Sony Vaio 420 upgrade Q...

Hojo · TweakNOOB Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 27

Got a Q for the board - i've done the required search and cant' find anything directly on point but I did find TONS of good info that has helped me out immensly.

I have a Sony Vaio 420. It has 512 PC2700 RAM and a 2.8 intel processor. It has a ATI Radeon 9200 64Mg video card.
no OC'ing or tweeking of any kind has been done to it. (I'm wayyyy too much of a computer idiot to try)

now i've been able to run my games fine on this setup up until D3 & the MOH PA demo - D3 runs ok but w/very low fps & only at the lowest graphic settings.

MOH/PA also has to run at the lowest graplhic settings.

My Q is this:

1) Would increasing the amount and type of my RAM help me in running these high end games? (ie, goin to 2X512 of PC3200 instead of my current 2X254 PC2700)

2) if I up my RAM and later decide to up my video card is there anything I should be warry of when buying RAM now?

3) is it even possible to up my RAM &/or Video Card on this system?

4) I have read that Kingston, OCZ, Corsair are good reasonably priced RAM - are there any video cards that can be recommended for my tyep fo system?

5) I read the review at the home page of tweak on the turbo ram (2X512 pc3200 for $170) seems reasonable - would this work for my goals?

thanks in advance for the info - as I stated before I'm not a computer literate person by a long shot but I'm also not a total moron - in laymans terms, I'd still take the LIttle Yellow School Bus w/the tommy lift to school, but I could walk to the bus stop by myself...

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2old2care · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 1:42 pm Post subject:

Had to go to Sony's site to look it up...But this isn't to bad a model. Real AGP8X video. What I couldn't tell is the chipset, I hope it's an 865.
to answer your questions.;

1) Yes...if that is an 865 chipset 2X 512Mb of PC3200 memory will help.
2) Not really, Get two identical sticks.
3) Yes...like i said this has an occupied AGP8X slot in it...so you can change video easily. Pull out old put in new.
4a) All those brands are fine. Reasonably priced RAM will be fine for you...you are not wanting to OC or anything that would require more than decent quality.
4b) depends on your budget, something with at least 128mb of DDR would help. But any card you buy for gaming should have that. Only concern about video cards is power...new super duper ones may put a strain on your OEM type power supply. but a nice 5950 or 9600 would be cool and somewhat affordable.
5) yes.

Do some reading and ask your questions before you buy though. Video is the first thing that is holding you back, IMHO.
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Hojo · TweakNOOB Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 27

thanks for the quick response...

I'd like to spend no more than $200 on whichever way I decide to go (ram or video) and I don't think I'll have enough to do both... since the whole computer cost me $999 I feel weird spending $300-$400 on upgrading just RAM & video...

1. so, having said that, with the above budget I mentioned, would I be better off spending it on 2 X 512 pc3200 RAM

or

buying a new video card - say a Radeon 9800 pro 128 or 256 - from what I've read here this seems to be a very solid gaming card that won't break the bank. (price seems to be in $190-$230 range)

2. should I buy something like a 9800 pro or buy one of the newer higher end cards taht are out? ie, ATI x800 pro?

thanks again

[KoG]^weaZel · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 3:23 pm Post subject:

at this point I would say go with a 9800 pro rather than the memory as it will give closer to the results that you are looking for. But you will get a overall performance boost if you go with dual channel pc3200 memory.
My only concern on this is the power supply. I am not sure what rating the one in your computer is. I know others in the past have tried to upgrade their sony with a new vid card to find that the psu isnt powerful enough.

2old I dont think you meant to put 5950 as a suggestion. As this is one of the more power hungry cards out there.
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2old2care · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 3:25 pm Post subject:

Video card in my opinion....BUT the PSU may be nominal with a 9800pro or greater. You may need to look at the side of the PSU and see what it is. Sony's website doesn't give any details. If it's 400W or more your prolly okay with a 9800pro. (yes big bang for the buck) If it's like 350W it might be better to stick to 9600 or such, or up the PSU.
I know it sucks...I just don't want you to get a new vid board and then come back and say it fried your PSU. We need to look at a few things.
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JayDubya · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 3:32 pm Post subject:

If I am not mistaken, many of the viao's have a 295watt psu. You will need to confirm this for us by finding how how many watts your psu produces. If it is 295 watts, then a 9600 pro would probably be the most you could really put in there without causing a little havok.

Check your psu wattage before you do anything else.
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2old2care · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 3:32 pm Post subject:

Oh we're posting on top of each other again are we weaz.

You are correct I meant 9550 not 5950. (staying ATI for these purposes)
I was trying to keep the price down a bit, just assuming.

But rule of thumb....IF the vid board has an extra 4pin socket on it for added power,THEN question if power supply is big enough.
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[KoG]^weaZel · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 3:38 pm Post subject:

as Jay has said the best bet at this point is go with a 9600. But do check out the psu rating. Because if it is lacking you will have problems when upgrading. And as these other gentlemen have already stated we dont want to suggest any hardware and then have them cause problems for you.
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Hojo · TweakNOOB Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 27

Josh · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 6:17 pm Post subject:

Take off the left hand side of your case and as you look at the inside, the PSU will be the rectangular metal object in the top left hand corner (at the back of the case). There should be a sticker on it stating all of the details of the PSU.

Any more questions, just fire away!

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Hojo · TweakNOOB Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 27

ok - here's what it says.

Delta Electronics Inc
model: dps-295AB A Rev: 01
INput: 100-120V~/6A 200-240V~/3A
47Hz-63Hz

Output:
295.4W Max

then a bunch of +5v, +12v, stuff w/ A numbers beside them

JayDubya · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 6:40 pm Post subject:

Hahaha, JW is right again . . . no, that would be the first time

Ok, with a 295watt psu its going to be a little tough to upgrade much. I know that a radeon 9600 would work well but a 9600 pro might be pushing it.
Check into the 9550 series like 2old said. I'll try to do some research on what is recommended for a 300watt psu.
Anyone else?

BTW, if you multiply the + 3.3v, +5v, and +12v by the A (amperage rating by each number) then you will get the total wattage from each of those rails = 3.3, 5, and 12. Add those up and that should be your total psu (power supply unit) wattage.
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Josh · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 6:53 pm Post subject:

2old2care · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 7:07 pm Post subject:

Josh · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 7:12 pm Post subject:

Hojo, is it possible for you to tell us the Sony VAIO model #? Then we can do a little searching.

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JayDubya · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 7:22 pm Post subject:

Well, preliminary results show that you should be ok. Just to be sure, do you have any usb or firewire peripherials, pci cards, additional hard drives or cd drives?
Is your motherboard micro atx that you know of? I am 70% sure that it is but confirmation is nice.
give this site a shot:
http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/
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Hojo · TweakNOOB Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 27

JayDubya · Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 9:27 am Post subject:

You will be ok to buy a 9600/9600pro.
Its a plus that you have no usb or firewire things.
2 HDD's and 2 CDRW/DVD's were added into the equation for good measure

I think you would be ok with a 9600 nonpro or pro upgrade. The 9800 might be a little bit of a strain though.
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Hojo · TweakNOOB Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 27

ok - thanks -

now, I need to know, a Radeon 9600 128 or 256?

OR

a Radeon Pro 128 or 256?

thoughts?

the Pro 256 runs around $127 at newegg and the 128 is $120

the nonpro is around $94 for a 128 & $104 for the 256...

Hojo · TweakNOOB Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 27

also, what kind of experiences have any of you had purchasing video cards & memory off Ebay?

those prices are just soooooo tempting compared to other sites like newegg & pricegrabber...

of course what my granddad used to tell me makes me always worry "if it looks too good to be true it prob'ly is"

JayDubya · Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 11:32 am Post subject:

Some people have great luck with ebay others have terrible luck with bad dealers.
Check the seller ratings and make sure they deal with what you want to buy on a regular basis. Some people like to sell lots of little things, jack up their rating, and get some poor SOB to buy a bum product for lots of $$$. There are some very good deals that are worth getting on ebay. Personally, I like the retailers for the warranty and trustworthyness.

The 9600pro 256 would be a very good upgrade. I would definately take that card for the price of $127
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Hojo · TweakNOOB Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 27

thanks again - this is kinda fun - nice way to pass my otherwise boring day at work

now - more Qs...I've found this memory for an incredibly low price on ebay ($20 high bid w/6 days to go) being sold by a guy w/solid credentials

Manufacturer: Geil
Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 184 Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 2.5 8-4-4 2T
Support Voltage: 2.55V-2.95V
Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s
Organization: two 64M x 64 -Bit
Special Features: Optimized SPD for Dual Channel DDR motherboards
Warranty: Lifetime

1) Is this decent memory? should I spend my money on that $170 Turbo memory this site did a review on instead?

2) is a 9600 pro plus 1 Gb of RAM sufficient w/my current system to let me play those high end games I long to play (D3, MOH/PA, HL2, etc)? (man, you'd never believe I'm almost 40 would ya

))

If i can get both for under $200 I'd be very very happy

[KoG]^weaZel · Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 2:39 pm Post subject:

that is a smoking deal on that memory. Just as long as you can use that lifetime warranty.
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Hojo · TweakNOOB Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 27

ok - got another Q

for RAM which is better?

buying 2 sticks of 512MB Ram seperately or buying a 1GB dual ram prepackaged?

newegg prices or the Corsair RAM I'm looking at:

512MB:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-026&depa=0
$77 per

OR
1MB dual package:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-480&depa=0
$153 per

Is there a reason to buy the 1G package?

2old2care · Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2004 5:41 pm Post subject:

The twin pack is "matched" for dual channel operation.
Whether or not it's worth the extra nine bucks over getting two identical sticks is a point for some debate.
My point of view is...It's only nine extra bucks for matchedness. <==**creates own word?**
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