Kingston vs. Kingston and more...

[konichiwa]

//EDIT//

Bump and a quick comparison question...

Kingston HyperX PC3500 (2-3-3-7-1T) at $130
or
Kingston HyperX PC3200 (2-2-2-6-1T) at $129

Suggestions?

//EDIT//


Howdy

Going to be building a new system from mostly scratch in a few weeks; here's what I've thrown together so far:

EpoX 8RDA+: $84
Barton 2500+: $78
Thermalright SK-800a: $29

Currently I have case, hard drives, optical drives, monitor, etc., etc. Obviously this leaves me with a few questions. Which memory should I go for? HyperX? Crucial XMS? And is it worth it to go dual channel (2x256, not 2x512) and forsake upgradability, or go for 512 now assuming that I may (or, more likely, may not) upgrade with another 512 later on? Will I really notice a difference with dual channel?

Secondly, video. I have an old (GF2) video card in here now that I use. I'm clearly not a huge gamer, and I simply can't justify spending $300, $400 on a video card that will be obsolete in the next six month product cycle, however I would still like to upgrade a bit. What options am I left with? I would like to be able to play most games (if not the latest and greatest, and not necessarily at 1600x1200x32 and AA) decently anyway. I haven't followed the video card bonanza of late, so I guess I need a bit of guidance there.

I suppose that's all for now. Any comments, suggestions are greatly appredciated!

 

[Corporate Thug]

i like your picks for mob, cooling and CPU (i would love to know where to get a 2500+ for that price btw)

for the ram, hyperX and Corsair XMS are basically of equal quality so get the cheaper on. you can pick up a 512 stick of xms ddr400@ gameve for 102/free shipping. personally, i only by 512 sticks as i would want to optimize all 3 slots on my mobo

for video, i would get a nice ti4200 for about $100

 

[Insane3D]

Hey there...my fellow free thinker from the politics forum.

Anyways, you have made some good choices on your upgrade with those components. Please let us know where that 2500+ is only $78:Q ! Anyways, for the 8RDA+, like the previous poster mentioned, either Corsair XMS 3200 or Kingston HyperX 3200 are great choices. I personally would just go with one 512mb stick for now as the dual channel is mainly only useful if you are using the integrated graphics of a IGP NF2 board, like the 8RGA+. You can always upgrade to another 512mb stick later on.

As for video card, if you can swing $200, the Radeon 9700NP is probably the best value in video cards right now IMO. For $199 @ Mwave, you can get a OEM 9700NP with 6 lite games, 1 full game (4x4 something), two video cables, manual, driver CD and WINDVD. While it may be close to the higher end of your video card budget, it will likely last you more than 6 months and you will be able to play most of even the latest games @ 1600 x 1200, or at lower resolutions with AA and AF cranked up. You get great 2D, excellent DVD output, and dual 400mhz RAMDAC's.

Such a system should be fine for at least a year if not more. Also, on the NF2 boards, you can freely change the multiplier of the Barton. You can do a modest o/c and have it run 2Ghz, 400mhz FSB and havea speedy little setup. Most of the newer 8RDA+'s will run 220mhz+ FSB with the right memory.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[konichiwa]

All prices above going by AT Price Guide, so obviously just an estimate and w/o shipping, but here's the Link

Appreciate the replies. I guess I'll keep my eye out on Hot Deals and over on pudgybillfold for a good deal on some XMS or HyperX. And as for video card, well I haven't decided yet. I have some reading to do I guess

 

[konichiwa]

Bump and a quick comparison question...

Kingston HyperX PC3500 (2-3-3-7-1T) at $130
or
Kingston HyperX PC3200 (2-2-2-6-1T) at $129

Suggestions?

 

[Corporate Thug]

pc3500, it will run 2-2-2-5

 

[konichiwa]

It will run 2-2-2-5 at 3500? or 3200?

 

[Corporate Thug]

the 3500 will run @ 3500 @ 2-2-2-5

 

[Insane3D]

Newegg also has HyperX PCPC3200 512mb sticks for $99.

 

[konichiwa]

Indeed, but those seem to be lower latency. Just picked up a stick of the pc3500 from FS/FT for $110 and change. Thx for the input boys

 

[NokiaDude]

The second I saw your avatar I was thinking BMXSTUD posted again. Thank god you have such nice english typing skills. Thank You. BTW, go with the 2nd choice!