My last computer was "only" a Notebook with a ATi Radeon 9600 mobility.
Ok, i was able to play HL2, but only in 800x600 and no AntiAliasing.
Before the notebook i was having a ATi Radeon 9600 Pro and i was contented with it. It was enough... at that time.
But now with HL2, FarCry & NFSU2 on my harddisk, i wanted MORE.
I'm very contented with my new graphic card.
But, when the ATi X800 would be not so much expensive (539,- Euro), i would have bought a X800 !!!
Here are the prices i have paid here in germany:
259,- Euro - CPU incl. Fan
244,- Euro - Leadtec nVidia GeForce 6800 LE
199,- Euro - Corsair DualChannel RAM
119,- Euro - Mainboard
79,- Euro - NEC 3500A(G) DVD-Burner
69,- Euro - Midi-Tower Case
52,- Euro - 80GB Samsung 7200 HDD (i also have a 120 MB HDD)
29,- Euro - FloppyDiskDrive with integrated 5in1 CardReader (Teac)
28,- Euro - Toshiba SD-M1802 DVD-Rom
(I think, at the earliest if my little son is old enough to play at a PC, I will spend money for a new PC. When my wife was seeing the bills, the first thing she said "i want new shoes"
. But i have sold my notebook, so i only have paid 44,- Euro !!!)