no..it's my turn for "upgrading my computer thread"

[bayanke]

I built this system last september and will be heading off for ol' college this fall and don't feel like buildling a whole new system with so much change going on in the pc world.

2800XP
512pc2700
9600pro
Asus A7v600
120 WD 8mb

I do a solid amount of gaming on this system right now (CS, DoD, and UT2k4) and everything runs great except for UT2k4 taking forever to load levels which i kinda attribute to my lack of decent memory. But I feel like i need to add some stuff to tide me over til my next big computer purchese since I'm playing the last generation of games and would like to be able to play something new at decent levels. Im trying to conserve money since i just dropped a solid 2200 on my laptop and digital camera.

The only thing that i have really pondered is uping the memory on this system. However, im not sure if i should throw in another 512 of pc2700 or just go buy a gig of pc3200. And with memory prices as high as they are, I'm a bit confused. I've thought about throwing a new video card in there like a 9800 pro or something but i dont feel like dropping 200 when im probably going to upgrade in about a year or less to a 64 system. Sorry for the "long windedness," but im just stuck with some decisions that are tough for me at least and I want to blindly follow other people's opinions..

 

[dtrostli]

i have a very similar system. So if i were u i would definetly consider getting the 9800 pro and oc´ing it to 9800 xt speed. Its not really that expensive... plus consider selling ur 9600 on ebay or something..
As for RAM 512 mb is fine for now. Really most games dont take up all of the 512, even UT2004 doesnt demand a gig of ram even on high settings.
for nowucould start saving some money to uprade to an AMD 64 later seeing as it would be way expensive since u would probably also have to get a new mobo.

Anyways i hope ive been of some help
Good luck!

 

[deadseasquirrel]

Originally posted by: dtrostli
As for RAM 512 mb is fine for now. Really most games dont take up all of the 512, even UT2004 doesnt demand a gig of ram even on high settings.

Here's an ALT-TAB from UT2k4.

As you can see, it clearly will use a gig.

Another one using Far Cry.

These newer games are loving 1024 RAM.

 

[DaveSimmons]

For UT2K4 loading levels, adding a Raptor would shave off several seconds, but even on a P4 3.4EE with 9800 Pro, 1GB, and a Raptor the level times were still pretty high:
AT Raptor RAID test

So spending $150-200 on a Raptor might shave 5 seconds off the worst load times. You might be better off just accepting it and setting the money aside.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: deadseasquirrel

Originally posted by: dtrostli
As for RAM 512 mb is fine for now. Really most games dont take up all of the 512, even UT2004 doesnt demand a gig of ram even on high settings.

Here's an ALT-TAB from UT2k4.

As you can see, it clearly will use a gig.

Another one using Far Cry.

These newer games are loving 1024 RAM.

appears FarCry is a mem hog..probably should add another stick of at least 512 ..