Video Card

[Goomf]

I'm looking for a new video card. After extensive research, I'm debating between the 7900 gt and the 7900 gs. Is the 40 dollars really worth a slight upgrade?

Opinions?

[Malanith]

I personally like GTs. Bigger engine, better suspension. Usually add ground effects.

[Hegemon]

I gave up buying "new" video cards years ago. I just use them up until they give out then buy a new, cheap one. Usually, that's a few years difference

in technology right there, and I play all the games that I used to drool over and laugh as I get insane framerates.

My advice, since I'm not really in the loop about them at present, just buy something that's cheap to put in there. After all, mudding isn't that intensive a system process.

[Goomf]

Yea, chances are I won't be mudding. Playing guildwars, wow, nvw2, etc.

[Hegemon]

Wow is actually pretty easy on the requirements. I'll tell you that right now. Using my Laptop and it's integrated video card which shares RAM with the rest of the computer (I have it set at 64 Megs), I've actually had it run quite smoothly. Guildwars I've never played, and Neverwinter Nights 2 I hesitate to even try...

However, all sorts of games run smoothly for me. Hitman 2, Morrowind, KOTOR, ahhh....you'd be surprised.

For your purposes, wanting to play the newer more intensive games, I'd say you'd want a 128 or 256 model, either AGP or if your motherboard supports it PCI-E. Now, in terms of specific models, go fish. I couldn't really tell you honestly. But there is a lot of hype around video cards I find. Don't worry about the brand, as most of the stuff is pretty much a liscensed copy of either an ATI or Nvidia product anyway. Look for the features you want (DVI output, TV-OUT, maybe a TV Tuner, etc..) and the amount of RAM/if it's AGP or PCI-E. For the rest, don't even worry about it.

One site I highly suggest is NCIX.COM. They have a wide selection, and customer reviews of many products. I'm certain there will be something to help you there.

[Goomf]

Decided with the 7900 gt for 210. I'm not planning to upgrade for at least 5 years .

Dell E521.

Athlon 64 x2 3800

160gb hd

1gb ram

7900gt

19 inc monitor

$700.

[Hegemon]

Sounds reasonable if you are into it.

For my purposes, I have my laptop as my primary computer. It's really a desktop replacement. They've gotten a lot more affordable and powerful over the years, and I'm at the point now where this thing is a piece of my soul.

Being that I do a lot of downloading/burning, I have a secondary computer (desktop) set up as essentially my bitch computer. I've got a 120 Gig Hard Drive as Primary, and an 80 as secondard so combined with my 100 on the laptop i have 300 on the network total.

Eventually, the idea is to get one of those NICE Seagate 7200 RPM 750 Gig models (or two), maybe in 6-8 months when they drop to around 200-ish Canadian.

See, for my purposes Hard Drive space is what gets me hot. I figure I'll just download the games, then play them eventually when I treat myself to a new system a few years down the road. For now, it goes download download burn stick it in a DVD-Binder.

Put it this way, right now I'm playing all the SNES/NES/Gameboy Advance/Genesis games on my LAPTOP, using a PS2/USB Converter so I have the playstation controler. Eventually, emulation/hardware will be good enough so whatever laptop I have years from now will probably play PS1/PS2/XBOX/Gamecube/Whatever games on it.

Oh, and I have TV out, as well. So I can hook the Laptop up to any TV with S-Video (Any TV, really, since I have an RF Modulator) for a very authentic experience.

Technology is INTENSE.

[Goomf]

The desktop's only for the new two years or so. I know once I go to grad school I'm going to be buying a new laptop