Asus vs ATI - Need help deciding

[0000AK]

I'm in the process of building a new machine & I'm not sure which is the best route to go for my video card. I want to achieve a kick butt all around gaming / multimedia machine. I plan on using a Asus P4C800 MB w/ a P4 3Ghz 800Mhz FSB processor. Prob. 512MB - 1Gig of memory, Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum sound card, {2} WD 120Gig Drives, and Prob. Sony's new DVD burner {Well you get the idea lol}. Any way, I have allowed myself up to $400 - $500 for the video end of the budget. I want to have exceptional graphics along with the ability of watching and/or recording tv. I want to get the best for the $, just because I have allowed that amount in my budget, doesn't mean that I want to spend it, especially if it's not worth it.
Bottom line, I have 4 products that I need help deciding on.

* Asus V9950 {FX5900} video card w/ an add'l TV card
* Asus V9900 {FX5800} video card w/ an add'l TV card
* ATI Radeon 9800 Pro {128MB} video card w/ an add'l TV card
* ATI All-In-Wonder 9800 Pro {128MB}

Any advice to help me decide is greatly appreciated!

[Omardeth]

the 9800 pro and fx5900 are the best 2 cards out now . they are about neck and neck in benchmarks but the fx5900 has alittle lead . the fx 5900 is newer so the drivers are still young . new drivers mean better preformance for the most part .so when they update the drivers for the fx5900 it should , note the word should , get better preformance .

the 9800 has been out awhile and the drivers have changed a few times already . don't know if it will much better with newer drivers but it might .

if it was me i would go with the 9800 . it cost less and you wouldn't notice the preformance difference with the naked eye they are so close . but thats me . i am cheap .. matter of fact i don't think i would pay more that 125$ for a video card . but like i said thats me .

good luck hope this helps

[0000AK]

thanks for the info, but as far as the tv features go, should I go w/ the 9800 & a tv card, or should I go with the all-in-wonder 9800?

thanks

[ArcticFox]

I would go with the AIW version, since you have alloted yourself such a generous budget for graphical power. Except for an IR Blaster, ATI's do-everything wonder card has pretty much, well, everything to turn your PC into an HDTV/PVR/DVD/CD jukebox. Just make sure you have enough free drive space to record all the Ally McBeal episodes you'll miss because your freinds want to play CS some more :P

[tony_j15]

I agree with ArticFox, get the AIW9800. Even though the 5900 is faster, its not as sharp as the 9800.

[sunxiaol]

the AIW will serve you well, you get a kick ass video card and a tv tuner in one. Not to mention you get a remote and it can be your DVD/TV/audio center. You never have to leave your computer again.