own more than 3 pairs of shoes, but my wife heartily disagrees.

Overkill means different things to different people.

 

[JC316]

To me, yes, you can go overkill with a card. I can't tell the difference in 1680x1050 and 1400x900. I barely need any more power than my Crossfire 2600's put out, much less a friggin GTX295.

 

[Katanai]

Well I for one would go for the 285. That's because I've had a poor experience with SLI. Anyway if you feel like you want the fastest graphics card in the world and have the money to get it. Go for it now! Don't ask any questions, just buy it and never regret doing so.

 

[Black Panther]

I think it's overkill to own more than 3 pairs of shoes, but my wife heartily disagrees.

Overkill means different things to different people.

It's overkill to own 20 pairs of shoes if you always wear the same 3 pairs week after week.

It'd be overkill if a 260 will get me a flat 60 fps in GTAIV.... and a GTX 295 will still get me a flat 60 fps in GTAIV..

BUT - will it?

That is what I mean...

 

[3870x2]

no card will ever be overkill. Would you call 2 7950GX2s overkill? you did 3 years ago, and now they struggle on todays games.
If it is overkill, it is more future proof.

 

[Black Panther]

no card will ever be overkill. Would you call 2 7950GX2s overkill? you did 3 years ago, and now they struggle on todays games.
If it is overkill, it is more future proof.

Makes sense....

 

[bigtye]

Yeah I don't think you can overkill too much. 3 years ago I bought an ATI 1600 pro, around $200 au. then I bought a 1950 pro 12 months later for $330, then 12months later a 9600gt for $290 and just recently a 4870 for $340. I have friends who bought a 8800 GTX when they came out and are still gaming great with them.

As you can see though, my reasonably priced cards add up even over 2-3 years of gaming, in order to keep playing what I like at resolutions I like, with solid frame rates. If you buy a better card and keep your monitor, you'll just go longer before you are forced to upgrade again.

The thing to remember is, no matter what, you will always need to upgrade at some point, it's just a matter of how far off into the future you make that (within reason).

So as long as you are happy, go for it. Your the only one who has to feeel the decision is right.

Enjoy your card

Tye

 

[Triprift]

no card will ever be overkill. Would you call 2 7950GX2s overkill? you did 3 years ago, and now they struggle on todays games.
If it is overkill, it is more future proof.

Indeed exactly what i was trying to say earlier just in fewer words and much better put.

 

[JC316]

no card will ever be overkill. Would you call 2 7950GX2s overkill? you did 3 years ago, and now they struggle on todays games.
If it is overkill, it is more future proof.

Yes, it may be future proof, but the problem stands of pricing. I would rather buy last years best for dirt cheap than today's new stuff. So in essence a 4870X2 is overkill at $500 when you can get a 3870X2 for $140.

 

[lemonadesoda]

I disagree with the "future proof" concept. While, yes, buying a highest end card will give you satisfactory performance for longer, it is better to buy something that suits your need TODAY. With the money you save, bank it, and then use that money in a years time to get the lastest card THEN.

Illustration: How many people are selling their 3870 crossfire setups to get a 4870? Lots.

If the GTX260b is enough for you today (I think it is), then get that. For an extra 10% performance, not spend twice the money, and then next year have a card that is an underperformer compared to buying a new card with the money you saved today.

Note that this "rule" doesnt fit all. But I think it's probably the right balance for you Panther. Unless, of course, you already have a 1920x1200 (specs) and not a 1680x1050. LOL

 

[Binge]

Can a graphics card ever be considered "too much"?

Definitely not. A graphics card can only be "enough."

Sadly that means that the definition for enough changes with time, but you can always have more and it still be enough.

Right around the corner is the 212, and then the 300 series late this year. Consider what you're buying it all for and then decide. I've been happy with a single GTX280 for balls out settings on 1680x1050. Going to 19x10 would have me itching for SLI again.

I would also recommend 280/285 SLI. It seems that the allure of the 295 is the possibility of running 4 gpus.

 

[LittleLizard]

there it was a guide of which graphic card is for you based on the resolution u play. a gtx 260 for 1680*1050 is perfectly fine but is not overkill

 

[Binge]

there it was a guide of which graphic card is for you based on the resolution u play. a gtx 260 for 1680*1050 is perfectly fine but is not overkill

I don't agree with that guide. A gtx260 was not enough.

 

[qubit]

Not overkill

I don't think that 295 will be overkill - as long as you can afford the money to pay for it. Especially for the latest games.

I'm currently using a 9800 GX2 in an old S939 system. On games like Fallout 3, the CPU can no way max out the card and the FPS can get quite low, which sucks. On the other hand, it does mean that I can max out my resolution and detail settings and not see any slowdown.

I also know that when I finally upgrade my system in the next few months, this card will still have the power to give me decent frame rates.

In short, you can never have too much power, especially for graphics intensive stuff. 'Overkill' is a somewhat subjective term anyway, given that it depends on what you want and the exact circumstances surrounding the issue.

 

[inf3rno]

I am not agreed with the thing future proof. Technology is changing every moment so nobody is safe. ;-}

 

[CyberDruid]

Agreed the HD 4970X4 is just one step toward the graphics card the sixe of your head.

 

[hat]

There's no such thing as this "overkill" you speak of in the gaming/benching/overclocking world. There never was, there isn't now, and there never will be. Ever.

 

[Mussels]

a graphics card is overkill, when you get 100FPS+ at settings you are comfortable with, at your native resolution.

For example, i have a low native resolution on my HDTV, so running two GTX 290's in SLI to run counter strike 1.6, would be overkill.

running crysis at 2560x1600 with 16x AA would be a different matter.

In the end, its not overkill for long... as long as you play newer games as they come out, and you keep buying screens with a higher resolution.

 

[btarunr]

The 8800 GTX was, when it released, until Crysis came along. The GeForce GTX 285 could end up as the best card for your resolution.