Noob Question

[DGReynolds]

I have a pretty basic question. Right now I have 3gbs of 266mhz memory installed in my system. Would it be worth going out to get 3-4gb of a faster ram? I'm eyeballing the 800mhz stuff. This computer is used for gaming more than anything (perhaps web browsing as well). I'm asking because I just upgraded my nVidia 9600gt to a 460GTX and haven't noticed much graphical improvement/speed. And my 3dmark06 scores are barely higher (maybe 200 points). Now, I'm pretty out of touch with todays technology but I like to think myself computer savy, so anyones input would be much appreciated. I just noticed that it seems my computer is begining to bottleneck (probably the cpu) not to mention its...6-8 years old now. Money is an issue so I would like to squeeze every year I have left out of this thing. Aside from building another computer, any advice would be very helpful. Thanks in advance and have a Happy New Year!


OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name D92Q92B1
System Manufacturer Dell Inc.
System Model Dell DXP051
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 4 Stepping 7 GenuineIntel ~2793 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Dell Inc. A04, 4/19/2006
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"

Time Zone Mountain Standard Time
Total Physical Memory 3,072.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 2.23 GB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 8.09 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

 

[o1die]

Dell boards have fixed ram settings; buying premium ram won't help your performance at all. 32 bit windows xp will only recognize about 3.25 gb of any ram, due to the limitations of 32 bit operating systems. If you're not happy with your frame rates on your game, either sell the dell intact or give it to a family member. You can transfer the newer video card to your next system.

 

[DGReynolds]

Dell boards have fixed ram settings; buying premium ram won't help your performance at all. 32 bit windows xp will only recognize about 3.25 gb of any ram, due to the limitations of 32 bit operating systems. If you're not happy with your frame rates on your game, either sell the dell intact or give it to a family member. You can transfer the newer video card to your next system.

Damn you Dell!!!!!!!

 

[xplicitt]

Also, you were correct, i would assume that the cpu is your bottleneck. the nVIDIA GTX 460 won't help at all if you are running a pentium 4, or even a relativly low end c2d. and xp only supports 3gb and change of ram.