GFX Cards + RAM

[Buzzsaw]

Hi all.
After being bored with Battlefield 2 sometimes working, and sometimes not, I have decided to purchase a new graphics card and some of that lovely stuff you call Random Access Memory.

My current specs:
AMD Athlon XP 2600+ 1.91Ghz
512Mb RAM
ATI Radeon 9550 256Mb

After looking on ebuyer for a few minutes I soon realised my problem. I have heard that the Nvidia 6600GT is a good, reliable budget card. So after searching for 'nvidia 6600GT' I was not sure the difference between the 6 or so different 6600GT's. They all appeared as the right card, but they were some made by different people, some needing 'PCI-E' slots, some using 'AGP8x' slots. Some with 128Mb memory, some with 256Mb. And to be honest (as i always normally skate around the subject, mostly i plain lie), I havn't got a CLUE which I should use?!

After giving up with the graphics cards, I proceeded to the RAM section. I was equally stumped. I would like at least 1Gb RAM, and I have two RAM slots in my computer (filled currently with x2 256Mb). However I'm not sure which RAM to select. The prices vary, but then I see some with 2 RAM sticks on top of each other (is this dual channel) and I don't know If my computer can handle it. Of course I want fairly inexpensive RAM, but not so cheap that its rubbish. Does the price show how 'decent' the RAM is going to be?

I hope you can make sense of this and help me out!
Thanks in advance. :)

[Lewiji]

Firstly, with your CPU, you'll be needing an AGP card. The RAM on the card is simply that, extra RAM reserved for the card's shading and texture rendering. A 6600GT is mid-high end of that generation of cards, the 6800 being the top end - Generally speaking, the more expensive a card, the better.

RAM you're looking at DDR. However, you'll need to find out what clock rate your motherboard supports, or what your current RAM is. It'll probably be marked as PC2800 or PC3200. The higher the price, the better the RAM, it's all to do with the timings of the RAM and the general build quality, however you don't need to worry about it specifically, just go for the most expensive you can afford. Dual channel probably isn't supported by your motherboard, but you can still use matched pairs, just not in dual channel mode.

The problem I'm seeing is that your CPU is weak also. While plenty of RAM and a decent graphics card will help you along your quest for gaming nirvana, your CPU is going to hold them both back, especially in BF2 which is heavily reliant on CPU.

[Nocashvalue]

For PCI-E and AGP8, look in your motherboard manual to see what type of graphics cards it supports.

edit: fag :rolleyes:

[lachie 7]

How much would you be willing to spend?

[Buzzsaw]

NOCA
I'm sorry I don't think I have my motherboard manual, and if I do I don't know where it is.
Lachie 7
£200. Will this be enough?
Lewiji My RAM doesn't have a PCXXXXX number, but it says DDR333(2.5) if this helps. Getting a new CPU would be nice, but then wouldn't it just be cheaper to buy a whole new PC? Edit: SO should I go for DDR or DDR2?

Edit 2:
So I figure I can get a cooooool 2Gb RAM matched pair job for £105:
Crucial 2Gb Matched pair kit (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=92005)

And then around a £95 graphics card?

[Nocashvalue]

Spend more on graphics card than RAM.

[Tiggs]

You'll be needing DDR ram, not DDR2, and DDR333 means you'll be needing some PC2700, although PC3200 usually only costs pennies more and you will be able to use it if you upgrade in the near future (don't worry about it if you don't plan to upgrade your CPU and motherboard in the distant future, because by then everything will have moved over to DDR2 and you won't be able to use it anyway)

Persionally I don't think 2GB is worth it with that CPU. It will be bottlenecking you badly and you'll see very little improvment over 1GB

[Buzzsaw]

Ok, so that sorts that one.Kingston 1Gb Matched pair (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=49296)

That RAM should do ok?

Theni could spend £150 on a pretty decent graphics card. Any suggestions?

[lachie 7]

Yep £200 should be fine for 1g of ram and a 6600 or if your motherboard supports PCI-E try and get a Radeon x700 ( keep in mind I dont know how much things cost over there)

[Buzzsaw]

So is PCI-E faster than AGP or something? Sorry I don't know these sort of things. And I still don't know what my motherboard is/supports.

[Lewiji]

PCI-E is a different slot entirely, yes it is faster (well, has more bandwidth)

[lachie 7]

PCI-E>AGP sorry thats the extent of my knowledge on that matter.

Edit: beaten

[Tiggs]

Yep, PCI-E is faster, and it also allows the graphics card companies to do fancy things like SLI and Crossfire, which you couldn't do on AGP. All Athlon XP boards are AGP (PCI-E wasn't around back then) so thats what you'll have

[Buzzsaw]

Ok, so I guess i'm restricted to AGP...
And now comes the question:
NVidia or Radeon? :p

[lachie 7]

Ok, so I guess i'm restricted to AGP...
And now comes the question:
NVidia or Radeon? :p
They both make great cards in my opinion but I'm sure someone can give an argument as to why one is better than the other.

Radeon FTW sorry :p

[Buzzsaw]

Ok then how about these two:
PowerColor X850XT 256mb DDR3 AGP VGA DVI VIVO (whatever that means!) (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=105306)

and then for RAM:
Kingston 1Gb Matched Pair (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=49296)

[Tiggs]

Go on a card by card basis, not my manufacturer.

This (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=98063) is a very good card for the money, and if you're feeling adventurous you can quite easily get it running at x850xt pe speeds, which would give you a hell of a lot of bang for your buck.

For a bit more money this (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=106643) would blow you away, value for money wise I don't think it can be beaten, and certainly will be better than that x850xt

[Buzzsaw]

Yes I was looking at the 7600Gt...but it's PCI-E and my motherboard only supports AGP I THINK. I really need to clarify whether I can run PCI-E.

On my motherboard I have a brown coloured slot in which my Radeon 9550 rests, and then I have 3 white coloured slots. Are they PCI-E or something entirely different?

[Tiggs]

I could have sworn that said AGP, my bad.

The brown slot is AGP, and white ones are PCI (not PCI-E)

[Buzzsaw]

No problem mate you're beign a great help! So i've got the RAM sorted, now I just need some help selectin my graphics card! :S

[Stringy Pete]

If you can find one for your budget go with the Radeon X850. Failing that get a 6800GS.

edit: my money would be on
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/6600AGP_Series.html
3rd one down

or
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/AGP.html
Second one down.

[Buzzsaw]

Ok well thanks a ton guys I think I have decided.
But does anyone know how I can find out what motherboard I have? So I can get the best RAM suited to my motherboard.

[Nocashvalue]

If your PC was pre built, check the company's website and search for your model; you may find specs there.

[Tiggs]

CPU-Z (http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php)

Run it and click on the Motherboard tab

[Buzzsaw]

http://img434.imageshack.us/img434/580/motherboarddetails2cx.jpg
There we go, thanks Tiggs/Philbob!

[The Grim Reaper]

Hmmm, if its Nvidia chip, myself i would go after an nvidia card to narrow down any problems.
For example, im getting a MSI board with Nforce 4 and a MSI Nvidia 7900GT. You dont have to keep branding the same, but im not sure on whether the Nforce 2 chipset will like an ATI card, it probably will, but you have to check that.

But yes, that comfirms you have AGP, not PCI-E, on an Asus board, one of these (http://uk.asus.com/search.aspx?searchitem=1&searchkey=A7N8X) to be more precise. I couldnt find the LA board, but those will be close enough in spec.

[Stringy Pete]

Wow, not much in the way of detectives are we guys...

His processor is an Athlon XP, which means he cannot have PCI-E, unless I missed something and someone has been creating chipsets for old hardware. It also means he has a 333MHz FSB, which would mean DDR333 RAM (pc2700).
I'm disappointed in you all.

[Lewiji]

Wow, not much in the way of detectives are we guys...

His processor is an Athlon XP, which means he cannot have PCI-E, unless I missed something and someone has been creating chipsets for old hardware. It also means he has a 333MHz FSB, which would mean DDR333 RAM (pc2700).
I'm disappointed in you all.
Ahem

Firstly, with your CPU, you'll be needing an AGP card.

Also, I'm fairly certain my old AthlonXP board supported PC3200

[Stringy Pete]

Ahem



Also, I'm fairly certain my old AthlonXP board supported PC3200
Yeah, but there was a kerfuffle as to what RAM he'd need as opposed to what he could get.
Also there was much ummage and ahhage from others (not you) talking about PCI-E and all sorts. I know you're well versed in techyness.

[Buzzsaw]

Ok, well no need to fight over it is there children?! :p

This (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=18034323431&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=52062) is PC2700 RAM so there go with that one.

Now I thought I had decided on the Radeon X850XT but it's still being thought about. BTW, I have a Radeon card ATM and admittedly, I do have some problems occasionally, but I can't find a fairly decent Nvidia card for my price.

EDIT: Just thought of somethign else; will the monsterous fan on the X850XT keep it nice and cool? I'd rather not buy it and find I keep overheating and crashing or something to that effect!

[Lewiji]

To be honest, if you can find out if your board supports PC3200 I'd go for it, even if it has to run in PC2700 mode...If you ever upgrade, you'll appreciate the difference without having to buy new RAM.

Also, yes the fan will keep it cool provided you have a decent airflow in your case (ie fit a case fan or two if you haven't got one, preferably one blowing in somewhere and another blowing out, I have one blowing in at the back and one blowing out at the top)

[Buzzsaw]

Righto. You guys have been a tremendous help and without you I would have bought probably some useless stuff! Now all I have to do is spend my next 2 weeks of my holidays working for the money! :D

I will attempt to see if my board supports PC3200, although how I'm not to sure. I suppose I'll try getting in touch with ASUS.

[Buzzsaw]

UPDATE (sorry for double post):
1. I can only use PC2700 RAM.
2. I need a new PSU...my current one is only 250 Watts.

Looks like it's gonna get expensive :(

[Lewiji]

I wouldn't skimp on PSU, they're very liable to blow with no notice other than a wiff of burning plastic.

That said, I got a fantastic 600w PSU from a computer fair for 15 quid, a way you can tell if they're high quality is 1) if the packaging is not just a blank box, 2) it comes with accessories (thus will have some manufacturing value), and 3) it's reasonably heavy.

[Coroona]

Hey guys, sorry for the mega bump but I guessed it was easier asking for help in this thread rather than making a new one. No biggie anyway...

What im after is some help upgrading my pc, it's a dell dimension which isn't a great start but I got it through work on the cheap so I can't grumble. It handles itself pretty well but what i'd really like is to be able to run stuff like HL2 with full HDR on, BF2 and Advanced Warfighter 2 looking sexy. The usual.

The problem is I don't know where to start, im guessing the first port of call should be the graphics card. Im willing to spend up to £150 on the graphics card, a bit more if it's really really needed. Then comes RAM, im thinking another GB should do me but what do you think? Lastly the CPU, if at all possible i'd prefer to keep using the one I have but is it beefy enough? The problem is the case looks pretty cramped and I can see it being a nightmare getting the MOBO out and changing it.

My system specs are here and i've enclosed some screenies that could tell you a lot more about my system than I ever could.

Pentium 4 3.4GHz
1GB RAM
ATI Radeon X600 256 MB

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/5977/cpuaz0.th.jpg (http://img125.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cpuaz0.jpg)
http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/9498/mobopv2.th.jpg (http://img125.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mobopv2.jpg)
http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/7071/specsrq9.th.jpg (http://img125.imageshack.us/my.php?image=specsrq9.jpg)

Any suggestions that help me get on the way to gaming bliss will be very much appreciated!

[The Mna]

UPDATE (sorry for double post):
1. I can only use PC2700 RAM.
2. I need a new PSU...my current one is only 250 Watts.

Looks like it's gonna get expensive :(


Don't bother spending a lot on a psu.. actually your 250w one might do the job just fine. A c2d system with an 8800 gtx actually only draws about 380w on load, and thats with some of the most power hungry components there are. Your AMD system probably doesn't draw very much power at all right now (amd is known for their power efficiency) and I'm not totally sure about the radeon 850, but it doesn't draw anywhere near as much as the 8800 gtx.

Try using your PSU before buying another..if it works, great. If it doesn't, you can buy a pretty reliable 350w or 400w much cheaper than some of the 500w+ PSUs, which are overkill in most systems they're used in.