Just one last thing to buy for my build...

[poindextermatic]

...and the most important: the GFX card!!

Am after a ATI card, just for a change, will not be using c/fire, will be using it for some great games in 2007/8!

Seen this on SCAN:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=487713

Looks good, and is just over my max budget of £200.

But there are so many cards out there, and the last time I even looked into cards was well over 2 years ago when I got a vanilla 6800 GF.

(see my sig for unbuilt machine spec)

Any other suggestions for my budget?

Thanks in advance guys, you have all been very helpful with my build decisions!

[aidanjt]

Why on earth would you waste your time and money on an X1950 when you can get an 8800GTS for 30 squid or more cheaper and spank the X1950 while you're at it?

[poindextermatic]

I don't know, that's why I'm asking!

EDIT: just looked on SCAN - wow lots of GTS's, what the hell are streams? Like pipes I guess?

[Clunk]

The main downside with the 8800 series are that the drivers are utter garbage. Had I known what I know now, 5 weeks ago, i certainly wouldnt have bought mine, although they do seem to be slowly getting better.

[jimbouk]

If you are really after an ATI card then wait in line for the new ones.

Around the £200 mark it's nvidia all the way at the moment. The best ATI card worth buying is the X1950Pro for ~£100.

[Pob255]

Lol you just beat me to it.
I was going to sugest http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=481911
Sapphire Radeon X1950Pro 256mb @ £102

[tinners]

I don't know, that's why I'm asking!

EDIT: just looked on SCAN - wow lots of GTS's, what the hell are streams? Like pipes I guess?

if you can stretch to it there's a 640Mb 8800GTS currently going for £229

[aidanjt]

I don't know, that's why I'm asking!

EDIT: just looked on SCAN - wow lots of GTS's, what the hell are streams? Like pipes I guess?

Yeah, more generic pipes, think of stream units as lots of really fast mini CPUs.

[poindextermatic]

just seen this:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=546951

Had a Gainward card about 4 years ago and it was great.

Would I really need a 640MB 8800?

[Blitzen]

The main downside with the 8800 series are that the drivers are utter garbage. Had I known what I know now, 5 weeks ago, i certainly wouldnt have bought mine, although they do seem to be slowly getting better.

The new forceware is fine. I havent had any problems at all with my 8800

[jimbouk]

What resolution is your screen? If you have a sizable one then if you want to play at native resolution you'll need one of the latest cards for the latest games. If it's a 17"/19" tft then something like the X1950Pro should be plenty good.

[Mossy]

The main downside with the 8800 series are that the drivers are utter garbage. Had I known what I know now, 5 weeks ago, i certainly wouldnt have bought mine, although they do seem to be slowly getting better.

I had one of the first GTS when they were available, stock drivers were ok and had no problems withthe Forceware?

card has been excellent

[tinners]

just seen this:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=546951

Had a Gainward card about 4 years ago and it was great.

Would I really need a 640MB 8800?

For another £20 I would go for the extra memory myself.
Dunno if you need 640 really or not. I run 1920*1200 on my Dell using a 640 and find it excellent.

[redddraggon]

Well the res your playing with anyway I think it's recommened to get the 640 version.

Below ((possibly) and at) 1600x1200 go for the 320