Help me make my next purchase

[ydekmekji]

I just got a $150 gift certificate to a computer store, and I'm looking to do something with my PVR. Here are my specs--can you suggest what I should be spending my money on?

I currently have 512 MB of Ram--should I upgrade the ram?
or I currently am running GEFORCE 4000 Graphics card, s-video out, should I upgrade with a new/better graphics card?

[daphatty]

Well, considering you have to go to a brick and mortar store, I'd suggest going for a new Video Card. You'll notice quite a difference in Picture Quality with a more powerful card.

[ydekmekji]

Well, considering you have to go to a brick and mortar store, I'd suggest going for a new Video Card. You'll notice quite a difference in Picture Quality with a more powerful card.

That's what I want to hear--i'm running on a standard tv... If it's true that i will notice a difference in picture quality, then that's what i would do...

What's a solid card people would suggest?

[herbs]

It might help if we knew your current pc spec i.e cpu, hdd size etc.

[ydekmekji]

I have 160 GB hard drive, Pentium 4 CPU

[replaytv]

get an mvp if you don't have one yet.

Dan L.

[ydekmekji]

I think I'll hold off on the MVP--but shall i go with graphics card?

[ydekmekji]

please... can anyone confirm if a different (better) graphics card will produce better results on screen? (also, would love recommendations)

[herbs]

A 7300 or 7600 with purevideo decoder should give you a better picture, but I'm not sure how much better.

[nitrogen_widget]

A radeon 9550 or higher will also give you a good pic.
It has hardware scaling.
Also, a sheilded S-video cable will do wonder's for the picture if your using the thin one that comes with most set-top boxes.