I have just a quick question here. I'm building my own computer and I'm starting out with the motherboard of course, which I already have picked out. I'm getting the "Asus A8N-SLI Premium" motherboard. I'm also planning on getting some mid range amd cpu for it. I'm not going to splurge a lot on the cpu right now.

However, I'm looking for some advice on a good graphics card to get for that motherboard. I'm eventually planning on getting two graphics cards to make use of SLI , but for now I'm only getting one to start with. I'm looking for a somewhat high end card, but not "extreme" high end. So I'm ruling out the "Nvidia GeForce 7800 GTX". I'd rather wait till that came down in price anyway. So if anyone has any graphics card recommendations that are a little lower high end than that, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Ignore the subject heading. I messed up there. I forgot to change it.

Have real good look at the Nvidia 6600GT cards.

Great value and great performance, I I can recommend the 3500X64, I think that chip might suprise you..

IF IT AINT BROKE, DONT FIX IT

A8N-SLI Deluxe
AMD X64 3500+ Wnchst
Corsair 2x512 DDR400 Dual Channel
GV-NX6600128D PCIX Graphics Card
Ggbyte GT Pro CPU Cooler
Zalman VF700-CU VGA Cool

Do you intend on ever using the SLI feature?? If not, why pay for it? Have a look at DFI motherboards...the Infinity or LANparty series.

ASUS A7N8X-X
Athlon XP 1800+
8.5 x 200MHz
1024MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7
Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB
WinME/WinXP Pro SP2

Why on earth not buy the SLI motherboard? Its got good future upgrade potential, which is always an important feature.
Over a year ago when I bough my AMD64 CPU people were thinking I'm mad for buying one, but I like to think ahead a bit more.

Not everyone can afford TWO graphics cards!

As for your DFI suggestion...forget it. Don't buy cheap equipment. I cannot recommend ASUS enough. Look for an MSI equivalent, too.

"Why on earth not buy the SLI motherboard?"

Why pay for it if you're not gonna use it? I can't see any reason why two high-power cards are necessary. I would never "waste" my money on a 7800GTX, but it will beat any SLi pairing currently available. Other than the SLi feature, the board offers no performance advantage over a board based on the nForce4 Ultra chipset.

You said it yourself..."Not everyone can afford TWO graphics cards!"

"As for your DFI suggestion...forget it. Don't buy cheap equipment."

I suggest you do your homework. DFI is not a cheap brand & has been around for years. The DFI LANparty & Infinity series rank near or at the top of the benchtests at most hardware sites. Although this article from Tom's Hardware is about Athlon64/SLi boards, look which brand gets the top recommendation:

http://www.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20050531/sli_motherboards-18.html

ASUS A7N8X-X
Athlon XP 1800+
8.5 x 200MHz
1024MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7
Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB
WinME/WinXP Pro SP2

If you actually listened correctly to what the creator of this topic said, you will find that he said he wishes to purchase ONE video card for now and think about buying a SECOND one at a later time.

If he intends to upgrade in the future, having the SLI mobo is a great idea. Just because he won't use it right away, doesn't mean he should buy it. Getting two good video cards costs the same as one Geforce 7series and there will be a good performance increase.

In regard to DFI, you must excuse me. I got it mixed up with QDI (who were rubbish).

"you will find that he said he wishes to purchase ONE video card for now and think about buying a SECOND one at a later time"

I was just injecting my personal opinion on SLi

ASUS A7N8X-X
Athlon XP 1800+
8.5 x 200MHz
1024MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7
Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB
WinME/WinXP Pro SP2