daithi1

At the moment I am running 2x512 Samsung DDR2 667 and a Radeon X1300/1550 series PCI-E card, I have 308 watt PSU.

I am planning on getting another 2x512 DDR2 and something in the region of an 8800gt or 8800gts. I'll have to upgrade my PSU as well.

My budget is between $250-$300. I'm in Ireland so my PSU will probably have to come from Europe (were 230 volts over here).

Any thoughts/advice?

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SharinganTH1422

$250-$300? Did you put dollars by mistake, or did you mean Dollars so most the guys on here can understand what you want better.

Nice, cheap, basic PSU, with good, high efficiency, plus a decent warranty, decent fan, and a reliable brand name.

Here are a selection of good 4GB RAMs, I'd say upgrading up to 2 is a waste of money, and you go for a 4GB kit like one of these (And I'd say perhaps get rid of your previous RAM altogether (consider selling it if you don't just wanna chuck it away))

These 2 below are especially for Vista, which you have (if I remember correctly), plus they have lifetime warranties, and come with some weird thing that keeps it cooler than you would get with a normal RAM with no heatsink, which is sweet.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-086-OC
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-087-OC

Just a few more RAMs at good prices:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-143-CS
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-014-OK
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-113-CR

Now if you did the $ sign, and meant the Euro sign, then I think you should be able to afford a vid card, if you mean something closer to 160-190, then I'd say save up for a while, and then get your 8800 GT. I'd also say check out the 9600 GT, because it's cheaper, at not a huge amount smaller performance.

Hope this helps.

P.S. Google for better prices. I'm not sure if overclockers:

A) has the best prices, or
B) Delivers to Ireland.

But remember, before you order at another place, make sure they are not a completely unknown site that may not be at a service you'd like it to be. If you're not sure about the legitimacy or quality of a site, then just post your worries and ask us to check it out.

__________________
Anger is a gift - Malcolm X

...If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same...

Bamboo

What Sharingan suggest is pretty spot on.
I would say go with more than 2 gigs if you have Vista, but make sure you do your homework and make sure your motherboard supports more than 2 gigs of RAM, and what the fasted speed it can use is.

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SharinganTH1422

Ah yes, what Bamboo said about your mobo, forgot about that . Check what your mobo can support.

Yay . Thou hath taught me well.

__________________
Anger is a gift - Malcolm X

...If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same...

daithi1

Na it's XP and I'm unwilling to upgrade to 4 gigs at the moment (anyway 32bit XP can only read 2gb I think) . Vista isn't coming soon either. If Vista happens it'll be a complete revamp.

I meant $ I'm getting a relative to bring it from the US (he lives in FL).

I'm looking at this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817148027. Most PSUs don't seem to mind a 230V input so thumbs there.

As for GPU it's looking like something like this XFX 8800GT http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150252 anyone own it and can see any cons?

This looks good for RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820144199 just want to make sure it'll work with Mobo, despite what newegg say.

Mobo is Dell E520


This would bring me to about $255 with shipping which is €140 great compared to what I'd spend in Ireland or England.

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Bamboo

Actually, you may have a problem.
Dell is well known for making custom stuff for their computers, and it means it is really hard to find certain parts to upgrade unless you buy strait from them.
(one more reason not to buy DELL)
You are going to need to do some research to make sure you can buy an after market PSU and that it will work in your computer. It may be as minor as not actually attaching to the case to as bad a the plugs not fitting into your motherboard. Hate for you to get something after that hookup from the US, then not have it work.
Also, you can do a live chat with a Dell tech person and ask about the memory, or see if dell sells it on their site.

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Server Rules and SOP * Kicked? Banned? READ THIS FIRST!*
Contact an Admin * Nominate your teammates for a ribbon

Stoop and you'll be stepped on; stand tall and you'll be shot at.

-Carlos A. Urbizo-