[lightblade]

Hey, Im building the ultimate gaming machine and I would like to know what the best possible video card that I can put into my computer to get the full gaming experience out of all of my software.


This is the computer as it is going to be as of now please tell me if you think of any better choices for hardware and parts.


Intel pentium 4 ... 3 gig with 800 fsb with a 1 mb cache


Asus p4c800 deluxe ddr with onboard 6.1 channel surround sound


Western Digital 120 gig 7200 rpm ata 100 with 8 mb cache


Two 512 sticks of pc3200 ddr memory cas 2

 

[SiliGoose]

Wait a couple weeks and the new nVidia & ATI cards will be out. (I assume by the thread title you want the best there is and you therefore don't need to be warned about the $400+ price tag these top-of-the-line vid cards will carry).


3 GB of RAM is a ton...what are you planning on doing? Not so sure that's necessary for gaming. -then below you say "two 512 sticks" of RAM...not sure I'm following you.

 

[bluez]

3ghz p4 is what he means.


wait for the new ati card.

 

[Gameboya]

9800 pro 128 or 256 (if you feel it's worth the extra money which it isn't)

 

[kilmar]

ATI X800 XT 256MB is the fastest and most expensive gaming video card. It will be shipping in June and will be priced at $499. This card will blow your sox off.

 

[xedgex]

The X800 Pro (Not XT) is alreay out, roughly $475 - look around the web to find it. I just got rid of my 9800pro, which is a great card by all means so that I can add $100 and get a new gen card. You won't know which is the BEST card foresay but x800 and geforce6 is where it'll be @ for the next year or so. Right now I'm back to my old 9200 and it's doing it's job for CS:CZ.

 

[turls]

I wonder if you are serious about the "ultimate" part of that. That is not a "ultimate" config. Good, but not "ultimate". I just got the ASUS P4C800 (not for my main gaming machine) and I'm a little concerned the newest drivers for the onboard audio are almost a year old--"ultimate" would at least have a real soundcard like a newer Creative card.

 

[xedgex]

'Ultimate' doesn't last too long in the PC scene. It's definately a nice system, having the same motherboard (800-e deluxe) the onboard audio is very good. If this video-array really takes off we'll have a whole new area of 'ultimate' to discuss....

 

[Krynos]

The onboard sound on the P4C800 is not the greatest (I have the board too on my gaming rig). I'd recommend adding an Audigy2 card, or equivalent.


Also adding a Raptor 10,000 rpm SATA drive makes a good difference. The drives are small - 37GB but they sure are fast. I have one in my gaming rig, and it has plenty of room for lots of games at once.


As for the video card - the ATI XT line is pretty much the best thing out there. However in terms of performance / $ the 9800pro is damn nice card, and will not break the bank anymore - not 'ultimate' but then no video card is for very long.


Also a very important componant for any PC, ultimate or not, is the power supply! Invest in a good one.


- Rick

 

[Komoto]

If you are looking for the ultimate, hold out for the PCI-Express motherboards that should be dribbling out throughout the year. Then slap a PCI-Express video card in that puppy.

 

[oktoberrust11]

FYI..

CNET's X800XT P.E. Review

CNET's 6800 Ultra Review


The July issue of PC Gamer, which I just received today, gave the ATI a 93% and the Nvidia a 90%. They state that to fully utilize the X800, an AMD FX-51 or FX-53 are required. Also, note the Nvidia's dual power requirements. You don't state the power supply you'll be using, but it should be over 400 watts.


These are your top two options, as others here have stated. Whichever way you go, it sounds like you will be pleased.


Regards,

Matt