Any custom computer builders out there?

[daredog4]

I got my HD3870 about six months ago and at the time it was the highest end card ATI had to offer. I really liked the Toxic because it was already overclocked to 800 GPU Mhz and 1150 Memory Mhz, and with the vapor chamber i have no issues with heat. I have always thought about Nvidia cards but their newer high powered cards run hot and suck the power. I do have one question though. If I upgraded cards, would it be better to buy another 3870 and crossfire or should i just go with the 4870? I know they have have a 4870x2 but the price is really high and the card is huge.

[MarineOne]

Honestly, I'd dump the 3870 for the 1GB GTX-285, and I'll give you two reasons why. The first is because this is the first single solution card that I've seen run Crysis on a widescreen and do it well. It probably helps having a 64 bit OS and 4GB of RAM, too, but you can always upgrade that later. The second reason is Windows 7 will not be a 32 bit OS, so planning for a future upgrade should definately be on your to-do list. This will be Microsoft's first OS release that DOES NOT support 32 bit CPU's so what you have right now will not run future operating systems and gives you a fantastic reason to abort the abomination .... uh, I mean delete your Windows Vista install .... LOL!!


For the video cards, ATI has always been about visual quality at the expense of frame rates while nVidia on the other hand has always been about performance at the expense of a high quality picture. I tell everyone this: if you're going to be watching alot of movies (DVD or Blu-Ray) then get an ATI card, but if you're going to be using it primarily for gaming then get the nVidia.




Kris

[daredog4]

Here are the latest and greatest. Personally, I like the ATI but you be the decider.

Sapphire HD4870 2GB GDDR5 Memory with Vapor-X Cooling
Core: 750mhz
Mem: 900mhz, 3 Gbps

And by the way, the 4890 is now for sale......



EVGA GeForce GTX-295 1792Mb GDDR3 Memory
Core: 576mhz
Mem: 1998mhz



Both cards and many many more on www.Newegg.com And by the way BFG-Tech just came out with a killer custom water cooled GTX-295. Check out this link. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143182

[Silencei2]

I'd probably say you get most bang for your buck with the ATI. Thats what a lot of popular tech sites usually say when comparing performance to price point. My roomie has the 4870 and it performs well but I'd have to say my two 8800s keep up with it just fine. From what MarineOne said, it's pretty true ATI has always been more about picture quality than performance. They also set themselves aside from Nvidia by providing more multimedia related features which not everyone necessarily needs or wants.

If it were my choice, I'd pick ATI if I was looking for the best deal and if I had the money for the Nvidia I'd go with them. Personally I think Nvidia racks up the prices on their cards just because they have a slight edge over the competition. ATI was smart for seeing this weakness and provided a competitively priced product.

As far as the 32/64bit issue goes, I don't think either of those cards would have an issue. As long as your running a card that offers 64 bit drivers, you'll be fine.

The watercooled BFG cards are beautiful. I don't know if they still do but some of their older watercooled cards used a Danger Den waterblock. Once you get into watercooling you'll probably find it more fun to install the waterblock yourself rather than getting a card with it pre-installed. Not to mention there are other waterblocks you can get from other companies that offer a more custom look with a clear acrylic top.

[ggiese]

Can you light cigars on that puppy? Unless you're able to, trash it...

[daredog4]

Just wondering, what do you have for a computer Ggiese?

[ggiese]

Just wondering, what do you have for a computer Ggiese?

Which computer?

I would be pleasantly surprised if you knew anything about where all of this comes from - things like what a Z80 processor was, ARPANET, Mosaic... The good ol' days of 300 baud modems....

Man - I would just LOVE to discuss my lineage of computers, all the money I've spent on this pursuit over the years, my past work repairing and building systems and such - maybe if we meet up on a computer board somewhere down the road. Though forgive me for being a bit rusty - I've given much of that up in favor of other more fulfilling pursuits.

Seriously, though. Me: Personally? I joined CS to share stories about cigars.

You like Okienoodling??

[ggiese]

Good stuff for you, dreadog;

http://www.computersoc.com/viewforum.php?f=35

http://www.neoseeker.com/forums/17/

http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/forums.html

http://www.motherboards.org/forums/

http://forums.mysuperpc.com/

http://forums.guru3d.com/