So, plumping for a nice big upgrade. Whether to go AMD or whether to go Intel Core Duo - that used to be the question.
However, today (and for the past week), it's actually GFX cards that are making my head (and wallet) hurt.
Here's the thinking. DirectX 10 compliance, so an 8000 series nVidia surely?
But prices, performance and more. Originally i was opting for this one, at £134 (which I thought was stretching the budget as far as reasonable).
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(17160)XFX-GeForce-8600-GTS-256MB-DDR3-PCIE-DVI--675mhz.aspx
However, after doing last minute review reading, it's apparent that the limited 128-bits width of memory interface (I know NOTHING about it) when compared to the 8800 GTS versions. Naturally, they're more expensive, but apparently can get miles better FPS at around £180 quid (when in stock :/).
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(16579)INNO3D-GeForce-8800-GTS-320MB-DDR3-PCIE-HDTV.aspx
But now we are moving up to the stratosphere in price tags (for me, anyways). £180 nicker is coming close to double the price of a x1950 Pro (which does well, but isn't directX 10 compatible).
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(15335)Sapphire-Radeon-X1950PRO-256MB-DDR3-PCIE.aspx
So the question is, what's best value for the buck? I hate upgrading, to give you an indication - my gfx card is still a
9800 Radeon Pro 128Mb. It's a great card, but it can no longer service me in the por... games department.
So - what's best? Should i just buy a "fill in" card, to last a few years - like perhaps 18 months?
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(17156)XpertVision-GeForce-8600-GT-256MB-DDR3-PCIE.aspx
That's a cheap card, and it's been given a fairly good review (comparable to the 8600 GTS?)
http://www.guru3d.com/article/Videocards/426/
Or should I splash out over a TON more on a higher end card, hoping that I don't have to upgrade for 3-4 years instead?
I can read damned reviews all day long (actually, they're not that easy to find suddenly :/) but they only seem to pull you towards buying the top end cards. Reading forums, people seem to be right snobby barstewards as well, and if they can't get 100fps on the highest settings, then a card isn't worth squat... and they'll happily fork out £300 to just see that extra 20fps, or setting of AA.
I've got X3, Darkstar One, Space Force:Rogue Universe - all waiting to be played in their full graphics settings, and I can't really think of any amazing games that may come out which i hunger for (unless anyone knows of some awesome space sims upcoming?).
So, any advice from "normal" peeps is welcomed
Oh, and the annoying thing - PSU's.
What's actually powerful enough? Looking at this one, but when I check out the "rails" for 12V, it always seems LOW to me:
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(11448)Antec-NeoHE-550W-Modular-ATX20-EPS12V-PSU.aspx
Would that be good enough to power any of the above mentioned cards?
Trying to build a rig, hoping to keep price low as possible...
The rest of the system:
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInf ... ctID=14002 (AMD 4800)
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInf ... ctID=14050 (Asus M2N)
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInf ... ctID=14777 (2Gb Giel)
Also seagate drive, a dvd burner etc.