Resolved Bootup does not finish anymore

Finally got iTunes fixed. Now I have some IE issue to resolve and my search for a PCIe buddy.

 

I did try out IE8, but I am sorry to say that I have gone back to 7. I had nothing but problems with 8 so I could not recommend it. That is with Vista Ultimate.

 

I went to IE7 and I am pretty happy with it. I love the additional printer functions (Shrink to Fit, etc) and it did solve my problem...... yes, THAT one.

My poor son bought a war game and it won't play. I think that it is because of the old Rage video card's limitations (a card's got to know it limitations).

Still looking for a PCIe buddy. May take it the Geek Squad to have them test it out, just to get me off this spot. I will call up and get a quote first.

 

You seriously have no access to another PCIe-capable PC?

 

I kid thee not. Most of my friends just graduated Abacus 101.

Just checked with Best Buy... .min $100.00!! Yikes!!!! I guess I will wait a little longer.

 

What a rip-off. Reminds me of a few years back when I ran out of CDROM audio cables and went to CompUSA to buy just one on a Sunday. They wanted $18 for what I was buying online for 25¢ each in bulk. No, I didn't buy it and I never went in one of their stores again.

 

I am actually looking at new graphics cards. For $100 I could just get a new one! Many of them are now spec'd at PCI Express 2.0 x16. I have PCI Express 1.0 on my A8N-SLI Dlx, right? Is that a problem?

Many of the new designations are different, too. Is there a resource that compares the native strengths of various levels of cards. For example, 7600GT, vs 9800GT, vs 4830, vs 4670, vs GTS 250? They are all seemingly priced withing a few dollars of each other.

 

I think Christer was the one who originally posted this link, but Larry your prayers have been answered. Try this one on for size.

 

Hey Rock and Pete, the 8800GT (or the 9800GT) looks like a winner. Maybe the GTX would be even better with the dual Holleys and the Posi !! Actually adding X's adds a lot of power consumption. Must be those dual Holleys after all. Great site too!! GPUReview.com

There is also the ATi 4850/4870 series that looks pretty good but I have reservations about ATi. Software is bloated, support used to be terrible, drivers used to be buggy. Better now??

BTW, it appears that all PCIe x16 2.0 cards are backwards compatible to 1.0. Also, it has been said that PCI-E 2.0 only comes into play if you have 2 cards crossfired or sli enabled. Some say that they require a 6 pin PCIe power connector. I'll see if I have an extra one.

I am seeing some very attractively priced refurbs on ebay.

As always, thanks a lot!!

 

I agree - I have never owned an ATI card, and when my dad upgrades his PC, he will also be reverting to nVidia. The only thing I dislike about them is the scareware they implement in the drivers for some cards...

 

ebay- 9800GT Video Cards by Price

 

well boys I disagree I only use ATI in 3 machines. nVidea drivers of late I find not very stable, I have not an inch of problems with ATI drivers and since you use AMD CPU ATI comes from the same stable.
The last ATI card I bought is a ATI 4650 and it performs very well for me as I am NOT a Gamer, different if you are a gamer it also has HDMI connector.

 

Hey Hawk, thanks for the reality check. Since my son has one game in particular that he wants to play, Empire- Total War, I need a semi-gamer card, at least. I guess that I would have to get a 4850 or 4870... if I were to get a Radeon based card, that is.

 

Hi Larry, have a look at its bigger brother the 4670

http://www.motherboards.org/reviews/hardware/1815_1.html

 

I am now deciding betwen an EVGA 9800GT and the HIS 4850. They are almost the same price, have equally good reviews, same warranty and similar power requirements. EVGA is better known, but HIS has its famous ICEQ4 cooling system. Leaning towards HIS. Any thoughts?

HIS HD 4850

EVGA 9800GT

 

I tell you what would help: If the links were different for each card.

 

Here's a pretty good way to compare. I think you can home in on specific manufacturers lower on the page too.

 

Hey Luke, picky, picky, picky. (btw, thanks, fixed).

Thanks the GPUReview site, Rock, v nice. Overall, the 4850 looks about same or a hair better. Reviews for both are pretty glowing so I guess I need to flip a coin.