Sweet spot?

[SneakyStuff]

Hello, I am finalizing the parts for a budget gaming rig and I am having a difficult time deciding on the video card. I mainly want to play games like Medieval II, Bioshock, CoD4, and UT3 at a 1280x1024 resolution with no AA/AF, and medium to high detail settings. I was doing a lot of reading about the Radeon HD3850, but was wondering if that would perhaps be overkill for my needs. I saw this on newegg and was wondering if you think it would be a good companion for the games i'm looking to play. Thank you for any input, I have such a hard time deciding on things when it comes close to ordering!

EVGA 8600GT

 

[Syntax Error]

3850 is definitely not overkill. Even on your resolution, the 8600GT gets killed by the 3850.

Get the 3850.

 

[daveybrat]

Originally posted by: Syntax Error
3850 is definitely not overkill. Even on your resolution, the 8600GT gets killed by the 3850.

Get the 3850.

Syntax is right. The 8600GT will not play the games you mention very well at those details at 1280x1024. The ATI HD 3850 is about 3 times faster than the 8600GT for about $60-$70 more. Definitely worth it for what you are looking for.

 

[SneakyStuff]

ok, after doing some more reading it seems that if I ever want to play crysis / gears of war for PC i'm pretty much going to need a better card, so I guess i'll push myself to get the HIS 3850 off newegg for $180 with the $10 MIR. My question now though is power supply, I was going to get this power supply for my build.

Thermaltake PSU

The companions inside the case would be an X2 4000+ Brisbane, 2GB RAM, one hard drive, one DVD drive, and very few peripherals. I don't really plan to raise voltages or overclock TOO much.

 

[ManWithNoName]

Originally posted by: SneakyStuff
ok, after doing some more reading it seems that if I ever want to play crysis / gears of war for PC i'm pretty much going to need a better card, so I guess i'll push myself to get the HIS 3850 off newegg for $180 with the $10 MIR. My question now though is power supply, I was going to get this power supply for my build.

Thermaltake PSU

The companions inside the case would be an X2 4000+ Brisbane, 2GB RAM, one hard drive, one DVD drive, and very few peripherals. I don't really plan to raise voltages or overclock TOO much.

Lord no, that PSU only has a single 18a +12v rail. The +12v rail amperage and build quality should be your primary concern when shopping for a power supply. One of the best low cost power supplies I know of is this Corsair Unit with a +12v rail @ 33a .....

$66.24 after rebate ...

http://www.buy.com/prod/corsai...loc/101/205466485.html

or even better $79 after rebate, +12v rail @ 41a .....

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=10006757