Upgrading PC..Please ratify/suggest!

[bullmilo]

Hi,
My current configuration is
P4 2.4 , 40GB Samsung (5400rpm),
256 MB DDR266 RAM,
GE FORCE FX 5200 graphics card(128 MB with TV out),
TV TUNER CARD (Hauppauge),
MOBO:GA-8VM533
CHIPSET: VIA P4M266
SOUND CARD: VIA AC'97,
ALTEC LANSING ATP3 speakers,
Samsung CD-RW,
Windows XP Media Center with SP2.

I'm planning to upgrade the ram by adding another stick of 512 MB.
Also planning to add a 120 GB HDD, get a firwire card and a dvd writer.
The prices quoted to me by a Gurgaon dealer is as follows:
512 MB DDR400 - Transcend/Kingston (Rs2600)
OR
512 MB DDR333 - Simtronics (Rs2100)
SONY DVD Writer DRU-820A (Rs 3100)
SEAGATE 120 GB HDD(Rs 3200) PATA
OR
SEAGATE 160 GB HDD(Rs 3500) PATA
FIREWIRE CARD with Cable (Rs 400)

1.Please advise if the prices are on the higher/lower side as per market ?
2.Please let me know if I there is something else i can upgrade or if I can modify my requirements?
(I'm an Avid gamer and would be doing basic video editing from time to time.)


Thanks !

[drvarunmehta]

1. 512 MB DDR400 RAM shouldn't be more than Rs. 2000. But that's beside the point since you shouldn't even buy DDR400 RAM. Your old RAM is DDR266 so even if you add a DDR400 chip, it will run at 266 MHz only.
2. Sony DVD writer shouldn't be more than Rs. 2600. You can get a Liteon or BenQ writer for a little less.
3. Price for the HDD and Firewire card is ok.

[samrulez]

U said u are avid gamer then u should get ur self a graphics card....maybe a 6600/6600GT.

[akshayt]

does your system even support sata, it probably doesn't.

anyways go for a 160gb hd

ram:
512mb X 2 ddr 400 = about 4k
go for identical paris and run your ram in dual ch if supported
sell the old stick

btw your upgraded pc can't play todays games, at least most of them will either not run or run crap

if you are a gamer, then it is a time to move to amd 64bit or intel conroe with 2gb ram, min 1gb at at the minimum 7600gt class gpu, preferably higher

[bullmilo]

My budget for all is not more than Rs 9000-10000.
1. My mobo doesn't support raid or SATA.
2.New graphic card is not on my wish list just becoz I dont have the budget
for it.A new one like 6600 or an ATI one will atleats take up all my budget.
This one works okay with AA disabled or at low res. for some games, with AV and firewall and backghround services disabled during game play.
3.sony DRU-820A is the new model...Is it really available at Rs2600?
If yes then where can I find it in Delhi/NCR(please mention contact details).
4.Mobo supports 266Mhz and doesn't support dual channel.
So whether I buy a 266 or 333 or 400 Mhz ram all will run at 266Mhz.
However do let me know if there is a performance lag using unequal
sticks (like 256 MB 266Mhz and 512 MB 400 Mhz)?

[drvarunmehta]

There won't be any performance lag running unequal sticks, but why even do that. Might as well get 266 MHz RAM which would be cheaper.

[samrulez]

Originally Posted by bullmilo

.
4.Mobo supports 266Mhz and doesn't support dual channel.
So whether I buy a 266 or 333 or 400 Mhz ram all will run at 266Mhz.
However do let me know if there is a performance lag using unequal
sticks (like 256 MB 266Mhz and 512 MB 400 Mhz)?

No, i don't thin using 2 sticks of differemt speeds affects the performance,coz it will be running at the smae speed..

Get ur self 266 MhZ sticks if unavalible then go for 333 MhZ,don't waste ur money on 400 MHZ sticks.

[gary4gar]

pls go for benq to save money because sony=benq
Sony DRU-810A=Benq 1640
Sony DRU-820A=Benq 1670
All other Previous sony dvd burners are Lite-ON OEM's.

[samrulez]

Originally Posted by gary4gar

pls go for benq to save money because sony=benq
Sony DRU-810A=Benq 1640
Sony DRU-820A=Benq 1670
All other Previous sony dvd burners are Lite-ON OEM's.

Yes go for Benq or Sony..DON'T GO FOR SAMSUNG!!

Coz SAMSUNG has the worst optic drives...they won't read they won't write but they will surely give loads of errors!!