SLI upgrade or 2GB of memory?

[dpaige11]

I currently have the following specs:

Athlon X2 3800 (over clocked at 2.5ghz)
1GB (2x512) Memory
ASUS A8N-SLI Premium
ASUS 7800GT

In gaming would I benifit more from a second 7800GT or 2GB (2x1024) of Memory? I ask because I could get a second 7800GT for $127 and I know they are discountinued. Or should I just stay with what I have and wait for the current 7800gt can't cut it?

 

[wun911]

Its not like your 7800GT wont cut it in 2 months time! What game cant you run with your 7800GT?

The extra 1 gig wont go to waste personally I would rather have the extra RAM you can use the ram in games and in windows.

Interms of gaming a 7800GT SLI would be sweet but im sure that you could pick one of these later even though its discontinued....

 

[chuckshissle]

Get more ram for 2Gb total ramage and along with that card you'd be able to play games at high res and high quality settings.

 

[dpaige]

Thanks. My only reason was fear that I wouldn't be able to get a second 7800gt down the line whenever my single 780gt can't cut it.

Here is my second question do I go out an buy 2gb of memory on 2 dimms or just purchase an addition 2 512MB dimms? Wil that effect dual channel negatively?

 

[jap0nes]

i would go for RAM. your card is still pretty good, and BF2 for example have a performance boost from 2GB. future games tend to act that way also.

as for the memory upgrade, as far as i know, there should be no problem adding a second 2x512 kit. just try to get memories with the same latencies. Ideally, you can try to get one of the same model as the one you already have

 

[waylander]

Upgrade the memory but don't forget to check out OCZ, Corsair and Mushkin and get the 2 x 1GB kit.

 

[MG37221]

CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail
* Model #: Twinx2048-3200c2pt
* Item #: N82E16820145575
$189.00
($139.00 after $50.00 Mail-In Rebate)
Free 3 day shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145575

I don't know that you really need either one. If your performance is now adequate, why not just bank what you'd be spending on either upgrade.

Now, having said that, this Corsair deal looks really sweet! If I was looking for some memory, I'd have to spring on that quickly.

 

[mas0n]

RAM without s doubt

 

[smedlin]

Go with the extra RAM.

For furture upgrading, I would buy 2 single gig sticks. (for a total of 2G). Then when vista comes out (assuming we still have the same rigs by that time :roll: ), you can put another 2 gig sticks in there (for a total of 4G).

 

[MG37221]

Go with the extra RAM.

For furture upgrading, I would buy 2 single gig sticks. (for a total of 2G). Then when vista comes out (assuming we still have the same rigs by that time :roll: ), you can put another 2 gig sticks in there (for a total of 4G).

4GB probably won't be enough :roll: for Vista

 

[cmptrdude79]

Thanks. My only reason was fear that I wouldn't be able to get a second 7800gt down the line whenever my single 780gt can't cut it.

Here is my second question do I go out an buy 2gb of memory on 2 dimms or just purchase an addition 2 512MB dimms? Wil that effect dual channel negatively?

I also recommend you pick up the 2x1GB kit, and here's why: adding a second pair of 512MB sticks would work, but would force you to the 2T command rate. This means that every instruction would basically take twice as long. (Yes, for the purists, that's an oversimplification). Best thing is a 2x1GB kit from a good manufacturer. Kingston, Corsair, OCZ, and several others have good high-performance 2GB kits available at Newegg. I personally recommend the OCZ, as I've had nothing but good results with their memory, but any good-brand 2GB kit would be great.

-J

 

[smedlin]

4GB probably won't be enough :roll: for Vista

:lol: :lol: :lol:
That would be a huge mistake by Microsoft. PCs will cost more, so they won't be attractive.

But we would still go out and spend the money...

 

[bluntside]

True, you wont see the average JOE purchasing a new high end pice of equipment, and purchasing VISTA on top of that.
Only true gamers and enthusiasts would afford such a system :twisted:

 

[jonkc]

I ask because I could get a second 7800GT for $127 and I know they are discountinued.

Where can you get the card for $127 is it public or private sale? I could spend that now to upgrade my 6600GT...

 

[FITCamaro]

4GB probably won't be enough :roll: for Vista

Vista currently runs fine on 2GB of RAM. Even with 800MB of RAM usage just from Vista, 1.2GB of memory should be more than enough for games for a good few yeards. The most memory I've ever seen a game use is 800MB from SWG. Course I never looked at my memory usage of Battlefield 2 during game play.

 

[Naujoks]

Just upgraded to 2GB myself, didn't do a damn thing! 'Condemned' still slow (on high res & details).

A64 3500+, A8N-SLI, 7800GT x2, 1920x1200 WS, 2GB 2.5CL