Upgrade RAM or VidCard?

[Higaminaman]

I'm taking a look at the next generation of games to come out in the next 8 months, hopefully, like HL2, EQ2, and many others making full use of DirectX 9.0. So this brings me to ask the opinion of all the techies and exceptionally computer literate whom call this forum home.

Current Setup:
DELL 8200 Dim
2.0 Ghz P4
512mb PC800 RDRAM
GF4 Ti 4600 (DirectX 8.1, max)
WinXP

Keeping in mind that I'd like to enjoy these new games to their fullest, would it be best to up the RDRAM to 1gig, or replace the GF4 with a Radeon 9800 Pro? Each will run be $200~$300, but I don't think I've got the cash for both.

In the case of the latter, should I splurge and go for the 256mb 9800Pro? I had heard rumors that games currently don't take advantage of anything over 128??

Many Thanks!

I have removed your other threads. You only need to post once in the most appropriate forum section.

[Higaminaman]

Thank you, kind moderator. I'll keep that in mind for the future.

Welcome to TechIMO!

Onto the topic at hand....

A video card upgrade would provide the greatest benefit. 512MB of memory is more than enough to play any current or near-future game on the market.

However, your GeForce-4 will slow to a crawl under serious shader loading, and most new games will rely upon programmable shaders for advanced rendering.

A 128MB video card will suffice, and the Radeon 9800 Pro is definitely a great choice. However, prices are likely to soon drop due to the near release of the NV40 and R420 chipsets, so you might be best served to wait on purchasing a video card until the games you are interested actually appear on retail shelves.

Robert Richmond

[ExSuS]

I agree with Rob.The video card would probably be the best upgrade,but like he said the prices are soon to drop.Your card should run most games fine anyways.I'm waiting for the prices to drop myself.

[mike_sanfil]

I would have to say that the 4600 isn't a bad card, and i would wait it out. If you really want to buy something now I would get a 9800Pro from newegg for about $212

[Higaminaman]

Well, I suppose my card does run *current* games fine... but I'd like to be totally immersed into the next gen. of games that'll make use of DX9.0.

Now, if I do wait for the 9800 Pro to drop in price, will I find myself replacing it in a year for one of the newer models? (NV40 / R420) ?

Thanks.

The upgrade process is never ending for video cards. You can expect a decent card will last you for 18 months maximum if you are a serious gamer.

[RamonGTP]

Once you get that 9800 Pro, you'll be in need of a CPU upgrade well before you'll need a more powerfull card.

[Higaminaman]

Hmmm... would a 9800Pro in this system get me another 12-18 mo.'s of life, or would I need to up the RAM to 1024mb as well?

I figure in another year I'll be replacin' the tower... it get's expensive real quick when you start changing CPUs... then gotta change MoBo... then gotta change Mem... power supply... case... yeesh. Might as well grab a new DELL.