Alright I'm getting a P4 Hyperthreading 3ghz system with 512mb (256 x2) RAM and 200 gb hard drive from my uncle fairly cheap (been needing an upgrade for a while, this 300 mhz laptop isn't cuttin it :P) and he found a VAIO desktop on ubid.com for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course this will be used for storing my pictures, and doing a lotta school-related stuff with it, and burning, but of course...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have to play games on it! I haven't really had a taste of these newfangled advanced games like battlefield 2 you kids have now :P (getting Microsoft pinball to run smoothly on my laptop was like an act of god :lol: )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Only problem is the VAIO comes with integrated graphics, and if I want to play some of these higher end games, I'm gonna need a card I know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, I've read that the newest Nvidia card owns all, but of course with a $600 price tag I can't afford it. So what would you folks reccomend, I guess I'll want games like Battlefield 2 (I cant wait to play that one!) or Rome Total war or something.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, what games do you guys recommend for a higher end system. I'm a big fan of RTS and FPS (age of empires II, Army men: World War for teh win)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic question summary:

 

 

 

1. What good RTS and FPS are out there that you've played, and would you recommend any and,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. What graphics card can smoothly run even Battlefield 2, or what do you guys recommend(I can handle about $100-$200 budget for a graphics card)

Get another gig of RAM, otherwise BF2 will be a bit... ugh. And i'd also suggest Half-Life 2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

as for video card, meh. Someelse can handle that :P

With that budget I would go for a Radeon 9800Pro or a Geforce 6600GT. The later is slightly more powerfull as well as slightly more expensive.

I'd go with the 6600GT out of those two.

 

 

 

Mainly because I got a 9800pro and it seems to be a problem with some games :P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unless ATI just hates me :(

Ok thanks, I will look into those cards! And upgrade my RAM if I have enough left over :)

Call of duty and the call of duty United Offence(expansion pack) are good games. $30(american) for both games in a pack.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would wait for Call of Duty2 comming out in November.

With 512 you might be ok running BF2, but you might want to buy up to a gig (preferably 512mb X 2). As for a GPU card, Id suggest a GeForce 6800GT, its a moderate card and can run battlefield 2 as well as HalfLife2 and CsSource.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Luck

Go with the 6600 GT for sure, as it is a generation newer than the dying 9800. As for games? Warcraft 3 is a great rts game, although it barely requires the 6600 gt. The total war series of games are all great, and I strongly recommend Rome : Total War. AOE 3 and B&W2 are coming out soon, so you'll have those to look forward to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for FPSes, Battlefield is quite the experience. You can't go wrong with Half life 2 (and CS:S). Far Cry is also a fun little adventre.. :P

Deus Ex (the original) :D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ask around for someone with the CGW January DVD if you can't find it in stores

Hmmm, definitely getting Hl2 and BF2, might get Rome: TW if I have enough left over...

Go with the 6600 GT for sure, as it is a generation newer than the dying 9800. As for games? Warcraft 3 is a great rts game, although it barely requires the 6600 gt. The total war series of games are all great, and I strongly recommend Rome : Total War. AOE 3 and B&W2 are coming out soon, so you'll have those to look forward to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for FPSes, Battlefield is quite the experience. You can't go wrong with Half life 2 (and CS:S). Far Cry is also a fun little adventre.. :P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

mm, i forgot about AOE3 for a bit there. which reminds me, i should pre-order it.

Ok Ive been looking at Newegg for a 6800GT, I have a PCI Express x16 slot, and I want about 256mb of memory on the vid card

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... ideo+Cards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was particularly interested in this one:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AOpen 91.05210.45H Geforce 6800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASUS EN6800GT/2DT/256MB Geforce 6800GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REFURBISHED: ASUS EN6800GT/2DT/256MB Geforce 6800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - OEM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hmmm which is best value and power outta these?...

You will be VERY deissapointed with BF2. It is nothing like BF1942. It's more like a combination of America's Army (realistic FPS) and BF1942(rush in fps) The problem is that you rush in and get killed, and if you don't rush in then the AI seems to avoid you completely. It was a bit laggy on my computer with 512megs, but I do only have a GeForce FX5200.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good FPS:

 

 

 

Half-Life 2

 

 

 

Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory (online only) (it's free)

 

 

 

Pariah was fun but short

 

 

 

as always Unreal Tournament 2004

 

 

 

Quake 4(not out just yet, but definetly a must-have)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RTS:

 

 

 

Warcraft 3

 

 

 

Empire Earth 2

 

 

 

Age of Empires 2 (3 is coming soon)