is this ok for hd use and gaming.......?

[sparkymarky]

After a previous post wherby i was going to use a pro2400 and have now decided against it, i'm wondering if any problems will arise from this system? (i'm about to get a pc grant of £300 and so may use the pc and a little £ to save buying ps3/hd dvd player)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ATHLON-DUAL-CO...QQcmdZViewItem


This is to be used for hd and gaming (dual hd player drive to be added).
Would connect to pj through dvi to hdmi adapter


couple of q's:

1.How will i output sound to amp?

i assume the dvi doesnt carry sound and i see no mention of spdif
assuming there is one does the seperate outputs for video and sound
cause lip synch problems??


2.How stable are these setups


i dont mind spending time setting things up and actually enjoy it
but will i continually have to be altering settings (so the system can cope eg graphics card settings etc)?
Once setup i just want to be able to load any hd or gaming disc
and crack on. dont mind changing odd setting but really not much.if this is the case i will go the usual standalone player route

[sparkymarky]

anyone?

[psikey]

I'd look for one with a 2600XT instead of the 8600GTS so you can pass video & audio over an HDMI connection. Similar gaming performance to a 8600GTS but looks like you have an AMP that can take the HDMI feed for the audio & pass over the Video to your HDTV. The 2600XT is also the best card for HDTV. I now have an 8800GT for gaming & HDTV but the 2600XT with HDMI video/sound support was better for HD media & blu-ray IMO.

The 8600GTS & 2600XT is not up to playing the latest games at decent fps/resolutions (i.e Crysis) but should be fine for games like Bioshock/GoW/Witcher at 1280x720 or 1366x768 type resolution.

[Grimleys]

Ask them for a quote for the Same PC with a Zotac 8800GT instead, should be a lot better for gaming & still do HD as well.

[psikey]

Originally Posted by Grimleys

Ask them for a quote for the Same PC with a Zotac 8800GT instead, should be a lot better for gaming & still do HD as well.

Doubt he will get a machine for under £300 with an 8800GT seeing as their £140-£170 just for the component.

[sparkymarky]

ah ok thanks for the advice psikey, i assumed the 2600 would still be poor as a gaming option however this may not be as much of an issue now anyway as a ps3 is on the horizon so will use the pc as a high def download machine thereby only really needing a good hd graphics option with hdmi........which the 2600 appears to be.

thanks again

[sparkymarky]

ah ok thanks for the advice psikey, i assumed the 2600 would still be poor as a gaming option however this may not be as much of an issue now anyway as a ps3 is on the horizon so will use the pc as a high def download machine thereby only really needing a good hd graphics option with hdmi........which the 2600 appears to be.

thanks again