Graphics Issue?

[Roostervier]

So,

X700 > X1550 while X8600 < X8800. Core clock speeds don't matter, neither do amounts of RAM, ram bus speed or pixel pipes except of course when they do matter. A DX transition does matter, but the age of the engine of the game does not, in this case, come into play. There are some "series" changes in there, but you wouldn't know from the manufacturer, just from one online retailer.

On what criteria, besides running the game in question with various cards, can you make an educated guess at how well a card will run it?

Not so much of a literal know-it-all now, huh =p. Buckshot does have a point, we aren't dealing with CPUs here. Do not make examples of a device other than the ones on hand. Yes, DX does play a hand in this, though, when it comes to getting two DX9 cards, Buckshot has ground to stand on. A high end last series card, considering it is using the same version of direct x, will beat a low end new series card. Do not be fooled by the label of last series, or series at all for that matter. All the series in a group of cards that are all in the same Direct X version is really all one series. Also, you don't have theories when it is backed up by experience with the performance.

Now, educated guesses are educated guess. It is not a fact set in stone. If there is experience with other cards on the same game, than it is the logical guess that the card that performed better on the other game will still perform better on the newer game. We do not know this, but with an educated guess, it seems logical. And it is probably right. Again, this is not fact, that is why it is called an educated guess. The only criteria needed is a test or an experience with said cards on other games, and the experiences are not hard to come by on the internet.

[4RT1LL3RY]

I'll put it in simple terms for graphics cards. When you have a new generation of graphics cards and several older card, but they have the same Direct X type. The high end of the older model will beat the low and middle model of the next generation. ATI uses a retarded numbering system. With nVidia it makes more sense.
Also a word of advice. NEVER BUY THE NEW LOW END CARDS. The x800 GTO kicks the x1300's ass. You always want to get eitehr a medium or high end card if you do gaming other wise your wasting money. Also it might not be your graphics card that is causing problems, you might not have enough RAM, your CPU may be bottlenecking your system, virus and trojans, etc.

[Amit]

I'll put it in simple terms for graphics cards. When you have a new generation of graphics cards and several older card, but they have the same Direct X type. The high end of the older model will beat the low and middle model of the next generation. ATI uses a retarded numbering system. With nVidia it makes more sense.
Also a word of advice. NEVER BUY THE NEW LOW END CARDS. The x800 GTO kicks the x1300's ass. You always want to get eitehr a medium or high end card if you do gaming other wise your wasting money. Also it might not be your graphics card that is causing problems, you might not have enough RAM, your CPU may be bottlenecking your system, virus and trojans, etc.

Excellent points.

[Hydrog]

I did end up getting a 7600gs yesterday, and after a few dozen blue screens, reboots and driver attempts it just magically began working.

I'm shocked at how smooth it runs and pleasantly surprised at how responsive the LIVE dashboard is compared to the 360. This should hold me over until Sep. 25th!

Thanks for your help gents.

[Amit]

Excellent.