Another new system thread...

Ben E Lou · 10-28-2005, 08:13 AM

I'd love a little feedback...

Pentium 4-3.0 GHz 1MB Cache/800
Intel 915GAVL Full-size motherboard with 5 PCI slots, 1 PCI Express port
Intel hyper-threading technology
Up to 800MHz Front Side BUS
2 GB PC3200 RAM running in dual channel mode, upgradeable to 4GB
120 GB Serial ATA Hard Disk Drive
16X DVDRW +/- Drive, Dual Layer
3.5" Floppy Disk Drive
256MB nVidia GeForce 6200 Video CArd
Serial ATA 4 Port Controller
2 PCI Express X1 Bus Connectors
8 Hi-speed USB 2.0 ports
10/100 INtel Network Interface card
5.1 multi-chanell sound card for multi-speaker setup
Front and rear sound I/O ports
STandard serial and parallel ports
PS-2 keyboard and Mouse
2 USB ports accessible through front
complete 1-year parts and labor warranty
Windows XP Media Center
TV Tuner card

$1153.00 (includes sales tax)

Thoughts?

Bee · 10-28-2005, 08:19 AM

I'd consider getting a 6600GT video card instead of the 6200. Much better card and shouldn't be that much more money especially for a PCI-E one.

Ksyrup · 10-28-2005, 08:21 AM

Yeah, fuck you!

Of course, I got a CD-RW drive and no floppy drive, plus a 19 in. digital monitor. Still, compared to mine, it looks pretty good.

Ben E Lou · 10-28-2005, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Yeah, fuck you!

But dude, you're gettin' a DELL!

jeff061 · 10-28-2005, 08:24 AM

I agree with Bee, it's worth the extra hundred, the 6200 will be a pretty big bottle neck in an otherwise nice system. If it's an option I'd go the AMD route, if not no big deal. Overall it looks like a nice and upgradeable system for a decent price.

Ben E Lou · 10-28-2005, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff061

I agree with Bee, it's worth the extra hundred, the 6200 will be a pretty big bottle neck in an otherwise nice system. If it's an option I'd go the AMD route, if not no big deal. Overall it looks like a nice and upgradeable system for a decent price.

In what way will it be a bottle neck?

jeff061 · 10-28-2005, 08:38 AM

Not fast enough to keep up with the processor. For the most part it won't be noticeable, but in 3d games like Civ4 you'd see a performance boost and/or better graphics with the 6600gt. It'll also last you longer.

Ksyrup · 10-28-2005, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog

But dude, you're gettin' a DELL!

Actually, I got it. And aside from the fact that I can't get a single blip of sound out of my Bose speakers, I'm enjoying it. It's going to be a mad rush to get home from work, eat, play with the kids, and try to get the speaker issue resolved before my in-laws get here. After that, my weekend is probably over (although the wife and I are going to the FSU/Maryland game on Saturday, which will be a welcomed break).

dacman · 10-28-2005, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog

2 GB PC3200 RAM running in dual channel mode, upgradeable to 4GB

...

256MB nVidia GeForce 6200 Video Card

Thoughts?

Drop down to 1 GB RAM, and get a better video card!!

Ben E Lou · 10-28-2005, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dacman

Drop down to 1 GB RAM, and get a better video card!!

Now, is the 6600GT being 128 MB not a problem then?

GreenMonster · 10-28-2005, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog

I'd love a little feedback...

Pentium 4-3.0 GHz 1MB Cache/800
Intel 915GAVL Full-size motherboard with 5 PCI slots, 1 PCI Express port
Intel hyper-threading technology
Up to 800MHz Front Side BUS
2 GB PC3200 RAM running in dual channel mode, upgradeable to 4GB
120 GB Serial ATA Hard Disk Drive
16X DVDRW +/- Drive, Dual Layer
3.5" Floppy Disk Drive
256MB nVidia GeForce 6200 Video CArd
Serial ATA 4 Port Controller
2 PCI Express X1 Bus Connectors
8 Hi-speed USB 2.0 ports
10/100 INtel Network Interface card
5.1 multi-chanell sound card for multi-speaker setup
Front and rear sound I/O ports
STandard serial and parallel ports
PS-2 keyboard and Mouse
2 USB ports accessible through front
complete 1-year parts and labor warranty
Windows XP Media Center
TV Tuner card

$1153.00 (includes sales tax)

Thoughts?

3.5 Floopy Disk Drive...? Where is your 5.25 Floopy disk drive?

Ksyrup · 10-28-2005, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenMonster

3.5 Floopy Disk Drive...? Where is your 5.25 Floopy disk drive?

He still likes to play Tony LaRussa 3 straight from the disk.

Bee · 10-28-2005, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog

Now, is the 6600GT being 128 MB not a problem then?

You can get them with 256MB as well, but even with the 128 MB, it will blow away the 6200/256MB. It also supports alot of future technology stuff that the 6200 doesn't, so you'd be more "future safe".

Ben E Lou · 10-28-2005, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenMonster

3.5 Floopy Disk Drive...? Where is your 5.25 Floopy disk drive?

Comes with their "standard" rig. They have a standard setup with most everything I mentioned above, and you choose your processor, ranging from $619 (2.6GHz/1MB Cache/533) to $1389 (3.8GHz/1MB Cache/800). Mine was $769, with the following "extras..."

Media Center installed-->$159
1GB additional RAM-->$110
tuner card-->$39

jeff061 · 10-28-2005, 09:10 AM

If possible I'd stick with the 2gb as well. Just to future proof yourself. But if it comes down to 2gb or the 6600gt, I'd take the video card.

KWhit · 10-28-2005, 09:23 AM

I have a Leadtek 256mb NVidia 6800 TDH card that has been great. You can find them for around $200 now I think. I'm not sure how the 6600GT stacks up against the 6800 TDH, but I am very happy so far with my video card. I also have 2gig of RAM and still feel good about getting that much.

Ben E Lou · 10-28-2005, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff061

If possible I'd stick with the 2gb as well. Just to future proof yourself. But if it comes down to 2gb or the 6600gt, I'd take the video card.

Gotcha. Of course, it will be much easier to just add some RAM down the road, too. I made the mistake of already telling my wife about the $1,153, though, so I probably will need to stay right around there for this purchase. Sounds like I'll drop down to 1Gig of RAM and move to the 6600GT. I just called the place and there's a $100 difference to upgrade to 6600GT, so that'll be pretty much a wash.

As far as upgrading my RAM later on, I've never put RAM in myself. It is fairly simple?

jeff061 · 10-28-2005, 09:28 AM

Yeah, you just snap them in right next to the already installed ram, no driver or software changes needed.

Bee · 10-28-2005, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog

Gotcha. Of course, it will be much easier to just add some RAM down the road, too. I made the mistake of already telling my wife about the $1,153, though, so I probably will need to stay right around there for this purchase. Sounds like I'll drop down to 1Gig of RAM and move to the 6600GT. I just called the place and there's a $100 difference to upgrade to 6600GT, so that'll be pretty much a wash.

As far as upgrading my RAM later on, I've never put RAM in myself. It is fairly simple?

Very simple. Even I can do it, which is saying a lot.

Ben E Lou · 10-28-2005, 09:31 AM

Wait a sec....what if I drop down to 2.8GHZ/1MB Cache/800 and save $50? How much of a difference would that make?

Or...I could even drop down to 2.6GHz/1MB/533 and save $150.

Thoughts on either of those moves?

Bee · 10-28-2005, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog

Wait a sec....what if I drop down to 2.8GHZ/1MB Cache/800 and save $50? How much of a difference would that make?

Or...I could even drop down to 2.6GHz/1MB/533 and save $150.

Thoughts on either of those moves?

Replacing a processor on the motherboard is generally an expensive upgrade, so I tend to go for the highest speed processor I can afford within my budget and if I skimp, I do so somewhere else that can be upgraded cheaply and easily later on. At least, that's always been my approach. Others may do it differently.

jeff061 · 10-28-2005, 09:43 AM

The processor is also driving force behind any text sim game. Ultimatly in the $50-$200 range you get what you pay for and it is relativley more difficult to upgrade in the future.

Bee · 10-28-2005, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog

Gotcha. Of course, it will be much easier to just add some RAM down the road, too. I made the mistake of already telling my wife about the $1,153, though, so I probably will need to stay right around there for this purchase. Sounds like I'll drop down to 1Gig of RAM and move to the 6600GT. I just called the place and there's a $100 difference to upgrade to 6600GT, so that'll be pretty much a wash.

As far as upgrading my RAM later on, I've never put RAM in myself. It is fairly simple?

If you go with dropping down on the RAM, I'd check to see if the 1GB is a single module or 2 -512MB modules. Later on, if you upgrade to 2GB, that might make the difference between a $100 upgrade and a $200 upgrade.

Ben E Lou · 10-28-2005, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bee

If you go with dropping down on the RAM, I'd check to see if the 1GB is a single module or 2 -512MB modules. Later on, if you upgrade to 2GB, that might make the difference between a $100 upgrade and a $200 upgrade.

Elucidate, please.

Ksyrup · 10-28-2005, 09:57 AM

I think he means - if you have 2 512s and want to upgrade to 2GB, you'd have to buy 2 1GB modules instead of being able to buy 1 1GB module and adding it to what you currently have. I guess it depends on how much of an upgrade you can make and what configurations are allowable.

Ben E Lou · 10-28-2005, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I think he means - if you have 2 512s and want to upgrade to 2GB, you'd have to buy 2 1GB modules instead of being able to buy 1 1GB module and aadding it to what you currently have.

Hmmmm....why is that?

Ben E Lou · 10-28-2005, 09:58 AM

Oh wait, are there only two slots for memory sticks?

Ksyrup · 10-28-2005, 09:59 AM

Because you wouldn't have room for the 1GB and/or the configuration wouldn't be allowed.

Ksyrup · 10-28-2005, 10:00 AM

Here's an example with my new computer. I got 2GB of memory, but I believe they are 4 512 modules. I only have 4 memory slots (I think). So if I ever wanted to max out at 4GB, I would have to buy 4 1GB modules to replace the 4 512 modules.

Ksyrup · 10-28-2005, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog

Oh wait, are there only two slots for memory sticks?

Depends on your computer. Mine has 4.

dacman · 10-28-2005, 10:36 AM

You generally want RAM in matched pairs to take advantage of dual channel. 1 GB would be 2 sticks of 512MB -- most vendors won't even sell you a single stick configuration, and you really don't want to do that anyway.

dacman · 10-28-2005, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Depends on your computer. Mine has 4.

And with the quirky way Intel motherboards are right now, if you have 4 sticks and want to take advantage of dual channel, you have to drop to a lower bus speed, so any advantage of extra RAM is offset by lower overall memory speed.

Edit: Everything I've said in my last 2 posts only applies to DDR RAM -- DDR2 doesn't have those limitations. I'm assuming PC3200 is DDR (otherwise it should be called PC2 3200).

Icy · 10-28-2005, 11:05 AM

As some said, you need to put the Memory sticks in pairs to be able to get the dual channel benefits. Most of motherboards have 4 slots for memory sticks.

Now the examples:

- 2Gb means probably 2x1Gb sticks in duach channel, so you still have 2 free slots to instert another 2x1Gb sticks in the future, for 4GB total.

- 1Gb means 2x512kb sticks in dual channel, so you have 2 free slots where you can add 2x1gb sticks, for a total of 3Gb. There is the limitation, 3Gb max instead of 4Gb.

Anyway, not even high specs internet servers use more than 2Gb of ram so even if in the future you need to upgrade, the 3Gb limit will be more than enought. Of course you will always have the option to sell the 2x512k sticks in ebay and buy 4x1Gb sticks.

Also as has been posted, to add more ram takes you 10 minutes and not any skill, just push the stick into it's place. If you are worried about it, i'm sure you know some friend/parent/neighbour, etc that have done it lots of times.

About the card, i have the 6600GT and it's awesome for 3D games (it's not a 6800 but the 6800 is damn expensive and knowing you, i doubt you play a lot of 3D Shooters), you will notice it way more than the extra Gb of ram.

In resume, 1Gb Ram is enought for a standard Win XP system, RAM is cheaper and cheaper every month and it's so easy to install in the future so i would take the 6600GT over the 2nd Gb of RAM and i would add more RAM in the future if needed.

GrantDawg · 10-28-2005, 12:39 PM

As others have suggested, you might consider AMD. It should save you 100+ dollars on the processor of the same speed, and works just as well, if not better.

Ben E Lou · 10-28-2005, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

As others have suggested, you might consider AMD. It should save you 100+ dollars on the processor of the same speed, and works just as well, if not better.

That's interesting to note. I'll call 'em tomorrow and find out if I can go AMD/6600GT/2GB for somewhere in the same financial ballpark.

Ben E Lou · 11-01-2005, 11:41 AM

What about ATI cards?

Coffee Warlord · 11-01-2005, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog

What about ATI cards?

If I recall, the 6600GT blows the comparable ATI card out of the water. At that price range, I'm fairly certain Nvidia is the way to go.

Lonnie · 11-01-2005, 11:59 AM

Here are the VGA charts from the summer tests, obviously leaving out the very latest 7800 and X1800 stuff. But you should be able to compare the ones you are looking at.

http://graphics.tomshardware.com/gra...l#3d_mark_2005

mauchow · 11-01-2005, 12:01 PM

Over the next few months, I'll be looking into getting a computer. I'd like a computer that can handle text sims smoothly, and also the top end graphical games. Should I copy SkyDog here and pretty much get what he's getting? I'm computer stupid!!!1

jeff061 · 11-01-2005, 12:07 PM

If you don't want to spend more than he is, then I'd say yes. If you can pony up some more it maybe worth looking at a faster video card.

Ben E Lou · 11-01-2005, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lonnie

Here are the VGA charts from the summer tests, obviously leaving out the very latest 7800 and X1800 stuff. But you should be able to compare the ones you are looking at.

http://graphics.tomshardware.com/gra...l#3d_mark_2005

Thanks!

Ben E Lou · 11-01-2005, 12:27 PM

OK. They are running our credit card as I speak.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog

I'd love a little feedback...

Pentium 4-3.0 GHz 1MB Cache/800
Intel 915GAVL Full-size motherboard with 5 PCI slots, 1 PCI Express port
Intel hyper-threading technology
Up to 800MHz Front Side BUS
~~2 GB PC3200 RAM running in dual channel mode, upgradeable to 4GB~~ Dropped down to one MB. Four slots on board, so I can easily upgrade in a few months if necessary.
120 GB Serial ATA Hard Disk Drive
16X DVDRW +/- Drive, Dual Layer
3.5" Floppy Disk Drive
~~256MB nVidia GeForce 6200 Video CArd~~ E-GeForce 6800GT
Serial ATA 4 Port Controller
2 PCI Express X1 Bus Connectors
8 Hi-speed USB 2.0 ports
10/100 INtel Network Interface card
5.1 multi-chanell sound card for multi-speaker setup
Front and rear sound I/O ports
STandard serial and parallel ports
PS-2 keyboard and Mouse
2 USB ports accessible through front
complete 1-year parts and labor warranty
Windows XP Media Center
TV Tuner card

~~$1153.00 (includes sales tax)~~ $1,216.59 (includes sales tax)

Thoughts?

Samdari · 11-01-2005, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

If I recall, the 6600GT blows the comparable ATI card out of the water. At that price range, I'm fairly certain Nvidia is the way to go.

Lonnie's shows the 6600GT and X800 as virtually indistinguishable in performance. PriceWatch shows them as virtuallyindistinguishable in price. This was definitely not the case when I bought my 6600GT early this year.

Lonnie · 11-01-2005, 12:33 PM

You'll be very happy with the 6800GT

Ben E Lou · 11-01-2005, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lonnie

You'll be very happy with the 6800GT

In the final analysis, I decided that it will be much less of a hassle to upgrade RAM than try to sell an old video card to "upgrade" to a new one.

mauchow · 11-01-2005, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff061

If you don't want to spend more than he is, then I'd say yes. If you can pony up some more it maybe worth looking at a faster video card.

I may or may not want to spend more than what SkyDog did. My future wife will probably have something to say about it as she thinks it's a waste of money to have anything but Word on the computer!

What does she know!

Ben E Lou · 11-04-2005, 04:01 PM

Got it. They changed my video card to GeForce 6800 256MB. I'm using it now. Going over to the system testing threads to see how I'm lookin'.

Lonnie · 11-04-2005, 06:47 PM

Hope they didn't charge you for the GT model. There is a bit of a performance and price difference between a standard and a GT. Still a lot better than the 6200 you had planned on originally.

jeff061 · 11-04-2005, 07:36 PM

Well he was planning on the 6600GT not the 6800GT.

Airhog · 11-04-2005, 08:10 PM

its all relative skydog. You could own that computer for the next 4 years, not upgrade it at all and still play 99% of every thing out there. Now thats relative, because some people enjoy playing their stuff at max resolution with all the bells and whistles, and some people just want to play the game.

10-28-2005, 08:24 AM	#5
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	I agree with Bee, it's worth the extra hundred, the 6200 will be a pretty big bottle neck in an otherwise nice system. If it's an option I'd go the AMD route, if not no big deal. Overall it looks like a nice and upgradeable system for a decent price. __________________

10-28-2005, 08:38 AM	#7
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	Not fast enough to keep up with the processor. For the most part it won't be noticeable, but in 3d games like Civ4 you'd see a performance boost and/or better graphics with the 6600gt. It'll also last you longer. __________________ Last edited by jeff061 : 10-28-2005 at 08:39 AM.

10-28-2005, 09:10 AM	#15
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	If possible I'd stick with the 2gb as well. Just to future proof yourself. But if it comes down to 2gb or the 6600gt, I'd take the video card. __________________

10-28-2005, 09:28 AM	#18
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	Yeah, you just snap them in right next to the already installed ram, no driver or software changes needed. __________________

10-28-2005, 09:31 AM	#20
Ben E Lou Morgado's Favorite Forum Fascist Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Greensboro, NC	Wait a sec....what if I drop down to 2.8GHZ/1MB Cache/800 and save $50? How much of a difference would that make? Or...I could even drop down to 2.6GHz/1MB/533 and save $150. Thoughts on either of those moves? __________________ The media don't understand the kinds of problems and pressures 54 million come wit'!

10-28-2005, 08:19 AM	#2
Bee Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Fairfax, VA	I'd consider getting a 6600GT video card instead of the 6200. Much better card and shouldn't be that much more money especially for a PCI-E one.

10-28-2005, 08:21 AM	#3
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	Yeah, fuck you! Of course, I got a CD-RW drive and no floppy drive, plus a 19 in. digital monitor. Still, compared to mine, it looks pretty good. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete." Last edited by Ksyrup : 10-28-2005 at 08:22 AM.

10-28-2005, 09:23 AM	#16
KWhit Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Conyers GA	I have a Leadtek 256mb NVidia 6800 TDH card that has been great. You can find them for around $200 now I think. I'm not sure how the 6600GT stacks up against the 6800 TDH, but I am very happy so far with my video card. I also have 2gig of RAM and still feel good about getting that much.

10-28-2005, 09:43 AM	#22
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	The processor is also driving force behind any text sim game. Ultimatly in the $50-$200 range you get what you pay for and it is relativley more difficult to upgrade in the future. __________________ Last edited by jeff061 : 10-28-2005 at 09:44 AM.

10-28-2005, 09:57 AM	#25
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	I think he means - if you have 2 512s and want to upgrade to 2GB, you'd have to buy 2 1GB modules instead of being able to buy 1 1GB module and adding it to what you currently have. I guess it depends on how much of an upgrade you can make and what configurations are allowable. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete." Last edited by Ksyrup : 10-28-2005 at 09:58 AM.

10-28-2005, 09:58 AM	#27
Ben E Lou Morgado's Favorite Forum Fascist Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Greensboro, NC	Oh wait, are there only two slots for memory sticks? __________________ The media don't understand the kinds of problems and pressures 54 million come wit'!

10-28-2005, 09:59 AM	#28
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	Because you wouldn't have room for the 1GB and/or the configuration wouldn't be allowed. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

10-28-2005, 10:00 AM	#29
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	Here's an example with my new computer. I got 2GB of memory, but I believe they are 4 512 modules. I only have 4 memory slots (I think). So if I ever wanted to max out at 4GB, I would have to buy 4 1GB modules to replace the 4 512 modules. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

10-28-2005, 10:36 AM	#31
dacman College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: speak to the trout	You generally want RAM in matched pairs to take advantage of dual channel. 1 GB would be 2 sticks of 512MB -- most vendors won't even sell you a single stick configuration, and you really don't want to do that anyway. __________________ No signatures allowed.

10-28-2005, 11:05 AM	#33
Icy Pro Starter Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toledo - Spain	As some said, you need to put the Memory sticks in pairs to be able to get the dual channel benefits. Most of motherboards have 4 slots for memory sticks. Now the examples: - 2Gb means probably 2x1Gb sticks in duach channel, so you still have 2 free slots to instert another 2x1Gb sticks in the future, for 4GB total. - 1Gb means 2x512kb sticks in dual channel, so you have 2 free slots where you can add 2x1gb sticks, for a total of 3Gb. There is the limitation, 3Gb max instead of 4Gb. Anyway, not even high specs internet servers use more than 2Gb of ram so even if in the future you need to upgrade, the 3Gb limit will be more than enought. Of course you will always have the option to sell the 2x512k sticks in ebay and buy 4x1Gb sticks. Also as has been posted, to add more ram takes you 10 minutes and not any skill, just push the stick into it's place. If you are worried about it, i'm sure you know some friend/parent/neighbour, etc that have done it lots of times. About the card, i have the 6600GT and it's awesome for 3D games (it's not a 6800 but the 6800 is damn expensive and knowing you, i doubt you play a lot of 3D Shooters), you will notice it way more than the extra Gb of ram. In resume, 1Gb Ram is enought for a standard Win XP system, RAM is cheaper and cheaper every month and it's so easy to install in the future so i would take the 6600GT over the 2nd Gb of RAM and i would add more RAM in the future if needed.

10-28-2005, 12:39 PM	#34
GrantDawg World Champion Mis-speller Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Covington, Ga.	As others have suggested, you might consider AMD. It should save you 100+ dollars on the processor of the same speed, and works just as well, if not better.

11-01-2005, 11:41 AM	#36
Ben E Lou Morgado's Favorite Forum Fascist Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Greensboro, NC	What about ATI cards? __________________ The media don't understand the kinds of problems and pressures 54 million come wit'!

11-01-2005, 11:59 AM	#38
Lonnie High School Varsity Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Midlothian, TX	Here are the VGA charts from the summer tests, obviously leaving out the very latest 7800 and X1800 stuff. But you should be able to compare the ones you are looking at. http://graphics.tomshardware.com/gra...l#3d_mark_2005 __________________ Lonnie

11-01-2005, 12:01 PM	#39
mauchow Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Murfreesboro, TN	Over the next few months, I'll be looking into getting a computer. I'd like a computer that can handle text sims smoothly, and also the top end graphical games. Should I copy SkyDog here and pretty much get what he's getting? I'm computer stupid!!!1

11-01-2005, 12:07 PM	#40
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	If you don't want to spend more than he is, then I'd say yes. If you can pony up some more it maybe worth looking at a faster video card. __________________

11-01-2005, 12:33 PM	#44
Lonnie High School Varsity Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Midlothian, TX	You'll be very happy with the 6800GT __________________ Lonnie

11-04-2005, 04:01 PM	#47
Ben E Lou Morgado's Favorite Forum Fascist Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Greensboro, NC	Got it. They changed my video card to GeForce 6800 256MB. I'm using it now. Going over to the system testing threads to see how I'm lookin'. __________________ The media don't understand the kinds of problems and pressures 54 million come wit'!

11-04-2005, 06:47 PM	#48
Lonnie High School Varsity Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Midlothian, TX	Hope they didn't charge you for the GT model. There is a bit of a performance and price difference between a standard and a GT. Still a lot better than the 6200 you had planned on originally. __________________ Lonnie

11-04-2005, 07:36 PM	#49
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	Well he was planning on the 6600GT not the 6800GT. __________________ Last edited by jeff061 : 11-04-2005 at 07:37 PM.

11-04-2005, 08:10 PM	#50
Airhog Captain Obvious Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Norman, Oklahoma	its all relative skydog. You could own that computer for the next 4 years, not upgrade it at all and still play 99% of every thing out there. Now thats relative, because some people enjoy playing their stuff at max resolution with all the bells and whistles, and some people just want to play the game. __________________ Thread Killer extraordinaire Yay! its football season once again!

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