Upgrade Question, Please Help Me????

[HansGroenewold]

Hello,

I'm trying to put together an upgrade plan that will include that new DFI nF3-250Gb motherboard once it becomes readily available coupled with an Athlon 64 3400+ CPU. I also plan to replace the video card at that time and want to do everything at the same time, probably at the end of this year. I estimate it to cost about $700. or so, but I forgot about the memory. My current system has 768 MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM, One 256 MB stick and one 512 MB.

Since I'm trying to save some money, can I get by using the existing memory in the new motherboard or will that sabotage the upgrade? If it will hinder performance because the memory is not cutting edge, I'll replace it too. If I can get by without replacing the memory and not hinder the performance of my upgrade, obviously I'd like to save that money if I can. Any input would be deeply appreciated. A video card recommendation to compliment my motherboard and CPU selection would also be appreciated. I'm assuming a Nvidea product would be best. Thank you very much.

Sincerely,
Hans Groenewold

 

[HansGroenewold]

I'm bumping this hoping to get a response.

Hans

 

[CJP]

I think that Athlon 64 systems run best on a 400mhz front side bus which uses PC3200 (400mhz) I believe. If you used PC2700 DDR memory you could see if it overclocks to pc3200 speeds but if you ran it at default speed at 333mhz it would slow your system down from the speed it should get.

 

[HansGroenewold]

CJP,

So I could get away with using PC3200 and it would not hinder the performance? I don't want to compromise the performance if I'm going to spend that much money, it wouldn't make sense. I just don't want to spend more than I have to.

Sincerely,
Hans Groenewold

 

[CJP]

Originally posted by: HansGroenewold
CJP,

So I could get away with using PC3200 and it would not hinder the performance? I don't want to compromise the performance if I'm going to spend that much money, it wouldn't make sense. I just don't want to spend more than I have to.

Sincerely,
Hans Groenewold

My understanding is that you wouldn't be "getting away" with using PC3200 DDR ram because as far as I understand that is the memory the Athlon 64's and their motherboards are rated to run at. Your motherboard and Athlon 64 are supposed to run with PC3200 DDR ram, it's not an overclock.

Also I've read that with Athlon 64's you don't need super expensive DDR memory with low timings as they don't benefit much from it. Just make sure it's PC3200 and you should be ok.

As far as a good video card goes, alot of people like the 6800GT's for a good price/performance ratio in the high end arena. The BFG model differentiates itself abit with a built in overclock and true lifetime warranty.

 

[HansGroenewold]

CJP,

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. I wasn't aware that PC3200 would be sufficient enough. That should save me a little bit of money. Any recommendation on how much memory I should install. Will 1 GB be enough? I saw that Newegg.com has 1GB of PC3200 (DDR400 200MHZ) for $160., is this the correct type I want. There is also PC2 3200 (DDR2 400) but it didn't show up when I did a search so I don't know how much that was. Is the PC2 3200 more advanced?

Thanks,
Hans Groenewold

 

[CJP]

Originally posted by: HansGroenewold
CJP,

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. I wasn't aware that PC3200 would be sufficient enough. That should save me a little bit of money. Any recommendation on how much memory I should install. Will 1 GB be enough? I saw that Newegg.com has 1GB of PC3200 (DDR400 200MHZ) for $160., is this the correct type I want. There is also PC2 3200 (DDR2 400) but it didn't show up when I did a search so I don't know how much that was. Is the PC2 3200 more advanced?

Thanks,
Hans Groenewold

1 GB memory will be enough for any game right now. When I buy a motherboard I look at how many memory slots there are for future upgrades. If there are 4 slots and I put in 2x512 then I know I have the other 2 for later upgrades.

DDR2 isn't supported by any Athlon64 motherboard right now and doesn't offer any speed increase over plain DDR yet anyway.

What I would do if I were you is look up some reviews on the motherboard you want and also download and read through the setup portion of the manual (or read the whole thing). That would give you a better idea of what you have to do than I could. I've never set up any Athlon based system so I'm no expert.