Best video qual for $500?

ceewi1 said:
SLI'd 7900GTs would be another (more expensive) option, but your CPU is going to be something of a bottleneck anyway.
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Don't think for a moment that ATI's Crossfire with a pair of X1900 XTXs wouldn't see a big price tag there either. But the 3200+ is not necessarily a "bottle neck" more than any other single cored model. Memory is the key word with too many of the newer games out. If you setup SLI or Crossfire plan on having 2gb of ram available. The larger apps along with the separate vpus on the newer cards will free up cpu time.
 
Oh, I might as well tell you of my upgrades coming soon, since I won't be having a 3200+ anymore. I'll be getting the following parts:

- AMD x2 4200+
- Antec P180 Case
- ASUS A8N32-SLI DELUXE motherboard
- 1GB RAM (...that makes 2GB total)
- Antec TruePowerII 550w PSU
- Zalman VGA fan (if I get the X1900XT)

I Don't really know if most of those upgrades are relevant to this thread, but I thought I'd put them there anyways. :D So I guess the final question is should I go with two 7900GT's or one ATI X1900XT?
 
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Eh I'm going to go with the X1900XT. Thank you all for the useful information! Although since I don't really feel like starting a whole new thread over it, do you think the list in my above post are good additions? Any tweaks that you would make to it? Btw I'm trying to stay with the AMD/ATI card combo because Newegg has a deal right now where you save pretty good money if you buy both at the same time. :D
 
Lookin Good! I will be looking at the TP550 or an Enermax later in the year. The 2gb total ram can be a big help at times. The 4200+ will allow more room for gaming since background services and other things can be less bothersome. Antec has some good cases while someone keeps pointing air conditioned cases at me to look over. Take a look at some extra cooling for the cpu howver. If you start pushing things that will come in handy.
 
As long as you keep in mind that ATi recommends having at least 30A on the +12V rail for a single X1900 card configuration.
 
I did the PSU calculator and it said around 478w...my Antec 550w should do fine, right?

Btw PC eye, I added a Zalman CPU fan to the list. ;)
 
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Okay cool, so then I'm all set? My official list of stuff to buy today is as follows:

- ATI X1900XT
- AMD x2 4200+
- Antec P180 Case
- ASUS A8N32-SLI DELUXE motherboard
- 1GB RAM (...that makes 2GB total)
- Antec TruePowerII 550w PSU
- Zalman VGA fan
- Zalman CPU fan

Woot! I'm excited! :D
 
aschmidt said:
Okay cool, so then I'm all set? My official list of stuff to buy today is as follows:

- ATI X1900XT
- AMD x2 4200+
- Antec P180 Case
- ASUS A8N32-SLI DELUXE motherboard
- 1GB RAM (...that makes 2GB total)
- Antec TruePowerII 550w PSU
- Zalman VGA fan
- Zalman CPU fan

Woot! I'm excited! :D
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Me wants. :P

How much does that rig cost, by the way?
 
It is practically a new rig, isn't it..lol. Funny, because I only had intentions of getting a new video card and PSU in the beginning, but one thing linked to another...damn computers. That list's total with tax and shipping came to about $1550. Oh my...
 
aschmidt said:
It is practically a new rig, isn't it..lol. Funny, because I only had intentions of getting a new video card and PSU in the beginning, but one thing linked to another...damn computers. That list's total with tax and shipping came to about $1550. Oh my...
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That's still a little high for the total on that. Do some price shopping around to different vendors before making the final purchase.
 
Ku-sama said:
i suggest getting the motherboard i have, its really sweet
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Lol, that wasn't so hard. You convinced me to get that one instead :D . I have a DFI lanparty board right now, and can definitely say they are a great motherboard, so I'll be sticking with them. Thank you for the input!
 
PC eye said:
That's still a little high for the total on that. Do some price shopping around to different vendors before making the final purchase.
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Oh, I know I can get cheaper at other places, but I'm taking advantage of Newegg's no pay for 6 months promotion deal. And yes, I'm aware of the brutal APR. :D
 
I just placed the order on my parts! Woot! I'm so excited. For anyone who cares, the final list consisted of the following:

- (Video card)ATI X1900XT
- (CPU) AMD x2 4200+
- (Case) Antec P180
- (Motherboard) DFI LANPARTY UT NF4 EXPERT
- (RAM) 1GB RAM (...that makes 2GB total)
- (PSU) Antec TruePowerII 550w PSU
- (Fan) Zalman VGA fan
- (Fan) Zalman CPU fan

I'll probably post once I receive/install the parts to let you all know how awesome the setup is, because I'm evil like that. :D
 
I'm not too chilled on the board but the rest looks up to speed. The larger cooling will certainly be a plus in keeping those temps down. Just make you put everything together correctly
 
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