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Forums - PC Discussion - i am building a pc....

BenKenobi88 on 14 September 2008

Never buy more than 4 GB of RAM.

Retail stores are just ripping you off with 6 GB of RAM, it's usually on a 32 bit OS that can't even utilize more than 3.3 GB, and even if it could, even with heavy gaming, you won't be utilizing more than 3 GB at any time.

Get 4 GB and you'll be set for quite a while.  You'll still be good with 2 GB if you choose that though.

And don't get a GTX260 or 280, unless you see a really good deal, the Radeon 4870s are cheaper and perform just as well.  Lower than that, an 8800 or 9800 would do great though.



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ihira on 15 September 2008

I'm not sure if I would trust that 500W PSU that came with the case to pair with a GTX260/4870 class card
It probably could do it, as long as it has 2x 6pin connectors which is the requirement for highend video cards, but its cutting it pretty close.

OP: what resolution are you planning to play on anyways?
Unless you're on 1920x1200res, a 4850 would probably do the job. 4850s are great fr the price.



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Squilliam on 15 September 2008
ihira said:
I'm not sure if I would trust that 500W PSU that came with the case to pair with a GTX260/4870 class card
It probably could do it, as long as it has 2x 6pin connectors which is the requirement for highend video cards, but its cutting it pretty close.

OP: what resolution are you planning to play on anyways?
Unless you're on 1920x1200res, a 4850 would probably do the job. 4850s are great fr the price.

The GTX 260 is 170w IIRC.

The CPU uses under 130w (Actually it'd use closer to 50-60w.)

CPU+GPU = 300w.

And yes it does have enough amps on the 12v rail.

 



Tease.

fuegonian on 24 September 2008
Soleron said:

Performance:

Number in brackets is normalised to 9800GTX+, so relative performance can be compared with less skewing by large numbers.

 

Card Price Call of Duty 4 Crysis Bioshock Oblivion Average Normalised Perf Normalised Perf per Dollar (Price/Perf.) *200
Resolution
1920x1200 4xAA 1680x1050 No AA 1920x1200 No AA 1920x1200 4xAA 16xAF
 
9800GTX+  $200 61.4 (1) 31.6 (1) 69.2 (1) 40.2 (1) 1 1.00
GTX260 $255 74.3 (1.21) 33.3 (1.05) 69 (1.00) 43 (1.07) 1.08 0.85
HD4850 $170 66.4 (1.08) 29.8 (0.94) 86.8 (1.25) 34.8 (0.87) 1.04 1.22
HD4870 $260 82.4 (1.34) 35.6 (1.13) 107.7 (1.56) 41.5 (1.03) 1.27 0.97

 

All prices are the current cheapest on Newegg

So, the best performance in the $150 - $300 range belongs to the HD4870, and the best price/performance is the HD4850. Neither the GTX260 nor the 9800GTX+ are good choices. If you go above this price range, I can assure you that the HD4870 X2 beats the GTX280 in value and performance too, but there are diminishing returns after the $200 or so mark. AMD currently offer the best value solution at all price points.

I agree with all the above, It sounds like a 4850 will be the best value for you, and will do the job comfortably!



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markers on 24 September 2008

yeah i thought the 4850 was a good value to :]