When Should I Upgrade My System?

[thirdtime]

I also was told that Windows XP does not support more than 3GB of RAM so anymore than that is a waste. I asked about Vista and got a long answer that I didn't understand; in short, yeah you can go above 3GB but there are other limitations (I think it's a different sort of RAM).

XP 32-bit edition supports a total of 4 GB of memory: physical ram + pagefile (XP sees pagefile as memory)
XP 64-bit edition supports a total of 128 GB of memory, but try finding a consumer motherboard that supports that much memory!
I believe Vista is the same.

 

[Keebler Elf]

Re: the manual. It's out of date and doesn't have the latest RAM codes. It does have Kingston listed for 256 and 512, but not for anything larger than that.

I'm on to the video and sound cards now.

When I go into BIOS > Advanced > Chipset > Northbridge > Init. Graphic Adaptor Priority [PCI/AGP], should I change to [AGP/PCI]? That seems to be the only option related to the video card.

The manual says BIOS will auto-detect an audio device so I don't think there's anything to disable for the sound card.

 

[tboy]

it should be under onboard devices......you shouldn't have to change the agp setting and I didn't know you had the option for PCI....prolly would have been better to buy a PCI vid card but oh well, you woulda paid more for it.

it is under the second header called "advanced", the third option down titled "onboard devices"

sorry, it's not there either, still looking.......

oh, it is under "southbridge" configuration, least for the onboard audio.....

 

[Keebler Elf]

But my mobo is Northbridge...

 

[thirdtime]

There are both Northbridge and Southbridge chips on the motherboard.

 

[Keebler Elf]

Ok, I disabled the audio in BIOS.

RAM > Check!

Sound Card > Check!

Next up is my video card, but I'm going to do that later on... (hopefully!)

As an aside, just with the RAM increase my websurfing seems a bit zippier!

 

[Keebler Elf]

Video Card > Check!

And no more flicker on WoW!

 

[samcan]

Good work Keebler! Computers are fun eh and you get nice learning experience and good help/advice from fellow terbs

 

[tboy]

Way to go Keeb, you'll also notice programs load faster, videos run smoother and your system should sound a whole lot better. Now you need a nice 5.1 or more surround system to go with that new sound card....

 

[Keebler Elf]

I really notice a difference in sound quality when I'm playing WoW.

Maybe I'll upgrade my speakers down the line. But I think I've spent enough for now.

 

[tboy]

Well, not to pressure you but factory direct has some kickass logitechs x-530s on for $39.99. When you play video games that have surround sound capabilities it scares the F outta yeah when the enemy sneaks up behind you....I play america's army and you can hear gunshots in the distance and the direction changes depending on where you're facing....

Glad you're enjoying your new machine......took a little work, but you've learned a lot and are reaping the rewards. For the record the first time I built my own pc from the ground up I smoked the mobo and $300.00 processor by having a cheap PSU.....so mistakes can be made, glad you didn't.

You've done well grasshopper.......heheheh

 

[Keebler Elf]

This wasn't my first time, I've actually built my system from scratch before. Not enough to be a pro at it though. It's not always easy to figure out if new parts will work with older components (in this case, my mobo).

 

[tboy]

OH, I thought you were a total newb at this.......

BTW: what are you doing here? I thought you'd be all over WoW with your new toys installed lol.

 

[Keebler Elf]

lol, I'm trying to curb my addiction!