Memory / Graphics Upgrade Advice pls...

c0y0te

Ok - so I'm waiting for PCI-Express to hit in June and then I'm going for the full upgrade / replacement system...

.. but in advance of that I'm thinking the cost of a bit of extra memory and maybe a not-so-hot (but better than my current GEFORCE TI4400) graphics card might keep me happy until I go the full hog on a new system.


As for memory I currently have 2 x 256mb DDR PC2700 DIMMs attached to my ASUS A7V333 mobo (which has 3 x DIMM slots in total). The rig is approx 2 years old but feels like its creaking a bit now (1.8ghz Athlon XP system).

I was going to pick up another 512mb PC2700 DDR DIMM and slot it in, when I realised that I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not. Anyone got advice about this? Is it ok to add in a 512 chunk to existing 2 x 256? Does it make any difference? Where is the cheapest place for memory like this these days?


Also considering picking up an ATI Radeon 9600 card as an 'interim' solution until I get the PCI-Express system. They seem to be cheap and I think their performance is ok. Again - any opinions on this? The reason I'm thinking of throwing the TI4400 is that I'm getting crashes and issues with it of late, and I've noticed other posts on the boards talking about issues with the card, so I think I might just replace it.

All advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.

c0y0te

tman

shouldn't be a problem with the ram...
replacing a ti4400 with a raddy 9600 is a very expensive interim solution. i'm happy enough with the performance boost i got with my 9600 but that was an upgrade from a gf4mx.
you'd be better off saving your cash for a couple of months & formatting + reinstalling windows by the sounds of things

Col_Loki

A 9600 is not really an upgrade for a Ti4400, there a great card and should play almost anything on full (cept AA & AF mabye) until you need to upgrade.

On the Ram thing you might be better off waiting as Pc2700 is going to slow your newer system down if you use that Ram. Ie , the Newer intels "C" chips, AMD64, FX all use Pc3200 Ram. Pc2700 will work but you take a performance hit.

I think you should probably stick with your current system and save the upgrade money for your new system...... but if you are getting Ram then why not get Pc3200 ?? It will run at Pc2700/2100 and you should be able to use it in your new Rig (if its not DDR2, or FSB isincreased etc).

Id say wait a little longer, neither upgrade is going to be majour TBH.

Mutant_Fruit

i run an xp1800+ with 768mb ram, and a geforce3, and it's fine. it will last me til the end of summer i'd say, the i plan a full upgrade, getting a whole new system.

c0y0te

Thanks for the feedback..

To clarify.. I'm not intending on reusing the memory from the current rig with the new PCI-Express based one, so I just thought I'd better get the same type (e.g. pc2700) of memory. I wasn't aware that you could mix and match - I figured you would be limited to the mobo / memory setup that already existed.

As for the gfx card, I'm assuming that I'll be getting a beast of a card with the new system, so all I'm looking for is something to tide me over. Right now I'm pretty sure I'm hitting issues with my GFX card, so thats the only reason I'm looking to replace it.

Sure - what else is a gaming git like me to do if I'm gonna play FAR CRY??? before I get me a new beastie rig? Not to mention the big D III, if they ever release it (although I'm hearing April on the net a lot these days).

c0y0te:ninja:

George_h

I'll think I'll hang off a while for the PCI express as it always takes a while for the parts to filter through. The mobo form factor is changing as well to BTX and there are several diff speed of SATA to come too. Also the the premium factor for bleeding edge is too much. My machine is well capable of taking anything thrown at it so far and prob for the next 12 months, maybe a new graphics for Half life / doom, but that'll be it. It'll be a while till i jump back in. It won't be an upgrade, but a whole new system. Think I'll hang onto my current machine for a mp3 jukebox.
:ninja:

BigEejit

I'd say keep away from the bleeding edge ... they are always as buggy as hell and cost a small forture .... just put all the cash into a kitty (not the meow kind) and add a little bit every time you hear of a horror story about the new hardware/software ... because that would have been you ...by the time the glitches/bugs/incompatibilities have been knocked out and the boards are in their second reviosion you should have enough to get a top of the range system and depending on the volume of horror stories you might have enough for a nice watercooling setup to go with it

Sir Random

Upgrading from a Ti4400, anything less than a 9800 Pro will probably disappoint you.
"Crashes and issues" are probably driver related, or your fan could be clogged with dust if it's over a year old (causing overheating).
I doubt if we'll have PCI-E mobo/gfx cards before Q4.