The "Would my PC be able to run M2TW?" thread (all such queries here pls)

[dcd111]

I'm looking for recommendations on what to upgrade first, RAM or graphics card. My system:
Windows XP
2.6 Ghz P4
512 MB ddr400
Radeon 9200 128MB
I know ideally I should be increasing both, but my wife will not necessarily agree ;)...

Definitely upgrading your RAM will be the quickest and cheapest fix. If your board can handle the extra, getting a 1 GB stick would be helpful...

no a ram upgarde woudl eb useless go for a cheap graphics card like a 6600 or 300 first.

Surely a cheap graphics card wouldbe useless, too. Get a decent graphics card and the RAM upgrade.

He migth not be able to afford it. Thats why i assumed he still had such a horrible card. My vanilla 6600 can run mtw2 meduim wiht little stuttering with a sempron 2800+ processor and 1gb so he woudl get decent performace for peanuts.

In the end, I did decide to bite the bullet and upgrade both. I have another 1 gb of RAM on its way, and I'm working on acquiring either a 6800 GT OC or a 6800 Ultra (hooray for eBay). With AGP my options are limited, and I'm not about to start replacing my mobo, too, but I think I should be in a much better position with these upgrades. The reason I've survived with such a lousy graphics card so far is that I just don't play that many games anymore, I don't have the time with two young kids and a long commute. But I made time to play RTW when I could, so I figure M2TW is as good an excuse as any to do some upgrading.

Thanks to all for the helpful comments. If anyone has any other suggestions for an AGP card, or thoughts on whether a 6800 ultra is actually worth a few extra bucks over a GT or GT OC, that would be appreciated, too. Wish me luck on my eBay bidding!