Is it worth buying an Ageia PhysX PPU for your rig now or should you wait until competitors release theirs?
338777
everything goes obsolete in the technology world.  \nas for having two physics cards, it won't really help would it?  not now, but 3 years from now, yes.  then, you would need like 6 graphics cards hooked up and 2 physics cards and god knows what else....probably a computer with 10 CPU's.  \n\nI guess you should just buy it now because the physics card industry is rather new and thus new cards will take some time to come out.  possibly up to a year.
591958
Gotta agree w/ The Expert for the most part, except...\n\nAs a system builder and semi-high end user, I always recommend that a buyer go w/ "custom" built system assembeled by a local trustworthy shop...The reason for this is you will get pretty much exactly what you want for your specific needs, will easily be upgradable in the future, service will get done quicker, and you're putting $$ in the pocket of a local merchant instead of a corporate entity...\n\nThat being said, think about this...Spend most of your money on the things you're going to keep over the long haul...Like a monitor, speakers, etc...A monitor is like a TV when you buy it...You're going to be keeping it for a LONG time... Same thing goes w/ speakers...\n\nJust remember, a Brand Name system has built-in obsolensece, which is fine if you're just gonna surf the Web and read e-mail like yer Grandma does, whereas a "built" system can be upgraded many times for a LOT less than what you'll spend for a new system down the road...I have a system case that  I've had for over 7 years, and have upgraded 4 times....  \n\nWhile you might pay a little more for a "built" unit, just remember that things like your video card, sound card, network card, CD/DVD, and Hard Drives won't need to be replaced, so that all you have to do is just get a new mobo/CPU, and RAM, and yer good to go....
972542
Well that ATI cards gpu and memory doesn't make it ideal for anything but maybe word processing and some office applications (this is the Pro version of the 1600 series guys, not the performance version).  Just by a small unwritten rule, ATI cards usually work better with Intel boards and nVidia works better with AMD.  I would go with the nVidia card though.  Make sure your power supply will handle the new card though. (I believe it takes at least a 400 watt PSU)  ComputerPowerUser mag did a nice little article on sub $200 cards.  Check them out, you'll probably find a better one.
710559
If it's a PCI-E, I would reccomend the Geforce 7900GT from EVGA
932069
Well I would say go for it but if you are fairly ne this is what you might try. The biggest problem is with the motherboard and CPU that most new builders have. so I would suggest this\nGet a bare bones system this is just a case and powersupply with the motherboard/CPU installed  you decide on what memory video card operating sys. etc. then install those yourself. \nthis method is only slightly more expensive and avoids the major pitfalls but still lets you build your own system\nas for sites for buying hardware and software I would suggest you look at WWW.Pricewatch.com
516225
NewEgg list two PCI FX5500s, at $54 and $78.\nI recommend that you opt for the 128-bit $78 3DFuzion model - although it is currently out of stock...\n\nA motherboard from before AGP times!  The processor might not be upto playing COD - you should give serious thought to a total upgrade.  For $112 you could source a Foxconn SoA motherboard, Sempron 2400+ CPU and 256Mb DDR400 RAM.\nThen $78 could buy you a 9600XT - but if you had the money - there would be much more choice!\n\n(AGP) comparisons of older cards:\nhttp://www.tomshardware.co.uk/2003/12/29/vga_charts_iii/page16.html
913048
I have been looking into this too.  After reading a lot of materials, I think the best choice of those two is probably the E6300.  This link below gives you some idea of relative performance between the processors.  I have heard Core 2 runs cooler and uses less power.\n\nhttp://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2014651,00.asp\n\n GPUs are becoming as important, or more important, than CPUs.  If you do buy the new machine, I say go cheap on the graphis for now, and upgrade that when you go to Vista - high quality directX 10 cards will be cheaper in the spring.  Also,(if you don't already have a motherboard) I would recommend socket AM2, not 939, if you do go with AMD, because you might be able to use AMD's upcoming 4x4 motherboards.
1167819
If you have a PCI Express slot get one of those.  Regardless go with NVIDIA or an NVIDIA line, they are better than any other company out there.  All my friends who work for CAD, Architecture, programming and for Disney, Dreamworks use Nvidia.  I would go with a 256MB Nvidia line that supports directX 9.  The higher the res it can max out at the better as well becaue if you play it at a lower res than the max supported your card works faster.  Also the Nvidia drivers are much easier to work with I had a 5500OC 256 card and was able to use the 5700 drivers for it without any problems.  If you want to change and upgrade your mobo, then upgrade to one that has PCI Express slots in them as PCI is going to be completely phased out  and soon AGP will be phased out as well.  Depending on how soon you plan to upgrade your mobo I'd wait and get one with a PCI Express slot then buy a PCI E card with the specs previously mentioned.
6335
I used to prefer nVidia with AMD, but honestly I don't think it matters all that much (the differences are negligible). As a company, I prefer nVidia over ATI, but in my opinion nVidia is struggling a bit with their video cards at the moment. I truly hope they grow out of that. I used to run a GForce 4800 on my nvidia nForce2 motherboard, but I switched to an ATI X800 and haven't had any problems with it on that motherboard.
414043
The ATI Rage Pro was a good video card... back in the day. The reason a seller might put this in the specs is because it is an older computer, and there is not more to say about the computer. \nNothing worse than onboard video.
510916
I'm running:\n\nThermaltake Shark case\nThermaltake 480w PSU \nIntel 925G Express Mobo\nPentium 4 3.4 LGA775 /w HT\nEVGA Nvidia GeForce 7900 GT KO (256/256) PCI-Express\nWestern Digital Raptor SATA 73 GB 10k RPM HD\nDual DVD Reader drives - don't burn much media\n21" Viewsonic G210F and an Epson LCD Projector for Games\n\nThat's what I run. I play Battlefield 2 and World Of Warcraft - does the job perfect.
688225
it's no more worth to buy an agp graphics card, wait with the purchase. the intel conroe cpu is coming soon (around july 06). then do a full upgrade with a new mainboard with conroe cpu and pci express graphics card.\nkeep in mind that the conroe even beats an amd 64 fx-60.
702604
That machine will rock for current games.  My only concern is the GeForce 7800 GTX video card.  There is a new Nvidia card (the 8800 series) that supports Microsoft DirectX 10.  If you plan on upgrading and gaming on Windows Vista (comes out Jan 30, 2007), then you will need this card (or another that supports DX10, currently it's the only one).\n\nOverall this is a great rig for now, but in just a few months you'll need to buy a new video card.  Video cards can be uber expensive (up to $600), so it might be worth the wait.
355853
Both are Vital . But the Vitally varies dependingon the application for which u are going to use your machine for.\nLike if u are going to run Business application like Eord/excel powerpoint and internet & Not 3 D Games then CPU is More important witha simple graphic card (onboard)\n but if u are going to use it to play games/ do 3d Animation , Photoediting then the Graphics processor (GPU) which comes on Video Card playes a major role.. So it is more Vital.\n\nBut let me tell you Both are equally vital as without 1 of them your machine cannot be made coz without video card you cannot seee the feedback and respond to the computer and if u don't have CPU .. guess wat ur system never existed ...\n\nAnd to Tickle more to your mind There Are PPU (Physics Processing Units) which are going to be launched along with your GPU ( on video card) So the story will become realy jazy..till then Hang On
634404
Turions are faster.  clicks and pops are 100% driver issues since its rare to have IRQ conflicts now with PCI steering.
668008
You can run the PowerLeap upgrade configurator, to see what your system is capable of, in regards to upgrades. http://www.powerleap.com/\nHowever, they are way overpriced, so take the info and run like heck, to Fry's, or a compatible store!!\nIs the floppy drive working?\nYou did not  really give us your existing configuration, so answering your TV Tuner card question could be hard ?\n{e.g. who made you motherboard?, CPU specs (P3-could range from 450MHz. to 1.3GHz}?, Use of TV Tuner card - watch TV, or record, an burn movies?
1121398
honestly, junk it \n\nmuch cheaper than searching 4 old processors not knowing if they work at all\nget a new p4 nope, get a pentium dual core ... just say yes ... lottsa ideas then