upgrade Memory or Video Card?

[Ergregori]

I have a Dell Dimension 4100 1GHz PIII w/ 128MB of PC133 RAM and a 32MB NIVIDIA TNT2 AGP. Recently, I upgraded to Windows XP and noticed significant decrease in system response. I'm not a hard-core gamer but occasionally play games like Warcraft III, and NWN. If I want to upgrade my system should I focus on the memory or the graphic card? If the latter, what are my alternatives? Thanks.

 

[Spicedaddy]

Since the games you play aren't that demanding for the video card, I'd definitely pick up more ram. 256MB should be the minimum for XP, 384 or 512 would be better. I'd pick up a 256MB stick if I were you...


But start saving up for a new video card also, because a TNT2 is a little outdated.

 

[MJ99]

imo upgrade the memory and make sure you have the latest video drivers.

 

[Sid59]

more memory

 

[Ergregori]

Thanks.

How is Kingston for memory? I read that Crucial are the best but are they really worth the money?

 

[bgeh]

kingston is fine if you don't overclock

 

[Smilin]

Definately memory first, but why not both? I mean it doesn't take much of a car upgrade to outrun your yugo? You could get a $75 video card that could triple the speed of that thing.

 

[Syran]

I'm not sure what your budget is, but here is a recommendation:

KINGSTON KVR133X64C3/512 VALUERAM 512MB PC133 - OEM = $57.99 @ Newegg
GAINWARD/CARDEXPERT GeForce 3 Ti200 64MB (NVIDIA GeForce3 Ti 200 GPU), Power Pack Golden Sample, ( 4ns. 64MB DDR. ). TV-Out. = $90.00 @ Newegg

Comes out to under $150 w/ shipping.

 

[nick1985]

id say spend 40 bucks for a geforce 2 and 220 bucks for another 128 of RAM. you will be an aww....

 

[x75]

Originally posted by: nick1985
id say spend 40 bucks for a geforce 2 and 220 bucks for another 128 of RAM. you will be an aww....

That's a pretty hefty estimate for RAM prices...I think he can easily get away with speding much less for much more. Check the B&M sales circulars this week. Many of the computer chains are having deals on memory with instant and mail in rebates. I would definitely go with the RAM & upgrade the video drivers. NVidia has new ones that came out early December I think. Good luck!

 

[HalfCrazy]

I bought (2) 256MB Kingston PC2100 DDR at a local store. After the rebates the price was only $55 bucks each. Which is not that bad since the lowest price on pricewatch was $65 w/ shipping the day I bought them.

 

[zephyrprime]

This guy's computer probably uses SDRAM not DDR. SDRAM is so cheap you'd be nuts not to upgrade. There are always sdram deals @ the hot deals forum and on ebay. Be careful though because you system may not be able to support modern high density SDRAM well. Try to find out the maximum size dimm your MB supports.

 

[nick1985]

i meant 20 bucks, not 220 lol...

 

[PCMarine]

yea SDRAM is cheaper than bread these days. Id say pick up 256 stick of PC-133 if you're on a budget, and 512 if you want to be more ambitious. If you want more gaming performance Id recommend a Geforce 2 or GeForce 3...maybe one from the Radeon series.

 

[wetcat007]

Crucial is the bets for the dollar.

 

[Ergregori]

Thanks for the inputs.

Been reading a lot on graphic cards. The Nvidia GeForce Ti 4200 seems really nice. Would it be an over kill for this system? (aftering increasing my RAM to 512MB). Eventually I would like to replace my 19" Trinitron with a 17"-18" LCD. Not sure what the corresponding resolution is but can the GF2/GF3 handle games at that resolution?

 

[arcenite]

I don't believe in overkill. Look at my system specs if you don't believe me. The 4200 in combination with the new ram will leave your jaw on the floor

Even upgrading from Radeon to a Radeon 8500LE did such a thing to me, and I only have a 733mhz cpu.

Bill