Buying my first computer hardware, please help.

[ichise]

Hello,
I didn't know if this was the correct sub forum to be posting this, but here goes.

I have brought the very first bit's leading upto my first computer. So far I have a logitech Comfort Duo Cordless (Picked it up for $150 at Officework's) and an Abit Fatal1ty Motherboard. I need a video card, and I am un-sure of what to choose, This list is rather daunting... I do like playing Computer Game's, My main favourite is The Sims 2, which I think need's a Nvidia card.
In your opinion, which is the better choice, Nvidia or ATI ? and which card (6600gt or X700 etc...)

Thank you for your time.

[public_eyesore]

Hello,
I didn't know if this was the correct sub forum to be posting this, but here goes.

I have brought the very first bit's leading upto my first computer. So far I have a logitech Comfort Duo Cordless (Picked it up for $150 at Officework's) and an Abit Fatal1ty Motherboard. I need a video card, and I am un-sure of what to choose, This list is rather daunting... I do like playing Computer Game's, My main favourite is The Sims 2, which I think need's a Nvidia card.
In your opinion, which is the better choice, Nvidia or ATI ? and which card (6600gt or X700 etc...)

Thank you for your time.
the 6600gt is better by far than the x700. But if you could try to spend the extra to get a 6800gs, or if you wanna splurge, get a 7800gs which run around 300 dollars

[ichise]

In australia where I live, the 6600gt is the $300 dollar card ($378 to be exact) the 6800gs I am unable to get a price for and the 7800 is $846. The quoted price's are the cheapest I could find, the X700 however is only $279 I think it was an Abit card. The 6600gt card that I looked at was Leadtek and the 7800 was a saphire card. Is there any difference between the company's that make the card's ? (Extra feature's etc...) if so, which company is best to buy from ?.

Second question, What's SLI ? the shop where I have my motherboard on order say's I should look into getting SLI and changing my motherboard selection as it is going to be nearly a month before they can get it in, So If this SLI is good, I need a good motherboard suggestion. For CPU's I have seen AMD and Intel, which is better ? and is there any more other then the two mentioned CPU's ?. I placed an Order for 2 harddrive's, 80gig each, I think they were Seagate Harddrive's. And lastly, I was told I need to buy a Dvd Rom Drive or Dvd Rom Burner, and the person that told me this told me I should get sony, But I asked around and found that there was also LG - Lite-on - Sony to choose from, Which is best ?.

Thank you for your time and help.

[public_eyesore]

if you can, buy from evga for nvidia cards(no brands offer extra features, but evga has the best warrenty).
If you are thinking of getting an x700, dont just buy a 9800pro whose performance is way better, but equal to the x700pro. A 6600gt is better than a 9800pro by pretty far.

SlI is scalable link interface, where 2 pci-e video cards(of the same model) are linked together to provide around 40 percent better improvement.
For gaming amd is the best bet on processors. If you go with amd, get a sockett 939.
For the mobo the asus (i think, i dont exactly remember the model number) an8-sli is good for an sli setup. MAKE SURE U GET PCI-EXPRESS X16!!!! (btw the 9800pro that i recomened above is only agp so you cant get it if you get a mobo with a pci-e x16 sloted mobo)
And for optical drives idk it doesnt really matter to me just get one with good reviews.

[Aero]

While currently Nvidia is the craze. I personally like ATI, and The Sims 2 runs great on my ol' 9800XT.

[crenn]

For a good 7800GTX, I can find a 256MB Leadtek 7800GTX VIVO for $685 (price from www.msy.com.au)

I can help you because I live in aussie as well. Use www.staticice.com.au to find parts you need. Just beware some parts will be listed differently (ie when searching for a 1GB stick of RAM, try both 1024MB and 1GB)

Also It's $299 for a 256MB Leadtek 6800GS (at www.msy.com.au)

[ichise]

Hello,
I am curious, does msy.com.au have a shop ? as I am unable to buy anything online.
Thank you for your time.