New AGP Card

Ok, im going to upgrade my mobo and processor and get a new card.

Ive seen about all the Radeon X850 Pro 256 MB video cards at a $289.99-$299.99 price range...but I found this Asus Radeon X850 Pro 256 MB for $219.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814121534)

Is there any big difference that would create a price range $80 less than the others?

well, for one, the one that is in the link is after rebate, but even then, its still around a 60 dollar difference, what is different is nothing, they both run at the same speeds, hardware specs are identical. i think it may just be a brand hing, asus is always quality and usually cheaper.

// yeah, xamix may be the new grimsiht [had to get it past the *plum* filter] he provides links to back up input and can verify everything he says.

So far from what i've heard from people on here, andmy friend who has an Asus Motherboard, Asus is a really good company that can be trusted...correct?

Well...not quite
For intel systems asus is definitly a good bet...but for amd systems that´s not so true,for instance asus skt 939 ->the best thing to do is to stay away..
if you´re going to upgrade to amd i would recomend msi.(something like MSI K8N Neo2)

Ok, well thanks guy.

I think im going to go with what you guys have suggested earlier I think.

These 3 (not including card)
Processor : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819116198
MoBo : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813130495
Card : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814121534

Is that all good?

yep, everything is compatible. i might wait for someone else to come along and give input, but everything looks good.

ok, what would you recommend for better cooling so I can get rid of this stock stuff, also i dont plan on going water cooling.

just wondering because i managed to get my card up to 58* C today for awhile because i lanned with some friends and it was exhausting some hot air, also the PSU seemed a little hotter than usual.

either way, what would you guys recommend?

If you're not going to overclock, there's really no reason to upgrade your cooling.

True, but what i've known is the fact that most problems of PCs is that it doesnt recieve sufficient cooling, thus making it run slow, glitchy, and even crashing.

What i'll do is probably end up getting a better heatsink and fan instead of the Intel stock.

If you went for an amd system you woud´ve got a much better system for the same cash...but that´s your choice.


As for cooling,Zalman is a good bet.... i have a zalman CNPS7000B-Cu with a prescott and the idle temp is about 41º and full 45\50º (remember that it´s a prescott-before the idle usually was above 50º)
In the graphic card i have a vf700-alcu and the idle temps droped about 10º and in full they are about 50\55º (6600 gt that also has big temps ..it used to be 55º in idle mode..and went to above 65º in full)
And this are not the bet coolers of zalman...so you can see that it´s really a good cooler.