Need help deciding

Hey Everyone!

I have a dilemna...sort of. I have been thinking about getting a new set of speakers, I had decided to get the Altec Lansing 641's. From reviews, these speakers were in one word...AWESOME. I have a fairly decent set of speakers now, but one speaker occasionally cuts out. I feel a new set of wires would correct this.

After thinking about for awhile, with all of the new games coming out, I only have a GF2 GTS w/32MB of DDR on it. It's a nice card that plays games quite well, but its time is surely passing rapidly.

I can't afford a GF4 (nor will I pay $400 for a video card). I have been looking at GF3's. But those are getting harder to find in my area with the GF4's out. While at CompUSA the other day, the ATI Radeon 8500 LE w/128MB of DDR caught my eye. After reading the reviews, I have come to the determination that this card is VERY similar to a GF3 Ti500. I pretty much have been swayed towards getting the card, but wanted to run it by everyone first. Which would you get? The video card or the speakers?

Thanks in advance for your input.

The Radeon 8500 without any shadow of a doubt in my mind.
If you have a semi-decent amplifier nearby the PC you could always run a cable to that instead of buying seperate speakers. I would rather pay a little bit extra and buy a Pioneer amplifier and a reasonable set of speakers than spend an more than £50-60 on a set of PC speakers TBH.

[quote]Originally posted by nytiger73:
<strong>Hey Everyone!

I have a dilemna...sort of. I have been thinking about getting a new set of speakers, I had decided to get the Altec Lansing 641's. From reviews, these speakers were in one word...AWESOME. I have a fairly decent set of speakers now, but one speaker occasionally cuts out. I feel a new set of wires would correct this.

After thinking about for awhile, with all of the new games coming out, I only have a GF2 GTS w/32MB of DDR on it. It's a nice card that plays games quite well, but its time is surely passing rapidly.

I can't afford a GF4 (nor will I pay $400 for a video card). I have been looking at GF3's. But those are getting harder to find in my area with the GF4's out. While at CompUSA the other day, the ATI Radeon 8500 LE w/128MB of DDR caught my eye. After reading the reviews, I have come to the determination that this card is VERY similar to a GF3 Ti500. I pretty much have been swayed towards getting the card, but wanted to run it by everyone first. Which would you get? The video card or the speakers?

Thanks in advance for your input.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Definetely get a video card. You will notice that much more than a new set of speakers. I personally would buy the GeForce 3 but the Radeon is nice too. Good Luck!

I'll tell you, I have the coolest girl on the planet. I decided on the video card, thanks to those who replied. However, my lady is letting me get the GF4 Ti4400. WHOOO HOOOO!!!!!!

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

[quote]Originally posted by nytiger73:
<strong>I'll tell you, I have the coolest girl on the planet. I decided on the video card, thanks to those who replied. However, my lady is letting me get the GF4 Ti4400. WHOOO HOOOO!!!!!!

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!</strong><hr></blockquote>

your one lucky guy. :)

[quote]Originally posted by nytiger73:
<strong>...However, my lady is letting me get the GF4 Ti4400. WHOOO HOOOO!!!!!!

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!</strong><hr></blockquote>

I hate you. Really.

J/K :p

[quote]Originally posted by nytiger73:
<strong>I'll tell you, I have the coolest girl on the planet. I decided on the video card, thanks to those who replied. However, my lady is letting me get the GF4 Ti4400. WHOOO HOOOO!!!!!!

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!</strong><hr></blockquote>

Very nice card, I have had one since they first came out, be sure to go to <a href="http://www.nvidia.com" target="_blank">www.nvidia.com</a> to get the demos so thta you can really see the power of the card