Help with choosing graphics card for new computer

[Pushkin]

Hi, can I pick your brains about the following? New computer to be ordered very soon but can't make my mind up about the graphics card. MoBo is Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe, with AMD Athalon 64X2 Dual Core 4200+HT Tech. 1GB DDR400 memory-PC3200, 250 serial ATA H/D with 16MB buffer. 500W PSU - and then we come to the hard choices
256MB nVIDIA GeForce 6800GT-TV-out + DVI or - 2X 128MB nVIDEA GeForce 6600GT-DVI-SLI config or 256MB ATI Radeon X1800XL-PCI Express with DVI & TV out or 2X 256MB nVIDEA GeForce 6800 LE-DVI-SLI config?

I fancy the Radeon I must admit - but not up to date on all that is best these days!
The comp will be used for all the ususal stuff + digital Photography editing and processing - some very limited cam corder editing, musical add ons and some high end gaming + what ever else 2 teeangers can throw at it in this day and age!

Any and all comments will be much appreciated.
Pushkin.

[Noni]

Best graphic out of that is the X1800XL so go for that.

Do NOT go for the 4200, either go for the 3800X2 or 4400X2. The 4400 has a larger cache.

3800X2 can be overclocked SO easily to 4200 settings, if you get stuck dont hesistate to PM me.

Good luck.

[RoGuE|SaBeR]

Don't bother with the 2 x 6600, complete waste of time really especially if you have the cash to go for a single card with better performance.

The Radeon is definately the best performer out of that selection but at the same time I'd have to say that a second hand 6800 GT is definately a bang for buck sweet spot at the moment. I picked up a second hand XFX 6800 GT PCI-E for £135 on ebay with is about £35 dearer than a 9800 Pro at the moment - complete and utter bargin really.

[Pushkin]

Noni - thanks for confirming my own thoughts on the card. Do you think the 4400 would be the better bet performance and future proofing wise?

[Pushkin]

Rogue saber thanks for your comments. It is a new build I'm getting so I won't need to go for pre-owned ..........this time around But will certainly keep that in mind if and when I need to upgrade this one.

Cheers mate - just over the bridge from you!

[RoGuE|SaBeR]

Well I'm in Northern Ireland at the moment for Christmas / New Year but Uni Of Ed when I'm "working"

[Noni]

Noni - thanks for confirming my own thoughts on the card. Do you think the 4400 would be the better bet performance and future proofing wise?

The 4400 has 2mb cache and can reach 4800X2 speeds. The 3800X2 has 1mb cache and will reach 4600X2 speeds.

The 4400 is certainly the better out of the two.

Good luck mate.

[Smokey21]

Well it comes down to managing your budget, to get the best performance. If your going to be doing some high end gaming, your better off going for a better video card, and getting a lesser CPU, the CPU can easily be overclocked.

-The mobo looks great
-Hard Drives, memory, all look fine. What PSU are you getting? Remember wattage isn't everything.

Id personally go for a 3800+ X2, for around 230quid, saving like 80quid, and then you can strech to a 7800GT, or you can pick up overclockers.co.uk awesome deal on a PCI-E X850XT for 150quid!!!!!!!!

[RDL]

Hi Pushkin - you haven't stated an initial budget, so, if you can afford it, I would recommend getting the 4400 (and overclocking if you like), and the X1800XL. As already stated, it's not worth buying two 6600GTs at this stage, as really they are dated, and even the 6800GT is starting to become yesterdays technology. Basically either get the X1800XL or a 7800GT/GTX, depending on what budget allows. Apart from that it looks great!

[Rack]

7800GT! You can get them for ~£200!

SLI/Crossfire... not worth it...

[zulander]

Yep id go with a 7800gt too. Cheap when compared to the 1800xl and still give great performance

[project187]

mmm i agree but you could get 7800 gt you could do that
or you could run two 6800 in sli bout the same performance as one gtx or you could get one of the very cheap gts that scan have atm for 270 or so ajd that is then future proofed for most games for a while

[Pushkin]

Hi all, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Put the final order in late yesterday and here are the specs:-AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core 4400+ with HT Tech. 550W PSU. ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe PCI-Express Mainboard 1024MB DDR400 Memory - PC3200 (2x512)
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive with 16MB Buffer
256MB ATI Radeon X1800XL - PCI-Express with DVI & TV out
19" viewsonic flat screen (8ms)
+ all the normal stuff that you need - comes in just on the top end of the budget at £1200.
Reasonable deal?

Thanks for all the comments so far.
Pushkin.