I found a few computers at a good price, but with varying graphic cards..so I wanted to ask for your opinion on which is the best video card here:

(X2 SLI mode) ATI Radeon X1600 XT, PCI E, 256MB DDR, DVI, TV-Out

v.s.

- PNY GeForce 7900GTX 512MB PCI Express

Both computers are running 2 GB (generic) RAM and a Pentium D 940 Dual Core 3.0GHz 2MBx2

By the way.. how well do these processors overclock?

CORRECTION:

the computer with the dual ATI cards only have 1 GB ram

FYI, ATI does not support SLI configuration, regardless forget SLI or Crossfire mode. Get one faster card that complements your CPU & isn't out of your budget parameter.

If you buy anything now, you won't be a happy camper after the dust settles over the looming AMD & Intel price war, but out of those two I would certainly pick the 7900GTX.

Yea, AMD CPU prices have already been dropping at sites like newegg. Anyone that buys a CPU now is gonna be disappointed in a couple of weeks. What you pay $200 for today will be selling for $150 before the end of July...if you can wait, you can either save $50 on a CPU or get a much better CPU for that same $200.

well, the thing is, I found a fairly nice computer set..

Computer #1 ($1300 CDN)
------------------------

CPU: Intel Pentium D Dual Core 3.0GHz 940 LGA 775 FSB800 2MBx2

Memory: 2048MB (2GB) DDR II 667 Memory 240 Pin

Motherboard: ASRock 775Dual-880 Pro Mother Board

Hard Drive: Brand Named 200GB 7200RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA II

Optical Drive: LG 16X 4163B DVD RW + Dual Layer

Video Card: PNY GeForce 900GTX 512MB PCI Express

Case: Alien Deluxe Case w/ Side CPU Cooling Vent & Back LED Fan

Power Supply: 480W Thermaltake SILENT Power Supply Dual Fan Control

v.s.

Computer #2 (1100 CDN)
--------------------------

CPU: Intel Pentium D Dual Core Processor 3.2GHz 940 FSB800 2MBx2

Memory: 1024MB DDR II 677 Memory 240 Pin (Major Brand)

Motherboard: ASRock 775XFire-eSATA2 CrossFire Ready

Hard Drive 1: Maxtor 300GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA II

Optical Drive: LG 16X 4163B DVD RW + Dual Layer (black)

CrossFire Video 1: ATI Radeon X1600 XT, PCI E, 256MB DDR, DVI, TV-Out (Built On)
CrossFire Video 2: ATI Radeon X1600 XT, PCI E, 256MB DDR, DVI, TV-Out (Built On)

Case: 2750 ATX Case (black)

Power Supply: 480 Thermaltake SILENT Power Supply Dual Fan Control

Both pretty good deals IMO

7900GTX defidently takes the cake.

#1 has a better video card & more RAM but an unnamed HDD & crappy VIA based motherboard.

#2 has dual mid-range cards in Crossfire (which is a waste), less RAM, a Maxtor HDD (you won't find many people recommending Maxtor in these forums), & another ASRock board.

Here's what techspot.com has to say about ASRock:

"It's no secret that ASRock is not exactly known for their 'Quality' products. In the motherboard market food chain, ASRock tends to be near or at the very bottom, right along with PCChips."

If you're looking to overclock, you're not gonna do it on either of these systems.

Speaking of dropping prices, zipzoomfly has a Venice 3800 for like $125. Not that I'm a fan of the Venice 3800, but it's still amazing how much the Venice's have dropped. You can get 3000's and 3200's for under $100 now.

So, my question is when will Jam get off the Athlon XP platform and join Club Athlon 64? :-p

I'm still awaiting the Opteron 165/170's or the X2 4400's to drop to pop one on my mobo...

"Milk was a bad choice!"

Don't know about Canada, but you don't have to be a rocket scientist to configure a decent custom built system if you do not wish to or cannot build one yourself.

A sample config can easily be fine tuned to your exclusive needs, but as we said build one now & you might not get the best bang for your buck.

Goodluck.

"my question is when will Jam get off the Athlon XP platform and join Club Athlon 64?"

Yea, I know. I always stay a step or two behind, maybe three. But my socket A rig(s) run so darn good! I've been watching the CPU prices though & may not be able to hold out much longer. I'm dumping some money into my Harley right now, once I get that squared away, I'm gonna seriously consider a S939 nF4 Ultra setup.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/jamX/me_n_mybike.jpg

I too have two other expensive habits...

My home theater and my wife. :-)

"Milk was a bad choice!"

@jam

Well, according to your mini-review, the only major problems in #1 is the mobo..couldn't I just replace the existing mobo with a better one?

Also, if I were to replace the mobo on Computer #1.. what would be a good option (in terms of price and preformance)?

Why would you buy a brand new computer, only to tear it all apart & rebuild it? You don't see a problem with that? Warranty issues? The fact that you'll have to reinstall Windows or at least to a "repair installation"? If you're gonna go thru all that BS, just build from scratch.

Well, the reason I don't want to build a computer from scratch is because it's VERY expensive to gather up all the parts I need.. unless I ebay them, which could be a pain, in addition to all the risks and such.

Plus.. there aren't anywhere near as many online American computer hardware stores as there are Canadian ones, which really limits my choices.

And in regards to the warranty, the only warranty offered for the computers are the individual warranties of the parts.

www.ncix.com

Please help survivors of Hurricane Katrina!

www.redcross.org

Too bad the rebate deal expires today:

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/email/ca/em594.asp?CMP=ILC-FPM02

Lol.. who actually trusts Tigerdirect for rebates? >.<

I already know ncix, building a custom computer from them costs ALOT.

Who actually buys any of the stuff you're suggesting? :P~ Maybe you can team up with mezdawg & get a discount on two crappy systems from MDG...LMAO!!!

I know TigerD doesn't have a good rep, especially when it comes to rebates, but supposedly they're cleaning up their act & you said it yourself, the choices in Canada are limited.

TigerD has dozens of reasonably configured barebones kits. As long as you know enough to sort out the good from the bad, you'll be able to find something decent for about $400 or so...then all you have to do is add more RAM, a video card, & install the operating system of your choice (some don't include a HDD, so check the specs).

Look at this one for for $327 (after rebate) as an example. I'm not a fan of BIOSTAR, but I've read a lot of good things about their TForce series. It has a PCI-e slot but also has relatively good onboard video, so you could hold off on a card for a while if money is tight. It comes with a 3500+ Venice CPU & 512MB PC3200, but no HDD. The weak spot is the OKIA power supply, although it's specs look good.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2226941&CatId=0

The kit I posted about yesterday is now selling for $454 (after rebate). The CPU is a little weaker (3200+ Venice) but it has a better board, better power supply, 512MB PC3200, AND a 160GB HDD...no onboard video though so you'd have to immediately get a PCI-e card.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2120037&CatId=0

There's also this deal for $327. Sportier case & better CPU, but no RAM or HDD:

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2276705&CatId=1915

Bottomline is you've been posting for a couple of weeks now & I don't think you're any closer to buying than you were at day one. It's time to sh!t or get off the pot!

Keep in mind typically you get what you pay for. I'd rather have a not quite as fast but reliable system than a high spec'ed machine that is very unreliable.

My philosophy is build it right or don't build it at all. By that, I don't mean get a $500 graphics card; I mean don't get shoddy motherboards and power supplies, which are the specs no one pays attention to. Consequently, people overlook and use crap parts for. If you can't afford a machine with a good motherboard and power supply (plus good quality for everything else), save your money and wait until you can.

Please help survivors of Hurricane Katrina!

www.redcross.org