Hallo Folks! Suggestions Please

[camieabz]

Been a while since I built a PC. (The last one was a 2.4B 533 spec about 3 years ago) and I'm starting again.

Here's the idea so far.

Athlon 64 3500+ Venice
Abit Fatal1ty AN8
1GB Crucial Ballistix PC4000 DDR500
Hyundia Imagequest L90D+

I may overclock the CPU/Mobo. I've never really overclocked gfx cards, so be gentle with me. Heh!

Need a graphics card. Good gaming one, but not the most expensive one. The resolution on the Monitor will be 1280 x 1024, so no need for those which excel at 1600 x 1200 only.

Been thinking X800 XT, but they're quite pricey, so suggestions are welcome. Gaming is important but not everything in this build. I replace my system every 3-5 years and I'm building now, so I need a current option, not a future one. By the time I replace this one we'll be running mind implants.

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[uber_m0j0]

You can save a few bucks and nab an X800 XL or 6800GT for right around $290-ish

~~ Windows Me: OS of teh MILLENIUM!

 

[pauldh]

Yeah, PCI-e, go for a X800XL. 6800GT costs alot more in PCI-e. If it had been an AGP mobo, then 6800GT or AIW X800XT would be great high end chices also.


<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm05=658042" target="_new">3DMark05</A> <A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=3781954" target="_new">3DMark03</A>

 

[camieabz]

Alrighty. My source has a few manufacturers:-

Asus
Connect3D
Gigabyte
MSI
PowerColor
Sapphire

Any there I should avoid? Any I should really look at?

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[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Avoid Powercolor IMO, but only if the same price. If significantly cheaper, they've increased their quaity somewhat, so for cheaper they should be considered. Connect3D is also rather generic in build quality.




- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <A HREF="http://www.redgreen.com/" target="_new"><font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red></A> GA to SK

 

[camieabz]

<A HREF="http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=9353" target="_new">Here's</A> a link.

My choice is based on comparing <A HREF="http://www.pricegrabber.co.uk/search_compare.php?topcat_id=1&page_id=5&page_id=5&masterids[" target="_new">=6550631&masterids[]=6464542&masterids[]=6680352&masterids[]=7251826&masterids[]=6408591&Compare+Selected+Products.x=48&Compare+Selected+Products.y=11]these</A>. I took out the PowerColor and the Connect3D. Sorry bout the link...not my doing.

Whadaya think? Seems to be more with the Gigabyte version.

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[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Personally I LOVE the Gigabyte solution, but only because it is silent. The drawbacks of it are that it is a terrible overclocker, more so than any other X800XL basically. Also it gets VERY warm and all of that heat stay inside the case and has a tendancy to build up to the point where you have a 70C heatsink (80-90+C core) heating your rig from the inside, so be sure to exhaust the air. Silence is nice, but heat is the price you pay.

<A HREF="http://www.pricegrabber.co.uk/search_attrib.php?page_id=5&form_keyword=X800XL&rd=1" target="_new">Here's a link to the PriceGrabber list for X800XLs</A>

Of the remaining MFRs I'd say the plain ASUS makes the most sense, feature (nice dual DVI [not necessary, but nice]), quality and pricewise. The MSI is also an attractive bundle/feature set. If you don't need all the extras and don't mind the loudest fan of the X800XLs then the Sapphire will be OK, but loud!

I prefer MSI personally out of the list of non-passive, but ASUS is pretty good.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <A HREF="http://www.redgreen.com/" target="_new"><font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red></A> GA to SK

 

[camieabz]

It's impressive, isn't it.

3 years old now iirc. :lol:

I reckon I'll go with the Gigabyte one. I'll be getting an Antec 1088AMG with all the optional fans added. Should exhaust the air quicker than a curried fart passes through a ducks arse. [/eww]

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