Video Card and RAM

[OrsoDesigns]

I am getting things together for my 1st build and I need some help on my video card and RAM. I have a Asus P5W DH Deluxe Motherboard and a Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 2.66GHz . I was thinking about going with EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS or GTX. But Im not really a gamer and I dont think I would use what Im paying for. However Im the type of person who likes to have something just to have it :glasses: . Anyways your comments and suggestion welcomed!

[crenn]

What are you planning to do with your computer?

The GTS is good for gaming and watching HD content. Ultimately it's your choice, If I didn't game, I may only look at getting something basic to play HD content. A 8500GT does that.... but you can of course, get better.

[OrsoDesigns]

I dont plan to game at all. I do alot of work with photoshop and graphics. I would like to have HD I think, I have never tried it out on pc.

[Bucko]

If you are doing mainly graphics work, check out the nVidia Quadro line of workstation cards. better for graphics than the cards geared towards gaming.
The top of the line ones are pricey at $3,000 for one card, but even the cheaper ones might still be better for what you plan to do.

[.Maleficus.]

The 7XXX is a pretty good series of cards. Plus, with the 8XXX series out, they have dropped in price a lot, and you can get a very nice card for pretty cheap.

[OrsoDesigns]

What do you guys think of this (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3241598&Sku=P450-7936)card. Anyone used it or heard anything on it?

[Luke122]

Holy crap.. $199?

Why did I buy a crossfire board? :(

[crenn]

That card is very good especially at that price, go for it!

[OrsoDesigns]

Has anyone used it? Im worried about the heatsink with out a fan. But I suppose with good airflow it wont matter.

[crenn]

Pointing a fan at it couldn't hurt, but it shouldn't be too bad, the heatpipes should draw away most of the heat.

[OrsoDesigns]

Yeah and since I am not going to do any serious gaming if any at all it shouldnt get too hot. Anyone got any suggestion on my RAM?

[crenn]

Are you planning to overclock, if so, how much?

[OrsoDesigns]

I plan to overclock at some point, but im not sure how much. I dont know much about OC .....so probably not much. But I would like to have the ability should I become a overclocking wizard! lol

[crenn]

Get something like Ballistics, G.Skill, Mushkin, GeIL or Crucial.

The higher the rating (aka DDR2-800 or DDR2-1066) the faster it is. Also be aware of the timings, when you go up in speed, you'll also need to 'loosen' the timings, you'll also see this when buying faster RAM (aka DDR2-800 may have 4-4-4-12 or DDR2-1066 maybe 5-5-5-15). It's ideal to have lower timings to help increase performance.

I'm not an overclocking god or guru, but overclocking does involve common sense and also knowing the limits.

[Ap1thy]

dont forget corsair, also shoot for a ddr2 800 or 667 set, anything higher and the price rockets

[Spawn-Inc]

you forgot muskin, thats what i will be putting in my rig. its actually going to be my next purchase too. i'm seriously looking at getting this set, Mushkin XP2-8500 DDR2-1066 2x1GB CAS 5-5-4-12 (http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=013426&cid=RAM.475)

[OrsoDesigns]

Hmm....Thats a pretty nice set there. :think:

[Spawn-Inc]

yup, high speed and low timings for that high speed. when i first started build my system i was going to go with OCZ flex stuff at pc9200 but these are cheaper and better.