The 8800 card is 329 at the local dealer but i can get this card for 139Asus EN8600GT SILENT/HTDP/256M nVidia 8600GT Chipset (540Mhz)
Im only looking to spend 200 canadian on the video card but I also have a new samsunf widescreen monitore so I wanna maximize its potential with movies and games
I would wait until you can afford the 8800GT, or you will be disappointed again...
And get another 1GB of exactly the same RAM.
And get another 1GB of exactly the same RAM.
i agree, don't waste your time with the 8600 series, it's old tech and you'll be looking to upgrade again in a few months, get one of the ATI cards that came out recently or a 256 8800gt, but don't go with old tech
If I buy more expenxive ram will it make a large diffrence if so ill replace booth or will the cheap ram do?
If your looking for the best bang for the buck, you can check on prices for an ATI HD3850 with 256MB or ram or 512MB of ram depending on your screen resolution (>1600x1200 or 1680x1050 needs 512MB). The HD3850s are generally in better supply and were cheaper to begin with. As long as you don't have a huge screen it should be plenty for most games.
taltamir
Lifer
- Mar 21, 2004
- 13,576
- 6
- 76
Those are completely different cards.
I would say you should really upgrade your video card, and then the ram. Then you would be good for all games (you wouldn't be maxing crysis... but almost nobody can do that anyways)
The video card you suggested (8600GT) for 139 is much weaker then current gen mid range products. the 8800GT you found for 329$ is 1. overpriced. 2. has 512MB of ram... he recommended you get the 256MB of ram 8800GT (which is 200$ not 300$). And should have almost the same performance for the resolution you are playing at...
For a more budget oriented card get the Radeon HD3850 256MB. It is about 160$, about the same "bang for the buck" as the 8800GT 256MB but at a lower price point. And it will be much much faster then the 139$ 8600GT (regardless of how many MB of ram it has).
As for upgrading your ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820220174
This ram is pretty good and is 30$ after mail in rebate (many 2GB kits now go with a 40$ mail in rebate because most vista users should get 4GB, but since you are running XP you don't need to). Use it to REPLACE your current ram. (it is a lot faster as well as 2GB, which is what you need).
Just make sure to install them in the right colored slot (check the manual for your motherboard to see the correct color coding).
The price you paid isn't too bad really. While the video upgrade will give you a much greater benefit, due to the fact a good video card costs 150-200$ and the ram you need only costs 30$, you will get more bang for the buck doing the ram upgrade... the lack of ram will also hold back your new video card. But you should really get both...
Upgrading the processor will give you the LEAST improvement at the highest cost. And you don't even need it for most current games.
taltamir
Lifer
- Mar 21, 2004
- 13,576
- 6
- 76
I messed up and didn't post the link to the ram I Was talking about, so here you go:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820220174
This ram is 30$ after mail in rebate and is also pretty damn good.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820220174
This ram is 30$ after mail in rebate and is also pretty damn good.
Yeah there seems to be a lot of confusion.
The biggest problem with that computer (like a lot of people are saying) is its weak video card. Also 1 GB of RAM is simply not enough.
Get the RAM for sure - it's cheap and will be a nice boost. Don't worry about getting faster RAM, just match what you have. RAM speed hardly matters these days
The video card, a Radeon 3850 would be a great choice, as would be a 256mb 8800gt. If you can't afford either of those, an X1950gt would be a good bet also.
~Misfit
The biggest problem with that computer (like a lot of people are saying) is its weak video card. Also 1 GB of RAM is simply not enough.
Get the RAM for sure - it's cheap and will be a nice boost. Don't worry about getting faster RAM, just match what you have. RAM speed hardly matters these days
The video card, a Radeon 3850 would be a great choice, as would be a 256mb 8800gt. If you can't afford either of those, an X1950gt would be a good bet also.
~Misfit
GuitarDaddy
Lifer
- Nov 9, 2004
- 11,465
- 1
- 0
Definately upgrade the video card the following cards are all you should consider arranged by performance and price
8800GT 512mb>8800GT 256mb=?3870>3850>1950XT the 3850 256k seems to be the best fit for your budget and will handle newer games very nicely
8800GT 512mb>8800GT 256mb=?3870>3850>1950XT the 3850 256k seems to be the best fit for your budget and will handle newer games very nicely
Thanx alot guys im gonna get the ram this week and On boxing day Ive already scoped out theradeon 3850 so now its just a waiting game Im very glad I found this site and it will never leave my favourites. THanx guys and gals if any(lol)
8800GT 512mb>3870 512mb and 8800GT 256mb->3850->2900->1950XT->79xx
your sweet spot for $200 CND is probably going to be the 3850.
If money is the issue then you may want to wait just a couple weeks as all the 8800gt and 38xx cards just came out and prices are being inflated due to high demand.
The msrp on the 8800gt 512 is suppose to be $200-250 but do to demand are selling for $270-300+. AMD/ATI's 38xx series is a bit easier to find and have comparable (little slower) performance.
If your going to keep this box for an extended period of time, dont let $20-30 keep you from the better 8800gt/3870 cards.. you may just have to wait to the new year to find one at or below (sale) MSRP.
taltamir
Lifer
- Mar 21, 2004
- 13,576
- 6
- 76
Wow... with christmas coming even the 3850s are running out of stock... if this computer is NOT a christmas gift then I Would wait for right after christmas to buy...
I am assuming thats what "boxing day" means right? the day after christmas?
Anyways congrats on your ram purchase. With the mail in rebates for almost all 2x1GB ram at 30-40$ they make an excellent buy right now (everyone is getting 2x2GB packs for vista... driving the 2x1GB packs price down)... you could run 4x1 for vista but it might be a little tricky due to the 1 rebate per product limit, so you would need two DIFFERENT ram types to get the rebates for both
I am assuming thats what "boxing day" means right? the day after christmas?
Anyways congrats on your ram purchase. With the mail in rebates for almost all 2x1GB ram at 30-40$ they make an excellent buy right now (everyone is getting 2x2GB packs for vista... driving the 2x1GB packs price down)... you could run 4x1 for vista but it might be a little tricky due to the 1 rebate per product limit, so you would need two DIFFERENT ram types to get the rebates for both
Quiksilver
Diamond Member
- Jul 3, 2005
- 4,725
- 0
- 71
I agree with taltamir, if they are still in stock after X-mas, you might be able to get a really good deal on one.
Btw, OP instead of double and triple posting can you just use the edit button?
Btw, OP instead of double and triple posting can you just use the edit button?
Quiksilver
Diamond Member
- Jul 3, 2005
- 4,725
- 0
- 71
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