New Computer HELP!

[Flav_cool]

Hi,

I am finally buying a new computer!!! Now, I need some advice on what to buy. I've decided on the P4 3.0, but I am unsure about the video card. I can find a ATI 9800PRO 128MB at $485 (Canadian). The 9800 XT is $624 at 256MB. Is the 9800 XT worth it or not? Will the 9800 Pro last me 3 years of high quality, max settings in games?

P.S. Could I get 9800 non-pro, and overclock to PRO?

Please post your opinion,

Thanks

[MrPurple]

to be honest unless you are a hardcore gamer, that system would be overkill, even with the 9800Pro.
I am running an Athlon XP 1700+ with a GeForce 3 TI 500 stock, and I have no problems with current games. Future games will not take full advantge of the 9800Pro for a while, plus considering how programers are just now starting to take advantage hardware.

Just my thoughts tho.

[Army2001]

I would recommend getting a 9700 pro or 9800 non-pro and then flashing it to pro.Instead of getting a 3.0ghz P4 processor maybe you would want to get a 2.4 with an 800mhz FSB and overclock it to a safe 3.12ghz. It saves you money and performs better.

[Flav_cool]

Hi,

I think I will buy the 9800 np, and flash it to pro, if you say it is possible.

As for the 2.4, I could overclock it and such, but the thing is, I would need exceptional RAM is that not true? Besides, my dad would rather not have me overclock it, but if you convince me...

I can buy DDR400 PC3200RAM for $109 for a 512MB stick. Would that be good enough to overclock to at least 3.0 on stock cooling?

[Rand Dusing]

I may buy a 9800 Pro, but most other people and I would agree the 9800 xt is definantly not worth the price to performance ratio of others. But if you have money to blow, whynot?

[MrPurple]

Overclocking should never be done with stock cooling.
I am not sure about the flashing of the 9800 np to a pro, but you have to ask your self does the money involved in buying the best validates performance. Or is it just for braging rights.
Tell me what is the differnace between a game runing at 60 FPS and 120 FPS? To the human eye its nothing. Since the eye can not see anything more then 30 FPS.

I say save your self some money and think very hard about your system specs and what you need. Rember the fastest and newest is not always the best.

[Flav_cool]

I know this, but the thing is I need to keep this for at least three years, with the games from then working perfectly. In other words, I'm not getting a new computer for 3 years (I barely convinced my parents to buy me this one after 3 years of a PIII 733MHz and 32MB TNT2 vid card)

So, I want something good, and you say not to overclock on stock cooling...hmmmm Any suggestions as to what I can get? What cooling, or should I just buy the 3.0 and not overclock?

Also, nobody said if the PC3200 Ram is enough.

[MrPurple]

Even if you buy the state of the art system now, in now way will it be considered good in 3 years.
But I understand what you are saying.
Something to consider, MS will come out with a new DX version, and you will have new video cards supporting it as well as new future games.

[Army2001]

Im running my system on 512mb PC3200 DDR400 Corsair XMS memory with an overclocked P4 processor (2.4ghz @ 3.12ghz) and it runs fine. I havent had any problems with it. I have the Asus P4P800 mobo which has overclocking options built into the BIOS which makes it really easy to overclock without needing to manually up the voltage or any of that. Stock cooling works fine for it since thats what Im using. I would just recommed a thermal compound if you did since it helps a lot. Heres a link to a post about flashing Radeon 9800 non-pros to pros. http://www.resellerratings.com/forum...on+flashed+pro (radeon 9800 pro bios)

[Omardeth]

my advice is never buy at the top of the heap . alwyas work the middle of the curve . it willsave you ALOT of money . when you buy what is the best at the time you buy it you are paying for the hype . if your going to get a intel get a 2.4 800fsb and if you must get a ati card get a 9600pro or a 9700 np . that set up will work well for a long time and cost you 20-25% less but you will only lose 5%-10% performance difference if that much .

if you want to overclock ... NEVER buy the top cpu . that kinda defeats the idea of overclocking . a 2.4 and a 3.0 cpu both come from the same silicon . so they have the same limit as to how high they can go . if you get a great 2.4 it will go just as high as a great 3.0 . the head room is the key . if the p4 tops out at 3.3- 3.4 ghz thats as far as it will go . you have more headroom with a 2.4 than you have with a 3.0

its your money , so spend it the way you like . just keep what i said in mind . you will never be able to buy a pc that will keep up .