Question

[Tom]

I did an upgrade advisor from Crucial.com, and it sugested that I get a
better video card. My current card is a 128meg ATI 9800 Pro, which the Vista
says will work fine. Also, Crucial advises that I get anothe 2 gigs of RAM,
I already have 2 on my system. So, this is what I have now.

- P4 3.2 CPU
- 2 -120gig SATA HDDs
- 128meg ATI RADEON 9800 Pro video card
- 2 gigs PC3200 DDR RAM

I plan to upgrade to an ATI RADEON X1300 256 AGP video card and nothing
more. Will what I have be enough with the added video card, or do I really
need to get another 2 gigs of RAM (I really can't afford it)?

 

[LaRoux]

What you have already is fine. Consider that Crucial sells RAM and Video
cards. Ironic that just happens to be what they say you need.

While the X1300 is certainly a more modern card than your 9800, you may want
to just wait and see before spending the $$ on the new card. They will
always be cheaper and faster in a few months.

 

[Alias]

I did an upgrade advisor from Crucial.com, and it sugested that I get a
better video card. My current card is a 128meg ATI 9800 Pro, which the Vista
says will work fine. Also, Crucial advises that I get anothe 2 gigs of RAM,
I already have 2 on my system. So, this is what I have now.

- P4 3.2 CPU
- 2 -120gig SATA HDDs
- 128meg ATI RADEON 9800 Pro video card
- 2 gigs PC3200 DDR RAM

I plan to upgrade to an ATI RADEON X1300 256 AGP video card and nothing
more. Will what I have be enough with the added video card, or do I really
need to get another 2 gigs of RAM (I really can't afford it)?

You have enough RAM. I would, however, upgrade the video card.

Alias

 

[Jack]

I have 2 gig and i am running Vista 32 bit fine, But i think it is using 400
meg or so of that just to run Vista, here's some snazzy downloads for the
side bar one being core 2 multimeter showing the percentage use of both
cores and the ram, it shows 40 percent when nor using any applications,

I won;'t be getting any more, this will be fine for me,

if its 32 bit you will only see 3 gig anyway but i was advised from severel
locations to get 4 gig for 64 bit version.,

 

[Dale]

Actually, I suggest staying with your current card for now. There have been
issues with the X1300 in Vista. Search the group for more info. Perhaps
later, when all video card makers have worked out the bugs in their cards,
then you can upgrade if you need to - which you really don't.

2 GB is plenty of RAM for Vista. My memory score went from 4.2 or 4.3 (I
forget which) to 5.6 by upgrading from 1 GB to 2 GB. 5.6 is a pretty good
score; no need for more memory.

Since Vista will work pretty good with what you have, I'd install on what
you have first and wait for problems before you spend unnecessary money.

HTH,

Dale

 

[John Barnett MVP]

I have an ATI radeon 9550 with 256MB video ram and 1.5GB of system RAM and
Vista Ultimate works fine for me.

The problem with people like Crucial is they are in the business to 'sell'
memory. Like retails stores on the high street, of course theyill say, 'yes
you need this or that' they want your money. You just have to make sure you
are holding your end of the cheque as firm as possible so they can't snatch
it off you.


--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[LaRoux]

I use an X1300 Pro with the "in box" RTM drivers from MS and haven't noticed
any problems. YMMV.

 

[Dale]

I suppose that, with everything in here, YMMV rules, huh? Your point is
taken. Of course, I still suggest, as you did, that he not upgrade video
cards.


Dale

 

[Beck]

I did an upgrade advisor from Crucial.com, and it sugested that I get a
better video card. My current card is a 128meg ATI 9800 Pro, which the
Vista says will work fine. Also, Crucial advises that I get anothe 2 gigs
of RAM, I already have 2 on my system.

Maybe Crucial want you to buy more of their ram?
Don't fall for it. 2Gb ram is plenty for Vista

 

[MICHAEL]

Maybe Crucial want you to buy more of their ram?
Don't fall for it. 2Gb ram is plenty for Vista

I agree. Probably, for over 90% of all users, 2GB of RAM
will be more than enough for awhile to come.


-Michael

 

[Tom]

I did an upgrade advisor from Crucial.com, and it sugested that I get a
better video card. My current card is a 128meg ATI 9800 Pro, which the
Vista says will work fine. Also, Crucial advises that I get anothe 2 gigs
of RAM, I already have 2 on my system. So, this is what I have now.

- P4 3.2 CPU
- 2 -120gig SATA HDDs
- 128meg ATI RADEON 9800 Pro video card
- 2 gigs PC3200 DDR RAM

I plan to upgrade to an ATI RADEON X1300 256 AGP video card and nothing
more. Will what I have be enough with the added video card, or do I really
need to get another 2 gigs of RAM (I really can't afford it)?

Thanks to all, that settles it then. Although my RAM would be cheap to buy,
I don't need it according to all of the replies, and money is tight.

To LaRoux, the X1300 is pretty cheap, and interestingly, I am getting it
from Crucial for $99. The only place cheaper was by some online dealer I
have never heard of; I think that is a good deal for that card. If you meant
to wait for an even better card than that for a few months, that is about
the best my MOBO will take, as my PC is about 3 1/2 years old.

To Dale, thanks for the advice. According to ati/amd, the driver for the
X1300 was just release on Jan 29 and is WHQL certified. I checked on this
before making the purchase through Crucial. Again, I appreciate your
response greatly, as well as from all of the others .

Tom