Best price search for PC components ... after ASUS A8N-32 SLI Deluxe mobo and more!

timread

Sorry, can't help you with the maths! But it's definitely a difficult choice at the moment. I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the generic 3DMark 'benchmark' scores - instead, look for reviews benching the games you're intending to play.

E.g. this article on Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, which seems to be the most demanding game around at the moment
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2746&p=1

...seems to say go with an ATI X1900 series for single card setups. X1900XT in Crossfire is the best, but the total cost is massive - especially since Crossfire boards aren't cheap. SLI adds 25-50% performance... but going with nVidia SLI won't give you both 1920x1200 and high AA/AF settings, from what the article suggests. Neither will ATI. Amazing that a new game can severely punish even ultra high-end hardware!

So the clincher is - what games are you intending to play at 1920x1200? And how much do you want to stick with nVidia?

jpe20

The only reason I am sticking with nVidia is because I have an ATI card at the moment (9800SE 128mb) and I have been unimpressed with it to be honest. Even after overclocking and trying various drivers (omega to name one).

I am mainly into racing sims and flight sims but also use my machine for other things more serious... so stabiliy is important but I also like to get that little extra out of my software.

Main reason I stick to 1920x1200 is because that is the native res of my monitor a Dell 24" widescreen job. The games I would like to run on highish settings are .... GTR ...GTR2 .... (any decent racing sim) .... MS Flight Sim 2004 _ the new one Flight X .... not too fussed about the FPS titles apart from BF2.

Ta
Jules

dccarm

Have you tried Ebuyer? Your processor is a fiver cheaper than the Dabs price you mentioned.