Hardware Nerds Check in

[AeroJonesy]

Re: Hardware Nerds Check in

You won't notice the difference between 2 and 4 gigs, because the whole 2 gigs will probably never even get used.

Vista does use a lot of RAM. I'd go with 4 gigs. Vista will eat 1 leaving you with 3 left over. Considering how cheap RAM is these days (although prices are going up, I heard), it's a good buy.

For $200 you can get a really solid card. For a middle of the road card, I bet you only need ~$120 or so.

 

[BobCox2]

Re: Hardware Nerds Check in

I still think your overpaying VS a prebuilt for a low end package if you don't have drives, a case and power supply, or some other parts your recycleing into the mix.
I can find a prebuilt box much cheaper than the individual parts.
I don't know your location (Frys link in store prices I posted above are the best but you have to have a store near you) but even online at newegg you can find deals like this.
http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=10&name=Desktop-PCs

 

[Dondrei]

Re: Hardware Nerds Check in

Prebuilts can be cheaper but you don't get to pick good quality low-end components, and that makes a big difference. I advise against it.

 

[ffejrxx]

Re: Hardware Nerds Check in

go prebuilt if the machine is less than $400 and you really dont care whats in it

otherwise spend a little time and pick components to suit your needs
faster memory and fsb will make a big difference

with vista anything less than 2g will hurt
2g is good for most users
3g is more than enough for gaming
4g might be overkill unless you do lots of cad

memory is cheap 4g of ddr2-1066 is around $50-60

 

[Dondrei]

Re: Hardware Nerds Check in

That's what I was thinking, with 4Gb you'll be wasting at least a gig even with Vista, but if you're going for 3Gb presumably you'd just get the full 4Gb anyway. I don't think it really matters that much, you'll be fine with 2 but 4 is only slightly more expensive. Meh.