Building a PC - Part 3: Memory and Video Card

I'm continuing my quest to build myself a PC. So far I have the following:

Case: RaidMax Model 268WBP ATX
Motherboard: SOLTEK SL-75FRN2-L
Power Supply: Antec 300W

Plan on purchasing:
Processor: AMD Anthlon XP 1700 Thoroughbred
Memory: ???
Video Card: ???

So here is where I want to fill in the ???

I plan on running dual 256 DDR PC2700. My question to you is: what are some good brands, what are some brands to stay away from?

And for the video card - I have no idea. I don't play many games, and the ones that I do are usually pretty old. Any hints, suggestions, etc?

I am trying to keep this cheap, as well. You can refer to the other Building a PC thread for more information.

Thanks in advance.

I have this RAM on my PC:

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Crucial PC2100 DDR-DIMM 256MB CL2.5 REG
Registered, ECC/REG, 2.5V, 32Meg x 72

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I am soo happy with it. I have had my PC on for the last year 24/7 and It has only crashed once, when I had like 600Mb Swapping files ++....it is really stabil. You could check it out. They probably have the same type in PC2700. The ECC and REG can't remember what of those tells you that you have a kind of error checking on your RAM, but it is really usefull. Makes it a tiny bit slower, but it makes daemn stabil....

For saving cash, Samsung and Infineon are usually good bets. Memory prices are notably volatile though so if you can get Corsair Value Select or even Kingston HyperX for a minimal premium, then hey..why not.

Shop around, and stay with brands you know (or have heard of).

For the video card, if you don't play much games then just get a Radeon 9100 (or 8500LE, same idea). 64 or 128Mb is a matter of personal choice...but 64 should be okay.

Siyan, didn't you say something about the Kingston HyperX having problems with the motherboard I bought? I think I'll go with it if it'll work, as it's pretty cheap.

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Originally posted by The Hobo
Siyan, didn't you say something about the Kingston HyperX having problems with the motherboard I bought? I think I'll go with it if it'll work, as it's pretty cheap.

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Oh yeah....good memory :) (what a pun that is)

KHX is rumoured to have major issues with all nForce 2 boards.

Corsair is king.

Okay, any thoughts about: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...ion=20-145-056 ??

Lookin' good! Great deal on that kit too.

siyan, I know I'm a little late, but is this what you were suggesting?: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...ion=14-102-260

Yeah, that's the 9100. It was renamed after many people thought the 9000 was actually better =/

Are you sure 300W is enough? Seems a bit low to me.

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Originally posted by parksie
Are you sure 300W is enough? Seems a bit low to me.

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It's more than enough.

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Originally posted by parksie
Are you sure 300W is enough? Seems a bit low to me.

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Parskie, I don't like you.

You show up on my thread after I bought the power supply (I had another thread asking for advice), and say "That might not be enough..."

You showed up on my virtual machine thread after I found something and said "eh, you better go with this instead."

You're going to make me go gray, man. :p

BTW: 300w will be more than enough. I had an Athlon XP running on a 200w (!) and there were no lockups. It was a good quality one, but still I was impressed.

Just baiting ya ;)

Besides, got bugger all else to do these days :D

Thanks, guys.

Money is getting tighter. Just paid my tuition (and maxed out my credit card in the process) and the cost of living seems to be on the rise. Unlike my pay. :(

So...I'll probably be back in a few weeks with some more questions if I can save up enough money to buy another part.