Need Help with RAM, HD and Video Card

[hammondnav]

Hey everyone,
Before I go on, sorry about the long post and thanks for taking the time to read it.

I'm currently using 3x 512MB Corsair XMS modules (CMX512-3200C2) running at conservative timings on an Asus A7N8X Deluxe Rev 2. The CPU is an AMD Athlon XP 3200+ running at stock setting.
I use this computer mainly for higher-end gaming and music production. While I don't want to sacrifice speed, I don't need to push the system too hard because stability is my first priority. (I don't wanna lose all the tracks because of a freeze.)

I'm now ready to do some general upgrades that are both AMD- and Intel-compatible just to keep my options open for future CPU upgrades.

RAM: (Need 2GB or more)
I've had good experience with Corsair XMS and I think I'd stick with it. I'm thinking about the TWINX2048-3200C2 or the platinum version. I was also looking at the XMS XPERT ones (TWINXP1024-3200XL) but I'm not sure getting two seperate modules will give me the same stability as getting a matched pair. Also, they sell matched pairs of the XMS PRO series, but they run at a ridiculous 3-3-3-8. Has anyone had any experience with any of these modules? I'm also open for suggestions coming from real experience.

HD: (Need about 300GB or more)
I got one 120GB and one 160GB Western Digitals (both SE versions). While these are not bad at all, the whining noise is just killing me. And since the PC is being used in a small music studio noise is an issue. I wouldn't mind switching to SATA either if it has significant benefits over the U-IDE and saves me some noise.

Video Card:
I have two LCDs so I need a dual output (preferrably dual DVI) card. Right now I have an ATi Radeon 9700 (128MB) but I'm having a lot of driver compatibilty problems with it becuase of all the non-conventional musical gizmos I have connected to this PC. Windows actually tells me that the ATi driver is causing problems. So I'm thinking about switching to nVidia. I'm willing to pay up to about $400 or so for the video card, this should make it easier.

I'm only posting this to get sme feedback from people who have actually dealt with these parts. I have done a bit of research and will do more meanwhile, but please don't recommend a part if you haven't actually seen it in action or if you just think it's a great product. We all can read the specs and salivate.. :laugh:

Thank you all very much for your help,
Nav

 

[stevty2889]

RAM: The corsair will be plenty good. "Matched Pairs" are really just a gimmick, they charge you more to put to sticks together in one package, they are no more stable than if you were to buy to single sticks of the same thing.

HD: I know maxtor makes 300gb drives, but I don't really like them myself. Seagate is what I would recomend. They have 5 year waranties and tend to be pretty quiet compared to the others. As for SATA, while the interface has more theoretical bandwidth, the hard drives are the same both noise and speed wise, there isn't really a differance other than the smaller cable.

Video card: I have a gainward 6800GT, it has dual DVI out and would be a great improvement in games over the 9700. Not sure what other 6600GT - 6800GT cards have dual DVI, but a 6600GT, 6800, or 6800GT are all in your price range and would give a nice improvement.

 

[hammondnav]

Thanks for the reply.
I read some more reviews and it seems to me that GeForce 6800 Ultra is the way to go. Specialy since Monarch sells it for $415 or so shipped with a free copy of Doom 3.
As for the RAM though, has anyone used both Corsair and other brands (Mushkin, OCZ, ...) who can compare them?