Just finished reading this article couldn't have been better timed however I still need some parts. Budget: 200 - 250 US Main uses of intended build: Development/Lite Gaming Parts required: Video card and 4 GB Ram Previous build information (list details of parts): i3 540 Gigabyte ga-H55M-S2H Monitor resolution: 2 x 1600 x 1200 Storage requirements: N/A will you be overclocking: yes Any motherboard requirements (no. of USB, Xfire/SLI, fan headers): N/A Extra information about desired system: Playing older games, Fear, NWN2, Witcher.
neither, this article clearly concluded that buy the cheapest RAM that would not hinder your overclocking.
Thanks for the link. That article was really good. So Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) is just a marketing gimmick from Intel, no real impact to performance. Since I'm overclocking I should look for the cheapest DDR3 - 1600 since Intel locks the multiplier.
Wow that article was very eye opening. Bit-tech really did a fine job on the article I just wish my google skills had found it earlier. Looks like I've been stressing out about the Ram for no reason. Too bad I missed out on some great deals on Ram @ the end of last month. So the next question is what to do with about a video card I was planning on grabbing a Radeon HD 5830 but it didn't turn out like I hoped it would. So in the interim should I spend around 100 USD on the 4850 or GTS 250? I need something to push a least a 1600 x 1200 pixel display at somewhat reasonable detail levels. Heck maybe on some really old game I could run both the monitors.
Well the RAM looks like it will set you back about $100, so you're looking at $150 for the graphics card. I'd recommend the 5770 with that budget.
You don't think the 5770 is over priced for the performance? The quote in your signature is spot on. I wish more people weren't douche bags.
XMP's not really supposed to impact performance, it's more like just preset settings so the RAM will achieve what it's advertised to do (like my 1600Mhz Corsairs are not officially supported at that speed by my motherboard, IIRC, but instead of setting the timings manually I can just select XMP and go).
Not really. They may have been a little bit at launch, but since the only cards that could beat it for a similar price then (the GTX 275 and 4890) have either all dried up or are much more expensive, so it's actually got better value with time. Your only other sensible option would be to spend more and get a 5850 (since the 5830 doesn't seem to be terribly good value).
