Build question - which to compromise - memory or GFX card?

[sixspeed]

Hi,

I'm in the process of putting together a new system.. basically an Athlon AM2 Dual-Core 3800+, with an ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe board..

I'm deciding on GFX and memory at the moment and have to make a compromise on my ideal choices on one or the other - and wanted some opinions on which is the best choice to make...

I can either:

Go with GeIL 2Gb (2x1Gb) DDR2 PC6400 ULL 800Mhz memory and a nVidia Geforce 256Mb 7600GT GFX card.

or:

Go with Corsair 1Gb (2x512) DDR2 XMS2-6400 C4 memory, and then an nVidia Geforce 512Mb 7900 GS GFX card.


Which would be the better decision?


*edit - thought I should add, I probably do about 30:70 games:web/office/basic photoshop etc. But then when I do play games, I like those detail settings up HIGH!

 

[Andy298]

If it were me I'd go with the 7900gs and 1GB of RAM. Games arn't as memory dependent as apps so you should be ok with 1GB, plus you've got 512 on board the 7900.

 

[Tetras]

Do you play shooters (BF2 for example), Oblivion? With high settings and use of photoshop would suggest 2GB of RAM and get a 7600 GT, then upgrade when you have the cash, perhaps to a DX10 card.

Tbh with that in mind, I'd not bother with an SLI board, your paying £100 right there and just get a cheaper one with no compromises on memory or graphics. You really think that you'll get around to SLIing, with DX10 out soon and the trend of next gen cards being better value/faster than old gen in SLI?

 

[Minstadave]

Games arn't as memory dependent as apps so you should be ok with 1GB, plus you've got 512 on board the 7900.

Thats not true at all, most current games will use over a gig of RAM, and when you start paging you get a horrible performance hit.

I'd try and reach a happy middle ground with the cheap RAM and stretch to an X1800XT 256Mb, and ditch the SLI board.

 

[sixspeed]

Yeah - that kinda thing.

I guess you're probably right, SLI probably won't happen knowing me.... I guess I could save money on the motherboard and get both the memory and GFX card...?....

What would you suggest as an altenative motherboard if I decide to go that route? I've read the NF590 chipset is the best chipset available too (and faster then 570), but it doesn't seem available on non-SLI motherboards?

 

[semi-pro waster]

I don't know what your budget is or indeed if you have already bought any parts but if not I'd probably pick something like this as being good value and offering great performance.

CP-126-IN Intel Core 2 DUO E6300 "LGA775 Allendale" 1.86GHz (1066FSB) - Retail (CP-126-IN)
£114.99 £114.99
MB-064-GI Gigabyte GA_945PL_S3 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard (MB-064-GI)
£57.99 £57.99
MY-034-GL GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC5300 667MHz Value DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB5300DC) (MY-034-GL)
£129.99 £129.99
GX-044-CO Connect3D ATI Radeon X1800 XT 256MB GDDR3 AVIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (GX-044-CO)
£114.99 £114.99
Subtotal £417.96
Shipping (City Link Parcel Next Day (Delivered Mon-Fri)) £8.25
VAT £74.59
Total £500.80