New PC

[dkamm65]

Monitors go beyond 1080p?

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I think 2560x1600 is the highest current graphics cards can support.

[Ad Bot]

[ShadowZero]

How much is it in US Dollars!?
Thats a heck of a new comp!

[Reactor Worker]

A single HD5870 is quite powerful. I am using one myself and it pushes out three times the resolution of the monitor you selected in games.

[Righteous One]

A rough estimate would be about $2600. It would be cheaper to build it but I understand your situation.

[Duckmeister]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I think 2560x1600 is the highest current graphics cards can support.

That's only the resolution for the highest standard for monitors that use consumer graphics cards (I think, I really don't know a lot about monitors).  Hook up three 2560x1600 montors using eyefinity and that's 7680x4800.  However, even my 5970 would have a bit of trouble running anything really demanding at that resolution.

Oh, and about the price:

My comp has basically the same specs, except I didn't buy a monitor, keyboard, or any other peripheral, just what's inside the case.  Also, my graphics card is the dual-gpu version of the 5870, the 5970, and it was $300 more.  All of it totaled together was $2000.  His, with the peripherals and the lesser (although it still rocks) graphics card comes out to $2598 if this currency calculator is correct.

While I can see why you would go with the convenience of prebuilt, that $598 is why you would want to build it yourself.

[General Nick]

UK qwerty keyboard? Is there a difference between US and UK keyboards?

[dkamm65]

Hook up three 2560x1600 montors using eyefinity and that's 7680x4800.

You either meant to say nine monitors (which I doubt cause that would be unusable), or 7680x1600.

And as for 7680x1600, somebody did it with Crysis Warhead on one 5870. Your 5970 should have no problems at that resolution.

[Righteous One]

hi

[dkamm65]

Maxishine isn't a good example for a gamer. There's something wrong with that dude and his obsessions.

What the forget are you talking about?

[Righteous One]

Inside joke.

[General Nick]

Microsoft did away with the whole "we hide features you already have and then show them when you upgrade as if they were brand new features" shtick they were doing before.  The only things you are buying with Pro that you wouldn't have with Home Premium are:

Ability to run non-3d applications made specifically for Windows XP in the "XP Virtualization Mode" (useless unless you are a business that using specially-made computing software that was made before 2007)

Ability to connect to public and semi-private networks more easily and securely with Domain Join

Ability to back up your data to a network, instead of the usual data storage

As you can see, everything else is fair game, no hidden tricks or anything like that.  Don't waste your money.  And the only thing you would be buying with Ultimate is built-in encryption software and fast-switching multilingual support.


I'll get back to you on the RAM in more detail later, but my advice is to simply stick with 6GB, 3x2GB @ 1300Mhz.  That's what I have, and I have pretty much the same specs as you, and it's perfect for, if not more than, what I need.

As for the graphics, the 5870 is extremely powerful, you'll probably never feel the need to upgrade for the next 4 or 5 years.

So maybe he needs XP mode?
I'd hate having the lower end of the spectrum when it comes to Operating Systems. That's why I have Windows 7 Ultimate x64 B)

[Righteous One]

Anyways...


As said, the 5870 is currently one of, if not the most powerful (single gpu) PCB on the planet. And as for your RAM, between 1366 and 1600 you won't find a real difference in performance. If it costs more, don't go for it.


Also, the ALX chassis is extremely cool

[Inv3rted]

Anyways...


As said, the 5870 is currently one of, if not the most powerful (single gpu) PCB on the planet. And as for your RAM, between 1366 and 1600 you won't find a real difference in performance. If it costs more, don't go for it.

The 480 is better and even comes close to the 5970.

http://www.madshrimps.be/vbulletin/f22/geforce-gtx-480-vs-radeon-hd-5870-benchmarks-chiphell-spills-beans-71048/

[Marcem]

long before tv even had 1080p, 1080p is ass quality.

But how many people run 1080p and up?  Not all that many.  Sure, it existed, but not many people had it.  stop saying 1080p is bad quality, and stop saying tvs have horrible quality, it's not like you get much benefit from above 1080p quality, unless you're sitting close to it.  I have a 1080p monitor, that's pretty nice quality, sure, you have your awesome monitor, but the average consumer tends to not have a huge monitor.

[Righteous One]

The 480 is better and even comes close to the 5970.

http://www.madshrimps.be/vbulletin/f22/geforce-gtx-480-vs-radeon-hd-5870-benchmarks-chiphell-spills-beans-71048/

I stand corrected. The GTX 480 is incredibly demanding and runs frighteningly hot.

I don't think that any name-brand manufacturers have released systems with them.