Higher resolution or higher settings?

[KnightRid]

Ok vote away! I am curious what all of you think on this matter. I have read online from googling, but I trust you guys more ;)

This is a HUGE generalization also. I know certain games can make a difference in which settings.

I am basing my question on my monitor and video card - 22" widescreen at 1680X1050 running an 8800gt 512mb STOCK (600/900) card.

I have been trying different settings, but am saddened that I cant run COH at full res AND highest settings with this card kinda ruins the purchase of the card for me

Mike

[dgood]

If you want better fps lower resolution, as once you get to higher resolution it will look better but it is the biggest effect on the performance of your computer running the game. once you get up to 1600x1200 or 1680x1050 it becomes really cpu and gpu intensive and your frames will drop significantly. If you want better fps lower the resolution down to like 13xxx7xx or whatever resolution is still widescreen in that range. Then maybe throw on an anti aliasing x2 or 4 or something. However like I said I think higher resolution makes it look better overall too.

[Alathald]

I always go for native resolution, especially considering that in many games you can't tell some of the high settings from the medium settings. http://www.tweakguides.com/ is a great resource to get the most out of your games, also has many of the hidden settings for a lot of games. Doesn't seem to have COH though. Just try to tweak it as best you can and remember that high res gives you greater sensitivity.

[vicaphit]

I have always had low amounts of memory on my video cards, and always used low res and higher settings. Yes, a low res will pixelate your screen, but add some AA and that makes it a lot better. I will always boost settings up to high (with COH, turn off DX10 shadows and you will see a huge boost), then I set the resolution to something that will look good, and play well.

[ibleet]

You left out one choice....BOTH. High end systems can easily do both. I have yet to find a game that I can't max out both settings and resolution. Limited by my 22" monitor of course (1680x1050).

If I had to choose one, I would say performance over looks. I don't care how good my games look as much as I care how smoothly they play, so I would choose higher settings. choosing higher resolutions can absolutely kill your frame rate on sub-par systems.

[KnightRid]

You left out one choice....BOTH. High end systems can easily do both. I have yet to find a game that I can't max out both settings and resolution. Limited by my 22" monitor of course (1680x1050).

If I had to choose one, I would say performance over looks. I don't care how good my games look as much as I care how smoothly they play, so I would choose higher settings. choosing higher resolutions can absolutely kill your frame rate on sub-par systems.

Well like i said - I have a PNY 8800GT at 600/900(1800) and I cant even get close to maxing everything out at 1680X1050 on Company of Heroes! That is why I posed the question. I have since oc'd to around 650/950(1900) and it doesnt do a whole lot ;)

Mike

[vicaphit]

If you have the reference nVidia cooler, you can probably do better than 650, I have mine a bit higher than that, and if you just turn you fan on 100% when you are at load, it will drop temps by more than 10C!

CoH is definately a VGA hog, like I said though, DX10 shadows are at fault.

[KnightRid]

If you have the reference nVidia cooler, you can probably do better than 650, I have mine a bit higher than that, and if you just turn you fan on 100% when you are at load, it will drop temps by more than 10C!

CoH is definately a VGA hog, like I said though, DX10 shadows are at fault.

Yea, I have the fan running through rivatuner at 60% most all the time and it will jump to 80 and 100 if the temps get higher.

Still though - if CoH can do this to a supposed high end video card, what the hell do I need to actually run the game at highest settings? Guess this is another vote for why consoles will kill pc gaming

Mike

Still no clear cut winner - oh and I made the idiot vote VOTE - I am REALLY interested in what people really think on this!

[kenc51]

Hi res!

You can see more on the screen, especially for RTS games ;)

[Methious]

Hi Resolution for a larger gaming area. See those little bugger coming.

[stopthekilling77]

if i HAD to choose...

whats the point in having all that surface area if the graphics are iffy?
but again whats the point in having supercharged settings if its all on a tiny block

both please. but i cant do that with this 7800GT so i usually go with medium graphics on my native res.