thanks for all the input had a good day for work so got some more euros for the new machine. going custom just got to get the right rig config. take on broad about more gigs 4 should do.? what about the asus striker extreme 680i sli motherbroad with nvidia gf9800gtx 512mo or nvividia gtx260 896pc-e.? will this be to hot for the ( be quiet atx650watts dark power )and the avance slimtower mt/480w/atx ? also find a good site on the web for all sorts things ie tech data /downloads the nvidia tray is cool can know overclock my nvgf7300 on the laptop (i know the risks) also how a graphics card works just alittle .have a look (tweakguides.com) its quite cool if like me your new to this game.

Oh well...after all this conversation I was convinced to trundle out and get myself a 'better' AGP card...haven't installed it yet...but it means out with the 9600xt and in with the Powercolor 3850HD.

Guy at the 'shop' said "reviving an old computer?'...and I said  "no, just making my prime one a little better"...and added "I do have an 'old' one though... an Apple 2c"  to which he replied "I have a 2e, myself".

Mine was $5 ....his was free.

The card was 225 AUD....;)

It's in....bloody big thing compared to the 9600....

Now my Solitaire is.......'smokin' .....;)

i know the feeling, jafo! i am not a gamer by any definition. with my radeon 4850, intel 8400, and 8 gb of memory, my solitaire cards are "smokin", too. LOL

i'm *pretty* sure i'm going to get a GTX 260 next month. i'd get an HD 4870 instead if i were only looking for gaming performance, but the two are close enough for gaming and nVidia cards are much better at simulating protein folding