extra 512mb or better video card?

[theMan]

My parents said they would buy me something for my computer for my birthday. They want to keep it below $200 because they already got me some other stuff. I was wondering what would be the best thing for me to get. this computer is almost all for gaming.

Athlon 64 3200+ Winchester @2850mhz
Asus A8v deluxe
XFX geforce 6600gt agp
corsair twinx512-3200c2pt (2x256mb)
seasonic supersilencer 400w
maxtor diamondmax plus 9
thermalright xp-90
nec 3520a
antec p160
sony multiscan g400 tinitron CRT

more info in my sig.

i was thinking that maybe i could get more ram, since 512mb isnt enough, but i dont know if i want to run 4 dimms. i want dual channel, so 3 is no good. so i would have to get a 2x512 kit, but then i would have to deal with selling my other sticks. im not sure what to do. maybe i could upgrade the video card and sell my current one so it comes out to $200? not sure what would be the best upgrade for gaming.

 

[CalvinHobbes]

1GB of RAM would probably be a good idea. The 6600GT is not a slow card and unless you want to play at higher res with AA/AF you probably don't need a faster video card.

Sell your RAM on the forums.

 

[shoRunner]

ram

 

[imported_Pressure]

Get 1GB of RAM.

 

[Tostada]

If you want to go to the trouble of selling your video card, you might be able to pick up something like an X800XL. For under $200 you could also get a Raptor.

It seems to be pretty common knowledge that lower latancies don't help an A64 much, and running dual channel isn't even that important. I would just get one or two 1GB sticks. If you get one, it'll run single-channel, but you can get good overclocker memory and upgrade to 2GB in a year. If you get two, you can get the cheap Corsair CL3 which runs CL 2.5 just fine. I'd definitely just get 2x1GB of Corsair for $170 if you're not overclocking.

1GB Patriot 2-3-2 = $134
http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220045

1GB Corsair = $85
http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145505

You're in a tough situation here because you got two small sticks running in dual-channel, which is a waste because now you can't use either of them. Don't put yourself in that boat all over again with 2x512, unless you're going to run 4 sticks. Actually, running 4 DIMMs really doesn't hurt performance significantly, either, so why not just get 2x512 and have 1.5 GB? That much RAM will probably last you until DDR is outdated.

If you look at some actual benchmarks, you'll see that dropping down to single channel, or running 4 sticks at 2T doesn't change much. Running CL2.5 or CL3 is almost totally insignificant, though, so if you're not overclocking just get 2GB of cheap RAM.

 

[theMan]

yeah, but what about having to run at ddr333 since i have a winnie, not a venice? and also, i am overclocking. my 3200+ is running at 2850mhz right now.

 

[theMan]

how about this stuff?

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/m...dr_pc_3200_dual_channel_platinum_rev_2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146890

 

[theMan]

bumperoni

 

[ionoxx]

take out the 512MB that you have now, and put in 2x512Mb, then sell the 2x256Mb you have now. You can get good stuff for 200$.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...Price=&SubCategory=147&Submit=Property

 

[theMan]

alright, i think im going to go for the ocz platinum pc3200 rev2. does anyone know if there are any compatibility issues with the a8v deluxe. how far can this stuff oc? my board can only supply 2.8v.

 

[theMan]

ok, ive done some reading on this ram, and heard that it is now shipping with TCC5 instead of TCCD. how much will this effect the overclock. im sure there have already been threads on this, but i never really needed to read them until now. can these things do 285mhz??

 

[theMan]

alright, im having sort of a dilema here. i really dont think expensive ram will help gaming performance, so what would be better, getting a 6800gt or getting a gig of high performance ram? im so confused i have no clue what to do. maybe i can try to get some more money out of my parents.

 

[SVT Cobra]

if its possible...get both...

a 6800gt will offer you better gaming performance, but so will a gig

 

[theMan]

so should i pick up 2x512mb value ram and a 6800gt?

 

[Firsttime]

yeah do that, then sell your old ram and vid card here and pay them back the difference