Upgrading RAM and Video Card

Randwulf · 03-18-2009, 05:39 PM

Hey,

I'm trying to upgrade my RAM and Video Card but I'm concerned about motherboard compatibility.

The RAM I'm looking at is: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122

The Video Card is: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130464

My motherboard is: http://www0.dealtime.com/xPF-Intel-I...-Ethernet-Fire

I am aware that the motherboard will clock the RAM down to 667Mhz in order to meet its maximum spec. Is this a seriously debilitating problem? Should I be thinking about getting a new motherboard too?

Thank you.

**linderman** · 03-19-2009, 12:35 PM

now that wont be a big show stopper .............. barely noticible if at all

~~connor-53~~ · 03-19-2009, 01:03 PM

Lets start of here. Should you buy a new motherboard? The standard amount of RAM is about 2 gigs right now, your mobo supports 4 gigs I bet that by this time next year 4 gigs will be the standard and you will always want to be above the standard. So if you don't want to get a new computer next year, I would suggest upgrading your motherboard. If were to get a new mobo, get one that will support about 8 gigs or 6 at the least. For example:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...BM-G35EC-E8400

That will support 8 gigs on 64 bit. And can support a RAM speed of 800 Mhz.

For the video card, that will be good on any mobo.

And that RAM will be good for your current mobo and even if you get a new one.

Good luck, reply if you have any more questions.

**linderman** · 03-19-2009, 01:11 PM

Connor has the right idea if you can swallow the cost ?

but I would get Gigabyte GA-EP45-Ds3L with the E8500 instead of the intel made board

**linderman** · 03-19-2009, 01:13 PM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=GA-EP45-Ds3L

**linderman** · 03-19-2009, 01:14 PM

The gigabyte board linked will kick the other around like a puppy dog

**linderman** · 03-19-2009, 01:15 PM

or upgrade the motherboard and ram ............ and use your old cpu for now ............ but that means you would then need this board

GA-EP35-DS3L or GA-P35-DS3L

~~connor-53~~ · 03-19-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linderman

The gigabyte board linked will kick the other around like a puppy dog

Haha true, I didn't look at that. I figured that buying a new good mobo that will be easily upgradable for like $250 that will last for 5 years instead of buying a new $1200 computer every 18 months.

**linderman** · 03-19-2009, 01:20 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-GIGABYTE-GA-...3A1%7C294%3A50

then you can upgrade your cpu to the latest and greatest or super deal a few months down the road ???????????????????

**linderman** · 03-19-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by connor-53

Haha true, I didn't look at that. I figured that buying a new good mobo that will be easily upgradable for like $250 that will last for 5 years instead of buying a new $1200 computer every 18 months.

and so right you are .....................

~~connor-53~~ · 03-19-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linderman

or upgrade the motherboard and ram ............ and use your old cpu for now ............ but that means you would then need this board

GA-EP35-DS3L or GA-P35-DS3L

I think he needs a mATX, thats why I didn't see the board you showed him.

**linderman** · 03-19-2009, 01:27 PM

good catch connor ................if you want to go the new mobo route ............. give us a picture of your current motherboard while its in the case .............I'll bet a standard full sized ATX will fit

~~connor-53~~ · 03-19-2009, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linderman

good catch connor ................if you want to go the new mobo route ............. give us a picture of your current motherboard while its in the case .............I'll bet a standard full sized ATX will fit

:) Do me a favor please and take a look at my other thread

Some what a new computer

Thanks :)

Randwulf · 03-19-2009, 03:15 PM

Thanks for the replies everyone. I really appreciate it; I was afraid I wouldn't get any :p

I'd rather avoid biting the cost of a new motherboard now if the one I have will let me take decent advantage of the new hardware. Maybe that's something for next year. So it sounds like it's a go on the GPU and RAM :)

I do have one more thing I'd like to ask though, for anyone who's seen a similar graphics card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130464). If I put that card into a motherboard that looks a lot like the one in the link below, will it be so big that it will block the other PCI-E port? My network card goes there.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...d%20-%20Retail

Thanks again!

**linderman** · 03-19-2009, 03:47 PM

there is a very good chance the 260 will get in the way of the IDE port ............putting a 260 on that board isnt going to do you much ............ the cpu and ram dont have a prayer of running that card to anywhere near its potential

you might think more about shopping for a used ATI X1900 on ebay or even a new one ............ have a look on mwave.com / click refurbished / click video cards

then start saving $$$$$ for your next improvement .............. the X1900 will run all that the rest of your system has to offer and even more

**linderman** · 03-19-2009, 03:47 PM

the 260 is abotu 10 inches long ! I think the X1900 is about 7-8 inches long

**linderman** · 03-19-2009, 04:03 PM

here is the spec sheet .............. you can verify the length of the card

http://www.evga.com/products/pdf/896-P3-1255.pdf

this cards occupies two riser slots ............. so I would say its defintely gonna knock you out of that pci-express x 1 slot

Randwulf · 03-19-2009, 04:34 PM

Oh, so the 260 would be bottlenecked then. I thought people were saying it wouldn't be. I'll take a look at the X1900s then, thanks for the tip.

**linderman** · 03-19-2009, 04:41 PM

the 260 wont be bottlenecked ................. it will be twiddling its thumbs while it waits for your cpu and ram to get done choking !

Randwulf · 03-19-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linderman

the 260 wont be bottlenecked ................. it will be twiddling its thumbs while it waits for your cpu and ram to get done choking !

4gb of RAM and a dual core 3.0ghz won't near-max it?

03-18-2009, 05:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
Randwulf Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 10 OS: WinXP Pro SP2	Upgrading RAM and Video Card Hey, I'm trying to upgrade my RAM and Video Card but I'm concerned about motherboard compatibility. The RAM I'm looking at is: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122 The Video Card is: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130464 My motherboard is: http://www0.dealtime.com/xPF-Intel-I...-Ethernet-Fire I am aware that the motherboard will clock the RAM down to 667Mhz in order to meet its maximum spec. Is this a seriously debilitating problem? Should I be thinking about getting a new motherboard too? Thank you.

03-19-2009, 12:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Upgrading RAM and Video Card now that wont be a big show stopper .............. barely noticible if at all __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

03-19-2009, 01:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
~~connor-53~~ Troubled Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New York Posts: 525 OS: Vista Home Prem. 64 bit My System	Re: Upgrading RAM and Video Card Lets start of here. Should you buy a new motherboard? The standard amount of RAM is about 2 gigs right now, your mobo supports 4 gigs I bet that by this time next year 4 gigs will be the standard and you will always want to be above the standard. So if you don't want to get a new computer next year, I would suggest upgrading your motherboard. If were to get a new mobo, get one that will support about 8 gigs or 6 at the least. For example: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...BM-G35EC-E8400 That will support 8 gigs on 64 bit. And can support a RAM speed of 800 Mhz. For the video card, that will be good on any mobo. And that RAM will be good for your current mobo and even if you get a new one. Good luck, reply if you have any more questions.

03-19-2009, 01:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Upgrading RAM and Video Card Connor has the right idea if you can swallow the cost ? but I would get Gigabyte GA-EP45-Ds3L with the E8500 instead of the intel made board __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

03-19-2009, 01:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Upgrading RAM and Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=GA-EP45-Ds3L __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

03-19-2009, 01:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Upgrading RAM and Video Card The gigabyte board linked will kick the other around like a puppy dog __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

03-19-2009, 01:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Upgrading RAM and Video Card or upgrade the motherboard and ram ............ and use your old cpu for now ............ but that means you would then need this board GA-EP35-DS3L or GA-P35-DS3L __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

03-19-2009, 01:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Upgrading RAM and Video Card http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-GIGABYTE-GA-...3A1%7C294%3A50 then you can upgrade your cpu to the latest and greatest or super deal a few months down the road ??????????????????? __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial Last edited by linderman; 03-19-2009 at 01:22 PM.

03-19-2009, 01:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Upgrading RAM and Video Card good catch connor ................if you want to go the new mobo route ............. give us a picture of your current motherboard while its in the case .............I'll bet a standard full sized ATX will fit __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

03-19-2009, 03:15 PM	#14 (permalink)
Randwulf Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 10 OS: WinXP Pro SP2	Re: Upgrading RAM and Video Card Thanks for the replies everyone. I really appreciate it; I was afraid I wouldn't get any :p I'd rather avoid biting the cost of a new motherboard now if the one I have will let me take decent advantage of the new hardware. Maybe that's something for next year. So it sounds like it's a go on the GPU and RAM :) I do have one more thing I'd like to ask though, for anyone who's seen a similar graphics card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130464). If I put that card into a motherboard that looks a lot like the one in the link below, will it be so big that it will block the other PCI-E port? My network card goes there. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...d%20-%20Retail Thanks again!

03-19-2009, 03:47 PM	#15 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Upgrading RAM and Video Card there is a very good chance the 260 will get in the way of the IDE port ............putting a 260 on that board isnt going to do you much ............ the cpu and ram dont have a prayer of running that card to anywhere near its potential you might think more about shopping for a used ATI X1900 on ebay or even a new one ............ have a look on mwave.com / click refurbished / click video cards then start saving $$$$$ for your next improvement .............. the X1900 will run all that the rest of your system has to offer and even more __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

03-19-2009, 03:47 PM	#16 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Upgrading RAM and Video Card the 260 is abotu 10 inches long ! I think the X1900 is about 7-8 inches long __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

03-19-2009, 04:03 PM	#17 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Upgrading RAM and Video Card here is the spec sheet .............. you can verify the length of the card http://www.evga.com/products/pdf/896-P3-1255.pdf this cards occupies two riser slots ............. so I would say its defintely gonna knock you out of that pci-express x 1 slot __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

03-19-2009, 04:34 PM	#18 (permalink)
Randwulf Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 10 OS: WinXP Pro SP2	Re: Upgrading RAM and Video Card Oh, so the 260 would be bottlenecked then. I thought people were saying it wouldn't be. I'll take a look at the X1900s then, thanks for the tip.

03-19-2009, 04:41 PM	#19 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Upgrading RAM and Video Card the 260 wont be bottlenecked ................. it will be twiddling its thumbs while it waits for your cpu and ram to get done choking ! __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial