Two upgrade questions

Sovereign · Post by **Sovereign** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 9:25 am

In the next year, undoubtedly games will get more intense and require more of my computer. Given what I have below:
A64 3400+ 939
A8V Deluxe
1GB Mushkin Basid 2.5-3-3-8
120GB HDD
GeForce 6800NU
would it be worth it to add another GB of RAM even though that would drop me back to 2T timings? I have heard quite a bit of buzz about 2GB being the new "gamer's standard..." Also, I have heard that using integrated sound (like the A8V Deluxe) takes about 10FPS off your games. Is this true, and if it is, would it be worth it to get an Audigy 2 ZS?

killswitch83 · Post by **killswitch83** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 12:44 pm

Ok, this is my opinion, so take it as it is, lol; it's good to have 2 GB, but I've also heard that due to the density of 1 GB sticks, it can become a detriment due to looser timings that are required, and it wouldn't be good to go with 4 X 512 either, because then of course you would have to go to 2T anyways (not exactly sure why, this is something I heard come up in a memory discussion in here). I'm not exactly sure on this so don't quote me, but I think OCZ's Gold VX can do 1T at 2 GB (this stuff is some amazing memory, as is Platinum Rev. 2), and of course can take a lot of voltage (3.2v, to be exact, and keep tight timings). As for the sound card, I've also heard that integrated components like that do tend to take up more resources than separate sound components (guess it's the way the IRQ and I/O resource setup is configured in Windows, not to mention that some mobo's use board resources, usually from the SB, for sound if it's onboard)...I'm not sure if it'll take frames away from you in games, but I do prefer the Audigy 2 ZS over any onboard implementation.

LVCapo · Post by **LVCapo** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 1:17 pm

First, OCZ and Corsair both have 2GB kits that run at very good timings. I just bought an OCZ kit that runs at 2-3-2-5, which is plenty good. Corsair runns a little looser at 2-3-3-6 or 2.5-3-3-6 but the performance difference is going to be minimal if any. I'm working on an article which hopefuully will be done this week (hopefully) that covers the difference between 1GB and 2GB kits and their effects on apps and gaming.
As far as audio, I am using the X-Fi, and after 2 weeks my impression is mixed. On one hand the headphone audio is spectacular, on the other hand the drivers are extremely buggy (One time everything works fine, the next time the speakers crackle and pop, then sometimes no sound at all). Overall, onboard audi is fine for all but the most demanding user.

killswitch83 · Post by **killswitch83** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 4:56 pm

Oops, yeah I was sorta referring to the extreme power user, lol. Gotta free resources somehow, lol. Good deal on the article though, I'll be waiting