Vid Cards

[Snarfleez]

Hey all.

Okay, I've recently decided to build a computer from the ground up. I'm terribly new at this, so I've been doing some intensive research for the past few days, and I've learned a LOT, and made some hardware decisions.

So far, the nVidia Geforce4 seems to be the way to go.
I plan to do some intensive gaming on this machine, so I'm looking for a vid card that screams. However, I'll need a price tag that doesn't make ME scream.

So whaddya think? Is this the right way to go? Any suggestions?

Eep Opp Ork,
-Snarfleez.

[This message has been edited by Snarfleez (edited 05-02-2002).]

[iisbob]

Geese, is this a loaded topic!! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif

My recomendation for gaming is to go with a Geforce 3 Ti200 series; there are no games currently on the market ( and even the ones slated for immediate future release ) that truely push it to it's limit's. So as nice as a Geforce 4 Ti 46/44/4200 may look-it's kinda a waste of resources currently. Not too mention that Nvidia has annouced an entirely new chipset design ( based on .13 micron ) design; similar to the new CPU structures from Intel/AMD.

These new GPU's will effectively " blow " the current G4s' out of the water, so to speak-so i'd not rush out and spend nearly $400 on a G4 right now-not when you can get a good G3 Ti200 for around $150 average.

Now for the other side of the coin; ATI Raedon's.

If you're going to invest in one of these cards, be aware that their driver support is not as, shall we say " dynamic " as Nvidia's-and they typically don't run games at as hi a speed as the Geforce series. But, they are still good gaming cards for the money ( just not mine http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif ) and are a valid choice for a gamer wishing for excellant 32 bit support for a reasonable price.

I would also suggest you take a look at SIS's new line of XSabre cards due out soon-they promise some good competition against ATI/Nvidia in the ever exciting world of video cards.




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iisbob

Computer-Show me the Enterprise; no bloody A, no bloody B, and no bloody C-just the original...Mr Scott { from a STNG episode }

[saphalline]

Originally posted by iisbob:
Not too mention that Nvidia has annouced an entirely new chipset design ( based on .13 micron ) design; similar to the new CPU structures from Intel/AMD.

These new GPU's will effectively " blow " the current G4s' out of the water

Hey iisbob, you got an ETA for that? I'd like to know so I can more effectively plan my next upgrade, for all those DX 8-based games that I want, I mean need http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif!

This will also affect Snarfleez's decision as well. If the new cards are due out soon (within the next year) then I would suggest that you save up your money and settle for a GF4 MX420/440 or a GF2 Ti (or a Radeon 7500 for all you ATI users) to tide you over. You'll still get darn good performance now, and you'll be that much closer to making a down payment on the next-gen cards based on a 0.13 micron design. All those cards I mentioned will only ring in at around $100 average.

Now it may not be that appealing compared to the $150 price tag of the much more capable GF3 Ti200, but don't underestimate the power of pre-DX 8 cards. They can still dish out QuakeIII Arena without a hiccup, and my GF2 Ti rarely slows down in Max Payne at 1280 x 1024 in 32-bit color! Besides, along the same line of thinking that iisbob started, how many games do you know of that use DirectX 8? Aquanox and... ? Oh yeah, UT 2K3 and DoomIII (which aren't even out yet), but all those games will still run without DX 8, right?

If you're planning on saving some money, you might as well save as much of it as you can. And I guarantee you that a $100 'older' graphics card will beat that TNT2 Vanta sittin' in your neighbor's P4 Compaq!

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Windows 95: A 32-bit extension of a 16-bit overlay for an 8-bit OS that was originally designed for a 4-bit processor by a 2-bit company that can't produce 1 bit of good software!

[Snarfleez]

In a word: WOW.

Thanks you two. That was the best answer I could have hoped for. You have no idea what a great help you've been. (Or perhaps you do.) http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Like I said, I'm very new to building a computer, but I'm pretty quick on the uptake when it comes to computers. I'm pretty sure I've decided on an ABIT KR7A-RAID running an Athlon XP 1900+. I think I'll take your advice on the vidcard, and run the GeForce3 Ti200. I was leaning toward the GeForce4 due to some articles I've read, hailing its merits.

Well, back to my research. I've got to figure out how to choose a power supply. There's so many that are compatable... I need to figure out which is preferable for my system.

You've provided just the amount of info this newbie needed to wrap his mind around the pertinent info without resorting to baby talk. Thanks again. I'm sure I'll be hanging around these boards for a while. It's pretty uplifting to be in the company of people that are both knowlegeable and nice.

Eep Opp Ork,
-Snarfleez.

[iisbob]

You're welcome Snarfleez, and i recommend you head over to Guru3d (http://guru3d.com) to get the most up to date reviews/news and software for Video cards.

As for Power supply, i would humbly suggest at least a 350w, preferrably a 400w and a well known vendor such as Antec-i personally use their 400w smartpower supply that uses a large bladed fan for better cooling. It uses an " intelligent " sensor to determine how fast to spin the fan, more usage=more heat, so fan speeds up. It also condition's the power, so that your system doesn't get any unexpected drops ( or spikes ) in power.

They generally run around $80-$100, but a good PS can make or break a system.



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iisbob

Computer-Show me the Enterprise; no bloody A, no bloody B, and no bloody C-just the original...Mr Scott { from a STNG episode }

[Snarfleez]

Hey, thanks again iisbob!

I still haven't decided on a case/PSU. I'm trying to be defiant, and NOT spend more on my case than on any component in it. (Although I plan to mod it, so there's probably no point, is there?) Anyway, if I cave I'll let you know. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif I've been looking at Enermax and Sparkle PSU's so far, but I'll give Antec a look!

Again, thankxamil!
-Snarf.