Video Card and RAM Question - ECS Mobo

[hammer55]

Hello

Last year I bought and put together a fairly cheap system. It is based on the ECS SiS 741GX-M Motherboard. Right now I only have 256 MB of RAM (sluggish I know), and onboard sharing video card. I have a few questions:

My motherboard says it supports DDR333/DDR266 modules. I am upgrading the RAM. If I buy 400 MHz RAM, will the RAM be compatible and clock down? In other words, should I get 333 or 400 RAM, if they're both at the same price?

Second - I really need a video card. I don't have PCI-E, nor do I want to be told I should've bought a PCI-E system. I don't want a top of the line card, but I want to be able to play present games decently. I don't want something that I can't play games from 2 years ago. I want a decent, functional card that can play the majority of games. Above all I want a deal.

There is a BFG GeForce FX 5500OC 256MB AGP Video Card on sale for 50 bucks. Will it do the job? How will it work with my mobo? I heard some cards are specifically made for certain makes of boards.

Here are some links for the card

http://www.bfgtech.com/5500OC.html
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pr...665000FS10053781&catid=10524&logon=&langid=EN

And my motherboard
http://www.motherboard.cz/mb/ecs/741GX-M.htm

I appreciate any help you can give me. These forums look like a good place.
hammer

 

[IfYouHaveToAsk]

Im not sure about the ram question tbh i'll let someone else sort that out.

For the graphics card i recommend a 9600pro/xt if your on a low budget or a 6600gt agp version if you can afford a bit more.

The radeon 9600 has true direct x 9 support where as the geforce fx series is a bit iffy on that front.

 

[iamchel]

ram can clock down so it really doesnt matter. Buy the faster one if you like if you plan on using it later; although you probably wont want to use it later

 

[hammer55]

Thanks for the advice so far guys. About the reccomendations for other video cards, I can't seem to find them near the same price.

How iffy is the Dx 9 support on the GeForce FX card?

What I'm curious about too is the value of this card. I'm a getting a deal for 50 bucks, or is it total crap? If it works okay and will run most games half decently, I'm good. I just can't afford $150 right now for a computer video card.. Supposedly this card is worth $130 (or is that just BS)


For anyone interested...
I found some other AGP 256 MB cards on Tiger Direct for 50-80 dollars, would they been any good?

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2155002
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1446529

appreciate all the help guys

hammer

 

[hammer55]

Sorry for the bump/double post, but I'd like to know if I should keep the Nvidia 5500 OC, as I bought it about a week ago

 

[spartan1121]

im running an fx 5200 and my direct x is the most recent version and runs games fine, ive never run into direct x compatability problems or anything. I don't know much about AGP slot cards though so listen to the other guys about suggestions.(200th post , but thats 200 posts in a month lol i have no life)

 

[hammer55]

Well I got the new RAM, plugged it in, and it doesn't work.. Guess the 400 MHz memory won't be compatible with my motherboard.

I tried all combinations, with both my 256 and the 512, only the 512, and only the 256. The only combination that works is when I only have my 256 in (333 MHz)

So... any suggestions? Or am I just out 90 bucks? If so, then I guess I have a stick of 512 MB RAM at 400 MHz to sell.