Search the archive:
YaBB - Yet another Bulletin Board
 
   
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print
Ram vs Vid Card (Read 1291 times)
Jan 18th, 2003 at 12:16pm

darkhorse   Offline
Colonel
Is anybody in here?

Posts: 137
*****
 
I have an HP computer with 1.2 Ghz Celeron, 128 MB ram, no video card, or anything else special.  Right now, I'm using between 100-115 MB of ram with WinXP, and if I run any games, it bumps to the 150-170 range using virtual memory.  My games still play fine, just a little slow at times

I'm looking at either more ram, or a PCI video card (I don't want to spend the money to upgrade to AGP board).  I have an availible slot to add another memory stick to my current 128.  My computor's limit is only 512 MB, but I thought of just adding a 256 MB stick to give me 384 MB memory.  Maybe get another 256 stick later to replace the 128 stick also.  I could get a PNY brand for $50, with a $20 mail in rebate.  My other option was to get a GeForce MX420 (I think) 64 MB PCI card for around $80 at Wal-Mart.  I'm leaning more toward ram, but any suggestions?
 
IP Logged
 
Reply #1 - Mar 11th, 2003 at 11:40am

congo   Offline
Colonel
Make BIOS your Friend
Australia

Gender: male
Posts: 3663
*****
 
Hi darkhorse,

Ram will help. So will the video card but don't expect too much performance from a PCI card.

Everything you mentioned will help, but sadly, your motherboard is always going to hold you back. I wouldn't spend much trying to upgrade the old HP. They are terrible computers for high level gaming and every cent you spend will  ultimately be wasted on it.

The trouble with a motherboard upgrade is that you will need new DDR ram, a nice fast CPU, a new AGP video card and probably a bigger power supply as well.

This leaves you with a case, monitor and peripherals to work with and you'll probably want a new case!

At this point you are just about to stop reading this in despair........ but there is a solution. Try advertising the HP on notice boards, free publications etc. Put a reasonable price on it because it's "As New".  Grin

When it sells, look for a Nforce2, XP2400 combo with fast DDR, get a cheap case with a biggish power supply and buy a GF4 TI4200 64mb video card, It'll kick butt then!  8)  

 

...Mainboard: Asus P5K-Premium, CPU=Intel E6850 @ x8x450fsb 3.6ghz, RAM: 4gb PC8500 Team Dark, Video: NV8800GT, HDD: 2x1Tb Samsung F3 RAID-0 + 1Tb F3, PSU: Antec 550 Basiq, OS: Win7x64, Display: 24" WS LCD
IP Logged
 
Reply #2 - Aug 24th, 2003 at 3:26am

Chi_San   Offline
Colonel
Ranma-Onna to Ranma Chan
Elsewhere

Posts: 54
*****
 
Last I heard, Compaq cases were popritary. Sad Although, I'm not sure if the one he has is or not...

For just playing games like FS, faster processor and more RAM go further than the best video card. If you do decide to build a computer, knowing that can help a bit. Smiley
 

Niku san wa tomodachi desu.&&&&~Chi san
IP Logged
 
Reply #3 - Aug 24th, 2003 at 3:49am

Ivan   Offline
Colonel
No, I'm NOT Russian, I
only like Russian aircraft
The netherlands

Gender: male
Posts: 6058
*****
 
compaq cases are sometimes weird...
it's most likely that a normal 500w psu doesnt fit in it, but if they adhere to the ATX standard you hopefully can remove the connector plate and replace it with another one
 

Russian planes: IL-76 (all standard length ones),  Tu-154 and Il-62, Tu-134 and An-24RV&&&&AI flightplans and repaints can be found here
IP Logged
 
Reply #4 - Aug 24th, 2003 at 4:00am

Chi_San   Offline
Colonel
Ranma-Onna to Ranma Chan
Elsewhere

Posts: 54
*****
 
So far as I know, only the Dell Dimension desktops didn't adhear to the ATX standard.
 

Niku san wa tomodachi desu.&&&&~Chi san
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print