POLL: What would you rather get: 6800 GT vid card or 40GB iPod

[thatsright]

I'm thinking of upgrading my PC to play upcoming games, n stuff. Games like Doom3, HL2, Stalker, etc. Right now I have a P4c 3.0Ghz/IC7 Mobo/1 gig Kingston HyperX PC3500@ 2-2-2-5/Audigy 2ZS/Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speakers/Power Color Radeon 9700 Pro.

In a few weeks I'd like to upgrade my Vid card situation. I was thinking of getting a Radeon 9800Pro, but now I'm really looking at maybe getting a nVidia 6800 GT card. I saw the eVGA 6800GT on NewEgg also comes with FarCry game.

Though this card is also right around the same price as a new iPod 40Gig 4th Generation. Its getting pretty close time to replace my awesome sounding Panasonic CD player, so I'm also looking at maybe getting a MP3 player. (And now I'm actually leaning toward's the iRiver 40GB MP3 player for about the same price as the iPod. But it has FM tuner and much better sound than the iPod and easier to manage music files.)

So lets say you don't have a iPod, or a 6800 family Vid card, which would you rather get?

 

[isekii]

video cards get outdated too quick

shoot for the ipod or the iriver

 

[xcript]

6800GT - Doom 3 will destroy my 5900XT.

 

[Chaotic42]

In all seriousness, I wouldn't get either. Both are an enormous waste of money in my opinion.

I guess if I made $450,000 per hour or something, and had to choose, I'd get the video card, though you really don't need one.

 

[dighn]

i don't think it's worth it to spend $400 on a video card. they depreciate waay too quickly.

 

[bandana163]

I'd rather get a 6800GT, but I never listen to MP3s outside my lair.

 

[Gurck]

iPods suck. If you're in the market for a DAP get anything but the iPod, preferably the iRiver. Between a DAP and a video card, too many variables, you have to decide that for yourself.

 

[Wahsapa]

ipod.

the 6800gt is gonna be out classed quick compared to how long and how useful your ipod will be.

 

[Ikonomi]

I would get more use out of an MP3 player than I would out of a video card. I don't game much anymore, but I do listen to music.

Of course, if I had a 6800 GT, I'd probably game more.

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: Wahsapa
ipod.

the 6800gt is gonna be out classed quick compared to how long and how useful your ipod will be.

6800 will last longer than 18 months...

 

[nan0bug]

I just got done playing Doom 3 on an Athlon XP 3200+ with a 9500 softmodded to a 9700 pro. The game runs fine. Trust me, 20 minutes into the game and the last thing on your mind will be aliased lines or the textures not being sharp enough. While I certainly would prefer 1600x1200 4xaa high quality as opposed to 800x600 medium quality, it just doesn't make sense to go spend $400 on a video card that will be obsolete in less than 2 years anyway. Wait until prices drop a bit and pick it up when its in the $200-$250 range.

I wouldn't get the ipod either though, because I have no use for it that couldn't be met with an mp3 cd player.

 

[Chebago]

I love my iPod, before it I had an archos and I can't even begin to imagine not having music with me all the time, I spend a lot of time in the lab programming though, and I also walk to school everyday, an mp3 player has been a lifew saver...I actually think the 9700pro has some life left in it and I wouldn't be so quick to trade it either, buy doom 3, start to play it...if your not satisfied then spend the money, you could also save some money and get a 20gig iPod or something...

also, personally, I don't know how much you would really need an fm tuner, I have never been listening to my 1000 song playlist and thought, "it would be really great to listen to the radio right now." I also had an mp3 player that could voice record and that feature never got used either...If you think you will use these features then the iRiver is probably for you, but I love my iPod.

 

[spherrod]

go for the ipod - it'll last years compared to the life cycle of a graphics card

 

[Gurck]

iPods require use of iTunes to put music on them in playable format. I gather iTunes is buggy and wages jihad on your computer a-la realplayer. iPods don't support ogg or flac. They have extremely low battery life and can give you problems because of copy protection on music you've paid for. The list goes on, but I'll stop there.

I agree that an FM tuner is a very meh feature. I'd love to see a DAP with an AM tuner though, I've been on the fence about buying one but if a good one like the iRiver had an AM tuner, I'd order it right now.

 

[thatsright]

If/When a MP3 player comes out with both a FM & AM radio capabilities, I'd be a lot more interested.

I really want a radio w/ the MP3 player so I can listen to patriots NFL games on FM and the Red Sox games on AM if I'm not at home or in front of a TV. And I rarely listen to music on Radio anymore. Though I do listen to a lot of Howard Stern on FM.

 

[txxxx]

Stretch out your 9700 Pro for now - get a Zalman passive cooler and stick a quiet fan in front of it, just crank it up a little, im sure there's room.

And as for music, I-River would get my choice.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Ipods are overrated. I don't go anywhere that I just sit and have the ability to listen to MP3s, so the only time I'm listening to music would be at home. And I've got a nice big 120GB HDD for that. And an Audigy2 and Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 5.1s to go with that HDD.

 

[mchammer187]

ipod but get a 20GB and save that extra 100

btw you can get them for 269 for the apple education store

you should be able to get 2 full years of use from your pod something you probably won't from the
6800GT


IMO you should wait till the 6800GT hits sub 300 prices and then jump you can probably sell the 9700 and then pay <= $200 out of pocket

 

[Kipper]

Originally posted by: Gurck
iPods require use of iTunes to put music on them in playable format. I gather iTunes is buggy and wages jihad on your computer a-la realplayer. iPods don't support ogg or flac. They have extremely low battery life and can give you problems because of copy protection on music you've paid for. The list goes on, but I'll stop there.

I agree that an FM tuner is a very meh feature. I'd love to see a DAP with an AM tuner though, I've been on the fence about buying one but if a good one like the iRiver had an AM tuner, I'd order it right now.

Battery life was addressed with the 4G's, iTunes runs perfectly on 2K/XP, and the layout is seamless. If for some reason you don't like the plug-and-play stupidity of iTunes, there are always 3rd party solutions available. The navigation is also brainless, simple, and easy to use.

 

[Modeps]

Welp, I've got a Raedon 9800 so I'll go for the iPod.

 

[Paulson]

iPod...

I use mine daily (I listen to a crapload of music though)

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: MadCowDisease

Originally posted by: Gurck
iPods require use of iTunes to put music on them in playable format. I gather iTunes is buggy and wages jihad on your computer a-la realplayer. iPods don't support ogg or flac. They have extremely low battery life and can give you problems because of copy protection on music you've paid for. The list goes on, but I'll stop there.

I agree that an FM tuner is a very meh feature. I'd love to see a DAP with an AM tuner though, I've been on the fence about buying one but if a good one like the iRiver had an AM tuner, I'd order it right now.

Battery life was addressed with the 4G's, iTunes runs perfectly on 2K/XP, and the layout is seamless. If for some reason you don't like the plug-and-play stupidity of iTunes, there are always 3rd party solutions available. The navigation is also brainless, simple, and easy to use.

Battery life is still lower than just about any player, they're also more expensive. Who wants to use third party software? You bought the damn thing, you should be able to put files on it however you want. iTunes is notoriously buggy, check out this this recent thread in OT about it. They also are surprisingly feature-deficient and look like a toy you'd give your toddler, all white and plastic and garish neon lights (oh my). Why people continue to buy these overpriced, underquality pieces of crap is beyond me - but then, so is AOL and reality TV, and they're ridiculously and unfathomably successful as well. It's like the damn Twilight Zone :Q

 

[misle]

I recently purchased an iRiver H120. I am very happy with the purchase. I also thought about using my funds for a new Vid Card, but after buying the iRiver, I'm happy with my choice and I think my Ti4200 can last a bit longer.

 

[dighn]

Originally posted by: Gurck

Battery life is still lower than just about any player, they're also more expensive. Who wants to use third party software? You bought the damn thing, you should be able to put files on it however you want. iTunes is notoriously buggy, check out this this recent thread in OT about it. They also are surprisingly feature-deficient and look like a toy you'd give your toddler, all white and plastic and garish neon lights (oh my). Why people continue to buy these overpriced, underquality pieces of crap is beyond me - but then, so is AOL and reality TV, and they're ridiculously and unfathomably successful as well. It's like the damn Twilight Zone :Q

i'd say 12 hours is plenty of battery life. it's not more expensive. ipod 20gb = same price as iriver, and cheaper if you are a student. itune buggy i'm not sure about so i won't argue that. as for looks, that's highly subjective. i happen to like the simple and elegant design. the small size is also a big plus, but this may or may not matter depending on your usage and preference.

that being said, i might go with an iriver myself if it didn't cost so damn much in canada (about 370USD when the ipod is about 300). oh well maybe i'll wait a bit since the ipod 4g isn't available here yet.

 

[JoPh]

buy an xbox. and play dooom 3 and hl2 on that. cheaper then a new vid card.