Minimum CPU and RAM requirements for a 9800 Pro

[RockGuitarDude]

what would be the minimum or suggested setup for the cpu and ram not to be a bottleneck? a side question too... say you have some PC4000 thats spec'ed at 3-3-6. If you run that chip at PC3200 speed would it be more likely to do faster speeds like 2-2-6? Any inputs is much appreciated!

 

[Degrador]

This really depends on what sort of games you're interested in playing. I'd recommend 1024MB RAM if you're wanting to play latest gen DX9 games, CPU doesn't matter too much - any P4C or AXP 2400+ or better would do. As for the ram speeds, yes, if it's rated at PC4000 at 3-3-6 then it's more likely to do better at 3200, but that's not a certainty. Just look at some reviews on the ram you want to get and you'll find out (Anandtech have some great high speed ram reviews).

Btw: Your cpu / ram might always be the bottleneck with older games - not much you can do there (also never much need to worry about it anyway).

 

[Gusty987]

Are you OC'ing that 9800P with the stock ATI heatsink/fan?

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: Gusty987
Are you OC'ing that 9800P with the stock ATI heatsink/fan?

my bet would be yes!

i got some 9800 pro's i'm testing out righ tnow...

mine hit 436 core / 388 mem on stock cooling.

 

[RockGuitarDude]

Originally posted by: Gusty987
Are you OC'ing that 9800P with the stock ATI heatsink/fan?

No, I have a modded giant III on there...

I removed that horrendous blower fan and popped on this fan that I ripped out of my dead xbox (40 mm).
It's not as strong as the blower by any means, but its much more quiet so I can get that additional air flow.

I run the fan on medium or low depending on if i feel like hearing it lol...

If I can find a 60mm to 40mm adapter, I'm putting on this nice 60mm fan I have...

As far as I'm concerned, the blower is unusable

 

[RockGuitarDude]

Oh an by the way, I got mine for $150 and it's the one with the poo brown pcb that is supposed to oc less. The stock heatsink was a JOKE.