Video Cards and Processors

[Gscope]

Ive been getting into computers more and more for the past 5 years. And I understand quite a lot about them just a few things more I have questions about.

Well I was looking at graphics cards and trying to determine why some where more expensive than others and why people like certain ones. I really want to know what exactly I should be looking at that determines its performance. Not just how much memory it has but ... the Core clock the memory clock what the difference is between GDDR3 and GDDR2. And If 100 MHz more really is a significant difference.

like for this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814131007 This seems pretty good and its stats are up there with other good cards. But why so cheap ?
Of course I could just buy the most popular and just stick with that... but I want to know why the popular one would be better.



And another thing Processors. For the longest time AMD has been better for gaming than Intel... But now Ive heard that Intel is coming out with a processor that is going to be affordable and blow the AMD 3800 X2 Away. And that Intel is going to be better than AMD now. I know that they have been battling for a bit now but what is really the case? What is this new processor? And is it really going to be all that much more greater than AMD ?




~thanks

 

[Trotter]

But why so cheap ?

Core clock 400MHz
Memory Clock 980MHz
PowerColor is a low-end manufacturer.

 

[Nukem]

Do a search in the forums for Conroe and you will read all the answers to your questions about the AMD/INTEL battle.

As for GPU's. it's the specs and the company. That's another battle if you want to read... Nvidia vs. ATI. Both of these have been MORE than covered (beaten realy) in the forum.

 

[Gscope]

Thanks ill search for those now.

 

[AnthraX]

There are a lot of things that add to a GPU's performance. In most cases, you want to find benchmarks on the internet to help determine how well the card is against others, and ask peoples opinions.

Google "Conroe" or "Core 2 Duo" and you'll get a lot of information about Intel's next processor. Here's some links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_2_Duo
http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/07/14/core2_duo_knocks_out_athlon_64/
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2795

 

[Pepsiboy700]

Depends what core that is. If you lucky and you got a better cooler (not neccessary but I recommend) you could flash it to a x850xtpe.

 

[massacreinfallx]

The CPU youve been hearing about is the conroe. The realease is August 7th, and yes it is going to blow amd away. You can get your hands on a CPU worthy of competing with the AMD 62-fx for around 300 dollars.