Help with updating new/old computer

[adths63]

Hey guys im getting my dad's old computer right now i have and old dell xps, buts it outdated my dads computer from what he tells me is pretty good, i know he always kept good care of it, never downloaded any bs on it. He used it for video production stuff but im getting it in about a week and need some help updating it. right now these are the specs

Dell Precision T7400

Intel(R) Xeon(R) Cpu x5460 @ 3.16 Ghz

Ram- 4gb only (3.25 usable) Hows that possible ?

Windows 7 32 bit operating system

Ati FireGL v7000

All i wanna do is be able to get more ram and a better graphics car for gaming

Someone was telling me i need 64 bit to hold more ram is that true ?

Also for graphics card i was gonna go with Ati Radeon HD 5870 over the nivida gtx 295

Anything else ?

[Comanderchurch]

Only 3.25 of ram is usable because you have a 32bit operation system, for 4 gigs of ram and above you need 64bit.

[adths63]

so for 4gb i need windows 7 64 bit ?

[Comanderchurch]

Well you don't NEED 64 bit, but if you want to use all 4 gigs, you do.

[adths63]

yea i understand, i wanna shoot for around 6gb. What would you guys say is the better brand Kingston or Corsair ?

[ninjawaffle63]

Niether, Ive never heard of them go on http://www.newegg.com look up there deals

[adths63]

I don't want your opinion if you never heard of corsair or Kingston. And thanks for the link iv never heard of new-egg before....not

[SzecH]

Originally Posted by adths63

yea i understand, i wanna shoot for around 6gb. What would you guys say is the better brand Kingston or Corsair ?

Both have great products. My advice is to research that motherboard and find out what their QVL is for RAM. I'd go with ram on that list to ensure its compatible. If you end up buying kingston or corsair - you'll be happy with either purchase.

Personally - i've had great experiences with corsair.

That 'old' computer is a very solid computer. That wasnt cheap back in the day. gl