RAM advice

[[PhiberOpticks]]

I put my computer specs into the attachment. I was wondering what RAM I should use. Cuz for confirmation, my mom said that I could get one piece of hardware. And I want a 2GB one. I'll be pwning people's framerates in any game.

Now, I don't want to just go and throw money out, because I know that some hardware is dependant on other hardware, and must therefore be compatible. So could anyone suggest a 2GB stick of RAM that I could buy and use without problems? Only tell me if you're 100% sure. I really don't have the budget for maybes.

[Seifer]

>_> I'll buy what hes buying.

[[PhiberOpticks]]

You guys ain't much help >.<

[NovasLogic]

You guys ain't much help >.<

neither is that chart. It doesn't give me the specifications on what the max type of ram that can go in. I don't know if you can use ddr pc3200 or only 2100. As for frame rates, 2gb will not help you that much because you'd be lucky to use 700mb of ram. a gig of ram is really your best option but if you want to own frame rates you really need a faster processor and a better videocard.

[[PhiberOpticks]]

Oh my bad, the computer was originally an HP Pavilion 523n, but I switched out the video card with an ATI Radeon 9600XT. Lemme see if I can find the case information...

But anyways, what kind of stuff do you need to know in order to know what RAM to buy?

[Zelphiel]

I know you said you can only get one... but upgrading your video card and getting another 512mb or 1gb ram card to go with it will probly be ok for framerate.

but yeah... like nova said... you'll only be able to improve it so much with the processor you have.

[[PhiberOpticks]]

I know, and the video card part is done. And I only have 512 MB of RAM, so I am shooting for at least 1GB of RAM. And if the appropriate RAM is cheap enough, I might be able to get a new processor.

[Chicken Little]

Oh my bad, the computer was originally an HP Pavilion 523n, but I switched out the video card with an ATI Radeon 9600XT. Lemme see if I can find the case information...

But anyways, what kind of stuff do you need to know in order to know what RAM to buy?

RAM is dependant on mobo slots as they have different bus types. ALl thats really needed to get what ram you need is what your actual mobo is as production details then have whats your max limit of RAM and what tpes are allowed.

[[PhiberOpticks]]

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=90387&dlc=en&docname=bph03886

My friend sent me this link that might explain a little about the RAM. I don't speak much computer gibberish, so I don't really have the comprehension to read it.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=90387&lang=en&docname=bph07767

Here's the product information on my PC model. Note that the video card is different than what's on the original model.

Okay, I have surmised this much. I need 1GB of DDR RAM, and if I am to replace my CPU, I need a SocketA type CPU. This is the current model I am looking at for a CPU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E168191033 91

[Baka]

find out the max capacity of your Mobo first and the specific RAM type. Framerate is more video card than it is RAM. RAM pretty much lets you open crap quicker. Minimum in PCs are 1gig RAM with a nice video card. I run a Radeon 9800 PRO 128MB with a gig of RAM. I have no problems playing FEAR, Doom3, Unreal 2k5, Guild Wars, etc.... everything is smooth and my graphic settings are always on high. Oh and if you're playing across the net, your connection speed makes a difference too.

[Chicken Little]

find out the max capacity of your Mobo first and the specific RAM type. Framerate is more video card than it is RAM. RAM pretty much lets you open crap quicker. Minimum in PCs are 1gig RAM with a nice video card. I run a Radeon 9800 PRO 128MB with a gig of RAM. I have no problems playing FEAR, Doom3, Unreal 2k5, Guild Wars, etc.... everything is smooth and my graphic settings are always on high. Oh and if you're playing across the net, your connection speed makes a difference too.

actually i only run a powercolour radeon 9200 series, though its the tweaked 256mb ddr agp8x version using the 9200 series engine on 512mb ram and Doom 3 only lags in multiplayer, civ4 runs fine on medium.

My mobo (MSI 648F Neo) has a max capacity of 3GB DDR RAM and it doesnt even have a pcie slot so anything around that age still can handle 1GB rather easily.

anywho

if the mobo hasnt been changed from the package then its running the VIA KM266 chipset and that has a base capacity of 4GB DDR266 SDRAM.

The speed as noted in the memory details is PC2100 or PC1600 RAM, the 2100 being your best bet.

See i dont have these problems cause MSI are champs, and at the bottom of each mobo list the types of rams that are compatable. ;)

HP/AMD scum!

[Baka]

actually i only run a powercolour radeon 9200 series, though its the tweaked 256mb ddr agp8x version using the 9200 series engine on 512mb ram and Doom 3 only lags in multiplayer, civ4 runs fine on medium.

My mobo (MSI 648F Neo) has a max capacity of 3GB DDR RAM and it doesnt even have a pcie slot so anything around that age still can handle 1GB rather easily.

anywho

if the mobo hasnt been changed from the package then its running the VIA KM266 chipset and that has a base capacity of 4GB DDR266 SDRAM.

The speed as noted in the memory details is PC2100 or PC1600 RAM, the 2100 being your best bet.

See i dont have these problems cause MSI are champs, and at the bottom of each mobo list the types of rams that are compatable. ;)

HP/AMD scum!

haha nice.....my mobo is an ASUS PC800 E-deluxe. i think RAM Capacity is 4gb. I need my friend to come over and help me rewire everything though. Damn crappy wiring job was done. and i have 2 SATA slots that i wanna use since they're there :)

[[PhiberOpticks]]

My current max RAM capacity is 2GB. So 1GB of RAM is fine. I just need to know if the hardware I have picked out will work in my PC.

[Chicken Little]

My current max RAM capacity is 2GB. So 1GB of RAM is fine. I just need to know if the hardware I have picked out will work in my PC.

Your mobo is Socket A AMD, that processor is socket A AMD so you should have no problem with that.

However you didnt link to any other hardware besides the processor.

[[PhiberOpticks]]

Okay here's the RAM I'm looking at. Apparantly, I think my case can only take DDR-type RAM. I just saw regular DDR RAM in this name, so I assume it works.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E168201414 37

[Chicken Little]

Okay here's the RAM I'm looking at. Apparantly, I think my case can only take DDR-type RAM. I just saw regular DDR RAM in this name, so I assume it works.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E168201414 37

that kingston stick is type 3200, you can only support 2100 & 1600 on that mobo.

tbh dunno of any 1gb sticks off the top of my head in either of those series.

[[PhiberOpticks]]

Okay, well I picked out one stick of RAM. Would this one work?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E168201455 19

Also, would it work well. And if it doesn't work well, could you recommend one better.

[Chicken Little]

Okay, well I picked out one stick of RAM. Would this one work?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E168201455 19

Also, would it work well. And if it doesn't work well, could you recommend one better.

to my knowledge that one should work, and Corsair are decent RAM maker

[[PhiberOpticks]]

Okay, I'll just run it past the local nerd and show him my case and see if it will work. Thanks for your help. If you guys realize that something is wrong with the hardware I picked ot, then just gimme a heads up.

But one last question. Cuz I just got a job yesterday, so I plan on switching out that old-ass 10GB HD in my second HD slot for an 80GB. Would you guys reccommend Seagate or Western Digital? And if so, what do I need to look for, exactly, to know that it will work in my PC?

FOr instance, I was looking at these two models. Would they work in my PC?:

Western Digital:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E168221351 06

Seagate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E168221481 07

[Cherubim1324]

They both look like they would work for you. The Seagate Barracuda seems to have better stats, but I have never used one of their drives, nor any of their products, so I do not know how good of quality their merchandise is. I say either one would be fine, but it is your call in the end.

[[PhiberOpticks]]

Okay, well I'm going to stick with Western Digital. I've used their HDs for a long time now, anyways, and it's pretty trustworthy. I was just thinking cuz I think I heard some guy say that Seagate was supposed to be good. Just wanted to be sure I ain't missing out on anything.

[Cherubim1324]

Just make sure you are getting the right interface type for your system.

[[PhiberOpticks]]

...Que?

[Chicken Little]

They both look like they would work for you. The Seagate Barracuda seems to have better stats, but I have never used one of their drives, nor any of their products, so I do not know how good of quality their merchandise is. I say either one would be fine, but it is your call in the end.


I dont think his mobo has sata connectors and only has standard ide, of which are different (sata opposed to ata) Both the drives listed are sata compatable only, and swapping to ide would then require an exterior connector.

[NovasLogic]

I dont think his mobo has sata connectors and only has standard ide, of which are different (sata opposed to ata) Both the drives listed are sata compatable only, and swapping to ide would then require an exterior connector.

yeah I've heard of people doing that. Oh.. and processors now play as big of part in gaming as the videocard just for people to know. this I know cause unless I overclock my processor to 2ghz from the original 1.5ghz. if I don't quake 4 lags like crazy, same with a bunch of games like Fable and a few other I can't remember off hand.

[[PhiberOpticks]]

Currently, my motherboard could, at best, support a 2.1Ghz processor. And that would only make a 16% difference, speed-wise. Any other modifications besides maxing out my ram would require me to replace to my entire computer, since I would literally have to upgrade all the parts, including the case, probably.

So I'll just max out the RAM.

[Night]

How much money can you spend?
You're talking about new RAM a new HD and a new Proccesor, you might as well start from scratch.

[[PhiberOpticks]]

I said I was gonna only max out the RAM. You gotta pay attention. My motherboard won't support anything over a 2.1Ghz CPU, and they don't have those, and a .2Ghz CPU difference for a 2.0Ghz CPU isn't really worth throwing my money away.

[Night]

I was paying attention. You put links to a HD and mentioned a new preccesor.

[[PhiberOpticks]]

Perhaps I wasn't clear enough. But anyways, on my second paycheck I'm probably gonna buy a hard drive. My parents are buying me hardware, as a confirmation present.

[NovasLogic]

I said I was gonna only max out the RAM. You gotta pay attention. My motherboard won't support anything over a 2.1Ghz CPU, and they don't have those, and a .2Ghz CPU difference for a 2.0Ghz CPU isn't really worth throwing my money away.

Relax man. I can garentee more ram will give you less results then a better processor. You're just trying to go the cheap route. when it comes to gaming you gotta know have to even the stuff out cause you need a good balance or you're just wasting your time.

[[PhiberOpticks]]

Of course I should get a better processor if I really want to improve my performance, but I still have to worry about my budget. If I wanted to upgrade my CPU to something that would really make a difference, I would have to replace the motherboard, and I might as well buy a whole new computer for the same price as if I replaced the motherboard and CPU and added the RAM.

[NovasLogic]

Of course I should get a better processor if I really want to improve my performance, but I still have to worry about my budget. If I wanted to upgrade my CPU to something that would really make a difference, I would have to replace the motherboard, and I might as well buy a whole new computer for the same price as if I replaced the motherboard and CPU and added the RAM.

just put in the processor that maxes it out. I can't remember what it was but I believe it was an athlon and that will be about as much as a cheap thing of ram give or take. honestly 2ghz is a good amount but if I was you I'd buy a stick of 512mb ram and then get like an ati radeon x700. Honestly that would probably utilize your processor the best because its about an even setting then for your components.

[[PhiberOpticks]]

I did the math on upgrading from a 1.8Ghz to a 2.1Ghz CPU, and that would only make a .16 second difference in terms of speed. And since I can't find that one, I'd have to get a 2.0 CPU, and that just isn't worth the money.

Later on, I will upgrade my video card, but that's not my concern right now.

[Cherubim1324]

I did the math on upgrading from a 1.8Ghz to a 2.1Ghz CPU, and that would only make a .16 second difference in terms of speed. And since I can't find that one, I'd have to get a 2.0 CPU, and that just isn't worth the money.

Later on, I will upgrade my video card, but that's not my concern right now.

How about you just deal with what you have, save $500, and build a better PC from scratch? Just something to think about...

[Night]

Thats what I said, Cherub. Getting a new Video Card before a processor will yield less results anyways, so if you think your proccesor won't be worth it then maybe it's time for a new motherboard.

[NovasLogic]

Thats what I said, Cherub. Getting a new Video Card before a processor will yield less results anyways, so if you think your proccesor won't be worth it then maybe it's time for a new motherboard.

well he could do what I suggested but he seems a bit to stubborn on thinking memory will yeild great results. If he just saves up that amount of cash he can reuse what he has.. well that is if he has pci-e videocard.

[[PhiberOpticks]]

.2 Ghz isn't that big a difference. The reason I am only going to add RAM is because I can take it out of my old computer and put it into my new one, when I have enough money to make a significantly better one.

I didn't say maxing out the RAM would yield great results. You assumed I said that. What I said was that it would be a cheaper solution.

What my intention is to just buy the hardware that will be useful to me, when I decide to make a custom computer, so I can just take the RAM and possibly the HDs out of my HP and save myself the money later.

Plus, my parents will basically say times up if I tell them to save the money that they would spend on my confirmation for later. And they certainly wouldn't give it to me to hold.

[Night]

What he said was that you thought it was a better solution than his suggestion.

Times up? What the fuck? that sounds mad selfish.

[[PhiberOpticks]]

Well they like immediate results. Don't ask me, I ain't a psychoanalyst yet.

[Night]

Okay, Dr. Phil... in training.


I just looked at my Motherboard booklet. No pci-e slots. The thing isn't even a year old yet... I'm slightly pissed... upset is a better way to put it.

[[PhiberOpticks]]

No PCI express slots? You must have gotten an older case that they must have still been selling.

[Night]

umm, no. It's a newer motherboard, manufactured 2004, and it wasn't in the case when I bought it.

I'll have to check next time, I was still apathetic about PCI-e when I bought it.

[[PhiberOpticks]]

I'm talking about the case, not the motherboard.

*EDIT* I took out that question cuz I just noticed what I had said. I need to pay more attention...

[Night]

No. The case is just a... case.

[[PhiberOpticks]]

What year was the case manufactured. That doesn't make sense for a relatively new case to be outdated for new CPUs. Must've bought a case at the wrong time.

[Night]

What are you talking about? My CPU is fine and the case has nothing to do with performance.

[[PhiberOpticks]]

GODDAMNIT! I meant the motherboard.

[Night]

It's a newer motherboard, manufactured 2004

Stop posting now, you're ruining your image

[[PhiberOpticks]]

You still didn't answer my question. When was the case manufactured.

[Night]

What are you talking about? My CPU is fine and the case has nothing to do with performance.
Quote and

Stop posting now, you're ruining your image Quote

[[PhiberOpticks]]

I just want to know. And it's not a matter of performance, it's a matter of is that case old enough to be too outdated for the motherboard.

[Night]

Uh, the motherboard is in there, so no...

[[PhiberOpticks]]

I lose....I deserve to get hit with a dumby brick right now. My bad, I'm mad distracted. I got this person who won't get off my back.

[Night]

lol, your daddy.