What's the video options? And how high can YOU set them?
I have Windows XP, and my video card is XFX 512mb 9800 GTX BLACK EDITION Newegg.com - XFX PVT98FYDBU GeForce 9800 GTX Black Edition 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
How high could I set my graphics?
I run Crysis with the DX10 (modified DX9) shaders pretty damn well
No idea tbh, just keep upping them until you get to an FPS threshold thats too low for your liking.
Simple answer; SET EVERYTHING TO HIGH. If it slows down (altough you have a beast of a graphic card), start by sliding tha which you dislike most (i play with low shadows and long distance, because i like to see much and i do not look at shadows...) Play with the options, it is the best way to learn..