High end Wild Dog vs stock Leopard

[echo314]

My parents recently offered to pony up around $800 for me to purchase a computer (something to do with me working my *** off in college). I'm set on system76, I like what I have heard about them for the past year or so I've trolled this forum. I'm definitely looking at the Wild Dog or Leopard...So whats the difference between a decked out Wild Dog vs a Leopard with close-to-stock options? Does a high end Core Quad beat a low end Core i7?

The Dog comes with 8GB ram, while the Leopard maxes at 6? Does the speed make that much of a difference, that the 6 would out-preform the 8GB?

One more thing...the stock 512 MB ATI Radeon 4550 PCI-Express x16 GDDR3 that comes with the Wild Dog, would that be considered sufficient to play any modern game, on modest quality settings? Or is the lowest common denominator set a little higher now...I sure would like to try SC2 (when it comes out), and maybe EVE in the meantime.

I could just about match my parents contribution, so if I went for the leopard I would not be able to go above stock on more than one/two parts, where as if I went with the Dog i could max it out more or less.

[thomasaaron]

Does a high end Core Quad beat a low end Core i7?

I think the low end i7 will perform faster. They have no front side bus (like the quad). The architecture is completely different, and more efficient.

The Dog comes with 8GB ram, while the Leopard maxes at 6? Does the speed make that much of a difference, that the 6 would out-preform the 8GB?

Yes, the RAM on the Leopard is quite a bit faster and will outperform the dog's 8GB.

One more thing...the stock 512 MB ATI Radeon 4550 PCI-Express x16 GDDR3 that comes with the Wild Dog, would that be considered sufficient to play any modern game, on modest quality settings?

I'm not a gamer by any stretch of the imagination, but I'd say that you would need to upgrade a notch or two to play *any* game well. I've seen some 3D games played fine on it. But I'm not sure how it would do with some of the heavier games.

Perhaps there are some customers out there who game on the dog...

[cascade9]

Actually, the Wild Dog has 2GB unless you upgrade, the Leopard 3GB

EVE should play fine as should sc2 (if you mean starcraft 2), even with a 4550.

To be honest, I find the pricing a litte bit excessive. I could source the same level parts as the Leopard, in australia, for about US $1100 or so (depending). But I'm used to building my own machines.

[echo314]

Thanks for the advice thomasaaron. I decided on the Leopard, because I know I'm not going to have funds to get another comp anytime soon, so i might as well get the best architecture I can get.

You've already been so helpful, but now I want to talk about the stock vid card that comes with the Leopard. I've read that thats basically a rebranding of the 9800 GTX+, or something similar...and that there are several models of the 250 floating around (the latest being more efficient, less wattage, etc). Can you confirm or deny that there are multiple versions of the 250 nVidia card, and if so what one Sys76 is offering?

Thanks thomas! (and cascade9, or course).

I've considered building one (the one I'm using now I built), but it seems Sys76 provides excellent support with the drivers, which is a plus.

[thomasaaron]

Yeah, I've heard stuff to that effect too. I think that *basically* they rebranded the 9800GTX+.

But if you compare the specs of the 9800GTX+...
http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_9800_gtx_plus_us.html

...and the 250...
http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_gts_250_us.html

You'll see that they do have some minor spec differences and options.

I'm not aware of multiple versions of the 250 out there, although it wouldn't surprise me. I also wouldn't consider it to be of much importance. There is a 512MB version and a 1GB version. Perhaps that is what you mean. If so, we offer the 512MB version.

[cascade9]

Yeah, I've heard stuff to that effect too. I think that *basically* they rebranded the 9800GTX+.

I'm not aware of multiple versions of the 250 out there, although it wouldn't surprise me. I also wouldn't consider it to be of much importance. There is a 512MB version and a 1GB version. Perhaps that is what you mean. If so, we offer the 512MB version.

Yep, pretty much. The 9800GTX+ basically a dieshrunk 9800GTX, which is basically just an upclocked 8800GTS (version 2, g92), which is basically a upclocked 8800GT. There are differences, not all of which appear on spec sheets (IIRC the 250s have a lower power draw than the 9800GTX+).

There is also a 2048MB version-

http://www.guru3d.com/article/palit-geforce-gts-250-2048mb-review-test/

I believe that there was some g92a GTS250s (65nm) and some g92b GTS 250s (55nm), but I am not 100% sure. Honestly, I doubt there is any real difference between GTS250s apart from that if it is true. Well, theres always banding differences (company x uses a higher voltage/speed fan/heatsink to company y etc) but nothing major.

echo314- yeah, I always forget 'support'. I dont mind dealing with stuff that most PC users cant stand LOL. Enjoy your boxxen when you get it ;)