PC Upgrade Question

o_robg · 07-25-2005, 08:16 AM

Apologies if this isn't too interesting, but I wondered what my next move regarding upgrading was. HL2 and CS:S are both very playable, but the mouse lags ever-so-slightly in a way which it doesn't do in CS and TFC, and I really need to fix it before FF comes out.

So, I currently have:
Athlon XP 2400
512MB DDR RAM
nVidia Geforce FX 5800 (Leadtek Winfast A300)

This gives me no more than 30fps in CS:S (800x600, details can be way down or quite high and it won't make much difference), and in action probably far less. In contrast I would get a rock-solid 80 fps in CS (1024x768, all details, fps only limited by my monitor refresh rate).

So...what to do? Should I be expecting more from that configuration? Should I get a new chip? New gfx card? Go the whole hog and use PCI Express (ie new mobo and card)? I will of course bear in mind that nothing yet uses the bandwidth PCI Express provides.

**mervaka** · 07-25-2005, 10:44 AM

the only thing i beat you on is cpu power, and i can run hl2 quite nicely with low gfx. ive got an athlon xp2500 barton clocked to a 3200. its done me well for years.

clock it i say :D

o_thenuke0 · 07-25-2005, 10:55 AM

clocking might burn your CPU, i burned an old CPU when trying to clock it.
so be cerful.

**mervaka** · 07-25-2005, 10:59 AM

saying that i have overheating protection :/

o_robg · 07-25-2005, 11:27 AM

I can run it pretty well with my current spec, but it just isn't responsive enough. Pausing before explosions as the physics is calculated, and just the mouse not moving exactly when I move it (if that makes sense...to exaggerate: I move the mouse, and THEN the view moves, they aren't quite simultaneous).

I just want it snappier, and maybe able to run in higher detail. At the moment CS:S probably looks worse than CS does, cos it's in a lower res

**mervaka** · 07-25-2005, 11:33 AM

ive gotta admit ive got similar problem with the explosion as it pauses before it happens etc

Circuitous · 07-25-2005, 12:25 PM

The pause while physics are calculated comes from your CPU, so look to that if you want to speed up the explosions and whatnot. Often times, just overclocking it a little bit will be enough to speed up the calculations and make the pause less noticeable, and it won't get much hotter than before.

o_darksoul · 07-25-2005, 12:48 PM

What mouse?

o_broodingdude · 07-25-2005, 06:57 PM

I'd recommend a new CPU... if you have a good enough cooling system then OC it. Something aftermarket would be good.

Athlon XP's are going for pretty darn cheap now, along with lower-end Athlon64's. Just make sure if you are goin for a 64 to check the pin compatibility.

In place of the 5800, you could do better... then again, you could do worse. If you aren't having a problem with the gfx, then just a bit of a nudge on your CPU would be sufficient.

o_bullurine · 07-25-2005, 10:14 PM

first try another stick of 512MB of ram. see if that helps at all before you go replacing processors. also try a 6600gt if you dont want to spend too much. it would be a very good fps inprovement. you can get one on Newegg or ZipZoomFly for under $170

o_robg · 07-27-2005, 09:36 AM

Yeah, I can see the logic of upgrading CPU first, why would you go for RAM, BullUrine? I understand that those are the three things that will affect my fps (that's why I listed them at the start) - I really wanted some advice that didn't involve me going out and buying all three just to try them

o_ginger lord · 07-27-2005, 10:21 AM

Going from a 512mb to 1Gb made a lot of difference to me, but then again I also went from a Pentium4 -> Athlon64 3500+ and a 9600 -> 6600GT and well...yeah. Kinda screws it up.

But 30fps on medium in HL2 to 100 on high is good.

o_travis dane · 07-27-2005, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobG

Yeah, I can see the logic of upgrading CPU first, why would you go for RAM, BullUrine? I understand that those are the three things that will affect my fps (that's why I listed them at the start) - I really wanted some advice that didn't involve me going out and buying all three just to try them

You might run into a RAM-shortage problem with HL2, given you set the quality reasonably high. But first get a new CPU, you can tone down HL2 to accomedate for a low amount of RAM, you however cannot accomedate a slow CPU.

o_mooga · 07-27-2005, 02:33 PM

HIT YOUR COMPUTER WITH A HAMMER!

... sry, it seemed like agood idea at the time

o_broodingdude · 07-27-2005, 05:57 PM

Quick question:

What would be a good "next step" for me?

AMD Athlon64 3000+
512MB (PC3200)
GeForce6600GT

... Lemme guess, double the RAM right?

shit... gonna need another HDD pretty soon.

o_ginger lord · 07-27-2005, 06:29 PM

Yeah, a gig would be handy. It doesn't cost *that* much more, especially with the parts you'd be buying anyway.

o_travis dane · 07-27-2005, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broodingdude

Quick question:

What would be a good "next step" for me?

AMD Athlon64 3000+
512MB (PC3200)
GeForce6600GT

... Lemme guess, double the RAM right?

shit... gonna need another HDD pretty soon.

I'm doubting between the CPU and the RAM to be honest. Maybe I can let you off the hook with RAM, given you overclock your CPU a tad

.

o_broodingdude · 07-27-2005, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travis Dane

Quote:

Originally Posted by broodingdude

Quick question:

What would be a good "next step" for me?

AMD Athlon64 3000+
512MB (PC3200)
GeForce6600GT

... Lemme guess, double the RAM right?

shit... gonna need another HDD pretty soon.

I'm doubting between the CPU and the RAM to be honest. Maybe I can let you off the hook with RAM, given you overclock your CPU a tad

.

overclock my CPU? That bastage has to last me at least another 2 years. :P
Maybe I should nudge it to 2Ghz...

So you are saying that I should get more RAM?

o_someoldguy · 07-27-2005, 07:13 PM

Broodingdude,

Based on your current configuration, you'll likely see improvement by going to a gig of ram.

A few questions:

- is your mobo socket 940 or 939?
- AGP or PCI express?

Just curious, as any potential upgrades are based on the answers...

o_broodingdude · 07-27-2005, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SomeOldGuy

Broodingdude,

Based on your current configuration, you'll likely see improvement by going to a gig of ram.

A few questions:

- is your mobo socket 940 or 939?
- AGP or PCI express?

Just curious, as any potential upgrades are based on the answers...

Socket 939, PCI Express.
I "future-proofed"! :P

07-25-2005, 08:16 AM	#1
o_robg Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nottingham Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	PC Upgrade Question Apologies if this isn't too interesting, but I wondered what my next move regarding upgrading was. HL2 and CS:S are both very playable, but the mouse lags ever-so-slightly in a way which it doesn't do in CS and TFC, and I really need to fix it before FF comes out. So, I currently have: Athlon XP 2400 512MB DDR RAM nVidia Geforce FX 5800 (Leadtek Winfast A300) This gives me no more than 30fps in CS:S (800x600, details can be way down or quite high and it won't make much difference), and in action probably far less. In contrast I would get a rock-solid 80 fps in CS (1024x768, all details, fps only limited by my monitor refresh rate). So...what to do? Should I be expecting more from that configuration? Should I get a new chip? New gfx card? Go the whole hog and use PCI Express (ie new mobo and card)? I will of course bear in mind that nothing yet uses the bandwidth PCI Express provides.

07-25-2005, 12:25 PM	#7
Circuitous Useless Retired FF Staff Join Date: Jun 2005 Class/Position: D Soldier, O Scout Gametype: AvD Posts Rated Helpful 9 Times	The pause while physics are calculated comes from your CPU, so look to that if you want to speed up the explosions and whatnot. Often times, just overclocking it a little bit will be enough to speed up the calculations and make the pause less noticeable, and it won't get much hotter than before. __________________ Look at all those dead links.

07-25-2005, 10:44 AM	#2
mervaka A Very Sound Guy! Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts Rated Helpful 15 Times	the only thing i beat you on is cpu power, and i can run hl2 quite nicely with low gfx. ive got an athlon xp2500 barton clocked to a 3200. its done me well for years. clock it i say :D

07-25-2005, 10:55 AM	#3
o_thenuke0 Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	clocking might burn your CPU, i burned an old CPU when trying to clock it. so be cerful.

07-25-2005, 10:59 AM	#4
mervaka A Very Sound Guy! Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts Rated Helpful 15 Times	saying that i have overheating protection :/

07-25-2005, 11:27 AM	#5
o_robg Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nottingham Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	I can run it pretty well with my current spec, but it just isn't responsive enough. Pausing before explosions as the physics is calculated, and just the mouse not moving exactly when I move it (if that makes sense...to exaggerate: I move the mouse, and THEN the view moves, they aren't quite simultaneous). I just want it snappier, and maybe able to run in higher detail. At the moment CS:S probably looks worse than CS does, cos it's in a lower res

07-25-2005, 11:33 AM	#6
mervaka A Very Sound Guy! Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts Rated Helpful 15 Times	ive gotta admit ive got similar problem with the explosion as it pauses before it happens etc

07-25-2005, 12:48 PM	#8
o_darksoul Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: kidderminster, uk Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	What mouse?

07-25-2005, 06:57 PM	#9
o_broodingdude Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hawaii Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	I'd recommend a new CPU... if you have a good enough cooling system then OC it. Something aftermarket would be good. Athlon XP's are going for pretty darn cheap now, along with lower-end Athlon64's. Just make sure if you are goin for a 64 to check the pin compatibility. In place of the 5800, you could do better... then again, you could do worse. If you aren't having a problem with the gfx, then just a bit of a nudge on your CPU would be sufficient.

07-25-2005, 10:14 PM	#10
o_bullurine Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Woxall, PA Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	first try another stick of 512MB of ram. see if that helps at all before you go replacing processors. also try a 6600gt if you dont want to spend too much. it would be a very good fps inprovement. you can get one on Newegg or ZipZoomFly for under $170

07-27-2005, 09:36 AM	#11
o_robg Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nottingham Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	Yeah, I can see the logic of upgrading CPU first, why would you go for RAM, BullUrine? I understand that those are the three things that will affect my fps (that's why I listed them at the start) - I really wanted some advice that didn't involve me going out and buying all three just to try them

07-27-2005, 10:21 AM	#12
o_ginger lord Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Carlisle, UK Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	Going from a 512mb to 1Gb made a lot of difference to me, but then again I also went from a Pentium4 -> Athlon64 3500+ and a 9600 -> 6600GT and well...yeah. Kinda screws it up. But 30fps on medium in HL2 to 100 on high is good.

07-27-2005, 02:33 PM	#14
o_mooga Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: A Small Box Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	HIT YOUR COMPUTER WITH A HAMMER! ... sry, it seemed like agood idea at the time

07-27-2005, 05:57 PM	#15
o_broodingdude Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hawaii Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	Quick question: What would be a good "next step" for me? AMD Athlon64 3000+ 512MB (PC3200) GeForce6600GT ... Lemme guess, double the RAM right? shit... gonna need another HDD pretty soon.

07-27-2005, 06:29 PM	#16
o_ginger lord Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Carlisle, UK Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	Yeah, a gig would be handy. It doesn't cost that much more, especially with the parts you'd be buying anyway.

07-27-2005, 07:13 PM	#19
o_someoldguy Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Just east of the jug handle Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	Broodingdude, Based on your current configuration, you'll likely see improvement by going to a gig of ram. A few questions: - is your mobo socket 940 or 939? - AGP or PCI express? Just curious, as any potential upgrades are based on the answers...

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