RAM or GPU?

Question

i have 1gb (2x512) of pc4200 ram and a 64mb Nvidia geforce 7200 GS video card. I know i should upgrade both but money is tight so which should i go for first and what do you recommend.

Answer 1

thats a hard one when moneys involved!

I'd have to say the RAM though: it will speed up your system more overall, and the more RAM that the GPU is allowed to borrow from the system the better it will perform as well; because the only thing wrong with that card is the amount of dedicated memory on it.

Try going for faster ram too - look for the Mhz rating.

Answer 2

That depends on what you use your computer for.
If you want your games to run faster with better graphics, you would need a much better graphics card.
64 megs on a graphics card doesnt run much in the games area.
You need minimum of 128 or better yet, 256. and it needs to be DX9 Compatible with something called "Hardware Transform & Lighting" (Or Hardware T&L")

I see used nVidia 5200FX cards for about $30. It's a good beginner's card even nowadays. I use one myself.

If you want faster internet, and applications processing, then more ram.

What motherboard do you have? (Or what computer model if it is a name brand.)

Answer 3

Upgrade your graphics card. 2x512mb especially on dual channel mode is great in XP. If you have x16 PCIe, consider these:
Cheap option: 8400GS (it packs a performance reserve) http://www.vr-zone.com/articles/Point_Of_View_Geforce_8400GS_Overclocking/5133-1.html
Better: 8500GT
Great: factory overclocked 8600GT (good bang for the buck).

Answer 4

It depends on what you use your computer for.
If you want it for top notch gaming you should probably upgrade your GPU. for almost everything else, upgrade ram.