Medieval 2/RTS...much difference on 8700 and 7950

I am getting a Sager and have the choice between these two graphic cards...from what i read here, seems like 7950 is still the way to go but i was wondering if i would notice much of a difference for games like Med II and other RTS games?

also will have problems playing older games in vista 64 (what it comes with)

thanks

 

i would go with the 8700. the difference will probably be tiny, and the 8700 is more future proof.

you will probably have a few problems with 64 bit, depending on the game. what ones did you have in mind?

 

Yea, you would want to google for the title that you want to play and see the compatibility with vista64 first.

 

civ iv, CC, AoE III, total war gmes, LoTR 2....stuff like that?

do you think i should reinstall vista 32...computer comes with 64 and i did want to go through the hastle...I the few times i have installed new OS's have never gone smooth?

and thanks for your advice

 

so not all games would be able to run vista64? is that issue for 32 as well or just 64?

 

It would be an issue for both flavor of vista. So check the compatibility first no matter which vista you plan to use.

 

i'm pretty sure all those games work on both 32 and 64 bit. i know they all do for 32, but it might be best to check for 64.

 

But I've seen something like this so certain 'legacy games' might have problem. Or this.

 

Thank you guys both for your help

 

Th difference is tiny when the GPU and Memory isn't taxed, it gets huge when the memory is taxed, the 8700 can't keep up with the 7950 at higher resolutions and AA etc.
If you see an RTS with DX10 coming (like the new CoH) out I'm putting my money on the fact that you won't be able to play it satisfactorily on an 8700 since an RTS with high GFX is an extreme strain - thats why ou don't see mny RTS's with "amazing" graphics - or definitely not up to the level of FPS's, I would go with the 7950 for now, th 8700M GT is slightly dissappointing.

 

I've been running vista Ult 64 bit for some time. I don't see what everyone's saying about it. I've yet to have a single issue with anything on it. All my games work, from starcraft and counterstrike 1.6, to DiRT, cs:s, bioshock etc.

I'd say get the 8700, it's much more futureproof, cheaper, and will run everything just as well as long as you stay away from resolutions of 1600x1200 and higher. Besides, with the extra $100 or more you'll be saving, you can put that towards your 9600GT or 9700GT MXM upgrades when those come out next year.

 

how so is it dissapointing? its replacing the go 7700.....i think it outstrips the go 7700 by far