Max Builds a PC Series Part VI: The Graphics Card

Posted By: Max Zuckerman | Dec 31st, 2007 @ 12:51 PM

Happy new year friends and enemies (wait, do I have any enemies??)... It's time to scoot along to our next step in building our PC. It's a new year so let's start off with a whopper: the Graphics Card!

If you're new to this discussion, check out how we've done so far with our case, CPU, motherboard, hard disk, and RAM. If you're well aware of our progress, then jump into the comments and have at it, big dog.

This is going to be one tough decision so let's get right down to the pointers:

The two big players in this game are ATi and nVidia
Since we're getting an X38 motherboard, I'd recommend we go PCIe 2.0 for the graphics card
I'm leaning towards a single card, not two, or three, or if some of you had their way... 4
What's more important: game performance or HD video and media center capabilities?
What extra features do you think we should go for? DirectX 10.1? HDCP capable?

There's so much to think about with this one... so go nuts.

Tags: graphics card, max builds a pc series

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Comments (29)

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platinumacetric

ok i am not so sure why i am gonna say this. but since we are choosing x38 the best choice is to configure this with 2 ATI3870*. The make does not matter since they all use the same chip unless you factor in the extra stuff they give you like games and all. but i will root for the sapphire or Gigabyte or diamond HD3870. if there is an alternative you have to choose the top of the end nvidia geforce 8800 GTX ( if we choose nvidia just know that you can only use one video card since sli is not supported)

*Please note i am saying 2 graphics cards cause i am greedy * and i want to play crysis with the max settings on and in full native resolution of my monitor

platinumacetric

In reply to platinumacetric

#Dec 31st, 2007 @ 4:40 PM

If we consider nvidia then read below other wise forget the next bit of info.

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actually upon further reading the geforce 8800GTX is at the end of it's lifespan with nvidia so the best choice will be the runner up 8800 GTS 512 MB ..

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aeoth

My gut says go the NVIDIA approach. The new 8800GTS or 8800GT's are better bang for buck than AMD/ATI's current offering. That being said, they're also more expensive.

DX10.1 is very minor, and PCIe2.0...eh.. HDCP is on all cards (has been for awhile...), HDMI is the same signal as DVI, you just loose the audio transport if you go with NVIDIA.

Noise wise, you can get passively cooled 8800GT's (Sparkle?), although Thermalright have released their HR-03GT passive heatsink (I have a different model on my 7900GT) which could/should work on all reference design cards (http://pccasegear.com.au/prod6047.htm)

Given the rest of the specs of this machine, it isn't honestly going to be used for HTPC purposes, so there is no point skimping on grunt here.

Trix

In reply to aeoth

#Dec 31st, 2007 @ 5:15 PM

I'd get the 8800 GT or the ATI 3870. Those are the best bang for the buck cards. If you want to go for the fastest, get the 8800 Ultra. There really isn't too much choice here. I love to support the underdog ATI, with their 55nm process, but the 8800GT and up really does kick ATI's butt.

Spinfusor

I suggest going with the PowerColor HD 3870 PCS 512MB GDDR4 (800MHz).

Or, if we really want to splurge, the ATI FireGL V8650.

Max

In reply to Spinfusor

#Dec 31st, 2007 @ 6:19 PM

I like the HD 3870 line personally, so I'm glad to see you guys are into that possibility... I also agree with Platinum that brand doesn't matter all that much in this case but I'll stick to something we all like.

platinumacetric

In reply to Max

#Dec 31st, 2007 @ 7:47 PM

the ATI FireGL™ V8650 is mainly an openGL optimized video card that is meant for Animation and high-end rendering, note you can and it will run direct x 10 applications really well but it's still meant for high end graphics work not gaming. Also it is pratically impossible to get the FireGL at a reasonable price unless it's part of a workstation

the only huge plus with the ati HD3870 is that we can go cross fire with nvidia we basically stuck with single solutions.

Also it just hit midnight here. So let me first to say this.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FOLKS. HOPE YOU ALL GET YOUR WISHES THIS YEAR.

PS. if you get a msg form me from xbox live disregard it.. hehehe apart form you max. you have to reply.. hahah