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| nrjizer |
Okay, here's what I'm currently running:
AMD 3000 Barton
1gb 3200 DDR ram
ATI 9800 Pro
Yeah, it's an older machine, but it's served me well. However, now that Portal and Episode 2 have come out, I've been thinking about making an upgrade.
Right now, I'm running HL2 at 1024x768, with High model/texture detail, and no AA. I get good FPS in small areas, but only decent fps (20-30~) in big fights or open areas.
I know that my best option for an upgrade would be a new processor, but that would require a new motherboard, and with it, new ram and a new PCI-E video card. I just can't afford that right now. My goal is not to run the game in 1600x1200, with 16x AA and every bell and whistle enabled. I'm fine with the settings I've currently got, I would just like for it to run smoother (60+ fps is obviously ideal).
So my question is this: Would upgrading my video card and/or ram make any worthwhile difference? I've been looking at the ATI x1950s (keep in mind, my motherboard is AGP), and I could easily add another stick of ram to boost up to 2gb. |
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| Capitalizt |
| Yes, a better video card and another gig of RAM will make a *huge* difference on newer games. Just splurge and get both. ;) |
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| nrjizer |
| quote: | Originally posted by Capitalizt
Yes, a better video card and another gig of RAM will make a *huge* difference on newer games. Just splurge and get both. ;) |
Will the difference really be that huge? I've been told several times that my older cpu will bottle neck things enough so that it won't make that huge a difference... |
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| Capitalizt |
Oh, I missed the "Barton" part...thats like 3 generations ago ;)
I think one of the current $150+ cards would be a bottleneck for your system. Looking at your specs, I think this one would be perfect for you...It should totally max out your current system with minimal bottlenecking. I have the PCI-E version and it runs beautifully:
$109 after rebate.
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.a...omp&dcaid=15890
Sign up and pay with Google checkout (takes 30 seconds) to knock another $10 off, bringing the total to $99 shipped. ;) |
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| pkcRAISTLIN |
a vid card would make a huge difference. i used to have a 9800 pro and upgrading from it (without CPU or ram upgrade) i got a real improvement.
considering that HL2 is a reasonably old game you shouldnt have any probs with other source products if you get a new vid card. hurry though, AGP cards are running out! |
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| Spirit5 |
A video card will make a significant difference but do see about upgrading to a dual core or quad core CPU in the near future. You can get most dual core CPUs for $100 to $500, and a quad core from $300 - $1,300 (the extreme editions, like the QX6850 3.0 ghz, but you don't really need anything THAT fast).
It might not bottle neck that much in games from 2005 down, but games have been making more use of multi-threading this year and will continue. I just got a PC with a QX6700 at 2.6 ghz (can be OCed safely to 2.93) with a GeForce 8800 Ultra, so yeah a little over kill but should be good for the next three or four years, esp cause I can OC it to 3.2 ghz (though probably will need a better cooling system than the fans on my PC). |
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| biznology |
but also consider that Episode 2 and to a lesser extent, Portal do not meet the same specs as orig HL2.
i want a PC bad, but TOB makes me just wanna get a 360 quick and easy| |
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