Video Card Choices

[baggio248]

I've read some of the posts about video cards and i'd say msot of you have said to go with a Radeon 9xxx over Nvidias. Heres my question, i'm needing a new computer very soon and the place I have priced for my new system only offers: Radeon 7500,8500 64 mb,ATI All In Wonder 7500, 8400 64 mb. Of those which would be the best, or should i see if they can put in a Radeon 9xxx in it instead? If not is it better to get the Nivdia GEfore4 Ti 128?

[NuTs62]

go for All-In-Wonder's if you want to watch TV on your system or capture tv on your computer as well. I would likely recommend Radeon over nVidia. What was your budget?

[Aristo]

If you can wait a little bit, the new Radeon 9800 will be released on April 1st and the price on the rest of ATI cards will definitely drop to make space for R350. Otherwise, there is a $85 shipped AR deal on PNY GeForce4 Ti4200 64MB (has DVI, S-video) from CompUSA from 15th to 20th.

[bachviet]

If you want TV and video in/out stuffs, go with AIW Radeon 8500DV (64MB). It's a bit slower than the regular Radeon 8500 though. Otherwise, get the Radeon 8500.

[baggio248]

The budget for it depends how much the system ends up being in the end. I think I can swing about 2000 for a new system and it leaves me with roughly 200 or so, I may be able to go over it I just have to justify to myself that the card will be worth it. I don't do that much gaming, its more along the lines of not being too obsolete and still have an option to use it to its potential if I want to. Currently I have a Diamond Viper 16mb, and new games won't play on it.

I don't know if i'll watch tv on it, but I think given that neat option I might start.

[bachviet]

Get the Radeon 9500Pro! I saw Fry's ad on Friday and it has one on sale for $179.99 after MIR.

[NuTs62]

ummm, if $2k is your limit, you pretty much have any of those above to choose from. This is the stuff I had just built for a friend for about $1.1k here (http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=56566)

If you're too lazy to click, here are the components.

RAIDMAX 268WYP Yellow ATX Case (no PS) $43
ANTEC SL450 450W Power Supply (Retail) $71
Intel P4 2.66Ghz 533FSB (Retail) $240
MSI 845PE Max2-FISR Motherboard $151
Maxtor 120GB ATA/133 HD (w/8MB cache) (retail) $115
Crucial 512MB PC2700 DDR333 $84.32
Lite-On LTD-166S 16X DVD-ROM (Retail) $34.61
Lite-On 52x24x52 CD-RW (Retail) $48.56
ATI Radeon 9000 Pro AGP w/128MB (retail) $97.41
Floppy Drive $10
WindowsXP Professional $86
OfficeXP Professional $86

Total Cost: $1120.53 (including tax, and after any rebates)




If you are indeed going to spend upwards of $2k, I would defintely recommend going with that MSI board. It comes with gigabit lan built in, 5.1 soundcard, 6 usb 2.0 slots, raid, serial ata... and a few more nifty things.. it rocks! But the one thing you would likely change is the video card.. which if possible, i'd wait just a few weeks til the new Radeon 9800 is released, then most of the other prices will drop. If you decide that you want to watch tv on your computer, then perhaps you can feast your eyes on the All-In-Wonder 9700.

I personally have the AIW 8500DV. I love the TV feature, but its given me a bit of problems. Though, since then, they've improved their driver support, etc.. tremendously.

[baggio248]

Thanks for the help I appreciate it. I don't know if I know enough to actually build a system on my own, though I suppose I might have a friend that knows how. It all depends how much I can get the parts for in comparison to having a company build one. I would be interested in knowing what you guys think of these specs thus far. These are assuming i have this company build it for me, and these are the parts they are willing to put in. I would like to have something close to this.

MDI-AW Midtower ATX case with clearside
SPI ATX-300GT P4 power supply 300w
Windows XP pro
M/B Via P4PB w/usb 2.0 AGp8x Raid
P4 2.8/533
1GB Pc3200 DDr 400
80 GB Ultra Ata 66/100 harddrive (7200RPM, 8MB)
Sound Blaster Audigy 1394
16X DVD rom
Plextor 48x24x48 cdrw
ATi All In Wonder 8500 64mb
56k data fax winmodem
Intel Pro 100+ Network card

[zippyjuan]

I recently built my own computer-and it was the first real computer I have ever owned! If I can do it, anyone who can follow directions can too. The hardest part is deciding on the components- keeping your technology at about the same level. All the components came with excellent directions. THe only mistake I made was connecting an LED backwards. That was easy to fix.
ASUS A7N8X
Athlon XP 2400+
512 mb PC 2700 dual DDDR (2x256)
WD SE 7200 RPM 80gb harddrive
Ridata DVD+r/+rw/CD-R/RW
Powered by Radeon 9700 (not pro)
Antec case w/2 fans (2 rear, 1 side)
430w Antec True Power

[Joshua]

I just built my own computer too!

Dell Case
Intel P4 2.4ghz
Dell Monitor
Dell Keyboard
2 power cords (retail)

Should be here any day now!

LOL..

I HAD TO DO IT!!