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Geek Culture / First Time Building a Gaming Rig

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mastercheif 193
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Posted: 17th Jan 2011 21:53 Edited at: 17th Jan 2011 21:54
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Hey guys. I have been looking around newegg for parts. I put a gaming pc together but I don't know much about how they are compatible. Could you help me out. My goal is to be able to play any game on highest settings. Mostly Crysis on maxed settings haha.

-I have added the list in the download... it is a word document. I have no clue how to type specs for a pc... sorry

"It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me" -Batman Begins

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Ocho Geek
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Posted: 17th Jan 2011 22:09
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I'm not an expert on CD drives but it looks fine. Though you can always get one from your old machine

get the "BIOSTAR T5 XE CFX-SLI LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard" because the other one might be a bit hard to assemble (smaller size for smaller cases, but still fits)

Intel range isn't my forté, because it makes no sense but I imagine you want to spend as on the processor as the graphics card. In my experience games like crysis benefit more from a better processor than a graphics card

The ram isn't enough to give that system justice, perhaps "Geil 6GB DDR3 1333 CL9.0 Triple Channel Black Dragon" might be nice?
$42 is a low amount to spend on a gaming rig for RAM anyway


My general advice? Graphics cards are over-rated in terms of overall system performance, and the processor and RAM won't let you make good use of that card. I'd spend less on the card and more on the other components I mentioned

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mastercheif 193
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Posted: 17th Jan 2011 23:11 Edited at: 17th Jan 2011 23:13
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Thanks for the help Ocho Geek. I don't have an old machine this will be my first PC... didn't want to buy it because i think building stuff is better.

Quote: "In my experience games like crysis benefit more from a better processor than a graphics card"


I have asked around and they said that i5 should be fine with gaming. Should i just go with i7 just in case?

Quote: "The ram isn't enough to give that system justice, perhaps "Geil 6GB DDR3 1333 CL9.0 Triple Channel Black Dragon" might be nice?
$42 is a low amount to spend on a gaming rig for RAM anyway"


Doesn't look like they have it on newegg... Thats were im gonna do shopping for pc haha... I will change to a 6GB

Will a radeon 5770 be good enough then because I found one for $154
Heres a link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127490&cm_re=msi_hd_radeon_5770-_-14-127-490-_-Product

Off-Topic: Your profile picture is funny

"It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me" -Batman Begins
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That Guy John
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Posted: 18th Jan 2011 01:31
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Go to CyberPowerPC and build a custom rig to your hearts content. I don't think there system will allow you to accidentally get mismatched components.

They also have an icon on the right side of the screen that will give you estimated FPS and let you know the recommended wattage for the set-up you are building.
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Phaelax
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Posted: 18th Jan 2011 05:01
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I think that case is a bit of a rip-off. Antec has better designed cases for the money.

As for the WD "green" harddrive, keep in mind its designed for power efficiency, not performance. I'd recommend a 7200rpm drive for the main system. Also, the greens cannot be used in a raid configuration.

Quote: "The ram isn't enough to give that system justice, perhaps "Geil 6GB DDR3 1333 CL9.0 Triple Channel Black Dragon" might be nice?"

4GB looks like enough to me. Besides, why would you suggest triple channel for a dual channel interface?

Stick with the MSI board.

Can't go wrong with an Antec PSU.

"Only the educated are free" ~Epictetus
"Imagination is more important than knowledge..." ~Einstein
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mastercheif 193
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Posted: 18th Jan 2011 05:12
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Quote: "I think that case is a bit of a rip-off. Antec has better designed cases for the money."


I know thats just a placeholder as i look around for a better case. My sight is on the Antec Nine Hundred II.

Quote: "As for the WD "green" harddrive, keep in mind its designed for power efficiency, not performance. I'd recommend a 7200rpm drive for the main system. Also, the greens cannot be used in a raid configuration."


Okay thanks I will look around for another... any suggestions on what harddrive I should look for?

Quote: "Stick with the MSI board."


I already chose that one because it was way cheaper and all the ratings say it is really good.

Thanks Phaelax

"It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me" -Batman Begins
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Phaelax
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Posted: 18th Jan 2011 05:28
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I prefer to stick with WD drives myself. So for your main system drive, I'd get like a 500GB blue or black drive and use a 1-2TB green for storage. If you think you'll ever plan to use a raid configuration, get the black series. They'll cost a little more but they're built for it. A 500GB black series 7200rpm 32mb cache is $60 on newegg.

"Only the educated are free" ~Epictetus
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mastercheif 193
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Posted: 18th Jan 2011 05:39
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I will probably not use a raid configuration. Sorry I dont know computers that much but what do you mean when you have a harddrive for the main system?

"It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me" -Batman Begins
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PAGAN_old
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Posted: 18th Jan 2011 07:40
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for a PSU i suggest getting a corsair, they are like military quality PSUs

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Phaelax
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Posted: 18th Jan 2011 16:24
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By main system I mean the drive the OS is installed on. I have 3 internal harddrives in my system. I'm using a 1TB WD green for strictly storage, a 40GB WD for a scratch disk, and a 300GB seagate(prior to maxtor) for my system drive (drive C where I install the OS and games/applications. But I also use a 400GB WD external and a 500GB raid 1 NAS.

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Ocho Geek
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Posted: 18th Jan 2011 18:22 Edited at: 18th Jan 2011 18:25
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Quote: "4GB looks like enough to me. Besides, why would you suggest triple channel for a dual channel interface"

oh, then ignore me. I have 8GB, and I feel the computer really benefits from it. You can really feel the benefit when you get more RAM

I would go for the i7, if your going to give your computer the name of a "gaming rig" anyway

PS. I buy Nvidia cards so I can't tell you about those ATI's

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Phaelax
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Posted: 18th Jan 2011 21:04
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I've only recently been hitting the 4GB limit on my system, and I think that's only due to a memory leak in Chrome. I don't see how you could feel a difference with 8GB unless you're actually using more than 4.

I'm an nvidia guy too, i don't know squat about ati cards

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PAGAN_old
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Posted: 18th Jan 2011 21:57
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why is it you have to have an i7 to be able to give the title of a "gaming rig" I have a phenom2 x4 965 (3.4ghx quadcore) and there havent been one game so far that i couldnt run on full settings? so far in terms of games i think these days. the hardware is way ahead of graphics in games. you can build a $1k system which will comfortably run all best games on full specs. sure there is better hardware out there but that better hardware only benefits stuff like serios real time 3d rendering or some hardcore photoshoping. so in terms of game graphics, i think. 2010 did well enough to make a bunch of decent GPUs that can take on incredible games on full specs. The exepton might be starcraft 2 which is reported to melt peoples cards but there is something wrong with that game

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Ocho Geek
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Posted: 18th Jan 2011 22:24
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I was talking in terms of the intel range. I have the same processor as you

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Indicium
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Posted: 18th Jan 2011 22:33
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Quote: "I've only recently been hitting the 4GB limit on my system"


I'd be happy to have lots of extra ram, i'm always paging xD

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mastercheif 193
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Posted: 19th Jan 2011 01:13
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Quote: "By main system I mean the drive the OS is installed on. "


Oh okay thanks.

Quote: "PS. I buy Nvidia cards so I can't tell you about those ATI's"

Quote: "I'm an nvidia guy too, i don't know squat about ati cards"


Haha... I was looking at both Nvidia and ATI graphics cards and the Radeon 5770, from what i read, is a really good card for $154. Thanks for your suggestions.

Will all these be compatible with each other? I think they are I just wanted to make sure.

"It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me" -Batman Begins
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Isocadia
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Posted: 19th Jan 2011 17:57
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Starcraft has stopped melting people GPU's quite some time ago. The problem was that there was no frame cap in the main menu, and people that had auto overclock or some kind of function on would let the PC overclock the GPU until it melted
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PAGAN_old
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Posted: 19th Jan 2011 18:59
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btw any scoop on the new gtx570 card? its pretty new and i still havent heard a lot about it

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Ocho Geek
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Posted: 19th Jan 2011 19:23
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the 470 was the worst 400 series card in terms of thermals (I think). the 570 will be somewhat more powerful and probably plenty cooler.

Thats the guess anyway

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PAGAN_old
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Posted: 19th Jan 2011 19:38
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what about the 580?

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Ocho Geek
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Posted: 19th Jan 2011 19:52
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Most powerful 1 core card in the world (I don't think ATI has beat it yet) but the question is do you need it yet?

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puppyofkosh
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Posted: 19th Jan 2011 22:12
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Quote: "btw any scoop on the new gtx570 card? its pretty new and i still havent heard a lot about it
"


The 570 is faster and cooler than 480 as far as I know.
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mastercheif 193
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Posted: 20th Jan 2011 02:14
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Thanks for the help guys
Is the Nvidia GeoForce GTX the new high end graphics card for nvidia? I will check it down the line maybe switch to it but for now I am going to stay with what I have.

"It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me" -Batman Begins
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Ocho Geek
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Posted: 20th Jan 2011 18:16
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Its GeForce, not GeoForce. I'd suggest the 460, cause that's what everybody gets

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Phaelax
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Posted: 20th Jan 2011 18:22
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My general rule of thumb when building a new rig is usually I'll set a budget of $200 for a graphics card and get whatever I can for that amount. That typically gets me something that'll last for several years.

"Only the educated are free" ~Epictetus
"Imagination is more important than knowledge..." ~Einstein
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Benjamin
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Posted: 21st Jan 2011 03:41
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Might be a good idea to read the various hardware reviews on this site, there's some very interesting and helpful information there.
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mastercheif 193
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Posted: 21st Feb 2011 20:09 Edited at: 21st Feb 2011 20:50
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Bump

Sorry, it has been a while but I have updated my PC part list. It is in the download. Your Thoughts? Anyone?

"It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me" -Batman Begins

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Ocho Geek
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Posted: 22nd Feb 2011 00:18
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looks very nice

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mastercheif 193
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Posted: 22nd Feb 2011 01:30
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Thanks Ocho Geek

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crispex
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Posted: 22nd Feb 2011 03:12
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I can simply say don't go with an ATI card. Sure, they're cheaper and generally you can overclock them a lot easier, however their driver support is terrible. I know, why would drivers be a reason not to buy a card? Because when it comes down to brass tacks, are you REALLY going to want to look all night for the appropriate drivers? ATI cards are terrible when installing on Windows 7 Machines. Go with Nvidida.

Regardless, I find 4gb of RAM to be plenty. I don't understand why people put 8gb in, simply because out of everything I do on my computer including compiling programs, maps, etc. at the same time as playing games, I've never gone past using 40% of my 4gb of RAM. I mean, it'll help as time goes on, but as of right now there is really no point other than to show off and say you have it.

I just now realized I've had a typo in my signature for the past 3 years.
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Interplanetary Funk
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Posted: 22nd Feb 2011 03:13
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Quote: "but as of right now there is really no point other than to show off and say you have it."

future-proofing?

Get on my level
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crispex
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Yes, but by the time the "future" arrives your graphics card, processor, etc. will be outdated and chances are a new socket will be out for a new CPU. There aren't any real programs I've seen that require over 2gb of RAM. Again, I really believe it's just a status thing. Oh well, if you want 8gb, be my guest. I'm happy with 4gb.

I just now realized I've had a typo in my signature for the past 3 years.
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mastercheif 193
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Posted: 22nd Feb 2011 04:29 Edited at: 22nd Feb 2011 04:32
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Thanks crispex... I will stay with 4 gigs of ram. I took your advice and changed from the radeon 5770 to a geforce 460 1gb. What are your thoughts about the updated list crispex?

"It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me" -Batman Begins
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crispex
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Posted: 22nd Feb 2011 05:23
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Looks like you've got yourself a decent machine. If you really do want to "future-proof" your RAM, go right ahead, but again I see no point. Now if you plan on running a machine that can run a model with millions of polys, your might need it, but standardly 4gb is enough to run every desktop application known to man.

The 460 is a pretty decent card. Will run Crysis on medium - high, but Very High might only work with a select few settings, but any modern game you can run. I have an ATI Radeon HD5450 and it runs Crysis on medium averaging 35 fps, during explosions.

Regardless, go for it. It'll turn out to be a nice PC.

I just now realized I've had a typo in my signature for the past 3 years.
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mastercheif 193
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Posted: 22nd Feb 2011 05:37 Edited at: 22nd Feb 2011 05:41
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Thanks. I played Crysis once on my friends laptop on high settings and it still looked amazing. That is why I wanted to build a pc in the first place. This will be the first time building a computer once i actually get the parts, so thanks again.

"It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me" -Batman Begins
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Shadow Blade
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Posted: 22nd Feb 2011 11:23
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Quote: "I have an ATI Radeon HD5450 and it runs Crysis on medium averaging 35 fps, during explosions."


So? Your comparing a £40 ATI Card to a £160 Nvidia Card. ATI are great, I wouldn't let a few driver issues some people have had (I've never had any) deter you from getting a bargain.
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PrimalBeans
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Posted: 22nd Feb 2011 12:51
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heres one thing to consider: The more upgrade abiltily you have witht he hardward the longer lasting your machine is going to be. The last time i had a computer built was 6 years ago and my computer is still holding its own. Recently however i decided that i would have a new one built (yay!) and i went with the same thing in mind. Build it so that it would keep up for a nother 6 years or so with the occasional upgrade part. The speed doesnt seem to make that much differnce right now... but wait till the system requirments on the new os are double what they used to be. Look at games that cross platform between say... xp and vista... they almost double. Whats going to happen when the next big windows thing comes around?? When developers realise they can make games 100 trillion gigs large and require 4 gigs video memory... this is all and exaguration... but think about were you can take your next pc as well as were it is now.

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crispex
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Posted: 22nd Feb 2011 13:44
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Quote: "So? Your comparing a £40 ATI Card to a £160 Nvidia Card. ATI are great, I wouldn't let a few driver issues some people have had (I've never had any) deter you from getting a bargain."


Trust me, if you've jumped through hoops like I have, you'd be tired of the drivers as well, especially if you're running 64bit. Problem is ATI doesn't develop one set of drivers, they give the manufacturers the base code and it's up to the manufacturer to make them work. Nvidia manages to make one driver set, and give it to manufacturers, thus making it easier. Not to mention, I noticed Nvidia actually fully works with shader's, while ATI still has some problems calculating them (at least on the 5000 series).

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PrimalBeans
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Posted: 22nd Feb 2011 19:43
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Im an nvidia fan myself.

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heyufool1
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Posted: 22nd Feb 2011 21:09 Edited at: 22nd Feb 2011 21:09
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I have a Radeon 5770 HD and I play Crysis Warhead on Enthusiast (Very High) with 1680x1050 res and no AA at about 24 fps. Sounds low I know but I personally don't need a high fps to enjoy games. As for the drivers, I have had some problems with installing the card. It wasn't because I didn't have the right drivers, it was just doing weird stuff, but I got it working in about 2 hours. In my experience the ATI drivers aren't as bad as crispex makes them out to be, but they definitely aren't as user friendly as Nvidia. Personally, I rather pay less money and spend 2 hours extra than more money. However, if you're the type of person that just wants to click in the parts, install the drivers off the installation disk and be good to go, then I say go with Nvidia for a guarantee of that.

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Isocadia
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The only thing I can say is, that GLSL shaders have LOTS of problems with ATI cards ( atleast in minecraft ). So I would simply go with NVidia, and their name is more awesome
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