Prospective New Computer - Page 2

**Tarheel** · 05-14-2008, 04:43 PM

I'd recommend getting an 8800GT instead of the 9600GT. I looked at reviews for both, and went with the 8800GT. In some games the performance was pretty close, but there were other games where the 8800GT had a decided advantage, especially at higher resolutions.

You should like that case, that's what I have - it stays very nice and cool all around, with the front panel basically being a big vent. The only downside is that the front attracts dust like a mofo, since it's a big vent. In addition to defragging semi-annually now, you'll want to pop the front of the case off every so often to clean the dust. There's a mesh material behind the metal held in by some plastic clips that pulls out and cleans easily. Just be careful removing the front for cleaning and assembly, it seems many have a problem with the plastic clips breaking off, although I haven't had any problems with mine.

**Santa** · 05-14-2008, 05:24 PM

I plan on being a poor college student in a few months, so yes im going for as fast as I can get it for as cheap as possible. Bang for the buck. The HD bom suggested is about $100 more than the one I had picked, so im a bit reluctant to up it.

Im not particularly worried about a year or two warranty though. Not a biggie.

**BHack** · 05-14-2008, 05:57 PM

Dont' worry about the HD, you're fine. You will soon be posting "HOLY CRAP I didn't know games were supposed to look like this!"

**Tybalt** · 05-14-2008, 05:59 PM

Looks good. If you decide to spend more money, put it all in the graphics card. Nothing else will have an impact even close to that component. But you already knew that.

Just order the thing so we don't have to see you bitching about 10fps looking at the ceiling.

**Santa** · 05-14-2008, 06:15 PM

Well its 50 FPS if i stare at the ceiling. 10-20 if im looking at lots of splosions.

**jepzilla** · 05-14-2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tybalt

Looks good. If you decide to spend more money, put it all in the graphics card. Nothing else will have an impact even close to that component. But you already knew that.

Just order the thing so we don't have to see you bitching about 10fps looking at the ceiling.

I wouldn't be spending a lot of money on a graphics card. If he wants to spend money on a graphics card, he should wait until the summer when the 9900 is released... the 9900 will be what the 9800 should have been.

**Santa** · 05-14-2008, 06:20 PM

From what little I know, an SLI supported card means I can upgrade it later for a relatively small price and increase the efficiency significantly. Am I wrong?

**L10N** · 05-14-2008, 06:41 PM

SLI is having two graphics cards in a rig. You need a mobo that supports it, which you don't have; and another graphics card that is the same type as yours. It's expensive, it's buggy, it's definitely not what you need.

**Zoopy** · 05-14-2008, 07:25 PM

Any new nvidia card is SLi ready.

**Tybalt** · 05-14-2008, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Santa

From what little I know, an SLI supported card means I can upgrade it later for a relatively small price and increase the efficiency significantly. Am I wrong?

Yes, you are wrong.

It's almost always more cost effective to simply ditch/sell the old card and replace with a brand new card than it is to add a second card running in SLi mode. If you are currently buying an SLi capable mother board, you would probably benefit by ditching it in favor of a non-SLi capable model with the same features since you'll probably never ever use SLi. This switch will only save about $10-45 typically however, so it's not a huge amount either way.