Is it RAM that is my issue? Or is my PC useless?

[danjwalker19 7]

hi guys,

I just bought a PC off a friend, and I'm having serious issues with my FPS (especially round major cities/towns).

My specs are...

Windows XP SP3

Intel Pentium4 2.8 GHz

1.5GB DDR400 RAM

ATI Radeon HD 3850

To boost my FPS, i think it's the RAM which needs a good upgrade, however i'm not too sure and would like to hear your thoughts?

Thanks

[gesundheitk 420]

Before you upgrade, what is your PSUw count?

If you do have the sufficient watts to support stuff like this (a 500w power supply for like 40 bucks will suit you just fine), I wound just invest in either a stronger video card, or some better RAM. 2 gigs of DDR3 @ 1600mhz will help out a lot, or you can get a Radeon HD 6670. If you have the opportunity, you can also invest in both! Either way, with these, there should be a difference in frames. Just remember though, if you can, keeping your setting to medium+ or somewhere in that nature can really help with frames instead of having everything be processed with very high setting on 120% 3D resolution.

You can also invest in four gigs if you can. That is pretty much enough to support better framerates, since data is being stored and moved quicker.

Edited October 18, 2012 by Gesundheit

[danjwalker19 7]

Since i'm on a tight budget, and want it upgraded ASAP, Would upgrading RAM to say, 3GB be enough? And it's quite an old PC so will DDR3 RAM fit? What's the difference between DDR3 and DDR400?

[gesundheitk 420]

Since i'm on a tight budget, and want it upgraded ASAP, Would upgrading RAM to say, 3GB be enough? And it's quite an old PC so will DDR3 RAM fit? What's the difference between DDR3 and DDR400?

DDR3 is honestly the best bang for the buck. I don't know anyone who doesn't use DDR3 memory, lol. It should be enough, as I said before though, ensure that you have a decent power supply unless you're willing to fry all of your components.

Forgot to mention; yes, that is really good amount of RAM.

Edited October 18, 2012 by Gesundheit

[danjwalker19 7]

okay mate, thanks for you time :)

[blunt_zephyr 51]

Honestly?,. Recommend DDR3 to a guy who has a DDR mobo. Ace.

Save your money for a new motherboard. Not 'trying' to sound rude just blunt. I'm guessing you have a socket 775 or the older 468? single core? DDR ram is crazy exspensive to buy new. Easier, imho to find on computers being thrown-out. :blush: New mobo, dual/triple-core cpu(amd ;P) &DDR3 ram easily-done with $170~$200.

Perhaps, if you have SATA on your motherboard, buy a SATA3 SSD hadrddrive and put Windows+/orGames on it.(I know, it'll run at SATA'1' speeds)

[Alopex 46]

Exactly what Blunt has said.

In case it wasn't clear to you, DDR400 = DDR memory with an operating frequency of 400 MT/s. That's ancient tech dude.

It sounds to me like your friend has just ripped you off with a very old computer, upgraded with what is more than likely the AGP model of the HD3850. Realistically though, that card is going to be bottlenecked severely by the rest of the system. Basically, nothing worth holding on to, save for the case perhaps..

Sorry to say, but you're best off getting rid of that thing.

Edited October 18, 2012 by Alopex

[danjwalker19 7]

nah, not ripped off. 20 quid and it was mine. Better than the last one i had ;) and yeah, ancient tech. Just getting by till can afford a new system all together :)

[boneboys 7988]

You can double your ram and xp will recognize it.

Over the 3 giga and xp will do nothing more.

£20 squid, not bad.

[danjwalker19 7]

also, for future reference, Would the alienware x51 be any good? is it a system worth the money? or worth leaving alone?

[blunt_zephyr 51]

I'd stay away. I'm not an Intel fan but seeing that it (x51) sports either a i3-2120 or a i5-3450..Neither of them are one of the best of their class..Same with the 640.660+(no SE models) anything less than is just a shell filled with unsold 400/500 class model..

2 Ram slots that'll take 4gig sticks max.."Upto 6 GB total...idk what math they're using..hrm, already on the razors-edge for being outdated.

Biggest disadvantage of buying retail..99% it'll be the slowest FSB/HT mobo, can only support the 'lesser' CPU's (watt-wise) and graphics will either be integrated or of such a low-caliber that one would only achieve total-frustration when playing games. CPU's are mostly weak (and dont be fooled by model names. research the difference between a AMD 240 and your 240e. That 640 is 2x the card my 240 is..but since the memory bandwith is only half of what mine has...I win, 640 stutters, by design.and dont forget all that awesome POS 3rd party software/trials that are installed for "your benefit"

Biggest Advantage of buying retail..Pre assembled, installed copy of Windows, probably has a sleek, shinny case...with a 300w PSU..err, that one isnt an advantage.