Graphics Card and Memory HELP PLEASE

[Laedarr]

<p>Hi guys, I'm looking to replace my video card and memory.  Currently I have a Raedon HD 4800 card and I'm looking at the nVidia 500 series.  I'm looking for at least 1 gig Ram and to spend 200 or less for a high quality card.  I'm willing to go a little over 200 if it's worth it.</p><p>As far as the Memory goes, I'm using 2x2 gigs of Corsair XMS DDR2.   If you have any suggestions on the Ram upgrade that would be great as well. </p><p>My PC specs are as follows.</p><p>Asus Motherboard, P5KPL-CM, with a northbridge Intel G31 and Southbridge ICH7 chipset.</p><p>1600 (O.C.) /1333/1066/800 Mhz Front Side Bus.</p><p>700w Power Supply</p><p> Wolfldale E8600 Dual Core CPU (3.33 Ghz)</p><p>Now, I'm not sure if I'm only limited to DDR2 ram or not, and I was hoping that someone who is well educated on this matter could inform me if that matters or not.</p><p>Thank you in advance for all your help and knowledge.</p>

[TSR-JoshuaM]

<p>You are limited to DDR2.  Just to be clear as many people type it out differently, you have 4GB total system memory correct?</p><p>If the intention is better performance in EQII you may want to consider forgoing the video card upgrade and pricing out a current I-series Intel processor, new motherboard, and DDR3 memory.</p><p>I am certain a great deal of the community here are way more up to date with current hardware than I am and can definitely make more specific recommendations. </p>

[Laedarr]

<p>Thanks for the reply Josh, and yes, to be clear, I have 4 GB total RAM.  I don't want to have to go as far as to replace my motherboard and cpu.  I understand that I can have much faster memory with the DDR3, but unfortunately, I'm not willing to put in that much money.</p><p>Hopefully, someone can suggest to me the best possible upgrade to my video and memory with my current Mobo set up.  That would be very helpful.  Thank you.</p>

[Laedarr]

<p>Doesn't anyone read the forums anymore?? :/</p>

[Loxus]

<p>I wouldn't expect to see a performance upgrade if you're keeping the same CPU.</p>

[Laedarr]

<p><cite>Loxus@Everfrost wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I wouldn't expect to see a performance upgrade if you're keeping the same CPU.</p></blockquote><p>In any case, I think I have either fautly memory or video card anyway.  I just reformatted my harddrive.  I did a completely clean install and the game is still crashing on me.  I figured it's one of the two.  So, I'm going to buy new ram and a new video card anyway, so if anyone can give me a prime video card for around 200 bucks, I'd be greatful.</p>

[Brook]

<p><a href="http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=555323&CatId=3669">http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...5323&CatId=3669</a></p><p>Nice card for the price, and if you ever decide to upgrade the rest of your system it will still be a nice card for it.</p>

[Laedarr]

<p>cool, thanks brooks</p>

[MurFalad]

<p><cite>Laedarr wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Loxus@Everfrost wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I wouldn't expect to see a performance upgrade if you're keeping the same CPU.</p></blockquote><p>In any case, I think I have either fautly memory or video card anyway.  I just reformatted my harddrive.  I did a completely clean install and the game is still crashing on me.  I figured it's one of the two.  So, I'm going to buy new ram and a new video card anyway, so if anyone can give me a prime video card for around 200 bucks, I'd be greatful.</p></blockquote><p>For that graphics card and just going on a rough rule of thumb to achieve a upgrade I'd say you would need</p><p>ATI - 5870,6950,6970</p><p>Nvidea - 480/560/570/580</p><p>Or around about, but since that card seems to run AA, GPU shadows and shader 3.0 well I'd guess still the best upgrade right now would be either a I7 2600 or hanging on for a Ivy bridge so I expect to see much improvement.  But since you think something is broken I guess you won't have a choice to not upgrade the GPU <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>One thing though, if its crashing a short while after starting up or after being on for a long while it could definitely be worthwhile opening the cooler on the graphics card and checking to see if its clogged up with fluff.  Normally it collects between the heatsink fins often not visible without opening it up on the double height coolers. </p><p>My laptop even had its heatsinks fairly clogged up when I opened it up to upgrade the CPU (it wasn't even crashing at the time, but can't have helped).</p>