Questions about various computer upgrades

[Omeg4]

I am currently using a Dell Dimension 840, with a 3.2 GHz Intel P4 HT processor, 1 GB of DDR2 400 PC2 3200 RAM (2 x 512MB), and an nVidia GeForce 6800 256MB. All I know about my motherboard is that it has room for two more sticks of RAM and is SLI-ready. And now, to the meat and potatoes of my post:

I am looking to upgrade for two major reasons: one, to run Windows Vista is all of is flashy glory, and two, to run Crysis at an acceptable framerate and level of detail. While the Vista situation shouldn't be a problem even with my current setup (or would it?), Crysis presents some major problems.
Obviously, my computer would explode if I tried to run Crysis at all, ignoring the glaring problem of a lack of DX10 support. Enter my planned upgrades: two more 1GB sticks of compatible RAM (In total, I'd have 3GB on 4 sticks), and a GeForce 8800GTS 320MB. While the RAM is a dead end in terms of options, my choice of graphics cards leaves alot of questions.

Video Card Questions - nVidia GeForce 320MB 8800GTS @ $270
-Is a (relatively) powerful graphics card like the 8800GTS worth it (@ $270) if its only 320MB? Would that defeat the purpose? Should I wait for the 768MB model to come down in price? (Especially if I have 3GB of RAM).
-Would there be a difference between two 320 MB 8800GTS's running in SLI vs. one 768Mb 8800GTS?
-Since Crysis is such a long way away, should I not even consider a graphics card now until the game is actually released, then re-evaluate the situation based on current prices and models?

Monitor Questions
-In general, I'm looking for a wide screen resolution better than my current non-widescreen reso of 1280x1024. What are some of the most common widescreen resolutions used for gaming? If I wanted to watch HD movies on my computer, what resolution would be best? Would 1920x1200 be overkill on most games?


I sincerely thank anyone who read that novel of a post for the sake of helping little old me. If you really read that whole thing to help me, you are a special, special person. Thanks again in advance for any and all help.

 

[PurdueRy]

The 8800gts 640 MB is only $30 or something more if you catch the right deal with rebates(from eVGA typically). That would be an excelling option provided the Dell power supply is sufficient. However, 2 more gigs of DDR400 is rather expensive....IMO you are better off waiting and doing a full upgrade. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Omeg4]

I found a deal online for RAM, (what I assume to be) 1 stick of 1GB RAM for about $35. All told, 2 gigs would be 70 dollars.
As for the video card, I'm just going by what I saw on Newegg. I'll research the topic more tomorrow then I'll probably update this post. Any thoughts on holding off on a graphics card until Crysis launches?
Thanks again.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Omeg4
I found a deal online for RAM, (what I assume to be) 1 stick of 1GB RAM for about $35. All told, 2 gigs would be 70 dollars.
As for the video card, I'm just going by what I saw on Newegg. I'll research the topic more tomorrow then I'll probably update this post. Any thoughts on holding off on a graphics card until Crysis launches?
Thanks again.

Where did you find that ram deal??

About Crysis, if you are dead set on this lasting you til the game comes out...I would hold off..

 

[Omeg4]

Deal #1
Deal #2

And I mean, unless I decide to get Supreme Commander (which I don't think I will), the next game I'm looking to buy would be Crysis...which would render most of this discussion about video cards obsolete. However, just as a rough guess, when Crysis does come out, so I go for one or two video cards?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Omeg4
Deal #1
Deal #2

And I mean, unless I decide to get Supreme Commander (which I don't think I will), the next game I'm looking to buy would be Crysis...which would render most of this discussion about video cards obsolete. However, just as a rough guess, when Crysis does come out, so I go for one or two video cards?

Whoops I read it as DDR400 not DDR2-400...my bad

I think SLI is a waste...get a midrange card and then do a complete upgrade when it becomes out of date. For the price of SLI you can stay more up to date just using this strategy.

 

[jkresh]

PurdueRy, he has ddr2 400 not ddr1 which makes sense as he as a p4.

Omeg4, first it would be helpful ot know what powersupply you have as that may limit what gpu's will work (and while you can replace a dell psu your options are limited). As for widescreen the two most common options are 1600x1024 in a 22inch for 250-400 and 1900x1200 in 24inch for 500-700. For hd movies the 24 is better as it can handle 1080p (native for hd-dvd and blue ray) while the 16's would have to downscale, just make sure that whatever monitor you buy has hdcp or hdmi (ex my dell 2405 is 1900x1200 but with no hdcp I cant watch hd movies through dvi (without something like anydvd), i have to go through vga which is a nuisance). If you go for a 24 then the extra video memory of a gts 640 or gtx would make more sense (as the differences between them and the 320 jump as resolution increases). But with months to go before crysis you are better off waiting for the 8900's or whatever nvidia's refresh is called and possibly a refresh of amd's cards as well.

As to SLI or not, in general one higher end card does better then two lower/medium cards, but two higher end cards do better then 1, so it depends on what resolution you want to run it at and how beneficial it is in a given game (no real way to find out before benchmarks are released).

Finally as with everything in the computer world you are better off waiting till you need to, to upgrade as new parts are always around the corner (as are lower prices).

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: jkresh
PurdueRy, he has ddr2 400 not ddr1 which makes sense as he as a p4.

P4's didn't always use DDR2...even his 3.2 GHz...

Just a simple misread of what he wrote.

 

[Omeg4]

I'll get back to my PSU at another time...I can't really risk prying open my computer now what with school in the midst of a final flurry of projects and tests. One weekend though, I'll be sure to check that, as well as the precise timings of my RAM. As for the monitors, I saw a 22" monitor that was 1080p capable, but it's resolution wasn't 1900x1200. Wouldn't downscaling to a 22" monitor look like crap?

And also, on the question of my RAM, should I just remove my current RAM altogether, insert two new 1GB sticks and leave my two expansion slots open? or does that not work? Also, if I do remove my old sticks, am I still bound to the same type of RAM? Or can I use RAM that isn't DDR2 400 PC2 3200? Finally, is it even a good idea to think about mixing 1GB sticks of RAM with 512MB sticks? Or is that asking for trouble, what with all the differences in timings and such?

 

[jkresh]

It should revert ot the lowest timings so if you buy new faster ram it will just run at the speed of your current ram, and yes you could just buy new ram and remove your old 512's but it would be a good idea to figure out what the maxium speed ram your board will recognize is (try crucials scanner which should tell you).

PurdueRY sorry for the way I worded that, also I know some early p4's had ddr1 (and Rambus for that matter) but I thought those were only the early ones (ie < 2ghz), I know there is at least 1 core 2 board that can take ddr1 but I don't think dell would use something like that.

 

[leekirlew]

If you're thinking about crysis and the future I'd drop my money in a good core 2 duo and new memory. I would upgarde the gpu closer to the crysis release to ensure its as good as possible for playing it