Configuring a new PC for home

[HumboldtBlazer]

I am looking at getting a pre built (Sorry I have built 100's of PC's in my time and the thrill is gone) Two questions is the Radeon 9800 XT better than the new Gforce's? I haven't been watching the blow-by-blow battle lately and last I knew the Radeon XT was top. Anyone using this card? Is it all that and a bag of chips? Second question is does anyone have any experience with or use Windows XP Media Edition? How are you liking it. What specifically sets is apart from XP Pro?

 

[HumboldtBlazer]

Wow, no one runs the Radeon 9800? No one use XP Media huh? Well bugger off then.

 

[mcvickj]

Do they even sell Media Edition to the public? <shrugs>

I can't vouch for the 9800 but I can for the 9700 Pro. That is what I am running in my system. This video card rocks. The first thing I do when I install the game is configure my controls. The next thing I do is set every possible vidoe setting to the highest possible setting. Every game I play runs super smooth with it. The dual head is also a bonus. I can only imagine that the 9800 is even better.

 

[RaCinJason399]

In my Desktop I have a Radeon 9600 Pro Atlantis, 128MB its really nice Games sped up, and graphics are alot better.. Its the only videocard I've upgraded to, so I dont know how the gforce is.

 

[msly]

I am only running the Redeon 9200...works fine for me. Since I bought my Xbox I don't really do much PC gaming.... Oh yea by the way I accepted your Friend request on XboX....so nice we are friends now LOL

 

[HumboldtBlazer]

Yep you can get Media Center installed on some new Dell's. seems to be that I can only get the ALL-in-Wonder card with the Media Edition. I will need to call them as I want the Media Edition of XP but I have to have the sweet video card! Dell is doing a 2gig of DDR for free plus a DVD writer for free, sale ends tomorrow if anyone else is interested.

 

[pacers40]

What is the model of that Dell system?

 

[lykan]

I can't vouch for the latest addition from ATI but I can vouch for the differences between ATI and NVidia.

I used to review harware on my own site for near 3 years. I'm Not partial. I was a 3dfx man.. Voodoo all the way. When the GeForces came out I moved to them.

On a lark I tryed the Radeon (it had TV out) the 7500. Wow. Even with all the settings I could possibly find turned to low, it honestly oudid the nvidia GEForce 4 in quality.

I then built a few computers for people who play everquest. Again, the 8500's quality kicked Nvdia in the pants. This time not only in qulaity of picture, but speed as well. The closst I have come is now the 9200? I belive. Wow, Still ATI is just look and speed wise kicken the pants out of anyone around.

One feature ATI is capable of that Nvidia isn't. One I need. ATI cards have had TV out for generations before Nvidia, and they are good at it, with both quality and features.

I can simultaneuosly view the same screen on both the computer, and the TV. Sure lots others can expand your desktop, lots others do dual monitors too. Not one card I have found allows you to do both at once except Nvidia.

I sit at my computer, and setup the movie(divx, dvd,vcd) resolutions, colors, etc. With the familiarity of a keyboard and mouse on a monitor, keepin' an eye on the TV's quaility, and picture. When I am done I pick up my wireless keyboard and mouse, and sit with the family on the couch.

The Nvidia line of chips won't display the same screen on both at once. You have to start the movie, then "drag it over" to the TV which is called and "expanded desktop". Its a b$*ch to setup for sure.

ATI has really impressed me with their latest generation of cards. Like I say, I'm not partial to any company, just whatever looks the best, runs the best and has the best features at the time. To me, ATI has nailed it in this generation of chips.

 

[HumboldtBlazer]

Originally posted by pacers40
What is the model of that Dell system?

there are a few I am looking at. The Dimension 8300, the XPS and maybe the Dimension 4600C.

Lykan my Geforce 5200 go in my laptop lets me do dual simultanius screen display, I had the same problem you did but there is a hot key on my keyboard Fn crt/lcd which is really Fn F8. This displays both at the same time. It is funky I agree and ATI is a little easier to use. I have always been partial to ATI but I really liked my Diamond Vipper V770 it's just too bad what happened the video card market and thats why all other PC hardware while it get's faster it gets cheaper except video cards that seem to rise in price from $50-$100 every year. Kinda funnny isn't it.

 

[lykan]

Oh definetaly on the Video card market, it used to be competitive. Now, it is Nvidia or ATI for performance.

A $500 switch(the size of a server has been replaced by a linksys Switch/router/nat firewall, the size of a PBJ samich..all for $50

A $150 USR 56k gaming modem, replaced by a $50 dsl/cable modem/router.

a $150 Monster Voodoo 4 meg cutting edge video card. Replaced by a 256 meg DDR video card-$500

Something's backwards in the area.

Voodoo saw the future. The came out with all poerfull voodoo 5000 well before it's time. Awesome technology, but PC geeks couldn't swallow $500 a pop. They went under, and ATI caught up with Nvidia. Now with only two on the market, there's just no competition. You're so right video cards are creeping about $50 per tier, and 100-$150 per new chip.

Then again, we have come from 256 color (lounge lizard larry)all the way to 32 bit-true color full motion, blended stuff like Unreal tournament.

Way off topic I suppose. I have just really been impressed with ATI's competing cards. They seem to just have more of a blended smooth feel to em. That's for movies, everquest style games, and new stuff like Battle feild 1942. I loved me Geforce4 128-256 meg (think it was 256) meg, but ATI's was just way better looking to me.

When it comes to speed they are so close I have to go with the card that puts out the best picture/features for the money. (IMHO)

 

[HumboldtBlazer]

Originally posted by lykan


Then again, we have come from 256 color (lounge lizard larry)all the way to 32 bit-true color full motion, blended stuff like Unreal tournament.

Do you mean Leasuire Suit Larry!!!! LMAO those old Sierra games were the shiznizzle. I played all the Space quests, all the Kings Quest, and when my dad wasn't around I snuck on Leisure Suit Larry for a glance at some cartoon tettas.

 

[lykan]

- A little btit of exprience in the hom media areena (not with the os) I run win xp pro.

I have a computer for me, one for the wife. The laptop doubles as the kids homework/research computer. I also have a dell optiplex260 for my entertainment computer.

Its a little desktop 2gig p-4 with all the media stuff, and an ATI PCI vid card. It's networked with the rest, and has 40 gig firewire drive attached. Each computer can save their MP3's and movies to the "e" (firewire drive) it's physically attached the the dell.

It site below the TV always running, connected to both the sound system, and the TV, with a wirelss keyboad and mouse. My 12 year old comes home, and play's MP3's on winamp through it. The younger kids play games, and watch downloaded cartoons. (you can get any series online). My wife watches the lates downloaded movies with surround sound. It's a nice little setup.

It's small skinny, black and silver. It fits well. The desktop is loaded with icons for burning software, games, digital camera hokups etc. When my friends come over (ones without computers) we sit and burn CD's as well as VCD's so they can watch my movies at home. If we're bored we play a round of halfife TFC, etc. Being networked we can also play the latest fun lan game.

Anyhow it's nice to have a exclusive comp for those things, so I do;t have to give mine up for friends and entertainment.

Ideas

2.4 gig wireless svideo/composite (radio shack) don't want your comp near your tv, send the video without wires to the tv ($80)

IroQ fm transmitter. ($19.95) I used this back in the day to play mp3's on my car, them moved it inside to get sound to my tv.
It broadcasts any heaphone output on an FM channel (works all the way out to my driveway)

A wireless keyboard and mouse proved well worth its $98.00 no more walking up to the tv and trying to hide a corded key/mouse under the it.

I dunno what your going to do with it, but I started watching divx 2 years ago. My system just kind of evolved. It started with 20ft rca cables from my comp to the tv. (can you say red neck) lol

Way off topic again.. sorry.. just trying to point out some awesome Home media setups.