[thoth93]

My old computer finally bit the dust, so I'm about to buy a new one -- at probably one of the worst times to upgrade in history.

Here's the firm configuration:

AMD Athlon 64 3200
1 gig ddr 3200 ram
dvd writer
standard dvd
audigy 2
160gb sata
windows xp

The problem is video. The shop that I'm wanting to buy from (I've used it for years now) has apparently been taken over by a gang o' idiots.

The guy at the counter kept trying to sell me the Geforce5600. I do not WANT a Geforce 5600. I would like an ATI x800 pro or at least a good, solid card like a 9800pro. I finally got Idiot Behind the Counter to concede there WAS such a card as the 9800pro, but they'd never heard a thing about the Nvidivia 6800 series or the X800 and claimed it was impossible for them to get.

Will the Pro serve me well? I know that I can upgrade later if I like to say a 6800 GT when they're out, but I'd really rather start fast out of the gate, so to speak.

Any advice? I'm not equipped with the technical knowledge to build my own system (I can switch out cards and such, but that's about it), and I'm not sure about online retailers at this point. The other shops in town, if it can be believed, are even worse.

Advice would be most appreciated.

-- Thoth

[Nick Spolec]

Eh, the Pro will be more then fine. Unless you like to play your games at 1600x1200 with 6xAA and 16xAF. But that is just overkill, in my opinion.

[rainz]

Yeh buy the 9800 pro and btw ... ppls are funny .. If you always wait for the new generation of technology .. you'll NEVER upgrade ... and when the new tech. ( x800 pro / pcx / btx / etc ) will be a cheaper you'll upgrade again so it's perfect ..

And you'll have a good comp for 1, 2 years ..

RainZ

[Diplo]

Can't you just get it without the video card and then buy that from elsewhere? If not, then get the 9800 Pro. I doubt there's anything out soon it won't be able to handle.

[ANova]

If your in the US Best Buy online has the X800 pro in stock.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....p;type=product