I've got a good four-core processor, plenty of memory with 6GB, and enough hard drive space for Crysis 2. I'm planning on upgrading my graphics card before the release, my current one being a NVIDIA GeForce 315 with 512MB memory that came built-in to the computer.

I don't care at all about a beautiful game or whatever, just a decent playable framerate, even if I must set the game to lowest settings. Essentially what I'm asking is what's the cheapest possible graphics card that will be able to handle Crysis 2 in a playable manner?

Assuming my lame GeForce 315--that can't run Bad Company 2 on medium without lag--isn't good enough.

Many thanks.

Not sure how the quality of this manufacturer is like, but the card is definitely powerful enough: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261046&cm_re=9800gt-_-14-261-046-_-Product

The 9800GT could handle the original Crysis at high settings or even higher depending on resolution (no anti-aliasing). Crysis 2 seems to be less demanding.

i advise a GTX460, awsome bang for your buck, but it depends on ur budget

Yea, a GTX 460 will let you play everything available smoothly, with most games on 'max' settings (at reasonable resolutions). They sell for about $200.

If you can find a GTX 260, you can get similar FPS but for about half the price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121424&Tpk=asus%20560

For the price of a 3DS you can have this!

Or an used Gtx 275/ 280 or something... they will do a real (very high details + high res 1680*1024 and some AA) good job.

I will have to recommend the new gtx 560 ti
It beats the gtx 470 and overclocks like a beast.

either a gtx460 1GB or a gtx560 depending on your budget.

For the love of god don't get an ancient dx10 card XD

So I'm assuming I need something with more than 512MB memory that supports at least DX10... anything else to keep in mind?

@ The Comfy Chair

Muha why not? They perform as good as the most Dx11 cards..
I would have no reason to replace my strong Gtx 280 for a weaker Gtx 460!
Proof:


And **** tessalation... it will not be implemented well enough in any game we will see in 2011!

I suggest the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti/GTX 570/GTX 580 range of graphics cards.

They cost $250/$350/$500 respectively.

The reason why is that dx11 effects are nicer and games using the dx11 codepath also generally run better, combined with the fact dx11 is starting to gain momentum anyone buying dx10 will be kicking themselves. Never mind that the older cards will be much hotter and power hungry, and also being second hand you have no idea what state they could be in (they'll already be nearly 2 years old minimum).

Things to get in mind:

• If you have 4GB RAM or more plus the video card memory your OS must be a 64bit version because 32bit OS's can't handle that much memory causing memory allocation problems.
• When you read minimum system spects, go double of that because that minimum is just that, a minimum where the game start but hardly played.
• Windows XP needs 1GB RAM for itself, add more for other programs but never go for more than 4GB between the RAM and the video card memory together. IF your Win XP is a 64bit version you are somehow fine with 4GB RAM + video memory.
• If you have Windows Vista, what are you waiting for to upgrade to Win 7???
• If you have Win 7 (64 bit), you need 2GB RAM for the system and add more for other programs. Between 4 and 6 GB RAM is fine.
• Video cards with less than 512MB of memory most probably will have problems to manage the game. Is not bad, you can just lower the graphic settings.
• Unload/Uninstall any unnecessary program, specially does not needed at all that start up with windows. This helps lower the amount of RAM and CPU use so the game can use it and run smoother.

I'm assuming the bus you're using is PCI-E yes? I'm not too up to date with Nvid cards. One 5770 will run crysis2 at med-high at a playable framerate

Thanks a lot, PaiSand. I've got 64-bit Win7 and my graphics card, although 512 MB, is somewhat recent (DX10 runs fine). I keep my pc tidy so my RAM and CPU should be fine. As long as I can play the game, I do not care in the slightest if the game is ultra-pretty. In any case, I'll see for myself when the PC demo comes out

Judging from the specs your system likely has a weak power supply, which is not good news for video card upgrades. You should find out what it is and report back here before you buy anything.

I hope Crysis 2 will not be CPU heavy. MY cpu is very bad:( (AMD Athlon II X4 635 2,90Ghz)
But my graphics card is decent (HD5850)

wonder how my HD 5670 will run C2. hmm... if I can play everything on Crysis 1 maxed out, I have a good feeling about Crysis 2