Looking for some advice on PC hardware.

[The Lawn]

I was able to get a pretty good barebones for $178 bucks.

Athlon 2 x2 250 3ghz
ASUS M3N78-VM

With a case and a 500 watt power supply.
The case is huge, so space is no issue.

I'm just looking for some good recommendations for memory and graphics cards.
I'm not looking for top of the line stuff, if I was, I would have spent more on stuff I have now.

My plan is to get 2 Kingston HyperX ddr2 1066mhz 4gig sets, which would be the most the mobo can handle.

But as far as graphics cards, I just don't know.
My budget is fairly limited, and I don't need the latest greatest super whizzbang graphics doohicky, considering I mostly just play TF2.

 

[Katana314]

As an nvidia user for a long time, I'd actually recommend...go with an ATI card for now. I kinda have to admit they're currently doing better for innovation and bang-for-buck factor. The specific card I couldn't recommend, as I've never used one, but in general the numbers are leaning in their favor.

I'm not quite sure if you should worry so much about getting a LOT of memory, but be sure that the memory you do get is fast. One set of 4GB would be okay, and you can decide to upgrade later (by buying the same model)

 

[Skizle]

For memory I would go with Kingston. They are reliable and have been in business for a long time. As for video cards go with ATI. I have a 5850 and I absolutely love it and for $310 it was well worth it.

 

[SpAc3man]

ATI 5750 sounds good to me or a 5770 which is a teeny bit more

 

[Tharwen]

Wait... $178... are you sure?

 

[Rathy]

By how cards work, a 4870 should outperform a 5750. The first number is just generation, while anything afterwards is its power. Higher numbers on the back end typically are a better card.

Also, on a quick search, 5750 is 128 bit, while 4870 is a 256 bit card.

 

[S6TJ0K3R]

5770 costs about the same as 4870 and performs about the same but supports DX11. Better buy in my opinion. Or if you really want performance and have quite a few extra bucks go for 5870. Performing almost as well as nVidia's best card at 200$ less.

 

[Orcus The Ultimate]

check out that site: www.ibuypower.com... it has the best at good prices, although i don't know if they sell pieces of hardware apart...

 

[S6TJ0K3R]

No newegg.com is much better.