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Deltjeff

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Feb 7, 2008
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Hi everyone,
I am in the process of building a new computer, and since it's been a few years, I wanted to reach out to some experts out there. I am looking to use my computer mainly for gaming, video editing, and as a media center. Any comments on compatability, performance, etc. would be greatly appreciated!


CPU: Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Processor Q6600
Graphics: ASUS EAH3850/G/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda ES.2 ST3250310NS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM (2 of them to run RAID)
Case: Antec P182 Gun Metal Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Power: OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power
Motherboard: ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
RAM: Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC24G6400ELK - Retail
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX Universal Socket 775 AM2
DVD-RW: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-06 - Retail


Also, which do ya'll think is preferable between these two options:

1) MSI NX8800GTS 320M OC GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127328

2) DIAMOND Viper 3850PE3512O Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103051

Thanks!

Jeff

P.S. I have Vista Business already and was wondering if it is necessary for me to purchase Vista Premier for the media center (can I still use my tuner and access tv shows without it?)
 
Diamond earned a spot recently on my "never-buy" list thanks to no support, no drivers, and an inability to even sign up on their web page to get downloads. If you want an HD3850, get the one from Asus. The cooler is good, and silent. For performance, however, an 8800GT would be better, or a G92 version of the 8800GTS (not the older one you listed).
Switch to a Retail optical drive in order to get all the software with it, including the decoder you'll need to watch movies on it.
 

Deltjeff

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So do you know if the 8800GTS version I listed below be better or worse than the 3850 from Asus?

Also, what are ya'lls thoughts on 4gigs DDR2 PC6400 (Patriot Extreme performance) or 4 gigs DDR2 PC8500 (Kingston Hyper Extreme). The motherboard supports both, however, the reviews I have seen show marginal improvements with the 8500 (it is about 2X as much)
 

Avenger_K

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Definitely the Patriot DDR2 800, virtually the same performance (unless doing extreme overclocks) for much less.

The 8800GTS 320MB would be around the same performance (from what I've heard/read; I don't actually own the card) as the 3850 256 MB, so the 512 MB 3850 would be better. Games like Crysis and upcoming titles will love the 512MB. :love:
 

Deltjeff

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Feb 7, 2008
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My goal is to get a card for longevity, and I don't plan on using SLI or Crossfire, so between the two which would ya'll prefer (I'm attempting to stay <200):

1) MSI NX8800GTS 320M OC GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127328

2) DIAMOND Viper 3850PE3512O Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814103051

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone!

Jeff
 

Avenger_K

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That's not a sub-$200 card mate. :heink: ;) Even though it's a nice card (the one I will probably get for myself :sol: ), it's simply out of his budget.