I pulled off the most daring, yet successful move in Medieval II.

[Joker]

Not yet. I only have like, $400 in the bank so far...

[wethepeople]

$1000 should get you a kickass gaming comp. <_< But I don't think you're that serious of a graphics junkie right? $600 should get you a decent self built comp. $1000 will get you a decent prebuilt.

[Joker]

I'm not a graphics junkie, but if I'm gonna get a new computer, I'd like some eye candy.

[eliminat]

Core 2 Duo  -  $130 for CPU,  $95 for motherboard, $120 for 2 GB DDR2
8800GT  - $250
DVD+/-RW - $35
500GB Seagate ES (Enterprise - 25 - 50% faster than standard) - $150
Case - $85

Total Approx. :  $865 + S&H

Prices will vary, but those a standard approx prices today.  ( I build computers daily for a living.)  And it would be a very decent gaming Rig.    Notice: Does not include Windows, keyboard, mouse, or speakers.  Faster CPUs and more feature rich motherboards available.  For another $150 you could jump to a Quad Core.  For another $250  you could jump to the 8800 GTS.     Just so you have some prices in mind about what your goal is.

[Joker]

I have a keyboard, mouse, and monitor already, so those aren't a problem. Though I might get a laser mouse anyway, since they're dirt cheap. I'm thinking I'll save up $1,000 before getting a new computer. I don't think I'll splurge for an 8800 GTS, though I think I would keep the idea of upgrading to one, or whatever better may come out, in mind if I build a computer. And about quad cores, do they really offer any tangible benefit? Most games don't even utilize dual cores that well and those have been around for a while now.

Building a computer, I know, is cheaper, but it seems like a daunting task for somebody like me who's never done it before. This won't be for a few months now, though, so when I actually have the money I'll probably make a topic asking for help with it.

[eliminat]

Supreme Commander, Crysis, and UT3 I know of take advantage of multiple cores including Quad-Cores.  More games are in the works.   The Penryns due out in January are expected to be 35 - 100% faster than current gen Core 2 CPUs, so if you're saving up, I'd wait and get one of those when they come out.

[wethepeople]

You nubs. The 8800GT performs better then the GTX, and wipes the floor with the GTS. It is the best card on the market for that price, period.

http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?ca...4&card2=475

Also destroys the GTX in benchmarks. Get this if you can Joker.

[schneereich]

my parents just got a good deal on an hp computer at office depot. it was $400, no monitor (seriously who doesnt already have one) and no graphics card (meaning youre not paying for some crap x1300 that you'd upgrade anyway). it has 2gb ram, athlon x2 5000+, 320gb hdd, and a legal copy of vista (something i always overlook when i price self-built pcs). im not sure what the power supply is like though. it might not be able to handle a nice video card, but its not important b/c they dont need a video card anyway.

[Kaiser]

My computer is pretty good. My mom is stupid and paid like 1600 bucks because it had a high-definition widescreen. I don't know what my G-card is. Do you know where I could find out somewhere on my computer? I play World in Conflict on the second lowest setting and it works good. At default it was pretty glitchy.

[Joker]

Go to the start menu, then look for a button that says "run". Then in the box type "dxdiag".

You can find out most of your hardware information there. Graphics card specifically is under "Display".

[eliminat]

A $400 HP is NOT going to a gaming machine make.

[Kaiser]

I can't find "Run"

I'm using Windows Vista BTW.

NVM I think I found it. Don't call me a newb if this isn't it though.


NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT

[eliminat]

You nubs. The 8800GT performs better then the GTX, and wipes the floor with the GTS. It is the best card on the market for that price, period.

[a href=\"http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?ca...4&card2=475\" target=\"_blank\"]http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?ca...4&card2=475[/a]

Also destroys the GTX in benchmarks. Get this if you can Joker.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/10/29/gef...rmance_round_up

The GT is NOT faster than the GTX.  Though it IS the best performance/Price card out.   And that's the 512 MB version, which is around $300.

"In the end, Nvidia has taken its time, but offers an exceptional card with the GeForce 8800GT. For about $230 it nearly displays the power of a GeForce 8800GTX (under 3%) twice as expensive, with the only downside being a slightly lower memory capacity (512 MB instead of 768 MB) and a bandwidth 10% lower than that of a GeForce 8800GTS. However, in games, the latter is usually outperformed by 30% without filters (using the 320 MB version) by the GeForce 8800GT and the GTX is only 12% higher. We have to say that the transition to the 65 nm process meant the arrival of more than just a couple of G92 on a wafer. By the way, this chip boasts 754 million transistors. It's small, consumes less than a GeForce 8800GTS 320 MB, and the 8800GT is also quite silent despite its single slot cooling system."

[eliminat]

I can't find "Run"

I'm using Windows Vista BTW.

NVM I think I found it. Don't call me a newb if this isn't it though.


NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT

That's it... and a decent midrange older generation card, but not going to be able to keep up with the newer games.

[wethepeople]

8800GT is still the better deal. Only games like Crysis would actually show a difference, and only a graphics whore would buy the GTX over the GT. The GT is the best card on the market.

[Kaiser]

So my card is like Ok but not great? What games should I stay away from then?

[eliminat]

Agreed on that.

[eliminat]

So my card is like Ok but not great? What games should I stay away from then?

BioShock, Crysis, Supreme Commander, UT3 would all benefit from a move to an 8 series videocard.

[Kaiser]

Is UT3 Unreal Tournament 3? Cause I fucking want that game.

[eliminat]

Yes Unreal Tournament 3.  Yours should play it, but the 8 series would help a LOT.