Which is better - RAM or CPU power?

[kged]

A cry for help - I'm about to buy a new PC, and I have a shortlist of two:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-052-OK

and

http://chillblast.com/pconf.php?productid=18256

The problem: the Chillblast processor is overclocked to 3GHz, with 4GB RAM. The Overclocker’s runs at 3.3GHz, with 2GB RAM - but if I upgrade the Overclockers machine to 4GB RAM, I lose a little on the overclocked Q6600, bringing it down to 3GHz, which is the same as the Chillblast offers. So my question is, which is preferable – an extra 2Gb of RAM, or an extra 0.3GHz on the processor speed? And is the overclocking of the Overclocker’s RAM to “850MHz+” a relevant consideration? As a rough guide, my computing priorities are:

Gaming (50%)

Surfing (30%)

Word processing (20%)

No video editing or photoshopping or anything like that, and little if any downloading of films & music. I need the counsel of clever people such as yourselves. Suggestions?

 

[murdoch]

Only a 64bit operating system will see any RAM over 3GB
XP is limited to reading up to 3GB
Vista is very hungry over RAM & the difference of 300MHz in speed is minimal.

 

[floppybootstomp]

murdoch said it...

If you're using Vista 64 Bit go for the memory.

If you're using a 32 bit OS, go for the extra CPU power.

Having said that, I note that although the Chillblast machine has higher specs, the OCUK machine has a much better case, monitor and PSU. 500W for the Chillblast machine seems a little underpowered to me.

Hard choice but if pushed I'd probably plump for the OCUK machine.

And I say that favouring Chillblast over OCUK as suppliers.

 

[kged]

Thanks chaps - yes, even a comparative novice like me noticed the PSU on the Chillblast is a bit anaemic, so that's a factor. And I don't really have any need for a 64bit OS, so I reckon I'll stick with the 2MB RAM (*slaps forehead for forgetting that a 32bit system doesn't need 4MB*).


I reckon it'll be the OC option fer me - it is ugly as Hell, and really looks like a teenager's gaming rig with its glowy innards and multicoloured keyboard, but its heart's in the right place. My girlfriend will hate it - I'm trying to convince her I can use a PC to learn languages, research family history, write the great novel of our time, etc - and it does really give the game away by looking like what she, I, and anyone reading this knows it actually is: a boy's toy. Oh well.

 

[floppybootstomp]

I reckon it'll be the OC option fer me - it is ugly as Hell, and really looks like a teenager's gaming rig with its glowy innards and multicoloured keyboard, but its heart's in the right place.

How dare you - I've got that case

It's not as garish as the pix would have you believe, just the front and rear fans have blue led's and they're not overpowering.

It's also an excellent case for cooling.

I also have the Logitech G15 keyboard which has blue illuminated keys but again it's very subtle.

And there's nowt wrong with boy's toys our kid - it is our perogative, we gotta have some fun