jaross Posted August 2, 2005 Report Share Posted August 2, 2005 The videocard decision is here. I have always been a AMD and ATI fanboy. But it just seems uneconomical (economical, being the primary reason I like these 2 companies) to get a ATI card right now. Im configuring different things on Cyberpower's site (used them for 2 other computers, that we have bought, about as cheap as getting all the parts of newegg)Here is what Im looking at:AMD/ATI system:AMD 4200 X2 (I was debating getting the 4600, but its $200 more and I was told that the proformance difference really isnt for that much money at all, maybe someone can help me out with this)2 gigs of ram (2x 1 gig sticks)MSI K8N NEO4-F nForce4 Chipset SATA Raid PCI-E w/GbLAN,USB2.0,&7.1Audio()ATI X850 Platnum Edition 256mbRaptor 74 gig 10,000rpmCase with 420 watt power.about $1700AMD/Nvidia system:same CPUsame ramASUS A8N-SLI nForce4 SLI Chipset SATA RAID Dual PCIE MB w/Gb-LAN,USB2.0,IEEE-1394,&7.1Audio2 Nvidia 6800s (not pro or GT) with 256 eachsame HDDsame case (will I need more power then 420 watts for sli cards?)about $1800 ($100 more)please help my decision. I realize that ATI will be comming out with dual cards here shortly, but with school starting, I need a computer sooner then that. also, would a FX-55 or FX-57 CPU be much better for gaming/3d editing/video editing then the X2? Keep in mind that the Nvidia cards I would use WOULD NOT be the GT/pro/ultra versions, but that ATI card that I would use would be their top model.Also, should I purchase windows XP pro 64 bit or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popeye Posted August 2, 2005 Report Share Posted August 2, 2005 Hi jaross.I can help you out a little bit here.I have a AMD/NVDIA rig with the same ASUS 8AN-SLI Motherboard but with a AMD64-3500 processor.2 x nvdia 6600 GT PCI-Express cards which are power hungry so I have a 550 Watt PSU.As you seem to be a AMD fan a FX CPU is top of their range at present until the dual core CPU's become available.popeye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted August 2, 2005 Report Share Posted August 2, 2005 The NForce 4 chipset is awesome.I'd recomend a Gigabyte motherboard over MSI. and Asus would be my second choice.I'd also recomend an Nvidia graphics card. I have noticed slightly better performace (on older computers) with Nvidia vs ATI. I like ATI, but thier stuff is not for extreme conditions. (ie. overclocking) I currently have a Sapphire 9600SE PRO which can be overclocked to a 9900. ATI's chipset cannot do this.Final thought, ATI kicks ass, but not with thier own chipset. Nvidia makes an awesome chipset, and an awesome video card. But I am Canadian, so I stick with ATI and use the Sapphire chipset :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaross Posted August 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2005 Hi jaross.I can help you out a little bit here.I have a AMD/NVDIA rig with the same ASUS 8AN-SLI Motherboard but with a AMD64-3500 processor.2 x nvdia 6600 GT PCI-Express cards which are power hungry so I have a 550 Watt PSU.As you seem to be a AMD fan a FX CPU is top of their range at present until the dual core CPU's become available.popeyethe X2 chips are out. they are probably better for multitasking, but it is my understanding that the FX-55 and 57 are still better for gaming.The NForce 4 chipset is awesome.I'd recomend a Gigabyte motherboard over MSI. and Asus would be my second choice.I'd also recomend an Nvidia graphics card. I have noticed slightly better performace (on older computers) with Nvidia vs ATI. I like ATI, but thier stuff is not for extreme conditions. (ie. overclocking) I currently have a Sapphire 9600SE PRO which can be overclocked to a 9900. ATI's chipset cannot do this.Final thought, ATI kicks ass, but not with thier own chipset. Nvidia makes an awesome chipset, and an awesome video card. But I am Canadian, so I stick with ATI and use the Sapphire chipset :Phere is my expeirence:around late 2002 we (dads house) got a AMD 2600 XP+ computer with a 9600LE with 256mb.around mid 2003 we (moms house) got a AMD 2800 64 computer with a FX5700LE with 256mb.THA ATI BLOWS THE NVIDIA AWAY. even though it is older and slightly less expensive.also, I was able to overclock the ati, even though it is their own ati chipset. I forget what it was but i downloaded this program and it has 2 slider bard in the desplay properties. one for memory and one for processor speed. I know it was working, because in 3d mark 2k3 I was starting to get digital static. of corse, i backed down after that started happening...anyway, between the AMD 4400 X2 and the FX-55 and 57. it is $300 more expensive for the FX-55 then the 4400 X2, and $600 more for the fx57 then the 4400. would you say its worth the extra $300 for the FX-55. Im thinking that the FX-57 is out of the question for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 I find I get the most performance by upgrading RAM. Get a good CPU and motherboard with an nvidia chip set... :P and get dual channel ram. Get as high as your motherboard can handle. Speed and trimming are crucial.Then for gaming put in a video card and sound later on when you can afford it, and your set.Oh and don't forget to have AT LEAST 450-500 watts to power all this. and the fans to cool it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaross Posted August 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2005 ok. I made a purchase:AMD FX-55 San Diego coreAspire case with 420 watt PS (maybe a little low? I'll deal with that if I need to, I think my dad has a AMD 2600 computer with I think a 500 watt PS that I could switch out if I need to) and it comes with 2 80mm fans2 thermaltake 120mm fansarcticool heatsink and fan with some sort of conductant pasteX850 PL (found one for $350!)2 gigs of Patriot overclocking ram2 Maxtor 160 gig 7500rpm SATA drivesDFI Nforce4 motherboardthis will be the best computer I will have ever used, let alone owned, even to date! :wub: I, of corse plan of doing overclocking with all those fans and the better cpu fan and heatsink. I hear you can get the FX-55 San Diego up to 3.1 ghz withought watercoolant if you up the voltage a little. of corse, I will take small steps and play it smart though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted August 6, 2005 Report Share Posted August 6, 2005 Overclocking can be VERY dangerous, and it WILL shorten the life of your hardware.Be very careful, and make sure you do extensive research before you attempt to do anything.A good resource another Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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