building a new medium end gaming cptr: fsb or ram

[crab]

hi,
i have a 9600xt. it didnt perform well on my p3 1ghz, 256 mb sdr and even my mx440 outperformed it in hl2, nfsu2. im going for a new system. my options are:

2.8ht(800mhz fsb), 2x256 mb ddr(400 mhz), intel 865gbf(supports dual channel, 533/800mhz fsb) and 80 gb sata

OR

2.4(533mhz fsb), 2x512mb ddr(400 mhz), intel 865gbf(supports dual channel, 533/800mhz fsb) and 80 gb sata

also; pl advise on how to maximize utilization of ram stick config in a dual channel mobo.......i mean 2 sticks would obviously be useful! how about four? 4x256 or 2x512 ?

thanks for ur replies...........infact i didnt get any for my previous one :sad: . this is ur chance to make up! ;)

kind regards
omw

[crab]

hi,
forgot to mention...........2.8ht is with 1mb cache and 2.4(non ht) with 512k of cache.

[imthecheesecake]

I would get the 2.8ht because ram is much cheaper to upgrade than processors

[Coconut Monkey]

Hmmm. Have you looked into alternative setups crab? Say something from AMD? The socket 478 platform you've chosen there is being phased out, although it still offers a decently performing platform. Plus, I would recommend 1 stick of 512Mb for the first setup, with a mind to add another later (it won't impact on performance much).

Have you also considered a new case/PSU? You may have a non-standard enclosure there which might not accept a new board. A gruntier, brand name PSU (Power Supply Unit) may also be required to power your new rig.

[crab]

hi,
amd not aval where i live.........im in pakistan. it is however aval in another city and i can get it from there but i reckon warranty service wouldnt be accessible. im going for a 2.8ht coz i may have to upgarde to a pciE mobo in the future; so why invest more than required. also, anything higher would be an overkill for the 9600xt. im stuck with this card and cant afford to get a 6600gt right now! secondly, one stick 512 wont utilize the dual channel ..............just my thought. do u think dual channel increases a noticeable mem tranfer rate?

in case i go for a 700(+ something) pin processor, ill have to change both the processor and the mobo(coz intel 915/955 etc mobos r now female.....got holes instead of legs).

regarding casing/psu.........yeah, im going for a 350watt psu. ur right my current casing doesnt support the new mobo........different chassis. i think any casing with easily removable side panel, dual fan and a true max output 350 watt psu should do the job.

thanks for ur reply..........more thoughts welcome

kind regards
omw

[Coconut Monkey]

I haven't heard of any socket 478 boards with PCI-E slots - only the newer 775 boards.

I wouldn't worry too much about the dual channel - it won't make much of a difference. Buy another stick later on and enjoy the performance increase!

What PSU are you planning to buy? Make sure it's decent - Antec, Topower, Aopen, OCZ come heavily recommended, although there are other decent brands out there. Generic brands are a risky business, and I suggest you steer clear!

[JANINE]

I haven't heard of any socket 478 boards with PCI-E slots - only the newer 775 boards.

I wouldn't worry too much about the dual channel - it won't make much of a difference. Buy another stick later on and enjoy the performance increase!

What PSU are you planning to buy? Make sure it's decent - Antec, Topower, Aopen, OCZ come heavily recommended, although there are other decent brands out there. Generic brands are a risky business, and I suggest you steer clear!

Not all generic brands are bad however. Just a majority of them. i've got a jeantech one and had no problems whatsoever. the one i have inside my packard bell though is a different kettle of fish entirely. about august last year i was using the pc when the power supply begun smoking (an example of a bad generic supply). i was lucky in the way i got everything turned off and gotthe machine down to a repair place in time. it was close to popping.:cry: :)

[crab]

hi,
im going for a single 512 stick(400) as u suggested. i hope im doing the right thing here, ill have to wait till autumn for another stick! ill see if i can lay my hands on some branded casing. thanks for ur advice cmonkey. i appreciate it. but still, one thing im failing to understand is why my mx440 performed so well at 10/7 res on my present(sort of lathargic sys)!!!??? i get 9- 25 fps in hl2 with almost all the settings on low at 10/7. i think its a mystery thatll remain unsolved! ive given the details of my problem in a thread named "problem with new 9600xt" under video cards.

now u can take that as a challenge.

thanks a million

kind regards
omw

[crab]

hi,
by the grace of almighty Allah, all my problems are solved! i went for:

intel 3.0ht....ive kept the side panel of the casing open(read reviews that its got some heating problems).....i dont know how to sense the temp though.
intel 865gbf mobo
1 x 512 ddr(400)
80 gb sata

i now realize what kinda bottle neck my p3 1.0ghz was! planning to add another 512 stick after some time. i was afraid how my 9600xt would perform(many people reviewed it to be a sort of obsolete card); on the contrary ive found it to be very good. i can play now hl2, riddick with every detail to high(ive yet to try the anti aliasing though) at 10/7 res. i dont want to go for 16/12 res and would be pretty much satisfied with at the most 12/9 or 12/10 res. im getting avg 60-70 fps with every thing at max at 10/7. sometimes its 100 as well. lowest is around 40.

needed to share it with u guys!
thanx

kind regards
omw

[crab]

hi,
any advice regarding cooling slolution for the processor r also welcome

kind regards
omw

[Coconut Monkey]

Read my article on the subject (the cooling discussion applies to all CPUs).

You might want to look around some review sites to get an up-to-date view of CPU coolers.