Looking to buy one component to improve performance

[paraffin]

Hi

I can't decide which upgrade to get can you help?

I want to boost performance on my PC and was wondering if I should

a.) create a RAID 0 (Striped Drives) configuration i.e buy another Seagate 250GB Baracuda.

b.) buy another 1 GB of Ram Corsair XMS2 800Mhz 2 x 512MB (4-4-4-12)

What should I do?

PS, I have just got the Baracuda back from RMA so have to rebuild XP onto it anyway.

What will be the biggest gain?

I play BF2142 which runs fine at full settings
I surf and sometimes use VMWARE Server.

 

[alcattle]

c. buy 2gb of RAM, making 3 gb total. You are fill your slots with half the memory you can so another 2x 512mb would fill the MB with only 2 GB. Some day, you will end up throwing all out.

 

[jitpublisher]

Buy more memory. 2 gig total would be the sweet spot for your system running XP and what you do. 3 gig would be nice, if you can find a good deal you are willing to pay for 2 more gig. For what you do currently, you won't notice any difference between 2gig and 3gig total.
HOWEVER, if you plan on moving to Vista any time soon, then 2 more gig for a total of 3 is definetly the way to go.

 

[skyguy]

RAM.

 

[geofelt]

Where do you have a problem now, if at all? Your system looks good. If you are having a page fault problem, then adding memory is the only thing that will help. If you add memory, get the same speed, voltage and latency as you now have. Preferably get the same brand. You can have problems if you mix types, especially different voltages. 2-3gb seems to be the sweet spot.
If you are not having performance problems, consider adding a second monitor with the money instead.

 

[Daredevil_8]

RAM, and then OC that CPU

 

[Jdm240sx]

the ram is preferable because
1) raid 0= unsafe but fast but need a raid controller
2) ram is ram man! dont you want everything to be faster?
IMO 2 GB is the standard in every rig these days so if you want to be better then the standard get 3 or 4 gigs ^^ even though xp 32bit doesnt recognize 4 gigs vista and x64 will!

 

[f61]

Buy a 2x1G DC, then sell the 2x512Meg DC.

f61

 

[badnob]

A RAID 0 array would only reduce your 2142 level loading times by a couple of seconds.

 

[paraffin]

Thanks for the responses I think I will buy 2 x 1GB and sell the 2 x 512 modules.

Now if I am replacing the modules which RAM should I go for, I found these they are the same as the modules I have but with a better heat spreader

Corsair XMS2

Or do you recommend something else?

 

[bridonca]

I am utterly shocked! Have any of you people actually used a RAID0 setup? The hard drive is by far the best way to improve performance. I have no idea why anyone is even recommending more memory, especially with BF1942, and using XP. You will get zero performance improvement adding more memory. The reason, BF1942 will not use it. With a RAID0 configuration, there will be a rather noticeable increase in boot up speed.

 

[paraffin]

The Game is BF2142 if that makes a difference..

I dont really care about RAID0 increasing the risk of data loss because everything thing important like Music, Video, Pics, Programs are backed up onto 2 other drives. Which means if I lose a HDD in the RAID then I am happy to rebuild the PC.

Obviously people have mentioned OCing my CPU but I have not had stable experiences with this so far. At current settnig Prime95 runs indefinitely so is very stable.

 

[powerbaselx]

Thanks for the responses I think I will buy 2 x 1GB and sell the 2 x 512 modules.

2GB DDR2 is ok (Value RAM CL5 could be an cheaper option including for 3GB or 4GB...) and 2 hard drives configured in RAID 0 to increase disk access performance -- including also page swap file (even with more RAM windows always use it).

It all depends on your budget but RAM upgrade should be considered in first place. Then consider configure a RAID 0 set if your motherboard allows it. Finally you could try a soft OC (like 10%).

 

[f61]

I would investigate the G.Skill 2x1Gb 4-4-4-12 at 1.9V under $100 at the egg. Must alter the BIOS from 1.8V to 1.9V AND set the 4-4-4-12 latency yourself. No problems encountered. Read the reviews at the egg for clarification. IMHO this is a hi-quality build.

f61

 

[jitpublisher]

I am a RAID fan, but with only 1gig of memory I would still lean towards more memory first.

 

[Daredevil_8]

RAM indefinitely. When I only had a gig under XP. I maxed it out quite a bit in BF2 and any upper end games, Definitely gives you a performance hit. If that doesn't do it for you, then I'd suggest trying raid.

 

[realibrad]

it dosent look like he can go to newegg. ide guess he is somewhere in europe.

 

[paraffin]

f61 are you saying I have a quality rig?

Not alot of UK retailers sell G.skill RAM for reason. I will investigate when I get home to see if I can find some.

I hate you guys in the US your components are so cheap especially considering the exchange rate....

I guess after I have done this I will have to start looking at my next upgrade. Would advise going for the RAID0 next or something else?

 

[f61]

I posted that stuff at the egg so you'd get the exact part#, and see how good it is. As always do the best you can. VAT is a b!tc#.

f61

 

[paraffin]

Is 4GB of Kingstion PC4300 memory better than 2GB of Corsair XMS2 PC6400 Ram?

[/img]

 

[Zorg]

I hate you guys in the US your components are so cheap especially considering the exchange rate....

I feel bad for you. Not only do you have extremely high income tax rates, but, correct me if I'm wrong, you also have the ridiculous VAR. It's gotten to the point that it's almost better to be on welfare, because if you make any money it gets stripped away from you. And the big money social activists move outside the UK to get the cheaper tax rate while espousing the benefits of socialism. I hope it works out for all in the UK.

 

[jonisginger]

RAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! another 1gb min. If you want vista get another 2.
OC YOUR CPU it will 2.5 at stock speeds....or buy a e6600 because it has 4mb of cache. Or if your really cheap buy an e6320, because it has 4mb of cache then overclock it

 

[cd_rom]

I would OC that cpu if i were you, that would be the first thing so that if YOU can notice any differences. You seem to be like an average gamer so extra ram is alwasy preferable.

I haven't got any experience on RAID setting so can't help you on that. But over clock that cpu, you got artic cpu cooler and just let it sits there and wastes?!

 

[Dahak]

Buy a second gig of ram.Don't bother buying two more gigs as you'll never use three gigs in XP.Heck you'll never use 2gigs of ram either,but the added ram(going from 1gig to 2gigs)will improve performance significantly.But buying a third gig will show absolutely no performance boost over 2gigs.Goodluck.

Dahak

AMD X2 5600+ @ 2.8ghz(stock)
M2N32-SLI DELUXE MB
2 GIGS DDR2 800 RAM
THERMALTAKE 850WATT PSU
7950GT KO(WAITING FOR MY OTHER TO COME BACK FROM RMA)
ACER 22IN. LCD
SMILIDON RAIDMAX GAMING CASE
80GIG/250gig SATA2 HD's
XP MCE

 

[uberman]

RAM.2 gigs is sufficient for XP.Like others have said ditch the 2x512 and get 2x1.In my experience Corsair makes excellent ram.