Looking to upgrade either Graphics card or RAM, have a few questions

Hi, everyone!

First of all, here's my computer's specs:

Microsoft Windows XP
Home Edition
Version 2002
Service Pack 1

Dell Dimension 8250
Intel Pentium 4 CPU 2.66GHz
512 MB of RAM

ATI Radeon 9500 Pro/9700

Ok, onto my question:

I was looking to improve my computer's preformance with gaming, and I was wondering if a new graphics card or more RAM would help the most.

The thing is, my motherboard is somewhat outdated, and it only supports RAMBUS RAM, which is rediculously expensive. (Like $200 for 128 MB)

I was also considering upgrading my ATI Radeon 9500 Pro/9700 for a 9800XT, but I'm not sure if the performance increase would be drastic, or even noticeable.

I have wanted more RAM for a while now, but in order to add more, I would either have to spend a very large sum of money to double it with the RAMBUS, or buy a completely new motherboard that supports mainstream RAM, buy new RAM, and go from there.

Any suggestions would be very helpful!

Thanks in advance!

-Phalanx114

 

well, since your RAM is so expensive a video card would be the obvious coice, or a new mobo/new pc. th 6800gs comes in AGP I believe and is a pretty good card, better than the one in my pc right now.

 

it would definitely be a better investment if you just bought a new mobo and new RAM to go with it. As far as the video card goes, it would be a waste to go from a 9500pro to a 9800xt, get a more modern card like an x800/gt/gto or a x1600 or a nvidia equivelant, a 6800gs/gt.

 

You would notice a fair difference between a 9500pro and a 9800XT.
I went from a 9600 Pro to 9800 Pro and got a huge increase in framerates.
This was over a year ago now though, and it bottlenecks my system in games like Call Of Duty 2.
If you have a few hundred quid, then an X850 or 7800GTX would be the way to go. If you're on a tight budget and don't need over 100fps at ridiculously high resolutions in games, then pick up a cheap second hand card on EBay from a reputable seller. Best £80 I ever spent on my pooter.

 

Its a Dell. Thats why its outdated.

 

That's the best quote I've heard in a long time...

Anyway, on topic, considering how difficult it is to upgrade a Dell computer, it's possible you might be better off replacing the mobo, because Dell has a bad habit of not handling upgrades as well as others, or homebuilt ones.

In anycase, a video card upgrade is definitely in order, though I recommend buying a generation behind the current, because by this point, most of them have stabilized the drivers.

 

Thanks for all the replies!

The issue that is bugging me the most is the damn RAMBUS RAM, I'm certain that it would be cheaper to buy a whole new motherboard and standard RAM, instead of just buying more Rambus.

My uncle (who builds computers as a hobby and is a computer engineer) and I went to the store looking to upgrade my stuff, and doubling my RAM from 512 to 1 Gig was something like $345.00. That is rediculous.

Rambus must be Greek for "Really f-ing expensive."

In the near future I would like to overhaul my entire system, but since my funds are somewhat limited, I will do it one step at a time.

For example, I would eventually like to buy a whole new case and move all the parts in my Dell to the new one. More space, customizable, and cooling system would be helpful! My rig right now has no cooling except the fan on the videocard, and the standard fan in the back.

The case will be useful, too, because I already have a monitor, mouse, keyboard, videocard, soundcard, network card, speakers, etc.

I eventually want my rig to rival that of my uncle's, who has like 4 cooling fans, a clear case with neon blue lights, the latest vid card, 2 Gigs of RAM, and 7.1 Speakers.

So, the Mobo & more RAM are in order, and perhaps a new vid card on the side.

Anyone know of any good motherboards and/or RAM? If you knew the price ranges too, that would be really helpful.

I heard Corsair is decent RAM, although I'd love to hear other's opinions as well.

Cheers!

 

Oh, also, if I choose to simply upgrade just my Graphics card to something like a 9800XT or an X800, will it be limited by my lack of RAM?

(or "Rack of Lamb" if you're dyslexic)

Thanks!

 

Not really. Most cards totally ignore RAM for the purposes of gaming. Games might start to complain if you play the state of the art, top of the line games, but even then, I've played games that want at least 128 on a meer 64 megs.

I've also played games that want 64MB video, on a 16MB Voodoo3.