Curse

ubermancer · Jan 23, 2007, 06:17 AM // 06:17

Search is down, couldnt find it in the last few hundred threads, looked extensively in google but every place seemed to be trying to pitch me their product, and my friends primarily use Macs. So...

I am building my own computer. I, having never had a top of the line current-generation computer before, will be making it nice. This means expensive, with the idea that itll be 'good enough' for longer... and let me experience a nice computer with which to enjoy eye-candy rich games.

I have most of of the computer mapped out in my head, including a passive mineral oil coiling system, but...

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My question is about Video Cards. Searching on Google was fruitless, as I didnt feel I could trust sites claiming that Nvidia were the best cards, when they were obviously affiliated with them... so I come to the commission-free general populous.

Looking at newegg gives me a few '5 egg' options, and I am under the impression that any of these can be good enough, but I want to make an informed decision.

Correct me if I am wrong, but the principle things I should look at is speed, memory, slot type, and power usage. However while visiting a (physical) computer store I looked at the cases for some of their top of the line cards, and couldnt even find their speed!

Can someone please help me by explaining to me what are the best cards out there, and WHY?

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If it is relevant, or if you want to make a suggestion, here are the games I plan to use it for, in no special order:

Current-generation games: Ghost Recon, Halo, Oblivion, Half Life 2, and Battlefield 2142

Classics: Fallout, Dues Ex, and Armored Core.

titan_gwguru · Jan 29, 2007, 12:53 AM // 00:53

The nvidia 8800 is the best card out there today no comparison. It is the only Direct3D 10 compatible card on the market, and as a nice bonus it also happens to be almost twice as fast as anything else. If you're building a future proof PC then this is your only option.

ATI's equivalent card is rumoured to be out in March if you want to wait a couple months (it hasn't been announced and even if it had been release dates often slip). However then nVidia will have the 8900 just around the corner and then next thing you know you've waited until summer for just a bit better.

If you're interested in last gen then ATI and nVidia are very evenly matched when comparing the 7900/1900 high end, 7600/1600 mid range, or 7300/1300. It really doesn't matter which brand you go with, they're both good. Brand X will be marginally quicker in some games while brand Y will be slightly faster in others. It's so close it really comes down to the prices and availability at your store for that particular week.

But if you want the best nVidia has beat ATI to the market with their 'next generation' card so they're your only choice.

Check out Anandtech for a 8800 comparison and xbitlabs for a last/current gen comparison. There are lots of other good sites out there you can trust.