Halo 1 & 2 for PC
This topic has moved here: Subject: System Review, Please
  • Subject: System Review, Please
Subject: System Review, Please
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

I'm getting a new computer for Christmas, here it is as it stands along with questions/comments at the bottom:

Stealth Case with power supply
ASUS Crossfire motherboard - AMD 939, DDR 400 (A8R-MVP)
AMD A64 X2 4400
Kingston Hyper X 2GB KIT DDR 400 (KHX3200K2/2G)
Western Digital 250GB SATAII 7200RPM 16MB cache
Power Color x1800XT 256MB DDR3
Dual layer LG 16X DVD+/-RW
Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum

Ok, now, I wanted the 512mb RAM version of the X1800XT but they couldn't get one until after Christmas probably. Is it worth the wait, or will it not make much of a difference? Also, I was looking into DDR2 RAM as some of you know and I was wondering if I should get it instead of the Kingston (which I've heard mixed opinions about).

  • 12.09.2005 3:21 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

I dont think anygame even uses 512mb video cards yet.

  • 12.09.2005 3:24 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Can someone please tell me if there ia much difference between the 512 and 256mb versions of the X1800XT. And also if DDR2 RAM is worth paying for.

  • 12.09.2005 4:10 PM PDT

* Pr: ĭnʹtərnĕts: "I hear there's rumors on the uh (pause), Internets...

If you can afford it, I would go with the 512mb version, just to make it 'future-proof'.

  • 12.09.2005 4:53 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Yeah, my estimate is by next year's end cards will be using 512MB as a standard, although one could argue that it looks as though you'll eventually have two cards [cumulative 512MB].

If I were you, and the X1800XT 512MB wasn't too expensive, I'd wait.

  • 12.09.2005 4:59 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Ok, and about the DDR2, should I get it or should i just get some good DDR Corsair or OCZ RAM?

  • 12.09.2005 5:31 PM PDT

* Pr: ĭnʹtərnĕts: "I hear there's rumors on the uh (pause), Internets...

I'd go with OCZ.

  • 12.09.2005 5:34 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Yeah, but should I get DDR2 or just DDR?

  • 12.09.2005 5:39 PM PDT
  •  | 
  • Exalted Mythic Member
  • gamertag: Aj6627
  • user homepage:

Posted by: Anton P Nym
who says you have to be an ace to have fun?

Posted by: TUI_Obi_Wan
Stupid parents let their stupid children play games that are rated M when they should be playing Big Birds Spelling Adventures

Posted by: Kira Onime
Also the AR is actually good in CQB now and no longer a glorified baseball bat.

On the subject of the video card: there is no need for a 512MB card right now, or probably for a few years. Right now not many games even require a 128MB card, let alone a 256MB card.
Heck, HL2 supports anything DirectX 7 and above, which many aren't even 128MB cards.

  • 12.09.2005 6:15 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Ok, that was not my question AJ. I want a computer thats gonna last a while. A 512 video card will be good for atleast a year if not more.

  • 12.09.2005 6:17 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Just because they support lesser ammounts, doesn't mean it can't take advantage of more if you have it.

  • 12.09.2005 7:00 PM PDT
  •  | 
  • Exalted Mythic Member
  • gamertag: Aj6627
  • user homepage:

Posted by: Anton P Nym
who says you have to be an ace to have fun?

Posted by: TUI_Obi_Wan
Stupid parents let their stupid children play games that are rated M when they should be playing Big Birds Spelling Adventures

Posted by: Kira Onime
Also the AR is actually good in CQB now and no longer a glorified baseball bat.

No it won't. A 512 card will probably be good for at least 5-7 years.
256 cards have been out for a while and not many games make much use of them. They will be used more in the next few years. It will be a while until 512 cards are even considered in games.

This system will be very good for a while though, and it looks good to get.

  • 12.09.2005 7:00 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

What about the DDR2, is it worth to get?

  • 12.09.2005 7:07 PM PDT

* Pr: ĭnʹtərnĕts: "I hear there's rumors on the uh (pause), Internets...

Only if your mobo supports it; and speaking of using 512mb Video Cards, Quake 4 and Doom 3's Ultra Mode uses 512mb of RAM for uncompressed bitmaps and massive shadow volumes that cannont be held in a 256mb configuaration.

  • 12.09.2005 8:40 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Yes, I'm know I'm going to have to change the mobo I have right now to support it. But I want to know if it's worth it.

  • 12.09.2005 9:36 PM PDT

* Pr: ĭnʹtərnĕts: "I hear there's rumors on the uh (pause), Internets...

It'll be worth it in 2 years, of course you could wait for Socket M2 motherboards to come out.


(Anyone hear of Socket F?)

  • 12.09.2005 10:59 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

A 512 MB video card will not be around for 5-7 years. That kind of lifespan for video cards ended with the 9800.

Even if 512 MB is the most that's needed, there will be new things added to graphics cards. New pixel shaders will come out, higher clock speeds will come, more pixel pipelies will be added, a new DirectX, even faster RAM chips will be used.

Basically, the lifespan of a card is not determined by the amount of memory.

  • 12.10.2005 10:12 AM PDT