OT: New PC!

narf poit chez BOOM · #1 February 21st, 2006, 04:08 AM

I've always had good results with nvidia.

ati might be better, but I've got no reason to risk a switch.

Fyron · #2 February 21st, 2006, 04:23 AM

Unless you need high end 3d gaming support in Linux (ATI Linux drivers are terrible), neither one is better than the other. Whatever the best card is, the competitor will beat it in 3 months... What you should look for is performance / $, rather than brand loyalty.

AgentZero · #3 February 21st, 2006, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Imperator Fyron said:
Unless you need high end 3d gaming support in Linux (ATI Linux drivers are terrible), neither one is better than the other. Whatever the best card is, the competitor will beat it in 3 months... What you should look for is performance / $, rather than brand loyalty.

Well, according to most of the reviews I've read, a single X1900XT-X is comperable (wee bit slower) than two GeForce 7800s in SLI mode. And one 1900XT-X is about �150 cheaper than two 7800s. Plus, in a few months time I can shell out a few bob for a second Crossfire edition, & have two 1900s.

I've owned both nVidea and ATI cards and honestly the only difference I've noticed was a slight twinge of angst when I loaded a game that started by splashing the competitors logo on the screen. Other than that, nada. I've always been motivated by performance/cost.

Funny that you mention Linux as well. I'm not planning on doing any gaming with it, but I am planning on having a dual-boot Linux/Windows system. Linux for all things internet related, and Windows for my gaming. Does anyone know offhand if it's doable/advisable to set up a dual boot configuration with the two OS's on seperate partitions/drives?

And finally, would someone mind having a look at this page and telling me how many HDs I could cram into it. I think 6, but I'm not sure...

Fyron · #4 February 22nd, 2006, 12:29 AM

You have to set them up on different partitions. There is no particular need for separate physical drives. Make sure to install Windows first. Linux boot loaders play nice with Windows, but not vice versa.

AgentZero · #5 February 22nd, 2006, 08:54 AM

Thanks, Fyron. I'm basically going to partition the 80GB drive in two and stick Windows on one & Linux on the other. 40GB might be a bit big for an OS partition, but given how cheap an 80GB drive is these days, why not?

Anyway, due to unforseen circumstances, my budget has increased by about a grand, and I've been putting it to good use. Those with a heart condition should look away now.

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4400 �490.00
Motherboard: Asus A8R-MVP Crossfire �120.00
RAM: Crucial 2GB (2x1GB) DDR PC4000 Ballistix �283.00
Hard Drive 1: Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 NCQ 80GB �57.00
Hard Drive 2: Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 NCQ 250GB �106.00
DVD Drive: Plextor PX-716AL �120.00
Graphics Card: Sapphire ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512MB �510.00
Sound Card: Creative SB X-Fi Platinum �185.00
Monitor: Samsung SM-930BF 19" LCD Monitor �361.00
Speakers: Logitech Z-5450 Speakers �369.00
Keyboard: Logitech G15 Illuminated Keyboard �86.00
Mouse: Razer Diamondback Plasma �51.00
CPU Cooling: Zalman CNPS9500-LED Aero Flower �55.00
Case: Thermaltake VA9000BWS Kandalf Full Tower �171.00
Power Supply: Enermax Liberty 620W ELT620AWT �155.00

Total: �3,119.00

I know that looks like a monster increase in price given that I was originally quoting somewhere in the �2,300 neighbourhood, but all those prices were based off of NewEgg.com. I had a friendly word with the Customs & Excise folks & they told me the import duty on that system would run �700-�1000. Current prices are all off a UK website. It's cheaper than the Irish sites & one doesn't have to pay import on it coz of the good ole EU.

NullAshton · #6 February 22nd, 2006, 09:22 AM

Bah. Go Nvidia, they have SLI mode.

Atrocities · #7 February 22nd, 2006, 09:35 AM

Who can aford an SLI system? OMG just $900.00 bucks for the two top of the line cards, then another $1,900.00 for a decent top of the line system.

If I had $2,800.00 extra dollars I would spend it on other things like things I need to live. But still it would be sweet to have a mega top of the line system just once in my life.

AgentZero · #8 February 22nd, 2006, 09:47 AM

And ATI has Crossfire, which is more or less the same thing. Aside from the fact that the ATI card I'm getting is almost as powerful as two nVidea 7800s, and if I whack a second one in there, well then..

Renegade 13 · #9 April 15th, 2006, 01:54 PM

I concur with Kwok. I've bought a couple items from them, they have good prices, good shipping and a very wide selection.