PSU Query (new Gcard) + Memory question

[Dorza]

I currentyly have an Enermax 420Watt PSU. Ive had this since late 2001 (when windows XP came out). What i was wondering was, would it be ok to add A Leadtek WinFast A6600GT TDH AGP graphics card to the system that i have in my sig. Will it handle the extra load bareing in mind that it is an ageing PSU?

I also plan on upgrading my memory to 2X 512MB PC3200 2-2-2-6 of Crucial Ballistix Memory. Will i be better off with the same memory but in PC4000? It isnt much more but the CAS timings are worse from my understanding : 2.5-4-4-8.

At £155 from crucial.com/uk 1Gig of memory with them timings seems like a nice price. I cant find cheaper anyway. What is Ballistix memory like in general.


EDIT: one last thing that i forgot. Do i really need 1GB of memory or rather how important is it to have? Ive read that some of the latest games e.g Farcry can suck up more than 700MB of memory if you have it on offer. If its the case that it isnt really required then that would be great since i could save quite alot by getting 768MB instead of the 1GB. (im on a tight budget c) Thanks for any advice/help

[nvening]

I would get a GB, you can get value ram for £100 or 1 Gb (2 x 512 Mb) Corsair TwinX, DDR, PC3200C2PT, Cas 2, Lifetime Warranty is £130. i would think that your psu if fine. Actually have you thought of just putting an another 512mb stick? even if you do buy more ram you will want to keep that 512mb stick and then u will have 1.5GB, which is going a bit over board if u r on a budget.

[mike_w]

I would go for 2x512, since it should last longer and can run in dual channel (assuming your motherboard supports it).

As for the brand of memory, I would either go for Corsair Value Select (£105 from Komplett.co.uk) or Crucial Ballistix if you want to have tight timings. It doesn't really make much difference unless you're overclocking, in which case the Ballistix will give you more headroom with the FSB.

Although there isn't really much (if any) difference between the PC3200 and PC4000 sticks, I would go for the PC3200 sticks - they're cheaper, are guaranteed tight timings at PC3200, and your motherboard/CPU might not work at an FSB of 250.

[Thorsson]

BTW the Crucial runs 2-2-2-5 with no problems at 200 and over. If you buy 2x512 you should get a "coupon" to knock some £s off, but you have to look for it, they don't push it at you!

[Apex]

The psu will be fine some of the older enermaxs where better built then the new ones.

[Dorza]

Thanks for your replies so far. I think ill go for that 1GB of ballistix mem and put the crucial coupon to good use. However having said that buying a 512MB and a 256MB stick obv works out to be quit a bit cheaper than the 2x 512MB sticks even with discount.

BTW my mobo is not dual channel supportive.