HeavyG's New Rig - Finally...

**HeavyG** · 09-22-07, 12:07 PM

I have been waiting almost six months for this purchase, but I am finally ready. I should have everything ordered come Monday or Tuesday of next week. It has been almost two years since my last upgrade. Here is what I have so far:

CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 @ 3.0GHz - $283.90
CPU Cooler - ASUS Silent Knight - $74.98
Motherboard - ABIT IP35-Pro - $182.00 (already purchased)
Memory - OZC Reaper 2GB DDR2 800 - $82.00 (already purchased)
Hard Drive - WD Caviar 500GB SATA - $114.99
Video Card - ASUS ATI EAH2900XT 512MB - $409.99 (or best deal found on Tuesday)
PSU - Cooler Master 650W - (from current rig)
Sound Card - Creative EtremeGamer - (from current rig)
Case - Cooler Master Cavalier - (from current rig)

I have the money for a new case, but I havent found one that has everything I am looking for without being ugly as hell...

I am gonna wait until the very last minute to get the Video Card. I know that nVidia fan boys will hate on the ATI decision, but for the price, I chose ATI over the 8800GTS. And trust me, I have been doing a LOT of research to influince my decisions for ALL of these parts.

HeavyG

**cop1991** · 09-22-07, 01:19 PM

ATI 2900? Your an idiot.

**rock_lobster** · 09-22-07, 01:40 PM

hmm I dont know much about ATI, but I believe I saw an 8800 GTS (the 640 mb ram one) for like 250. So if you're looking to save a bit of money, I think it's something you should look into.

**HeavyG** · 09-22-07, 04:08 PM

I'm not looking to save any money, but I refuse to pay more tham $500 for a graphics card. With the way new products come out, I have found it is always better to shoot just below the highest model.

**rock_lobster** · 09-22-07, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by HeavyG

I'm not looking to save any money, but I refuse to pay more tham $500 for a graphics card. With the way new products come out, I have found it is always better to shoot just below the highest model.

That's what Im sayin....I have the 8800GTS (640 ram) and it kicks ass. To me, having an 8800GTX would just be overkill.

**HeavyG** · 09-22-07, 04:23 PM

Right, Rock. To me it was a choice between the 8800GTS and the 2900XT. They are both great cards, but from what I have been reading, the 2900XT will be much better once ATI finishes up polishing the drivers.

Originally Posted by cop1991

ATI 2900? Your an idiot.

How can you support this? You have obviously not done your research...

Belive me when I tell you that I have done mine. I have been trying to make this decision for the past twp months.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ATI/HD_2900_XT
http://www.guru3d.com/article/Videocards/431/
http://bjorn3d.com/read.php?cID=1101
http://techreport.com/articles.x/12458/1
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/09/...ney/page4.html

Do some homework...

**Ranger10** · 09-22-07, 04:31 PM

Choose the one you want. At that level, there aren't many applications out that will make it bottom out. I find that ATI's work well with the ABIT motherboards anyway.

The only other consideration is cost, and if you found the ATI for less money, then go for it.

**Mcstrange** · 09-22-07, 06:35 PM

The 2900 is a fine card now that they have sorted most of the drivers issues out.

I still would recommend the 640mb 8800gts over it every day of the week, simply because you get matching, and in many cases better performance levels for less money. - the gts can be had for 325-350 or so with rebates.

**cop1991** · 09-22-07, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by HeavyG

Right, Rock. To me it was a choice between the 8800GTS and the 2900XT. They are both great cards, but from what I have been reading, the 2900XT will be much better once ATI finishes up polishing the drivers.

Originally Posted by cop1991

ATI 2900? Your an idiot.

How can you support this? You have obviously not done your research...

Belive me when I tell you that I have done mine. I have been trying to make this decision for the past twp months.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ATI/HD_2900_XT
http://www.guru3d.com/article/Videocards/431/
http://bjorn3d.com/read.php?cID=1101
http://techreport.com/articles.x/12458/1
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/09/...ney/page4.html

Do some homework...

=

Originally Posted by Mcstrange

The 2900 is a fine card now that they have sorted most of the drivers issues out.

I still would recommend the 640mb 8800gts over it every day of the week, simply because you get matching, and in many cases better performance levels for less money. - the gts can be had for 325-350 or so with rebates.