Video Card that runs both FO3 & New Vegas

[thebutch77]

I have been looking for quite a while and have not found any discussions or info from Bethesda, or anyplace else for that matter, that just states what video card is supported for both games.

My computer upgrade will be an AMD Quad core minimum, along with a minimum of 8 GB of ram.

I also use Auto Cad for business on the same computer, not that I think this would matter for the Cad program. It runs very stable on a Geforce Gt240 1GB now with no problems.

Just trying to find one card that will work for both games, please.

[casadechrisso]

Any recent card that isn't on the lowest end will do. It also depends on your monitor resolution, the higher the resolution the better card you should get. As a rule of thumbs, don't ever go below the €/$ 100 mark. The lowest AMD I'd recommend is the 6770/7770, better get a x850 or x870. I'm quite satisfied with a relatively cheap and quiet AMD 6850 by Sapphire, most would probably go for the 6870 or the new (but much more expensive) 7870. On the nVidia side of things, I'd say the minimum of current cards should be a 550Ti, but I'd really recommend spending a bit more and start with a 560. The best bang for the buck is probably a 560 Ti.

 

Anyway, Fallout 3 and New Vegas are the same engine, a card that runs one will run the other. nVidia or AMD is purely a matter of taste.

[thebutch77]

Casadechrisso,

Thanks for the reply, I am very grateful for this. I am a shut in and really use the FO3 game with several mods. I am just trying to add the New Vegas to my play ability.

But I am still confused by the only list I can find for FO3, on the Bethesda site, for the supported video cards and do not see the cards that you have recommended as a compatible card and no cross reference to the New Vegas game.

Now I am totally confused at this point.

Again thanks for the help.

[hoofhearted4]

you wont buy a card (unless you really try hard) that isnt supported by those games.

 

its not like your going to go on newegg, purchase a card, then try to play your game and realize your card isnt supported.

 

id recommend a 560ti

[casadechrisso]

hoofhearted4 is right, any recent card will work, it's not that you can play on a 550, but can't on a 560 Ti etc. All available graphics cards can basically run the game, the question is only at what quality. Cards below $/€100 will mostly run it too, but it might get very choppy to the point where the game could get unplayable because the card simply lacks the horsepower, that's why I'd recommend getting a decent one. I have no idea about your pricerange, but out of the blue I'd recommend either a AMD 6870 or a nVidia 560Ti. Not because others don't work, but because these are two very good cards that should run any recent game without any problems at a high quality. If you just don't have the money, go for a cheaper model like the AMD 6850 or a GeForce 560 (no Ti), and if you can spend more think about a AMD 7870 or GeForce 570... and so on.

 

To give you an idea about the naming conventions of both brands:

 

The first number (AMD 7xxx, GeForce 5xx) always marks the generation, that means a GeForce 460 is older than a 560.

 

The second and third number (AMD x850, GeForce x60) gives a hint on how much horsepower you can expect, in general the higher these numbers the faster (and more expensive) the card.

 

As anther rule of thumbs, the midrange cards usually start at the AMD x7xx and GeForce x5x range, everything below that is probably too slow for current games. Note that this is just the entry point, most gamers would still avoid a, say, AMD 6750 or GeForce 550, although they work.

 

The range with the best price/performance ratio is almost through all generations the AMD x8xx and Geforce x6x class, you don't spend a fortune here like enthusiasts but will easily play any game in a good quality. Personally, I'd avoid getting any higher than that, because Graphics cards age fast and you'll probably upgrade again in 2 years... this price range doesn't hurt as much.

 

Also note that on faster cards you should also check if your PC's power supply can handle them, keep in mind they consume much more power, produce more heat and might be noisy.

 

I hope I didn't confuse you too much. Maybe if you said how much you are willing to spend, we could narrow it down on particular models. Still, the general recommendation stands, AMD 6870 (Sapphire branded ones are good because they're not noisy) or the Geforce 560Ti. Both are about equally fast.

[Fonger]

It runs very stable on a Geforce Gt240 1GB now with no problems.

which game is this card not working for?

Edited March 10, 2012 by Fonger

[thebutch77]

Thank you for all the help here, I really appreciate it. The card is not the problem with running New Vegas and FO3 works fine. The machine that I am using is holding me back. It is a single core which was all I could afford at the time.

I am looking at a Bare Bones kit from one dealer as I do have a technical back ground before this time. I can assemble one that is a quad core and still have funds for the better video cards that have been recommended. Per the advice, I will check for all the required power outputs for each. I have found that I can make changes to the " kit " and make it for what I need it to do.

Thank you all for the help and assistance. It does mean a lot.

[Fonger]

Thank you for all the help here, I really appreciate it. The card is not the problem with running New Vegas and FO3 works fine. The machine that I am using is holding me back. It is a single core which was all I could afford at the time.

I am looking at a Bare Bones kit from one dealer as I do have a technical back ground before this time. I can assemble one that is a quad core and still have funds for the better video cards that have been recommended. Per the advice, I will check for all the required power outputs for each. I have found that I can make changes to the " kit " and make it for what I need it to do.

Thank you all for the help and assistance. It does mean a lot.

Oh, so your title is confused

 

you are not looking for a video card

 

you are looking for a motherboard and/or a new cpu

[thebutch77]

Thank you for all the help here, I really appreciate it. The card is not the problem with running New Vegas and FO3 works fine. The machine that I am using is holding me back. It is a single core which was all I could afford at the time.

I am looking at a Bare Bones kit from one dealer as I do have a technical back ground before this time. I can assemble one that is a quad core and still have funds for the better video cards that have been recommended. Per the advice, I will check for all the required power outputs for each. I have found that I can make changes to the " kit " and make it for what I need it to do.

Thank you all for the help and assistance. It does mean a lot.

Oh, so your title is confused

 

you are not looking for a video card

 

you are looking for a motherboard and/or a new cpu

[FMod]

ZMy computer upgrade will be an AMD Quad core minimum, along with a minimum of 8 GB of ram.

I also use Auto Cad for business on the same computer, not that I think this would matter for the Cad program. It runs very stable on a Geforce Gt240 1GB now with no problems. Just trying to find one card that will work for both games, please.

Best bang for the buck in your case is going to be Athlon II X4 631 (yes, on FM1), or 641. Has to be FM1, these are 32nm and overclock better. Phenom II is only a little better for a lot more buck.

For GPU, it lines up like this - 6850, 6870, 560Ti 448 cores. These are the ones most worth buying in their respective price ranges.