Do i really need a v/c which has 2gb mem

[royal]

I have a 4870 1gb,and game at 1920x1200, 26" viewsonic monitor.
I am looking for a v/c upgrade,probably 6950,but i see it has 2GB mem,will that interfere with my 2gb mem i have in winxp,as i'm not sure how win uses the mem on the v/c?

Or would i be better to get the 6870(thinking i don't really need a v/c with 2gb mem)it's not that i play the big games that are out at the moment,just a few Sims?

Does that extra mem improve your game,playing at 1920x1200?

 

[DIABLO]

Do you really need an upgrade full stop? I'd of thought your current card woyld pee over something like the sims. I'd think about upgrading the OS before anything else.

 

[cmndr_andi]

+1 for considering an OS upgrade. Win XP (assuming 32 bit) can only address up to 4GB of total memory - this includes system RAM and video RAM. Hence if you go for a new 2GB graphics card you will not be able to increase your system RAM as you will have hit the 32 bit memory limit.

Though I think when the OP mentioned "sims" I think he meant simulation games like FSX and the like (though I could be wrong). Depending on what games you are playing you may find that a CPU upgrade will yield much more performance per £ than a GPU upgrade.

 

[royal]

+1 for considering an OS upgrade. Win XP (assuming 32 bit) can only address up to 4GB of total memory - this includes system RAM and video RAM. Hence if you go for a new 2GB graphics card you will not be able to increase your system RAM as you will have hit the 32 bit memory limit.

Though I think when the OP mentioned "sims" I think he meant simulation games like FSX and the like (though I could be wrong). Depending on what games you are playing you may find that a CPU upgrade will yield much more performance per £ than a GPU upgrade.

cmndr_andi

Yes,i am quite happy at the moment with winxp pro,as i will not get Force Feedback(If i change to Win7) with the MSFFB2 Joystick i'm using playing the Sim "WOV"(Wings of Victory)Battle of Britain Sim.You are right though about changing the OS,but for the reason i gave above,so i guess i'm limited somewhat.

Thanks for the info regarding win mem,that does ease my mind,so getting the 6950 wouldn't really help me.

As regards the CPU,i have an E8400 CPU,which i have O/C to 3.8ghz,so i might think about the 6870 if the prices come down!