Which will perform better?

[PricklySponge]

Hello, I'm wondering which one of these combos will work better for gaming and normal computer use. The parts i'm considering for this are the Video Card and RAM. Does the speed of the RAM really make that much of a difference?

Combo 1: Stronger Video Card, and slower RAM
pqi POWER Series 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model MAB42GUOE-X2 - $189.99

eVGA 256-P2-N584-AR Geforce 7900GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - $225.99

Combo 2: Faster RAM, weaker video card,
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-5400c4 - $260.00

BFG Tech BFGR76256GTOCE GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - 143.99

Again, I would like to know which combo will be faster in games, everyday use, and will give me more bang for the buck.

Thanks,
PricklySponge:D

[clroberts]

Combo1 is using DDR2 533 Ram, how is that slower than DDR 400? In any case, I would get the faster video card first. If you are purchasing DDR2 Ram, how can you try and purchase DDR ram? Unless you are also considering a motherboard that is using DDR Ram vs DDR2 Ram.

[blue60007]

What CPU and motherboard are you looking at? The RAM speed may make a difference...all depending on the CPU (and motherboard).

[PricklySponge]

oops!

Sorry for the confusion, I meant this RAM:

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-5400c4 - $260.00

I'll edit my first post.

[PricklySponge]

What CPU and motherboard are you looking at? The RAM speed may make a difference...all depending on the CPU (and motherboard).

ASUS M2N4-SLI Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Windsor 2.2GHz Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor Model ADA4200CUBOX

[blue60007]

If you're going with an AM2 system, you'll want to have DDR2-800 RAM. Otherwise you'll have worse performance than a comparable Socket 939/DDR system. AM2 is really picky with the RAM. I think Newegg has some Corsair DDR2-800 that's slightly cheaper after a rebate. Maybe you can keep the 7900GT then.

[PricklySponge]

The 800 costs a mighty big chunk of change. How much perfomance will I lose with the cheaper RAM?

At that rate the RAM is by far the most expensive thing on the system

[newbuilder14]

You need DDR2800 RAM for good performance on AM2 platform supposedly, so make that a priority.

[jayb1234]

AM2 is real picky about RAM and might not even run with RAM that isn't on the manufacturers Qualified Vendor list. Download the QVL or the manual (http://dlsvr01.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socketAM2/M2N4-SLI/e2670_m2n4-sli.pdf) from ASUS and check it to see if the RAM you pick is on it. See page 34 in the manual for the QVL and also note the restrictions on single sided vs double sided modules when you are choosing the RAM. Or check here to see if others are using it without issues. If you need to cut costs, you can go with a non-SLI motherboard, which will usually be 30-50 bucks less than the same version with SLI. Or you could start with 2x512 of RAM and add another set when you have more cash available.

[newbuilder14]

"Or check here to see if others are using it without issues."

People have used Corsair XMS2 PC6400 memory with no problems and I think Value Select PC5300.

[PricklySponge]

How much of a performance hit would I take with 1 gig of RAM? or 1.5 gigs of RAM? eccpecialy in games, such a BF2 or AoEIII?

[newbuilder14]

Shouldn't make a difference at all, maybe just a little bit, but I highly doubt those games are too RAM demanding. I may be wrong, though. Take into consideration the game requirements, and try to double it, so if it said minimum 512mb, go with 1gb.

[PricklySponge]

BF2 is very memory intensive

[blue60007]

Yeah, it really likes 2 gigs of RAM.

Why not get a single card motherboard (M2N-E) and this video card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102061
It's equivalent to a 7900GT and a bit cheaper. Generally the single slot motherboards are a little cheaper too.

[newbuilder14]

If you can afford 2gb get it, if not I think 1gb is fine.

[PricklySponge]

I think I'll stick with 1.5 gb of DDR2 800 RAM and the 7900GT.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Hold on, Why not this?
Corsair VS DDR2 667 2x1gb (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145098)

Its only 200 bucks, placing it 10 bucks more then your cheaper ram choice, and at the same time you can get your 2gb and a nice video card..?

[PricklySponge]

How much a performance hit would I take in games?

[Mr.Ferrari]

I will give you more of a performance boost then just 1-1.5g of ddr2 800 would.