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PC Shuffle...

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Last response: January 22, 2011 6:17 AM in Systems

lhim

January 3, 2011 5:28:17 PM

Hello,

This is a couple of questions about somewhat wimpy systems that I want to upgrade to less wimpy!

Current systems:

1st PC Built mid-2008
CPU: AMD X2 4850e 2.5Ghz Socket AM2
PSU: Thermal take TT|W0106RU 700W
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-MA78GPM-D2SH
RAM: 2x1Gb Crucial DDR2800 Dual Channel 1.8v 6-6-6-18 (CT2KIT12864AA800)
GPU: Using 780G on-board graphics (HD3200)

2nd PC Built mid-2006
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 2.2GHz Socket AM2
PSU: Thermal take TR2-500 PP 500w
Mobo: ASUS M2NPV-VM NVIDIA GeFoce 6150 Chipset
RAM: 1x1Gb Kingston DDR2800 Single Channel 5-5-5-18 (KVR80002N5/1G)
GPU: Using on-board graphics (NVIDIA GeForce 6150 C51)

RAM is unbuffered, non-ECC on both motherboards

Intent is to make PC #1 faster and allow me to undertake some gaming (non-specific). Am also going to move to Windows 7 HP. If some components move to PC2 from PC1 then PC2 gets some better but given it's limited usage it's not a huge issue.

I have ordered a AMD X4 965 CPU for PC1; will move the AMD X2 4850e to PC2 (the 4850e is existing Mobo compatible)

Q1: I want to up the RAM to 4GB on PC1 - I can add 2x1Gb the same as now (DDR2 800) OR go to DDR2 1066. Is it worth it? Cost is about $50 more for 4Gb of the 1066 RAM. Of course, PC2 will get the benefit of more RAM as well...see Q2 next:

Q2: Crucial's memory adviser says PC1's RAM will work on PC2's MB - I assume it's OK to trust that?

Q3: Any recommendations for some mid-range video card fro PC1? I don't think I need Crossfire cards...

Thanks!

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evilavatar

Homebuilt system Expert

January 10, 2011 4:38:29 PM

to answer your questions... crucial is very good and their refernce lists are usually very accurate and the type of ram will ahve some effect, but no where near as much of an effect as just having more ram. Keep in mind you want to install the ram in pairs and a 32x operating system will only be able to use about 4 gigs of ram as opposed to a 64x system so there is no need to go nuts if you have a 32x system. Video cards are another story entirely. If you can give us mroe of an idea of price range and what you want to be able to do we can better advise you on a card.