Difficult Choice: Please Help Me

PaperAngel · 21 Feb 2006 at 15:44

Hey Guys,

I have around £250 to spend, and i am either going to buy an Nvidia 7800GT, ATi Radeon X1800XT or AMD 64 X2 4200+

My current specs are in my sig and any help will be greatly apreciated as i am looking to buy this week, and am stuck in a seemingly impossible dilema.

Thanks in advance...

lemonkettaz · 21 Feb 2006 at 15:45

lol.... i cant read.. anyway.

go for the x1800xt.

if you want mainly multimedia pc then go for the dual core... but instead make it a x2 3800 instead of the 4200... (same cache on each)

p4radox · 21 Feb 2006 at 16:08

I'd go for the X1800XT. If you do decide on getting the CPU, get the 3800 not the 4200 - it's a waste of money. The 3800 will probably clock well anyway.

syke · 21 Feb 2006 at 16:16

I agree with p4radox

You can get the 3700+ for a good price too

PaperAngel · 23 Feb 2006 at 14:40

Given my current specs, what do you reckon i should upgrade, (disregarding make of GFX), CPU or Graphics Card?

My X800XL Still performs well, 120-150 fps in CSS and HL2, but dual-core has been tempting me for a while. Ordering tonight: '*** hlep plz!!'

Thanking you in advance,

PA

Explicit · 23 Feb 2006 at 14:48

PaperAngel said:
Given my current specs, what do you reckon i should upgrade, (disregarding make of GFX), CPU or Graphics Card?

My X800XL Still performs well, 120-150 fps in CSS and HL2, but dual-core has been tempting me for a while. Ordering tonight: '*** hlep plz!!'

Thanking you in advance,

PA

It seems like your mind is made up...order that X2

If your graphics card is doing everything you need it to do, why get another one? If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

PaperAngel · 23 Feb 2006 at 14:55

It is broken actually, fan has packed up on the Arctic Cooling heatsink. OCUK said i could send it back, but it is 7days without my PC and i got tourneys coming up. I havent made my mind up :/, i guess i just want to know what the experts amongst you out there would do in my situation, with 'saving' not an option.

Thanks...

PA

:confused:

ACESHIGH · 23 Feb 2006 at 15:00

Explicit said:
It seems like your mind is made up...order that X2

If your graphics card is doing everything you need it to do, why get another one? If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Agreed, go with the X2.

Explicit · 23 Feb 2006 at 15:01

PaperAngel said:
It is broken actually, fan has packed up on the Arctic Cooling heatsink. OCUK said i could send it back, but it is 7days without my PC and i got tourneys coming up. I havent made my mind up :/, i guess i just want to know what the experts amongst you out there would do in my situation, with 'saving' not an option.

Thanks...

PA

Ah, you didn't mention that it was screwed. In that case, the x1800xt would be a worthwhile upgrade, your cpu is just fine for gaming. I would avoid the GT.

But if you don't game heavily and want to multitask, the X2 is a fine choice. It all depends on what your needs are.

PaperAngel · 23 Feb 2006 at 15:31

I am in the CAL for CS:S, so gaming is really my main priority here...

I am going to go for the X1800 i think, the processor is fine for now right?

Ahh i hate these decisions, i can never make them when its my money involved ;@

If i go with a GFX Card, it will be the X1800XT so the new question is 4200 or X1800XT?

Ordering in... 2hours

PA.

ACESHIGH · 23 Feb 2006 at 15:38

I dont think there is a wrong choice.
Both options are worthwhile.
If youre happy with how well your current card performs & can wiat 6-9 months (new DX10 cards for Vista i think) then the X2 4200 may well be the way to go.

PaperAngel · 24 Feb 2006 at 18:54

Thanks, I went for the X1800XT in the end. It outperforms the 7800GT so i thought it was pretty logical. My processor isnt the best but i really only game and avidly browse the web, so i came to the conclusion a GFX card would be the best option.

Thanks for all of your help guys, much apreciated.

Regards...

PA

Naffa · 24 Feb 2006 at 18:59

PaperAngel said:
Thanks, I went for the X1800XT in the end. It outperforms the 7800GT so i thought it was pretty logical. My processor isnt the best but i really only game and avidly browse the web, so i came to the conclusion a GFX card would be the best option.

Thanks for all of your help guys, much apreciated.

Regards...

PA

me thinks youll need to be upgrading/overclocking your cpu with an X1800XT. i have been told that my 7800GTX 256MB is cpu limited and i have a 3500..