Need an opinion.

[Falk 'Ace' Flyer]

Okay, so I've been putting up with my HP for the longest time, and I finally noticed something I should have known from the start: it has an integrated graphics card, as in the 6150. So now I need to upgrade my system before I even attempt to install the free Window's Vista Premium that came with the computer. I've got an AMD X2 4600+, 1 GB ram, nVidia 6150, but my question is:
Should I buy a good graphics card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127322) or just settle for more RAM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220145 x2)

My other idea is one 1gb and a cheaper card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127296).

Any thoughts or other suggestions? I'm not looking to spend more than $50, and I do a lot of gaming, but if my computer can already handle my games, clearly I don't need that much of an upgrade ,right?

[Close102]

id go with the third one

[Falk 'Ace' Flyer]

Turns out I can get a $10 rebate on the first card, which would make it cheaper than the second. Guess I'll go with that and some more memory.

[Bryan B]

mm
no,
you should buy more memory
Vista is not a really good idea if you have 500mb or 1 GB

[Blahages]

Personally, I'd go for more RAM. I wouldn't run Vista with less than 1GB of RAM for sure, but, it's ideal for 2GB or more.

That Video Card, Assuming the 6150 is relatively similar in comparison to the 6100, is fine for general use in Vista. As for Gaming, it depends on what you're playing. It's definitely not going to take on the most demanding games, or probably even mid-range (In terms of Hardware Demand) games.

It might be a good idea to just buy more RAM for now, and install Vista, and get a feel for it. If you think you need a better Video Card, you can always upgrade it in the future when you have the money. RAM would be the highest priority.

The 8400GS really isn't that great of a card anyway. I'm not sure how it compares to the 6100 in terms of performance. I've used both, but I don't have a clear idea of what the differences were, as I didn't really pay too much attention, as what I was doing wasn't really graphically intensive. It was also a 6100, not a 6150. But, again, I don't know if there really is any difference.

Personally, I wouldn't even install Vista as the primary OS on my Computer. I have copies of both XP and Vista, and XP has, as shall remain my main OS.

It might be an idea, if possible, to install both XP and Vista, and decide which you'd like as your default before you make any rash decisions. :P

[Bryan B]

Personally, I'd go for more RAM. I wouldn't run Vista with less than 1GB of RAM for sure, but, it's ideal for 2GB or more.

That Video Card, Assuming the 6150 is relatively similar in comparison to the 6100, is fine for general use in Vista. As for Gaming, it depends on what you're playing. It's definitely not going to take on the most demanding games, or probably even mid-range (In terms of Hardware Demand) games.

It might be a good idea to just buy more RAM for now, and install Vista, and get a feel for it. If you think you need a better Video Card, you can always upgrade it in the future when you have the money. RAM would be the highest priority.

The 8400GS really isn't that great of a card anyway. I'm not sure how it compares to the 6100 in terms of performance. I've used both, but I don't have a clear idea of what the differences were, as I didn't really pay too much attention, as what I was doing wasn't really graphically intensive. It was also a 6100, not a 6150. But, again, I don't know if there really is any difference.

Personally, I wouldn't even install Vista as the primary OS on my Computer. I have copies of both XP and Vista, and XP has, as shall remain my main OS.

It might be an idea, if possible, to install both XP and Vista, and decide which you'd like as your default before you make any rash decisions. :P

I totally agree with you.

And the better option is that buy more RAM to have like 2GB, install Windows XP, don't install Vista

[Falk 'Ace' Flyer]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the 6100 was NOT integrated?

Also, why shouldn't I install Vista? Everybody I know (as in not over the internet) that has it loves it, so I think I'll go ahead with it. And yes, a couple of them are rather tech-savvy.

As for the graphics card, any recommendations for something cheap-ish? I really think I need one.

[Blahages]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the 6100 was NOT integrated?

Also, why shouldn't I install Vista? Everybody I know (as in not over the internet) that has it loves it, so I think I'll go ahead with it. And yes, a couple of them are rather tech-savvy.

As for the graphics card, any recommendations for something cheap-ish? I really think I need one.

Is the 6150 Integrated or not? If it IS integrated, then there won't be a card. It'll be built into the motherboard, and you'd likely plug the monitor into a spot that is near the USB Ports.

If it's NOT integrated, it'll be a Card, and will likely be a few inches from the USB ports, and the other ports.

Either way, you need to make sure you have a PCI Express slot if you plan on upgrading the Video card.

Why not Vista? It's up to you. Personally, I'd try it out before committing to it. Personally, I dislike it. And, would never use it over XP. There's just too many things "wrong" with it.

[Bryan B]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the 6100 was NOT integrated?

Also, why shouldn't I install Vista? Everybody I know (as in not over the internet) that has it loves it, so I think I'll go ahead with it. And yes, a couple of them are rather tech-savvy.

As for the graphics card, any recommendations for something cheap-ish? I really think I need one.

Is because the people you had knew maybe only uses their computer on MSN or Internet and really common stuff for that Vista is ok but, when I fix a Computer I always say them that I don't recommend them Vista that is much better XP
Is a faster an has most Compatibility.

The Only good Thing of Vista is the Design but I hate the exaggerated Security.

And what you need is more memory and use XP

[Falk 'Ace' Flyer]

True, true. Yeah, it never occurred to me that I was plugging the monitor right into the mother board, but it's some kind of modified chipset that gets integrated apparently. So all this time I've been running without a video card.

Oh snap, I completely forgot to check for a PCIE slot before I left! I should probably double check that before I order everything, thanks for reminding me. Also, I think I'll stick with XP for a bit until I decide whether I'm happy with the new performance or not. Well, thanks for the input everybody.