Q. on what Sound and Vid cards to choose in new Dell . . .

[Butch]

As a result of my water spilling incident from a month ago . . . blah . . . I might have to get a new computer, and I am looking at a new Dell Dimension 8100 given the current MSN Passport deal. Anyway, the one that I am looking at has several choices for sound and video cards and I'm just really not sure of what I should get.

The options for video cards that I am considering are:
- 32MB NVIDIA TNT2 M64 4X AGP GRAPHICS
- New 32MB DDR ATI Radeon Card [add $90]
- NEW 32MB DDR NVIDIA GeForce2 GTS 4X AGP [add $180]

The options for sound card are:
- SB LIVE! Value Digital
- Turtle Beach Santa Cruz DSP Sound Card [add $40]

I don't really play video games frequently, but given that I have had a laptop for the past 4 years I haven't really had the OPPORTUNITY to play any games that require 3D acceleration. I think I might get into them a bit though if I have a system that can really handle the most advanced games. Anyway, what are the relative merits of these cards and do you feel they are worth the cost differences?

Hopefully this won't even be an issue if American Express comes through and pays for the $1300 in damages to my laptop (UGH . . . needs a new system board and floppy disk drive) . . . but if they don't, then I'm gonna haveta hustle to get the order for this computer in by 12/20 (When the MSN deal ends), so that is why I'm asking now!

Thanks in advance for any opinions! :)

[sbp]

What you should get: New 32MB DDR ATI Radeon Card
SbLive Value!

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comments:
32MB NVIDIA TNT2 M64 4X AGP GRAPHICS <---this card sucks
I'm puzzled why Dell is charging $90 more for the GeForce2 GTS over the Radeon.

[Butch]

Thanks for the advice. :)

[giambona]

I would say to get the NVIDIA GeForce2 and the Turtle Beach sound card. But it of course depends on your budget...
Why don't you just build your own computer? It will be a lot more upgradeable and you'll get exactly what you want/need.

[Butch]

Giambona, why would you go for the NVIDIA and the Turtle Beach over the others? Of course I would like to keep costs fairly reasonable, but if there are compelling reasons to go for those cards, I would certainly consider them.

As for why I'm not building my own computer - I simply do not have the expertise, interest nor time. The current Dell deal is quite sufficient for my purposes. I can certainly see myself upgrading the computer in the coming years, but I doubt I would go beyond adding RAM, MAYBE updating vid/sound cards, or adding a CD-RW or DVD-RW when those become widely available.

Again, please let me know the reasons you'd go for the cards you mentioned over the others.

Thanks :)

[Aristo]

ATI RADEON
Live! Value

If you want more power for 3D gaming, get Geforce2 but I think RADEON can handle the games pretty much.

[Bires]

Video cards are important-get the Radeon-tons of feaures that will make games look extra nifty.

Sound cards are less important, but need to have no driver problems in games-the Live does a great job at everything and has the best compatibility.