[Renegade 13]

mac5732 said:
I'm looking to buy a new comp as well... what is better, Geoforce pci express 6800 or geoforce 7800 gtx???

The 6800 is a good midrange card that should last you for quite some time. That's the good thing about cards that aren't quite top of the line anymore, but aren't too far below either. I have a 6600 GT OC and it runs everything just fine. In a couple years though, that might no longer be the case. However, the 7800 GTX is definitely top of the line at the moment. It'll cost you quite a bit more than the 6800, but will also last longer in a machine. In either case I'd definitely go with PCI-Express, not AGP.

7800GTX 256MB will cost you about $350 if you can get a good deal. Up to $600 if you don't. 6800 will likely run you about $150-$175US, but will not run graphics intensive games at their highest level for as long as the 7800. Really it's up to you. Especially if you don't run graphics intensive games, I'd stick with the 6800. If you do, might consider the 7800.

Fans, if they die without you noticing, will do any number of things. Case fan..not a big deal, you'll have time to notice. CPU fan? Modern CPUs will overheat more or less instantly without a fan.

Which is why you hope you have a temperature display that you glance at frequently!

I recall that power supplies used to have a little switch at the back for flipping betweent 220v and 110v. Is this not the case anymore?

I believe that is still the case.