Big Questions for some Geniuses to solve! ;)

Right first off I'm buying a new pc and I don't really know THAT much about all these new graphics cards that are around:

Does this Geforce 4 Ti4600 actually make a difference to how games are presented? or is it just pure speed? Some dude in PcWorld was telling me it actually makes games look different in that it can add special effects to water and clouds etc in games?! Is this true? I was looking at the AIW 8500 card as it seems much cheaper and comes with tv tuner, remote, etc blah blah So would it still display the games like the GeForce Ti4600 (I know not as fast, but would I be missing out on any neat texture fx!)

Graphics quality of GeForce4 Ti4200, 4400 and 4600 are <b> exactly </b> same when used with same version of DetonatorXP drivers.

Don't rely on PC World for making your choice of graphics card. PC world is good for reviewing softwares and complete pc.

3D graphics quality of GF4 Ti may be slightly better than Radeon 8500.

Actually, the Radeon 8500 has MORE graphics features than the Ti4600 (things such as trueform that are slowely making it into games). But it is a slower card.

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Trueform could make a blockhead like you look normal!

<font color=blue>You're posting in a forum with class. It may be third class, but it's still class!</font color=blue>

You'll get considerably more lif outta the Ti4600. What do u intend on doing with this computer? Furthermore, I think what PC world was talking about was precisely vertex shaders and all that good stuff.

My frog asked me for a straw...dunno what happened his ass all over the place

Motherboard:
Soyo S7-K7VDragon Plus! with RAID controller

Processor:
Athlon XP 1800+:

Case:
Stylish two-tone with 4 front and 2 rear USB sockets. (Approx 44x48x20 cm hxdxw)

Memory:
256 MB DDR SDRAM
Upgrade to 512 MB for only £70 + VAT



Hard Drive:
80GB HDD 7200RPM, UDMA 100 1

CD-RW Drive:
32x10x40 CD-RW Drive

DVD Drive:
16x Drive
Upgrade DVD to DVD Writer, Pioneer 104 from £219 + VAT



Floppy Drive:
3.5" Floppy Disk Drive

Graphics:
ATI Radeon 8500 All In Wonder DVI Graphics + Video Editing + DVD Decoder + TV card (all in one)


Sound:
C-Media onboard, 6 channel surround sound

Network:
10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN onboard (RJ45)

Modem:
56K PCI Modem

Monitor:
19" Iiyama S900/LS902UT 2 more info Go LCD: LCDs have fallen in price. Click to see full list of screens and prices

Keyboard & Mouse:
Microsoft Internet PS2 Keyboard
Microsoft Scroll PS2 Mouse
Save £110 + VAT (£129.25) if you don't need a monitor

Speakers:
Creative Inspire 5300 surround sound speaker system

I/O Ports:
2 x USB rear + 4 USB front, 2 x serial,
1 x parallel port, 2 x PS2,
Game/MIC-in/Line-in/Line-out
2 x IEEE 1394

Expansion Slots:
2 x PCI, 1 x AMR (shared)

Operating System:
Windows XP Home installed by default. Windows 98SE or Windows ME is optional.

Warranty:
Warranty: 12 mnths parts & labour + 48 mnths labour - Return to Base

£799 ex VAT
£938.83 inc VAT

Ok here's the system guys, maybe you could nitpick it and let me know if it's a good deal or not? its costing just under a grand at the mo cos I'm getting the RAM upgraded to 512 for an extra 70 quid.

You can visit the page properly here:

http://www.bestpricecomputers.ltd.uk/pro/7011/7011.asp

Any advice would be great, I'm not too sure abou the soundcard? is it any good? - I've got a Soundblaster Live 1024 in my pc at the mo that I could install? I haven't really heard of this make!

Many Thanks in Advance guys!

The 8500DV cost around $169 at Newegg and has all the features of the AIW8500 except at 64MB instead of 128MB. As for 2D stuff, any modern card can do it well.

<font color=blue>You're posting in a forum with class. It may be third class, but it's still class!</font color=blue>