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Next step on my machine
My machine has an intel board D945gcl, 4 gigs max 667 ddr2. I have 2 gigs in it, and am running windows XP, 32 bit.
I upped the power supply to a Themaltake 500 watt TR2.
Upped the Proc from a P4 single core 3.0 to a E5300 Wolfdale.
The Proc upgrade was very noticable,what an improvement. Now I have some unexpected cash, and the old video card is gone, 8600gts.
I am about to start playing Crysis, I dont really care to max out graphics, just need to play smoothly, and I can afford to spend about $230.00, U.S.
Crysis players suggest to me, change the motherboard, up the ram, get a 5 series ATI. Unfortunately, that puts me over the available cash. And yes for what I will have in it total, couldve gone different direction, from the start, but didnt have the money.
Im thinking just, get a decent card, yet Ive read that XP can benefit from more than 2 Gigs of ram, even tho it doesnt recognize more than a little over 2, it can use more than 2 in multiple applications. Dont know how true this is.
I do have a copy of Vista Home Premium 32 bit ,however, for what it's worth.
So your advice to me is?
Comments
Dont install Vista, that uses up loads of ram so there would be no point, stay with XP.
I see no point in changing your motherboard, but I would get another 1Gb of ram to put you up to 3. Also you could get an inexpensive graphics card that works well. Something like this.
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx
It isnt the best but its good for the price, i thought so I bought it and it works brilliantly with Mass Effect 2
What I went with was an XfX 5750 xxx, and 2-2gig strips. Only 2 ram slots on my board. I have an extra WD HD, so I will put Vista on that HD along with Crysis, if I have any issues on the XP HD. With the rebates I got it all for the right price, including shipping.
Would,ve like the 5770 beter, but didnt have the thirty dollars extra. And as my income is fixed, read that as just food money, I have no flexability. It may be some day in the future, I can go with a DDR3 MB and an AMD 4core, then I can use this ram to fix up one of my landlords machines even beter, as he has done alot for me, so, its a win win, for now.