[bhavesh]

Hi,

Im not too good with computers so hoping someon can help?

I have a Dell Optiplex GX620 P4 3.00GHz, 2GB DDR2 Ram, 128mb ATi Radeon x600 SE.

I want to upgrade my graphics card to either of the following, which is a better card. I am thinking the 512mb is better????

1) 256 MB RADEON X600 PCIe
2) ATI Radeon X1600PRO 512MB

Dell said that I only have a choice of the above two due the current spec of my machine

Thanks,

[alex]

Good afternoon.

The X1600 is the better card, but not because of the ram. The extra ram on a card, over and above the usual 256mb, is primarily used for textures and for gaming at high resolutions.

This card isn't capable of gaming above 1280x1024 with any decent frame rate or detail settings, so the extra 256mb is useless from that point of view.

Any game that is played at 1280x1024 will not require more than 256mb for textures, so it's also useless from that point of view.

The extra 256mb is primarily a selling point. Inexperienced people like yourself (no offence) will see the bigger number and naturally assume its the better option and go ahead and pay the extra for ram that will never see use.

A low or medium range card with masses of ram makes no sense whatsoever except as a selling point. Be under no illusions on that score.

If your machine is still under warranty then i'd say stick to a dell upgrade. If it's out of warranty, then i'd strongly suggest buying a card and fitting it yourself. A perfect card for your setup would be an x1900gt or 7900gt, budget and psu wattage dependent of course. As this would give you a more balanced system for games playing. Any higher end card would be a waste due to limitations that would become evident with the cpu you have. Also, higher end cards are wasted in machine's gaming at less than 1680x1050.

[mr_miller]

have a look at ebuyer for either card, then if you pay by google checkout you'll save a tenner. bonus.

[technoflutemom]

I would choose the ATI Radeon X1600PRO. I agree about purchasing a better card somewhere other than Dell. It is easy to swap a graphics card.

[c master]

you should get a nvidia card like 7800 gs/gt or summet why stick to ati.