Any custom computer builders out there?

[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/

[daredog4]

Sounds like you know your stuff. I personally subscribe to www.techsupportforum.com and have been helped out of some pretty big pickles. I try to help others out with their issues when i can but some stuff is over my head. Many hardware issues i have dealt with, but when it comes to programming and software issues i tend to get lost.

I didn't mean to make it all about computers, but they are a nice tool to have. I really just stared this thread to see if there were any cigar/computer lovers out there that i could relate to. And i would love to hear your stories about the good ol days, and what it took to get us to where we are today. I think computers are one of our civilizations biggest achievements and it seems that the technology is advancing faster than anything else out there.

I know i pissed off a bunch of people with my other thread and all i can do is move on and try to get along. If i don't get kicked off of here i will do my best to make it up to ya.

Edit: I was just remembering that when i was younger we had an old Apple computer with the green/black screen. I remember playing lots of games where i had to boot to DOS and manually type in the EXE file name in order to play. Thats about as far back as I go.

[daredog4]

If you meant hand fishing....heck ya i have. With all the flooding we have had lately its been hard to find them and they aren't very big. A couple of years ago my brother and I fished out some holes on the rattlesnake and ended up with a couple 20 pound flatheads, a 36 pounder, and a 42 pounder. And boy were they some good eating.