Hanukkah money= more stuff for computer.....suggestions?

[Silverion77]

Well heres the situation

I have about another $100ish to spend for extras (Hanukkah)
Here are the choices I cam up with:

1) I get another 2 gigs of RAM (4 slots with 1 gig and I have 64 bit Vista)
What is the patch people are downloading to use 4 gigs....heard you get a problem otherwise

2) I get the TR 120 Extreme with some fans and thermal crud (2-3 for heatsink, front, and side if it fits)

3) Gaming peripherals like a mouse and keyboard (are they worth it or just bull? And do they need to be 64-bit compatible?)

4) I get a cheaper heatsink (AC Freezer 7) other stuff from list

Any input or other suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

[monste4321]

ram prob

but it depends on ur cpu if u want the 120 ex

 

[Silverion77]

Well I'm overclocking the E2180 hoping to get about 3.4-3.6 (waiting to get DOA ram back)
The RAM is $50 so anything else there worth it

What about gaming mouses and keyboards, do they really do anything?

 

[dashelj]

Yeah I would say ram and the heatsink.

A mouse and keyboard is all well and good but they wouldnt really give a performance boost like ram and a good OC would do.

To me gaming keyboards are largely gimmicks. Mice are a little different story as I would never give up my Mx518 for a lesser mouse. But 40 bucks is probably the most I would spend on a mouse and I dont like to do it often.

 

[Silverion77]

does 4 gigs of ram give you that much of boost?

For the processor I should get 3.0 with stock.
Is the gaming mouse that much easier to use (have a cheap microsoft ball no more opticals)

Another option is to put more in and get a bigger monitor (have 19" now)
I have a 19" now but should I upgrade to 22"ish (any suggestions on model?)

 

[Kamrooz]

optical/laser mouse are pretty much standard now. A big difference as well, no need to clean. I have a mx510, had two mx500's but they both died.

For my new rig in feb/march, nabbing a g11 keyboard and g9 mouse. I don't mind paying extra for the mouse, it has adjustable weights and an additional grip. So easy choice for me.

You have 1 gig of ram right now?..if so definitely get a 2x1 kit.

considering your scenario, a 2x1 kit (if you do have only 1 gb of ram with vista, how do you live?!?!), a heatsink, and some Arctic silver 5.

Nevermind the mouse, get that later, seems like you need the ram for an OC.

I just re-read, your RMA'ing atm?..4 gigs should prove beneficial in vista, but choice is yours...performance is more important than a mouse, but it would be between..

mouse + heatsink + arctic silver 5

or

ram + heatsink + arctic silver 5

 

[Silverion77]

This is my setup now:
E2180 (going to overclock, thats why I ask for TR 120)
2x1 Gigs Crucial Ballistix DDR2-800 (middle of RMA, failed memtest and had BSOD problems)
EVGA 8800GT SC

My question is to get 4x1 gigs of RAM (another 2x1 kit) will that give a great boost?
or get a bigger monitor (22"), gaming periph. or the 120 with some fans?
My mom will pay the stuff to about $250-300, but which is a better choice? (or combination)

 

[Kamrooz]

vista is more of a hog of memory than XP, so not sure since I haven't used vista yet. But it will give a boost, not sure how big though.

In terms of monitor, 22" is really ehhh...I'd go for minimum 24"...atleast you can get 1080p use out of a 24" monitor. Also you need a pretty demanding card for 1920x1200 use, but if you can use 1:1 pixel mapping, it makes it easier on the card.

Choice is yours though bro, it's your rig. If you want ram for more performance (not sure how much, but nothing massive), then go for ram. If you want a bigger monitor go for that. It's a tough choice, it all depends on what you feel you need, I can't decide for you.

 

[Silverion77]

true........thanks for the advice

Would a 8800GT be able to run 24" steadily?

 

[cnumartyr]

true........thanks for the advice

Would a 8800GT be able to run 24" steadily?

120 is way overkill for you.

I'd say AC Freezer Pro 7 + RAM.

 

[Kamrooz]

a 24" monitor runs at 1920x1200...Chances are you wont be able to max out AA/AF with maxed eye candy, but you can still play with some nice settings.

 

[Silverion77]

Thanks for the help again cnumartyr and Kamrooz

I'll hold off on the monitor for now......(heard that they will drop as time goes by because they are getting easier to make)

Hey cnumartyr, you really think the 120 will be too much?
at 3.0 I had load of 54-57 (uncalibrated, do that over break)
I'll get the RAM, what the hey, $50 isnt too much out of my pocket (or Mom's depending on how you view it )

 

[cnumartyr]

Thanks for the help again cnumartyr and Kamrooz

I'll hold off on the monitor for now......(heard that they will drop as time goes by because they are getting easier to make)

Hey cnumartyr, you really think the 120 will be too much?
at 3.0 I had load of 54-57
I'll get the RAM, what the hey, $50 isnt too much out of my pocket

AC Freezer Pro is a lot better than the stock cooler. I think you'd be fine with it. I think the TRUE is a waste on anything but a quad.

 

[Silverion77]

Thanks, Freezer Pro it is then, saves me $50 for RAM (plus so much case cooling, love the 900)

How bout peripherals.....do you use gaming mice/kb

 

[cnumartyr]

Thanks, Freezer Pro it is then, saves me $50 for RAM (plus so much case cooling, love the 900)

How bout peripherals.....do you use gaming mice/kb

I use a Logitech MX518. I love it. I wouldn't pay more than $40 for a mouse.

I have a Logitech G15 and don't use half the features (I only paid $15 for it, it was the display model at a local retailer and was "broken" the stands on the back didn't work)... I think a regular keyboard or just a backlit one is fine.

 

[Silverion77]

thanks

edit: Well $50 for RAM and $22 for Freezer Pro 7.......thats $77

I still have about $190 (don't actually get cash, she just gives me a limit then just buys it as late presents, lol)
I plan on upgrading probably to Penryn (thats why I wanted the TRUE for future use)

So if I can get the TRUE with no loss should I....or do you have suggestions for something else with that $190