[Senninha]

Hi All,

Just looking for a little advice. First my current system specs.

CPU: AMD ATHLON 64 3200+
Memory: CORSAIR XMS 512MB x2 PC3200 PC400 DDR
Mobo: Foxconn/WinFast NF4UK8AA-8EKRS nForce4 Chipset Ultra
Video: PCI-E EVGA 6800GT 256MB
Case: X-BLADE Mid-Tower 450W

I bought this system in June 2005. Obviously it is now a bit long in the teeth but I am not ready to buy a new system at this time. I am finally upgrading my old CRT with a new LCD (Acer X193W+BD 19" 1680 x 1050 resolution). Newegg has a great deal on this monitor, $129.99 with free shipping. I read most of the reviews on there and it seems like a good choice.

I want to take advantage of the 1680 x 1050 and it appears that I should get a new video card. I am not a hardcore gamer, but I like to play online games sometimes. I currently play COD 2 but I would really like to play COD 4 or 5.

I read a lot of reviews on some budget cards that would tide me over until a full system upgrade. Newegg has the MSI Radeon HD 4670 for $64.99 after rebate with free shipping. This card seems like a price to performance winner and from all of the reviews, I should be able to play the games I want at the higher resolution. I may have to turn some settings off but that is allright for now.

Any thoughts or insight would be greatly appreciated. The rebate ends on 12-31-08 so I want to make the purchase by then.

[Joshuashawharvey]

I was actually looking at these cards myself. I think they're fantastic for price/performance ratio. Also these cards consume much less power than more expensive cards so your power supply desn't get it in the neck. They do not even need a PCI-E power adapter but they still pull off some very good benchmarks.

All-in-all, extremely good cards if you're on a budget. If you have a little more cash spare i'd recommend a HD 4830 or 4850 but bearing your PSU in mind, i'd go for the 4670 with no hesitation.

[Senninha]

Thank you very much for the input. I am going to order it.

Another question I forgot to ask, I only have 1GB of memory right now. Will I notice a difference if I go with 2GB? (for playing games, loading windows, multiple apps., etc) Newegg has another sale, $44.00 after rebate for CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)

I have read numerous articles on adding more memory and I just want to know if the performance gain justifies the cost.

Thank you again.

[Joshuashawharvey]

Definitely

Running games such as COD 4, it will be essential to have at least 2GB of RAM for optimum performance.

[Senninha]

Sweet. I went back to Newegg to order and I found basically the same memory from Corsair but it is $10.00 more. I do not quite understand the difference.

The one I want to buy: Cas Latency 2 Timing 2-3-3-6

The other one: 3 and 3-4-4-8

Everything else looks the same. Does it matter which one? Thanks again.

[Daveskater]

If you're replacing all of your RAM with a 2x2GB kit then the one with the lowest latencies will have the best performance. Think of the latencies like a 0-60mph time on a car

[Senninha]

Thank you both for all of your help.

[Senninha]

I have a follow up question on memory. How come the newer memory available is so much cheaper than what I need? Is it because the older stuff is not made anymore?

I can get the memory I need for $44 after rebate but I look on Newegg and they have Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) for $12.99 after rebate. I know that memory won't go in my system. It just seems crazy.

[alan2273]

Supply & Demand, yes it is still made but only in small quantities so it is more expensive.
DDR2 will go the same way when DDR3 becomes the mainstream memory of choice.

[Joshuashawharvey]

I'd always wondered that aswell. Thanks for the info Alan