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Upgrading Video Cards

V

Vultur

n00b
Joined
Oct 9, 2004
Messages
5
Hey, I'm looking to upgrade my PC for Half-Life 2, but I think I am only going to upgrade the memory and video card. I need some input on what video card I should get. I am aware that the 9600 pro will play the game fairly well, but I would still like to upgrade. Thanks for the input. I really don't want to spend more than $300, but I don't know if I will be able to get something I would be very happy with for a while for that price, so suggest away.

Specs:
CPU: AMD 2400+ @ stock
MOBO: ASRock K7S8XE /w SiS 748 chipset
MEMORY: 512 PC 2100 (2 sticks)
VIDEO CARD: BBA 9600 PRO
PS: Antec 300w
 
You can get a 6800 (non GT, non Ultra) for $269 off Newegg. But, without 1Gb ram, I'm not sure there's a point.

I can't find your motherboard specs anywhere, but if you have 3 dimm slots or more, I would say a 6800 + 512 MB generic ram is the way to go. But it'll cost you $350. Otherwise, get 512MB generic ram, and wait on the gfx card.
 
Thanks, I found that you can get a 6800 for $250 on outpost, and yes my mobo does have 3 dimm slots. Would selling my 9600 pro and getting a 9800pro for about $170 be worth it, because It would be cheaper. I will most likely get a 512 stick of pc 2100. Thanks.
 
1) Do not get a 9800 pro for more than $150 nowadays. The vanilla 6800 will come along and kill it as far as value goes. You can try the FS/FT forum for a 9800 pro for a good price, though. Otherwise get a vanilla 6800 or a 6600 GT (make sure you get AGP flavors, which may involve waiting a bit for 6600GT)

2) Never buy less than PC3200 RAM. Why? Because it's not going to be any cheaper. You can run PC3200 RAM at PC2100 speeds. Then you'll be able to tighten your timings. Then if you get a new motherboard anytime soon, you will have more of a chance of being able to use the same RAM.

3) Yes, 1GB of RAM is good. But you do not NEED it to increase your performance with a better video card. I'm not saying don't bother with 1GB of RAM. I'm saying "But, without 1Gb ram, I'm not sure there's a point." is absolute BS.
 
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