A few questions about a new computer I want (just to be sure)?

Question

I am about to splash out on a new computer and I have decided that if I am going to do it, I should do it properly & get a nice one.

So, first off - the NVIDIA GeForce 8800. From what I can tell, its nice, very nice. I am thinking of getting the Dual 640MB GTS - SLI Enabled version. However, I know this is the first of the new breed of graphics cards, if I buy this thinking it's the best, is something better going to appear around the corner that is worth waiting for?

Also, I was thinking of putting in a preorder for windows vista, so as to make the best of my graphics card with DirectX10 as soon as possible with the new games in 2007. Being an old git, I remember the nightmare on release of windows 95 and all the bugs, so am wondering if I should give it a bit before buying it. Are my fears unfounded or am I being prudent?

Lastly, if you were buying a new PC, how much RAM would you go for and how much is just overdoing it?

Let me know if I am making any errors in judgement

Thanks very much for all the answers, you've confirmed to me my intuition was right about Vista (and I might be more PC adept then I thought!)

But what about the graphics card issue - any thoughts?

Answer 1

You would be better off waiting for the Vista Release for awhile so the bugs will be worked out. make sure you get a computer that will be able to handle the Vista Upgrade. (memory and programs that will be required)

Answer 2

Can't answer all the questions but I'll give you some answers and some pointers:
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 + DX10 + MS Vista:
1. I don't think you'll have too many options if you want DX10 support as it's recent. I.e. there won't be many cards available today with that support.
2. If you, like me, plan to go for PS or XBox sometime in future you might wanna ditch the idea of going for top of the market Graphics Card with DX10 support. Instead go for something just good enough for the particular games you play (might've been helpful if you had mentioned that). It works out so cheap AFAIK that you can add a few bucks and get a PS/XBox from the savings.
3. Lastly from what I have seen the low cost cards are also good enough to play most games. The top of the line are usually not worth the money.

Checkup http://www.tomshardware.com/graphics/index.html if it helps. It helped me. Every month they publish a "Best gaming card for money" for that month. They also had an article on "Best gaming card money can buy" but I'm unable to find it..

Good gaming...


>> Forgot to comment on the RAM issue <<
@Colin - in 90s Bill Gates said he can't think of any applications that would require more than 256MB of RAM.
Steve has a point, if you can afford go for 2 GB. But my suggestion would be (given that I have no clue abt Vista's RAM requirements) to go for at least 1 GB and ensure that your mobo has some slot(s) free to add another 1GB.
Also I would agree with cuddles that keep your old one around for a li'l longer. Again it would help if you list the games or kinda games you play.
Lastly, just in case you mean the graphics memory and not the the one for OS then I think you just don't need to bother as any DX10 compatible top-of-the-line card will have more than you need.

Answer 3

Your on the right track with the graphic card, also get 2gb of ram its fast and practicable, as for a pre order of vista don't buy it, because every new PC purchased at the moment that is including windows XP, Microsoft are guaranteeing a free vista upgrade saving you the buyer over £240 pounds. when purchasing all computer sales like PC World etc are supposed to include windowsXP with a special voucher that you fill in on line and Microsoft will upgrade your windows XP to Vista provided that is you have your receipt for the new PC as well.

Admittedly like all new programmes everything has a little bug and vista will not be exempt from this I have always waited till the second edition comes along, bit of a pain in the backside if you have to keep asking Microsoft for a patch upgrade especially it starts to cost you.

Answer 4

If your going for SLI graphics your going to be way ahead of the average and computers aren't updating so much these days now there reaching a peak but whose to say a whole new idea will come along to change it. With two graphics cards your going to be able to get an exceptional picture quality no trouble but you will need a lot a RAM to back it up too, i would recommend 2GB on a 533mhz which is DDR2 but more or faster RAM will not do any harm.

Make sure you get a dual core processor PC, not sure if they should even be making them without that capability now. Don't go for a superfast single processor its just not worth it.

Its never a good idea to wait around for new things to come out, especially windows, there is rarely any noticeable difference that won't be adjusted with updates on the previous one and new games won't be relying on it, i doubt they will make much use of new facilities until at least 2008.

Answer 5

Personally I'd leave Vista for a while to let it get properly sorted out - it's very buggy at the moment. Regarding RAM, it depends very much on what you want to do, but 512mb might be sufficient for "day-to-day" use, 1gb better. More than that is probably unnecessary unless you're an avid online gamer,

Difficult to advise further as I don't know for sure what you want to do.

Answer 6

NVIDIA do not make crap and if you are getting that can I have your old one, OK sufficient for that. NVIDIA are excellent for any updates should you have a problem they will help, as for vista, you may have to run XP AND Vista as many programs will not run on Vista so you need to think about that. That said I have no idea if indeed it is possible to run the both on one machine like with 98SE and XP as even doing that you had to install 98SE first, bad news if you already had XP on the machine.
If you are only running new programs they should be Vista OK and so you will have no problems but there may be a dearth of available programs.
As for RAM as much as you can afford but suggest that with what you are getting it would be nice with 2M

Answer 7

Computers are always out of date 2 months after buying it. You just have to bite the bullet, and buy the best you can afford. As for Vista, well, who can say, at least you can play those games you mention. I'd keep the old computer around for your current games, though...

Answer 8

Windows has always been a RAM whore, MS are suggesting ATLEAST 1 GB of RAM for Vista, Vista itself is getting raving reviews and I think it is pretty safe,secure and stable. It is a complete recod from XP which is why it took so long to program.

Answer 9

I am telling all my customers to wait at least six months before even considering Vista unless there is some specific reason you absolutely have to have it. Wanting the newest, latest and greatest is not a good reason to deal with the guarantee of headaches from a new OS.

Answer 10

You can't have too much RAM, because the more RAM you have, the less likely your computer is to crash. If it was me, I'd go for vista, but I'm the type who likes all the new stuff, so that's just my opinion.