RAM types

After reading some of the threads about RAM types im still a bit confused, im currently I have 512Mb of DIMM DDR PC2700 RAM, im not really sure exactly what that all means, but when playing the beta I did occasionly get a lowered FPS rate, so would another 512Mb RAM help with this problem?

what video card and processor do you have

also what type of internet connection?

ALL depends mostly it's the total system. you can have all the ram you want but if the processor and vid card are weak it won't help.
and the connection speed could be an issue

Iv got a Pentium 4 2.66GHz processor and a 128Mb GeForceFX graphics card.
If it helps my OS is XP service pack 2. I also have a wireless 1Mb internet connection.

i am assuming a 5 series FX card but which one?

you have the minimum recommended amount of ram

you should have no problems but may have to drop the detail a bit

Given the rest of your specs, another 256mb of ram certianly couldn't hurt if you can afford it. It will aloso make Windows much snappier.

What are your settings in game? The FX card won't be able to handle max settings.

Also, as a general rule of thumb, something in your computer is always bottlenecking the rest of your system (this stems from the idea of limiting factors). Ram is fine imo, but as others have said, more would not hurt.

Another 512 couldn't hurt. 2700 isn't that expensive either. BTW, check if the memory frequency is set properly in the BIOS. It should be at 166MHz (DDR turns that into 333MHz) or auto detect.

Who knows...the northbridge may be stuffed. I love the Athlon64's because they moved the memory controller to the processor, plus the socket 939 runs dual channel.

If the card is a 5200, those are not the best cards in the world. The best GF4 does better than a 5200.

IDK what you're talking about, Lifire. I'm running a 5900XT at max (except only 3xAA) and getting good, smooth FPS (minus the time when caching the dance, but as soon as it was cached it smoothed out again) and I'm sure a 5950 would run at tops. Memory speed really helps, and having no bottleneck at the NB really helps. too.

I was checking the BIOS and it does say the RAM speed is 333MHz, however its the exact reading for RAM type says, 512 MB DDR SDRAM, I though you could have either DDR or SDRAM not both, or am I wrong about that?
And if so, which type do I have..?

DDR ram is SDRAM, in a manner of speaking. Old-style SDRAM flows data in only one direction, whereas DDR SDRAM sends data both ways through the memory, essentially doubling the speed at which it is processed.

So, to put it simply, don't worry about it when your BIOS says SDRAM. As long as it says DDR SDRAM, you're fine.

correction please

DDR (DOUBLE DATA RATE) trips twice per clock cycle not back and forth (166 clock speed x2 = 333 effective also known as pc 2700)

SDR (SINGLE DATA RATE) trips once per clock

both are sdram in different flavors

BTW, if you're wondering what "2100" or "2700" or "3200" etc. mean, it's the estimated bandwidth per second of the RAM in megabytes.

Wow, try not to say that 5200 is a bad card. So many of us will argue with you and it's been posted several times. It's a great card for the price. It's got a bad reputation but I've been using them for years and I have no complaints. I've ran GW on max settings with a 64MB 5200FX card (1024x768 on an 800Mhz Athlon). So will you please stop breathing down that cards neck.

Lansing Kai Don

P.S. Anyone can point at a value card/brand and say that's awful. Glad you all are spending someone elses money. This was the best value card you could get till recently.

P.P.S. And most likely it will help you a little bit. But to me and my money, it's not worth it unless you plan on playing more CPU intensive games. Save your money for a complete PC overhaul in the following years.

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/...p?t=2197&page=3

A good FX5200 goes for about 70 to 100$ at newegg.com. You can buy a Radon 9550 for the same price or 9600XT for 120$ in the same store.
The Radeon 9550 and 9600 were the best value cards and still are in the AGP market.
Untill the last year Radeon cards were beating the Geforce ones in the value/intermediate market - in price, performance, energy requirements and noise. I did research a month ago and 6600 was the first superior alternative to a Radeon in the same pricerange.

Most reviews, professional and independant, support this.

On topic: there can be many explanations for the FPS drops - lag, fragmented disk space, graphic card. However, I don't think its lack of memory. He has the recommended amount, more is a waste of money.

Just some considerations...

Wireless internet connection to a hub and then dsl or directly to isp?

Are you in a virtually "noise" free (radio wise) environment in either case?

The additional RAM would be very helpful considering the myriad windows uses of RAM as a place to "sprawl out" so to speak. The interesting thing about minimums is how they can also be called "marginals." On most systems the minimums might well be fine, but on some system being at one of the minimums may challenge a component that is marginally functioning for whatever reason and you didn't know it. I'd look to upping the ram most definitely. Also, if you currently have one 512 stick and your computer is relatively new ( 6 mos or less) maybe go to where you got it and get another 512 stick just like it. You'll likely be buying at least a 512 stick anyway if it's two 256s.

The 6600 GT is also a great suggestion. As a 5200 Fx owner myself I am looking to buy a new card but my board is so ancient no agp, so I have had to research some alternatives and a reasonable upgrade that has the horsepower for Direct X 9 is the 5700 fx 128-256 mb with 128 bit addressing. Basically you get 3 to 4 times more bandwidth and throughput. They are hard to come by but can be found on the web. I am about to purchase mine. I cannot find a comparable PCI radeon alternative.

In your scenario you can support a better card than that but if you are on a budget you might get one of these 5700 Fx's (around $150 US) and save a little cash toward a new box or to offset the cost of new ram. The 6600 is a much better card but if you aren't gonna be upgrading for a year or two, buy cheap as there'll be a latest and greatest card to blow away the 6600 by then.

Hope this was helpful.

Where I shop you can get 2 paried 512 corsair value sticks for $59.00 each.

A gig of ddr3200 ram for under $120.

Newegg has a deal for Ram, 88 bucks for a gig.

http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Produ...82E16820145440

Hmmm.. I said until recently...meaning before last year. Seems your not reading before posting. Instead of repeating myself , I'll just point to the first post. The way I look at it is I did research before building my brand new PC about a month ago now. And it turned out to be approximately the same gameplay as my old machine (sigh, how disappointing).

NEW vs. OLD
AMD XP 3200+ Intel P4 1.7 Ghz
1024 MB PC3200 DDR 1024 MB PC133 SDRAM
Radeon 9800 PRO 128MB GeForce FX 5200
ASUS A7N8X-E ASUS P4B

Like I've said a million times. It "depends" on your budget and your use. I guess Ensign's quote is right when it comes to arguing with idiots, you'll have to put yourself on their level... and they'll beat you with experience. Evidently I don't utilize my handy dandy computer much. That means Guild Wars doesn't utilize it much. Therefore the 5200 FX card seems to be JUST fine for this use... and I haven't seen any complaints from the users with the cards and Guild Wars. You did exactly what I said, you pointed at a value card and say that's awful... I'd agree with you if your just buying a new card. But why spend 100-120 dollars on a "little" bit better... and then be disappointed. Once again, glad you're all spending someone elses money.

Lansing Kai Don

Lol, sin. At my mom's there are about 3 available wireless networks around our area (although they're all WEP) I was getting disconnected from our local hub about every 5 minutes and it was slower than 56k. Noise owns wirless networks. The network at my dad's is wired, and I'm plenty fine with that.

I would try to stretch your budget and get a 6600GT. Easily the best value for money card out there.

I took a look at the 6600GT cards, and I couldn't find anyfor less then £199, but that may just be becasue im in the UK.

corax, you might wanna stop looking at graphics cards and check for any kind of intermittent radio noise. Maybe watch you network signal for 5 minutes while downloading a guildwars end of BWE video or something like that. Make sure the problem isnt' somewhere else before you spend the cash.

In other words you might need a better antennae, if it's from outside that you get your connection you might have to get one of those higher gain directional receivers. Just saying make sure it's the video card and not actually lost network signal.

If you could spend the time (and if you have the equipment) most wireless hubs/routers/all-in-one-modems have wired ethernet, too. If you have a wired NIC in that computer, you could test it with a wired connection and compare.

Well i finally got the extra 512RAM, i cant test it on GW yet, but so far everything seems to be running allot smoother.

Good good. Well maybe that was all it is then. I sure hope so corax. If not some remaining suggestions in this thread, hope they can help.

Glad to hear it is running better

The 5200 has been a staple in my builds for the past two years (I have NINE active computers between myself, friends, and relatives I have built that utilize them, not including the ones for corporate clients). My favorite has always been the Gainward FX, includes the fan and always was rated very highly.

Those who knock them have probably never owned them. And now with the price of 5700's dropping, I will probably switch to those as my "base" card.

For me the challenge has been finding a 5700 that is the full 128 bit path, someone left a link somewhere on the forums but I can't find it. I am hoping www.geeks.com, or www.newegg.com gets some as they are both so reputable for internet ordering to me.

Have been buying from the Geeks since 1998. Just one of the best on the net.

Sorry . Monkey see, monkey do, and I guess I'm the monkey this time. I've just heard so many negative reports on another forum I've been on for a year about the 5200, so I suddenly felt like the authority on them. Oh, well. I guess all I can say in the end is that I'm not getting one myself.