What would be a better upgrade for my system? PLEASE RESPOND!!

[dguy6789]

Hi, I have an Athlon XP 1800+ computer with 256 MB ddr and a geforce 2 mx400 64 meg. Im thinking of upgrading in the near future. What would be a better upgrade, another 256 megs of ddr memory, or a geforce fx 5200 non ultra? The reason i ask is becasue it will be $79.99. I play games very heavily, so what do you think will offer more performance? Help would be appreciated.

 

[SemperFi]

You should think about the memory upgrade now while the prices are low. You could wait 6 months and decide you want the memory and it could be double what it is today. This is just my opinion. I just wanted to give you something to think about.

Semper Fi

 

[spanky]

if u only had to choose one.. i would pick the video card.

 

[dguy6789]

money isnt of that much concern, i dont got a lot, but i would like to run my games at faster frame rates and higher settings and less frame rate blips and such. Which ever would have faster, smoother game play.

 

[Trashman]

I agree with Semper regarding memory, prices are dropping...512mb or more will help with todays games. Since the FX card isn't out yet, I'd opt for memory.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: dguy6789
Hi, I have an Athlon XP 1800+ computer with 256 MB ddr and a geforce 2 mx400 64 meg. Im thinking of upgrading in the near future. What would be a better upgrade, another 256 megs of ddr memory, or a geforce fx 5200 non ultra? The reason i ask is becasue it will be $79.99. I play games very heavily, so what do you think will offer more performance? Help would be appreciated.

You need a faster video card for gaming, first and foremost. 512MB won't do anything extra with that GF2 MX. Get a GF4 Ti card, or a Radeon 9500Pro/9700.

 

[HappyNic]

get both.,,

you can get a 256mb of 2100 ddrs for about around $20 or so. look for it in hot deals, get this first

then get whatever videocard you want.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: spankyOO7
if u only had to choose one.. i would pick the video card.

i have 512mb ram
but thats because i could, not because i needed it, 512mb ram and a gf2mx will still suck for gaming, but a new video card will be a very noticeable improvement

 

[dguy6789]

ok thank you all. I think im going to get a 512 stick of ddr instead of the 256, and ill get the geforce fx 5200 when it comes out. Thanks to all who replied

 

[ET]

Just wanted to comment that you shouldn't set your site on the 5200 specifically. Currently, the benchmarks show the 5200 Ultra to be slower than the Radeon 8500 in a lot of cases, so the 5200 non-ultra will be even slower. The 8500 is already available under $79.

I'd suggest that you wait until the 5200 and ATI's lower end upcoming cards are reviewed before you decide what to buy.

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: dguy6789
ok thank you all. I think im going to get a 512 stick of ddr instead of the 256, and ill get the geforce fx 5200 when it comes out. Thanks to all who replied

I agree with Jiffylube the memory will not help you with gaming (I would still buy it though) as for the 5200 I would not buy it, you should look into a GF4 Ti4200 ($100) that WILL make a world of difference in your rig. So go and spend about $120 and you will see your system come to life.

 

[Budmantom]

One more thing for MOST people anything over 512mb is overkill, so save a couple of $ and just get the 256mb.

 

[dguy6789]

alright ill look at some other video cards in the $100 range. I will get the 512 drr because, i run norton anti virus 2003, and kazaa lite, while playing games. ill look into the ti4200 and the radeon 9500 pro.

 

[BFG10K]

money isnt of that much concern

Then get at least another 256 MB RAM and maybe a 9500 Pro.

 

[Soulkeeper]

i don't like the fx 5200
from the review i saw it got spanked by a radeon 9000