Hey guys, I'm from SA and have a buddy who's currently in the USA where prices are way cheaper!

I really wana get some good, fast RAM for my pc and was wondering which brand and model I should get? I don't wana spend more than 100$...

I wana go with 4GB total. Saw some good OCZ,Gskill, Corsair and Cruicial models 2x2GB for 80-89$ (they cost 180-200$ here)... Which are the best for gaming and OC-ing?

I would also appreciate help on which 3D card to buy... I'm currently looking at a 8800GT 512 (XTX Alpha dog, special ed or extreme ed. What's the difs? Are the special ed and extreme ed just overclocked versions or what?) or a 9800GTX 512. I know the 9800 is way better and all but it costs quite a bit more and the review says it gets noisy under load? I am more than willing to get it though... But I only have a 19" screen so do I need more than a 8800GT?

What I currently have is a Intel Buffalo creek MOBO (I know, not one of the best but can anyone tell me anything about it? How does it overclock etc.) Intel E8200 CPU with the stock fan on it and 4GB A-Data DDR2 800 RAM at 5-6-6-18 T2 (That anywhere near good or should I invest in the better RAM from there?) And that's it... No GPU... So that's my 1st priority... Should get it soon though...

Will the RAM I have now have any negative effect on those GPU's I wana get or not?

I really wana OC my CPU coz it has so much more to offer and will then look at my RAM and GPU... How does the 9800 OC compared to the 8800GT and can you OC them without WC on them? I might get a thermaltake WC kit from my supplier if it is neccessary? It's a good solid set priced over 150$ lol! So it should be okay... But how far can I go with cheap aircooling on my PC?

What will the best settings for OC-ing on my rig be with the best combo of components? I am on a bit of a budgit here so please keep that in mind... Will get a new MOBO when they release the new sockets next year, I hope to be off the budgiting thing then too lol!

Thanks for those who read this load of crap submitted by a guy who likes to think he knows something about PC's but actually doesn't! I really appreciate all the help I get!

Oh yeah and don't be mean! I come from a 3rd world country lol!

well to start off here is some good ram with great latency
Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820220293

new ati cards and nvidia video cards are coming out in like a week or 2. i think the ati cards are starting at $200 and i have no idea how much the nvidia cards are going to be priced. so i would wait for that.

You prolly won’t be able to oc on that motherboard most intel boards dont have oc'ing. i would check you bios setting and see if there’s and oc settings

air cooling should be fine but i would go to intels site to download a program to check your temp. if you can oc on that board you might want to upgrade from stock cpu cooling

damn people from 3rd world countrys asking all these questions. jk lol

oh yeah if your upgrading to a good graphics card make sure you power supply wattage is big enough. it should say right on the powersupply

You should get an External 50cm Fan with Direct Input to the Mainboard otherwise French Fried Intel

@M@scot good to see another South African on Toms...

Our prices aren't that bad, I mean on a good month a 9800GX2 for about $1000.... Not to bad...

Don't worry about the 50cm fan thing. My spare machine runs a Intel G33 without any problems. I personally run a Intel X38 motherboard, no heat problems.

$1000 for a 8800GX2? Holy crap! My whole computer with a E4600 and a 8800GT, a P35 MB, with HDD, DVD RW, X-Fi XtremeGamer SC + 20" Monitor cost $1000 here in WA, USA. Dang, they must have like 50% tax there or something. MSRP is 600 I think.

Pcgamer12, yeah well they are about $900 now. Mainly because our currency has gone somewhat south...

About here a truely high-end Skulltrail can easily cost well over $7500...

I'm sorry to hear that they cost so much in SA. $900 does sound a little better, going from 4 digits to 3 digits probably did that. Still, that's hundreds on top of the MSRP. I hope that changes in the future.

I have a XFX 8800GT 512MB Alpha Dog Edition, it's stock clocked and run great. I bought it from Newegg.com but the thing was, they sent me one with a fan that runs at 100% all the time, and I couldn't use software to change the fan speed. It was because it had 2 wires out of 4 available. The other 2 wires missing were to regulate fan speed according to temperatures or manual control. Anyways, I called XFX tech support and they sent me a varible heatsink/fan install kit and i installed it. Its quiet, but may be a hassle for you if you get a loud invariable fan. I don't know if their tech support is international or limited to some countries. anyways, its a great card. if u do get one with a invariable fan, just return it or call tech support if thats an option.

JDocs are you high, I am form south africa and the prices are high yea but dammit man, where the hell do you buy, do they give you vasoline befor you walk into the store or do you need to buy your own there.
A 9800 GTX sells for ( RSA R3100 = US $380)
9800GX2 sells for ( RSA R6300 = US $780 )

We know we pay way too much for stuff, FFS, but hell someone is screwing you sideways. and I think you meant so say Sculltrail board ( RSA R7500 = US$ 930).

@pcgamer12 = we do have some heavy taxes, usually if something sells for $100 in the US we can expect to pay ( $100 * 10 = R1000) even though the exchange rate is about R8 for a Dollar.

@M@sC0T : Try some of the online stores, like
1: http://www.prophecy.co.za/
2: http://www.take2.co.za/electronics

I got a nice P5K bord form prophecy for R1300 ( $160) and it was delivered within 2 days. Not to bad for a 3rd world country in deep dark AFRICA.. LOL

PhReak_K Thats if we go online. If we go to the stores its a different story. Go to a service like bluesting.co.za or pricecheck.co.za and you'll see the 9800GX2 ranging from R6000 to R8700 which is over $1000 dollars, the average being R7000.

As far as the Skulltrail goes, if you get the Skulltrail(please note I said high-end, implying not just the board) platform it includes 2 QX9775 processors at $1500 state side. In fact the cheapest pricecheck.co.za brought back was R17300. Say about R8 to the dollar, well thats about $2100 per chip plus so $4200 + about $850 for the motherboard. I do kinda like a monitor, hard drives and graphics cards for my computer if you know what I mean.

then if you can get it cheaper online , why on earth do you wanna buy somewhere else ??

PhReak_K for compariing prices you compare it on averages otherwise I could just say most of the parts are free...

Besides my experiences with buying online are terrible. 6 months after refusing to replace a faulty board the online shop finally agreeded to if I ignore the multiple laws they broke and don't press charges......

JDocs : that sux.

@M@sC0T : Hopefully some of the information in between has been of some use to you.

Hahaha damn guys I really need help and now ur getting in fights here lol! I'm in hatfield now.... Do any of you live near me? I need help with this stuff and would love to have an in depth discussion with someone?

osmd, check your private messages, on the upper left of any thread.