memory vs. soundcard question

erniep33

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Aug 24, 2006
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Hello-

Hope this is the right place to post this.

I just bought a new graphics card to upgrade to PCIE (7900gs) and am now having to choose a new mobo.

I've found an asus mobo on newegg that will use ddr ram that I currently have as well as being PCI Express x16.
found here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131576

Now my question is I was wondering if I should buy a mobo that uses ddr2 instead of this and buy some ddr2 memory

or

should I buy the asus one, use my current memory, and buy a soundblaster x-fi.

Which would give my system a better performace boost? Is the ddr2 worth it over regular ddr?

How much does the x-fi actually alleviate work from the processor?


Thanks!
 

xiii

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Aug 13, 2006
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To be honest, I think the mobo you posted won't be much of an upgrade, in the sense that it will seriously limit your upgrading possibilities down the road. If I were you, I would get a DDR2 board (AM2 if you're on a budget, Conroe if you can afford it) so that you'll have both a nice processor for your money, and the ability to upgrade if you choose to do so. Oh and about the X-Fi, I think for the money the Audigy 4 is a better deal at almost half the price and (correct me if I'm wrong) pretty much the same CPU offload.
 

erniep33

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Aug 24, 2006
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Thanks for the quick reply.

I'm not going to buy a processor just quite yet. I am currently running a p4 3ghz processor socket 775. I was simply going to buy a socket 775 board and transfer my current processor over to it.

I think I will go with the ddr2 board so that I can get a sli mobo that will allow me to upgrade to two cards in the future.

Thanks again.
 

xiii

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No prob. One last thought though: if I were you, I would look into getting an LGA775 mobo that supported Conroe. You'll be very happy you took that step in advance! Goodluck and have fun!
 

erniep33

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I'll have to do that. Are there any boards out there that you would recommend that will support my current cpu and a conroe as well?
 

xiii

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I hate to say this but I'm not sure if they exist, what I meant was maybe looking if they did. Sorry that I can't be better help :oops:
 

xiii

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OK I did some research and yes, the new P965 and 975X chipsets from intel are backwards compatible so you can use your processor with them. You can also get an NForce 5 series. For what it's worth, the ASUS P5NSLI is a very well equipped motherboard for you money. Hope this helped! :)
 

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