Help with graphics choice

[UK-Cobra]

Hi as some of you are aware I'm building a new PC. After I placed the order yesterday I have been let down on the graphics board.

This is an area where I know very little, fallen behind on spec's, can you suggest a good card for the spec belowe: The system is used for Webdesign, graphic design and gaming.

Do I go for AGP or PCI-E and make use of the SLI? I know nothing

Budget under £100 if poss,

WOuld two of these linked with SLI be worth the money? Works out at £84.00 about $160.00 US

2x Asus Extreme 8500GT 256MB Silent PCI-E

New PC Build Spec

• Mobo: MSI K9A2 Platinum AM2+ Socket / 790FX / FSB - Hyper Transport 3.0 - 2600Mhz
• CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 6400+ Socket AM2 Black Edition 3.20GHz
• Heatsink Cooler: Nexus AXM-8200 939/AM2
• Memory: Corsair 2GB Kit (2x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400
• PSU: Arctic Power 600W PSU - With PCI-E, SATA, 20+4, ATX12V, 8pin +12V Connectors
• HD: Seagate ST3500630A 500GB 7200.10 7200RPM 16MB

Graphic Card was going to be: MSI 8600GT 256MB OverClocked Edition Dual DVI HDTV PCI-E Graphics Card

[Katreat]

Take a look at this review of video cards.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/01/...ics/index.html

alot of it depends on how big the GAMING part of the equation is. If you really want to game I would really try for an 8800 GT, GTS, or Radion 3850. The 8600 is a great all around card but not a strong gamer. The problem is those cards start at around $200 (US) and go up.

You definately want PCI e and don't mess around with SLI on a budget. I am assuming your MB has a PCIe slot, AGP is old technology and not readily avaliable any more.

If you need to stay in the price range of the 8600 then take a look at the Radion HD 2600 XT. It is generally considered about as good a performer.

kat

[UK-Cobra]

Thanks Kat. Ill look at the 8800's and the radion.

I know I said budget but the spec is far from budget I guess I was skimping on the graphics card which was a bit dumb Just going to have to spend some more money

The mobo is MSI's latest board yes it has PCI-E & PCI been waiting on availability as soon as they are in they are out lol Looking forward to it, hope its all its made up to be.

Ehm AGP I did say I was out of touch.

[UK-Cobra]

Thanks Kat it helped me re look at stuff properly and make another choice.

Ive ordered a (Radion Sapphire HD 3850 Pro 256Mb Gddr3 Duel DVI TVO PCI-E)