I recently purchased a PC game that is recommending that I have at least 1G of RAM and a nVidea 5700 (or similar) type of video card.
I currently have 512K of RAM and a nVidea 5200 graphics card. I have a basic understanding of PC's but I want to make sure that I am not buying something that I don't need (whether over buying or under buying).
It appears that most RAM is SDRAM and I can get it in "sticks" of 512k or 1G each. But some is 240 pin and some is 184 pin. Is SDRAM the right type? Should I buy 2 512k sticks or just go ahead and get 2 Gig? What do I need to check for my pin type?
The Video cards are another question entirely and I think I'll ask it in another question. If you want, feel free to give me any advice here as well.
Thanks for answering!
2007-01-17 02:26:45 · 6 answers · asked by Drew P 4 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
What you want to do is try this free memory scan at Crucial:
http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/
It will tell you exactly what you have, and what you can max out at.
It's free because they sell memory, and want you to just click through and buy from them, but you don't have to. Try either of these for fairly cheap stuff:
http://www.pricewatch.com/
http://www.tigerdirect.com/indexus.asp?
I would try the minimum required memory first, but you may want more if you are interested in smooth game play, because the minimum will probably result in stuttering frames and reduced performance, but try it first.
Same with the video card...yours may work fine. If it doesn't, upgrade to what the game suggests.
2007-01-17 03:04:13 · answer #1 · answered by powhound 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd need to know the motherboard specifications of your computer, or at least the manufacturer and model of your computer, before answering that. I would advise against buying SDRAM sticks without knowing what memory your motherboard takes, as there is a very good chance it will not work.
Try going to http://www.crucial.com/ and clicking on "Memory Upgrades." They can find appropriate upgrades for you if you know your computer's manufacturer and model, and they have a scanner which will help you if you don't know that information.
If you are going to install Windows Vista, I'd recommend getting two 512k sticks; otherwise, you can probably get by with 2 256k sticks. Getting 2 GB of memory just seems like overkill at this point.
As for said game, if you're on XP (or any operating system not named Windows Vista), you should be fine with 1 GB of memory.
2007-01-17 03:02:40 · answer #2 · answered by Keiron 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Upgrade the RAM first. You will ought to purchase the RAM that your motherboard's guide suggests it'll be suitable with. The company of RAM almost always does not subject an excessive amount of.
2016-09-07 21:23:27 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As Mic...and Me... stated, you need to follow the game's AND the motherboard's specifications. After you add the ram, you can TRY to play the game before buying a new video card. I suggest first checking with the manufacturer's info on the motherboard to see how much ram your board supports. 1gig=$100 (approx.)
2007-01-17 02:39:13 · answer #4 · answered by scottaco01 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The memory has to match your Slots, so whatever exists will guide you to what you buy. The type is dictated by the CPU and internal architecture
2007-01-17 02:31:16 · answer #5 · answered by Mictlan_KISS 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If that's the game's recommendation, then you have to buy both.
2007-01-17 02:31:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋