Which Brand? I can't see any real difference beyond prices. OC website doesn't seem to have favourite, or bad performers amongst them. I am leaning towards either the Powercolor or Sapphire. Unless anyone here knows anything further that I don't. Opinons, suggestions all welcome.

 

http://au.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=2&l2=8&l3=726&l4=0&model=2339&modelmenu=1

 

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/VGA/Products_Overview.aspx?ProductID=2857

 

http://www.powercolor.com/au/products_features.asp?ProductID=2217

 

http://www.sapphiretech.com/at/products/products_overview.php?gpid=245&grp=3

Mate they are all similar it all depends on the reputation of the card manufacture I have been told sapphire is the best. But recently I was looking for a card to crossfire with my current card and they had 5 different brands with the same card.

 

I asked my Mate who just bought a new rig and he was going to go gigabyte but the company didn't have it in stock he was given the sapphire at the lower price.

They are all the same, the only difference being a different image on the fan. Usually you go for the cheapest or the ones that come with the best games. The ASUS one is the only one that comes with games. Personally I went for the Sapphire one since that was the cheapest at the time.

ooo *jealous*!!!

 

Yep as mentioned, look out for ones that have superior cooling systems (right now they probably all just use the reference design) and generally the rule of thumb is go with what is cheapest, since the only difference is the included games... which most of the time are useless anyway. Another thing to look out for is extended warranties, but most don't offer much over a year.

 

What game(s) are you playing that require that sort of grunt, Kindros?

ASUS FTW. Yes I'm an ASUS whore, they have always been perfect for me

I've being using Sapphire for a while now there a good reliable company the only company I routinely stay away from is MSY.

ooo *jealous*!!!

What game(s) are you playing that require that sort of grunt, Kindros?

 

Whatever will come out in the next two or three years I only build a system every 3 or so years, so I max them out when the prices are good, and at present, a blessing and curse has bestowed upon me, my old box which probably had another year it in rolled over and died, and I just cbf'd atm to go pulling **** out of it to get it to work. So a new system it will be!

 

Memory is another bitch to sift through too atm. All these new boards with substandard support. really dissapointed at GB atm, they pretty much went with a ****load of yumcha brand memory on their QVL to start off with, and only just recognise limited OCZ's etc. Seriously they need to pick up their game.

Memory is another bitch to sift through too atm. All these new boards with substandard support. really dissapointed at GB atm, they pretty much went with a ****load of yumcha brand memory on their QVL to start off with, and only just recognise limited OCZ's etc. Seriously they need to pick up their game.

 

You shouldn't have problem with ram even if its not on the "list".

 

 

Anyway for the GFX, go with the cheapest one(or best bundle if you want the games/software...worthless imo ).

 

They are all just rebranded OEM ATi cards right now(ie ATi sticker removed and replaced with the companies one), down the track they will start customizing them ie fans, layouts ect.

Edited July 26, 200816 yr by Roy.Mustang

You shouldn't have problem with ram even if its not on the "list".

 

 

Anyway for the GFX, go with the cheapest one(or best bundle if you want the games/software...worthless imo ).

 

They are all just rebranded OEM ATi cards right now(ie ATi sticker removed and replaced with the companies one), down the track they will start customizing them ie fans, layouts ect.

 

Yeah was leaning towards the Sapphire. And IF it is the case with the memory then I should have my system within two weeks. Just waiting on the 8600 to hit the wholesaler so I can order.

On the memory front pretty much everything works with GB afaik, especially low end stuff:

 

- Kingston [what I use, it's been really good to me]

- Corsair

- ADATA

 

But please avoid Crucial, they need to pick up their game:

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=987313

 

Specifically:

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=987313&p=3#r42

Yeah was leaning towards the Sapphire. And IF it is the case with the memory then I should have my system within two weeks. Just waiting on the 8600 to hit the wholesaler so I can order.

 

Never owned a Sapphire card, but like i said above right now all 4870's are just rebranded ATi ones, so it will be fine .

 

As for memory what brand where you looking at and what GB board?.

 

I have a GB P35-DS3 with 2x1GB of Apacer 800Mhz DDR2 ram and the "model" i have isnt "supported", but it works fine.

 

Really the Memory Support List are a joke, in my 8 years of building PCs ive NEVER had an issue with ram "brands".

GA-EP45-DS4P

OCZ DDR2 PC2-8500 Reaper HPC 4GB Edition

 

The Higher model is on the list, though this one isn't which is a little strange.

GA-EP45-DS4P

OCZ DDR2 PC2-8500 Reaper HPC 4GB Edition

 

The Higher model is on the list, though this one isn't which is a little strange.

 

First good mobo ....my next PC will have the EP45-DS3(Dont need SLi,firewire)

 

Second why the wank ram?....you overclocking ect?

 

you could get MUCH cheaper ram ie G.Skill 1066 4GB Kit,Kingston HyperX 4GB kit or if your set on OCZ get the OCZ Platinum 4GB Kit.

 

edit: forgot to mention that "wank" ram will work fine in the EP45, if you choose to buy it

Edited July 26, 200816 yr by Roy.Mustang

KHX8500D2K2/4G ~$250-300 <--W/Sale about $200

 

OCZ2RPR10664GK ~$180 - 230 retail <--Wank RAM...Wanking is cheap!

KHX8500D2K2/4G ~$250-300 <--W/Sale about $200

 

OCZ2RPR10664GK ~$180 - 230 retail <--Wank RAM...Wanking is cheap!

 

Ahh well then Wank ram it is .....but still too much imo for ram .

 

For me i'd be happy with the OCZ Platinum 4GB Kit @ $135 or the G.Skill-PI 4GB Kit @ $155(This model has a similar wanky heatsink like the OCZ Reaper) both are 2x2GB 1066 sticks

Edited July 26, 200816 yr by Roy.Mustang

zomg uber high frequency ram... I thought 800mhz was overkill so I stuck to 667mhz Although I don't like pushing ram so I always buy processors with high multipliers so I don't have to worry about FSB walls and the lot

If you wanna get the most out of a CPU, you have to have the components to match it.

 

E series Intels go up to 1300 odd Mhz FSB off the top of my head, and to get actual real performance, you need to get evereything else withing very close limits. Otherwise you may as well not buy a processor like that. And unfortunately a lot of manufacturers know this, and will charge people through the arse.

 

It is really the only reason why my other PC lasted so long, and could keep up.