Upgrade - Ram or Graphic Card ?

zc1 · 12-12-2006, 11:31

Hi,

I have decided not to sell my PC Tower and would like help as to what upgrade to do, I have around ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£100 and was thinking about either Ram or Graphic Card.

I am looking to speed the computer up and make games play smoother. As I tried a couple of demos out, both racing games and the steering was like press left or right and it did a sharp left or right as it seemed to freeze, unsure if this was just the demos, however games like Need for Speed: Carbon (Latest) plays fine, quake 4 seems to play fine.

What would you recommend to upgrade

Ram upgrade to 2gb (2x 1gb)

Or

Graphic card upgrade to Nvidia GeForce 7600GS 512MB DDR2 AGP8x

This has to last me till my new Build which will not be till the end of 2007, when I plan to upgrade to dual/quad core.

Regards,
Garry

12-12-2006, 11:36

refresh memory on rest of spec please

ok looked at spec upgrade the gfx

but not a GS buy a GT (edit link was to pci e what a noob i am)

here is a nice GS http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Product...33&GroupID=331

here is a nicer GT http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=462642

zc1 · 12-12-2006, 12:07

Hi,

I currently have a Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 - 256mb.

Just curious how would the GT be better as it has 256mb DDR3, and the GS has 512mb DDR2 ?

How better would the GT (256mb DDR3) be over my current GeForce FX5200 (256mb DDR)

Thank you for all your help

Regards,
Garry

Aragorn · 12-12-2006, 12:19

The GT has GPU clocked at 560Mhz (rather than 420 on GS) and memory clocked at 1300Mhz (vs 400Mhz).
Either card will be a HUGE difference over an FX5200
Check out this chart on Toms Hardware the FX5200 is down the bottom. Now compare the top card on that last 6800Ultra with the 7600GT on here.

MovedGoalPosts · 12-12-2006, 12:49

I'd go for a graphics rather than RAM upgrade. Assuming you are buying PCIe, if you upgrade the GPU you could potentially reuse that card in any new PC you build in the forseable future. RAM on the other hand would probably not be reusable due to different timings. I'm assuming you do have 1GB RAM at present.

12-12-2006, 13:24

nothing stopping you using a agp card in a asrock board later with a new intel. rob have you missed all my answers relating to the dual boards

12-12-2006, 13:46

I have just upgraded my PC memory from 1Gig PC3200 to 2Gig PC4200 and have only noticed a 9% improvement using 3dmark01. I now wish I had simply upgraded my crap ATI X300 graphics card. I am watching Ebay for something like an ATI X850 at a bargain price.

MovedGoalPosts · 12-12-2006, 14:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

nothing stopping you using a agp card in a asrock board later with a new intel. rob have you missed all my answers relating to the dual boards

Nope I have seen them, but although the dual AGP / PCIe boards are good, they will inevitably have some compromise over a dedicated PCIe only board. If nothing else AGP does not have the same pipeline bandwidth potential as PCIe. That has to count for something if you are lookinng at future upgrade potential.

12-12-2006, 14:21

yes but the boards are cheap so you do not have to throw all your money in a complete build all in one go its a stepping stone and imo a very good one

as far as bandwidth if your not buying top end your not likely to be that bothered about a cycle here or a cycle there

AndrewJ · 12-12-2006, 14:48

[Admin Edit(Mick):- Inappropriate Comments Removed]

12-12-2006, 14:51

dont start dude

AndrewJ · 12-12-2006, 14:53

[Admin Edit(Mick):- Post Removed - Post like this again and your account will be terminated]

MovedGoalPosts · 12-12-2006, 14:57

Calm down now!

It's simple he asked for advice, he also suggested he would be upgrading the whole PC in the future. It is entirely logical therefore to suggest options on GPUs that might provide better reuse upgrade paths.

No one person has a control over the precise topic coverage of a thread. Whilst we do not accept off topic - it is entirely reasonable for any thread on IT components to discuss relationships with other components.

---------- Post added at 14:57 ---------- Previous post was at 14:56 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felinix_Devotion

God no wonder i left this place.

Cya

Bye

zc1 · 12-12-2006, 15:10

Hi,

Before I decide which one to order, will the GT or GS (AGP) take the same ammount of power as the current Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 - 256mb AGP or will it take more, as I think it currently has a 350 Power Pack, not sure though didn't build this one ?

Thank you all for your help

Regards,
Garry

12-12-2006, 15:12

well the 7600's ive used have not needed extra power added from the molex

---------- Post added at 15:12 ---------- Previous post was at 15:10 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felinix_Devotion

Try keeping to what he asked for? instead of ramming down advice he doesn't want.

It's a simple thing Zingle honestly not everyone is after a top end super dooper the latest super whizz computer Intel Duo Core. Or the hassle of a new build, I appreciate your enthusiasm and your advice but come on did he ask for advice on a new build?

Did he ask for advice on replacing his motherboard?

NO!

He asked for ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£100 ram or gfx and what to get.

God no wonder i left this place.

Cya

I did keep to what he wanted. Not everyone is prepared to throw money away like you have ..If I can save someone from making a mistake then I will.If they dont listen and still throw the money away then more fool them... Also read my sig see if I care about your paddy