Upgrading OLD machine...

[UlricT]

Ok guys... i need some advice again..

My friend is planning to upgrade his machine at home (which is about 10,000 miles away), and he wants me to get him some memory and a graphics card. Now, I know that the memory on his current machine is PC 100. I think PC 133 will work on this, but just need confirmation. Planning to get a 256 MB stick if possible. Are there any conlicts with older boards and/or windows 98 memory handling that I should know about?

Also, he wanted to get a Geforce 2 GTS or a 1st gen. radeon. I was thinking about getting it off of the FS/T forums. Again, some insight onto which card is better would be helpful.

 

[optimistic]

How much is your friend willing to spend? How about suggesting him to just get this card (first one on page). Its your mid range video card by ATI.

 

[CrazySaint]

PC133 will work just fine on a PC100 board.

 

[IanthePez]

on many older boards you need to make sure you get low density ram. I don't know how that works, but it's true

 

[UlricT]

ok... he is running a PIII 900mhz proc, so I dont think its old enuff to require low-density RAM... but maybe you guys should correct me....

 

[UlricT]

Originally posted by: optimistic
How much is your friend willing to spend? How about suggesting him to just get this card (first one on page). Its your mid range video card by ATI.

ummm... your link isnt working...

 

[FishTankX]

Crucial is holding a deal on PC133. 256MB for around ~35$ with free shipping. That's your memory, for you. If he's going for the best value graphics card, I'd take a look at the Kryo2, too. It's a nice performer and undercuts the Geforce 2 GTS in price by a little. ~15$ or so.

 

[FishTankX]

Never mind.

I'd yeah, reccomend the Geforce2 GTS. The good Kryo cards are all really expensive.

 

[FishTankX]

Either that or the MX 440. Beats a GTS in alot of stuff.

 

[squirrel dog]

A p3-900 would be high density ram mo than likey.Pc133 will do just fine.Crucial has on their website a ram config util.

 

[UlricT]

thanks for all the recommendations....

is the original radeon any good?

 

[FishTankX]

It's strentghs are DVD playback and Image quality. It has respectable performance in modern games at 640X480 or 800X600, but if you're really into serious gaming, I'd much reccomend an MX440 or a GTS.

 

[billyjak]

Be careful with the ram, I had 2 old Gateways that would only support pc100 and pc133 would not work.

 

[Netcraazzy]

I would recommend you stay away from the Kyro cards. They don't have true T&L which means they dont work with several games out there. I know from personal experiance that Battle Field 1942 is one such game. My recommendation would be one of the 3rd party Radeon 9000 Pro cards. You can get them for around $70. As for the memory. If you can find PC100 then get that since you know for sure that it is compatable. I have run into several problems with P3/P2 440BX boards not supporting PC133 sdram. Since your friend isnt nearby for you to help if something goes wrong its better to buy the pc100 since thats a safe bet rather than pc133.

 

[RanDum72]

ok... he is running a PIII 900mhz proc, so I dont think its old enuff to require low-density RAM... but maybe you guys should correct me....

Yes, high density should be fine with it, as well as PC133.

 

[BurnItDwn]

If its a 440bx chipset he will need low density ram

 

[UlricT]

thanks guys, for all the help...

Im going to try my luck on "black friday" and get the kingston RAM people are talking about...

also, there MIGHT be some deals on a Ti4200, so I might as well upgrade my machine in the deal, and get a kick-ass gfx card out of it!!