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Upgrading my computer...few questions

InvaderInvader Member Posts: 22
in Off-Topic Discussion

Have to be heading to work soon so I don't have time to look through all the possible topics on this subject so I thought I'd post my own.

I want to seriously upgrade my computer. I read somewhere that anything over 2 gigs of ram wouldn't help and would slow down your computer, is this true? also, what kind of processor would people suggest? And is DDR ram better than standard ram? I'm sure it is, and also, what is able to use ddr ram? what I have now is unable to use it.

 

Comments

  • EggFteggEggFtegg Member Posts: 1,141

    Sounds to me like your best bet is to get a whole new machine. You'd have to upgrade everything.

  • dsorrentdsorrent Member CommonPosts: 1,627

    Post your current system specs.


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  • xpyrofuryxxpyrofuryx Member CommonPosts: 1,587
    Originally posted by Invader


    Have to be heading to work soon so I don't have time to look through all the possible topics on this subject so I thought I'd post my own.
    I want to seriously upgrade my computer. I read somewhere that anything over 2 gigs of ram wouldn't help and would slow down your computer, is this true? also, what kind of processor would people suggest? And is DDR ram better than standard ram? I'm sure it is, and also, what is able to use ddr ram? what I have now is unable to use it.
     
    first off theres two types of RAM, DDR and DDR2, they are different pin numbers so you can only fit a ddr stick in a ddr slot and a ddr2 stick in a ddr2 slot. also this nonsense about adding more ram will slow down your computer, unless the ram you add is slower than your previous ram (in which case if it is all your other ram sticks will revert to that lower speed). adding more ram will always increase performance, but there is a certain point at which if your cpu and gfx card are too far behind that the upgrade just simply isnt worth it. please post your specs and budget and i will see what i can do for you.

    image

  • gpettgpett Member Posts: 1,105

    You want an Intel Core 2 duo (conroe) processor.  The system should have 2 gigs of DDR2 Ram.  (You are remembering an old win98 problem with more than 2gig of ram, but if you dont use win98 no problem)   You want a PCIe video card (dont skimp here.. as video cards have the most impact on game performance)  SATA hard drive.  I prefer WD Raptor hard drives because they are the fastest desktop drives and I have no need for storage outside of internet browser and computer games.  If you need storage get the largest SATA drive you can find.  Some people swear by additional sound cards such as the sound blaster audigy.  I could care less about an additional soundcard as I have used many over the years.  Onboard sound that comes built in on most motherboards works just fine for me.  I have never had a problem and I just use headphones for games.  Headphonse sound better to me than the latest dolby digital 8.1 surround sound crap.

    Here are some websites to help you:

    anandtech.com/ - Great hardware and software website for PCs.  Has reviews, buyers guides, and forums. Be sure to see what they reccomend for thier gaming systems in the buyers guides.

    http://storagereview.com/ - Hardware review site for hard drives.  be sure to check out thier leaderboard for a hard drive suggestion.

    www.newegg.com/ - IMHO the best online retailer to buy computer stuff.

     

    Have fun!

     

     

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