Final $300 Upgrade

[geokilla]

Currently, my rig in sig is getting it's final upgrade. I'm looking on upgrading the RAM for sure and most likely getting a 8800GT. I am a moderate gamer that games every once in a while.

I've been holding back on my upgrade though for two reasons.

1. I keep on thinking that I'll be CPU limited and that the 8800GT will be overkill when I game at 1280X1024. 1280X1024 is the max resoultion currently supported by my Sharp LL-172C-B with 16ms response time.

2. I should just wait it out and get myself a new C2D whenever my sister needs a faster computer.

I plan on getting the RAM upgrade for sure, but I don't know which type of RAM I should get. I'm deciding between these two kits.

OCZ PC2-6400 800MHz Platinum XTC Revision 2 2GB Dual Channel Kit

Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X2048-6400 2GB Kit PC6400 DDR2-800 CL 5-5-5-12 Dual Channel Memory

Which brand should I get, the OCZ or the Corsair? I'm leaning towards the OCZ kit because it's cheaper than the Corsair kit.

I live in Canada and I prefer to buy my parts from Canada Computers. Also, my M2N-E's max vdimm is 1.95V so I'm stuck with these two RAM kits.

I will be selling my current 1GB kit to my friend for around $25.

 

[geokilla]

Anyone please?

Would the 8800GT be overkill for me when I game at 1280X1024? And which RAM kit should I choose?

 

[0roo0roo]

its not overkill with the games coming out. let alone if you want to have higher settings and any fsaa

 

[jkresh]

there are certainly some games that will be cpu limited by the x2, but if you want to be able to play crysis or anything like it you will need a serious gpu upgrade over your x850 and the only logical one right now is the 8800gt (though it might not hurt to wait 2 weeks for the 3870).

 

[jmmtn4aj]

To be honest your rig would be pretty balanced with an X1950. With a 8800GT I'd get a new processor.

 

[jmmtn4aj]

Originally posted by: jkresh
there are certainly some games that will be cpu limited by the x2, but if you want to be able to play crysis or anything like it you will need a serious gpu upgrade over your x850 and the only logical one right now is the 8800gt (though it might not hurt to wait 2 weeks for the 3870).

Holy forum bug. The time now is 2:09, you've posted in the future!

 

[bob4432]

is your current gpu working for the games you play? if so keep it, if not the 8800gt ATM is the only logical choice, but that may change when ati puts out its new gpu - and then possibly a price war, so if you can wait until ati puts out its new gpu, i would wait - the worst that can happen is you can get a faster gpu for less $$$, unless you need it now.

your cpu is no slouch and even if the 8800gt makes it a bit gpu heavy, who cares, just crank up all the graphics options and enjoy the beauty

i have never seen a faster gpu slow down a game.....

 

[jonmcc33]

Originally posted by: bob4432
is your current gpu working for the games you play? if so keep it, if not the 8800gt ATM is the only logical choice, but that may change when ati puts out its new gpu - and then possibly a price war, so if you can wait until ati puts out its new gpu, i would wait - the worst that can happen is you can get a faster gpu for less $$$, unless you need it now.

your cpu is no slouch and even if the 8800gt makes it a bit gpu heavy, who cares, just crank up all the graphics options and enjoy the beauty

i have never seen a faster gpu slow down a game.....

I got lower framerates on MoHAA when I went from my GeForce Ti 200 to a Radeon 9700 Pro.

 

[geokilla]

Originally posted by: bob4432
is your current gpu working for the games you play? if so keep it, if not the 8800gt ATM is the only logical choice, but that may change when ati puts out its new gpu - and then possibly a price war, so if you can wait until ati puts out its new gpu, i would wait - the worst that can happen is you can get a faster gpu for less $$$, unless you need it now.

your cpu is no slouch and even if the 8800gt makes it a bit gpu heavy, who cares, just crank up all the graphics options and enjoy the beauty

i have never seen a faster gpu slow down a game.....

My current GPU does work for the games that I'm currently playing, but I want to be able to play Bioshock, F.E.A.R. and Crysis as well. I could wait another couple of weeks for ATI to release their new video cards, so there will be price drops on the 8800GT.

How about the RAM kits? Should I get the Corsair one or the OCZ one?

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: geokilla
How about the RAM kits? Should I get the Corsair one or the OCZ one?

i would go the ocz kit as it is cheaper. i have used both brands in the past and both work well and both have taken care of warranty issues extremely quickly. from my experience i would give ocz just a bit higher rating as they were a bit friendlier during a rma situation. just my experience but if it were my $$$ that is where it would go.