- Joined
- Apr 29, 2006
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- 5,105 (0.78/day)
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
| System Name | UltraPC |
|---|---|
| Processor | E8500 Core 2 Duo, 1333Mhz FSB, 3.16Ghz @ 4.5GHz (got into Windows @ 4.75GHz) |
| Motherboard | ASUS P5Q-e |
| Cooling | CPU Cooler - TT V14 Pro, 2x120mm CM Blue LED fans, 1x90mm CM Blue LED fan |
| Memory | G.Skill Pi 4GB (2x2GB) Dual Channel DDR2 PC8000 (1000MHz), 5-5-5-15 |
| Video Card(s) | Sapphire HD4850 512mb with ASUS EAH4850 BIOS |
| Storage | 2x 500GB Seagate 7200.12 Raid 0 |
| Display(s) | Acer AL1912, 19" LCD screen |
| Case | Thermaltake Soprano Black ATX case |
| Audio Device(s) | Onboard 7.1, Speakers - 5 + Sub + Monitor speakers |
| Power Supply | Thermaltake 850W Toughpower Cable Management - Quad (2x18A and 2x30A) 12V rails |
| Software | Win 7 Pro x64, MSN, CS:Source, etc etc |
I have no idea which card to pick. The computer is an older AGP system in a barebones case, so power, size and heat are key factors.
The computer is currently being used as a normal computer by my little brother, but by the end of the year should be replaced with a new system. This computer will go downstairs and plug into the tv, to be used as a multimedia comp.
The specs on the comp are:
2.6Ghz Northwood (Waiting for 3.2 Northwood to arrive)
1GB PC3200
2x80GB Hard drives
9800 PRO 128mb
200W PSU, 10A on the 12V rail.
It used to have an X800XT PE 256mb in it (for about a year) but got downgraded to cater for another computer.
Now, my options. Im not willing to spend a lot of money on this computer because its only used for light gaming. (Whenever a bunch of mates come over and want to have a LAN). Id like it to run games on the TV well (not maxed out with all eye candy and stuff, just to run well), and run all HDTV movies properly.
Originally, I was waiting for a DX10 AGP card to come out for the HDTV encoding thing, but I dont see what all the hype is about. I ran a HDTV video clip with no problems at all when the CPU was at 2.6, so the new 3.2 should run them fine as well.
That said, im still interested in the DX10 AGP variants, just not "as" interested (unless there is something im missing with this HDTV thing
).
To the point - I want something that performs better than the 9800, especially at bigger resolutions (for the TV).
Im tossing up between the following cards:
256mb 7600GT - SM3.0 support (for games such as Rainbow six vegas which doesnt support SM2.0). Would choose X1650XT variant, but for the price difference its not worth it.
256mb All in Wonder X800SE - Only SM2.0, but with it I will be able to watch and record Radio/TV and play it back whenever I want. Really handy feature for the family.
256mb All in Wonder X800XT - Only SM2.0. I will get this only if I cant flash the X800SE into the XT. Im not too sure if these AIW cards are Vivo, so im not sure if they are flashable. If anyone knows, please tell
.
2600XT AGP - DX10 support, SM4.0, HDTV encoding (do I actually need it...)
Well they are the four options. I have no idea which to choose. I would really like SM3.0 support, but that TV feature will come in very handy. (I got no extra PCI slots to put in a TV card). Ive also got the Arctic cooling VGA silencer, which has slots to fit onto many cards, so if it fits on any of the above cards, its another advantage.
So tell me what you guys think.
The computer is currently being used as a normal computer by my little brother, but by the end of the year should be replaced with a new system. This computer will go downstairs and plug into the tv, to be used as a multimedia comp.
The specs on the comp are:
2.6Ghz Northwood (Waiting for 3.2 Northwood to arrive)
1GB PC3200
2x80GB Hard drives
9800 PRO 128mb
200W PSU, 10A on the 12V rail.
It used to have an X800XT PE 256mb in it (for about a year) but got downgraded to cater for another computer.
Now, my options. Im not willing to spend a lot of money on this computer because its only used for light gaming. (Whenever a bunch of mates come over and want to have a LAN). Id like it to run games on the TV well (not maxed out with all eye candy and stuff, just to run well), and run all HDTV movies properly.
Originally, I was waiting for a DX10 AGP card to come out for the HDTV encoding thing, but I dont see what all the hype is about. I ran a HDTV video clip with no problems at all when the CPU was at 2.6, so the new 3.2 should run them fine as well.
That said, im still interested in the DX10 AGP variants, just not "as" interested (unless there is something im missing with this HDTV thing
).To the point - I want something that performs better than the 9800, especially at bigger resolutions (for the TV).
Im tossing up between the following cards:
256mb 7600GT - SM3.0 support (for games such as Rainbow six vegas which doesnt support SM2.0). Would choose X1650XT variant, but for the price difference its not worth it.
256mb All in Wonder X800SE - Only SM2.0, but with it I will be able to watch and record Radio/TV and play it back whenever I want. Really handy feature for the family.
256mb All in Wonder X800XT - Only SM2.0. I will get this only if I cant flash the X800SE into the XT. Im not too sure if these AIW cards are Vivo, so im not sure if they are flashable. If anyone knows, please tell
.2600XT AGP - DX10 support, SM4.0, HDTV encoding (do I actually need it...)
Well they are the four options. I have no idea which to choose. I would really like SM3.0 support, but that TV feature will come in very handy. (I got no extra PCI slots to put in a TV card). Ive also got the Arctic cooling VGA silencer, which has slots to fit onto many cards, so if it fits on any of the above cards, its another advantage
.So tell me what you guys think
.
Last edited:
.
. Also, dont need HDMI as my TV doesnt have a HDMI port, its DVi all the way 
