what do I need?

[RTR]

Looking at making AHII playable.

Currently have  low end computer.

Intel Celeron 2.6 GHz
256 MB Ram
Radeon 7000 64 MB vid card (PCI)
Catalyst 4.5 drivers

AHII plays (sort of). I can see up to 120 FPS when I look up.
In clear sky when alone, I get 37 to 40 FPS
when engaged with a con FR drops to mid 20's until I am within 400 yds range. Once I'm inside that range, my FR drops to as low as 3 (like watching a slide show).

I do not have an open AGP slot. I am stuck with PCI slots.
My current video card (the Radeon 7000) is a PCI.

Now here are two questions I have.

1. Is it in anyway possible that I can get steadier and better FR's
    by just adding another 256 MB of ram?

2. Would a Nvidia g-force FX 5200 PCI card be a better option
    than my old steam driven radeon 7000? (Would it work at
    least better than my current?)

3. Should I change the vid card and also add more ram?

4. How many fingers am I holding up?


Thanks folks in advance!

Cheers,
RTR

[Grits]

Celerons are horrible, my Dad's 1.8 P4 ran AHII faster than my Celeron. I had a 2.6 too, with 512m ram and an FX5900 vid car and had the same FPS as you on the default settings. The CPU is the weak link in your system (as it was in mine), although a newer vid card and more ram cant hurt. Getting a full P4 of the highest Hz that your MB accepts would be the best option IMO.

Thats what I did, everything is the same, but I popped in a 2.8 P4 and now run at full detail no lower than 35 FPS, most the time maxed at 75 (monitor limit).

[MOSQ]

RTR,
Without knowing your budget it's hard to make a reccomendation.
That said, the best PCI card out is:

POWERCOLOR ATI RADEON 9200 Video Card, 256MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV Out, PCI, Model "R92P-D3L" -RETAIL  

Model# R92P-D3L  
Item # N82E16814131237

Specifications:
Chipset/Core Speed: ATI RADEON 9200/250MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 256MB DDR/400MHz
BUS: PCI
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub)+TV-Out(S-Video)+DVI connector
Support 3D API: DirectX®8.1, OpenGL®1.3
Cable/Accessories: Not Specified
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536@60Hz
Retail Box (See pics for details)
 
Note this not a 9200 SE, Its a 9200.

$98 at Newegg.

I have a Celeron 1.4, 384 RAM, with a FX-5200 Ultra. It works great in AHII with the performance sliders in the middle. It's an AGP card only as far as I can tell.

Adding more system RAM would help, but only a little. Your main problem is your video card.

I think your system will work fine with this PCI card and maybe 256 more ram. Total cost $175.

However if you have more than $200, forget the PCI video card and get a new MOBO that has a AGP slot, re-use your Celeron 2.6, get 512 of RAM, and a $150 to $200 vid card. I saw Frys has the ATI 9800 Pro for $199 this weekend, it's an awesome card for that price.  An Asus MOBO is about $74, the RAM $85, = Total $350.

In the future you can always replace your Celeron with a P4 in this MOBO.

[RTR]

Thanks for the replies and info guys.
I think I have enough info now to sort my pooter out.

Cheers, and thanks again!

RTR

[MOSQ]

RTR,
I have to tell you I missed something, that Powercolor ATI 9200 card says it's DX8.1 support.
You need DX9 support for AHII.
Based on that I would not consider the Powercolor ATI 9200.

Get a new mobo and AGP vid card.

[Roscoroo]

powercolour has a 9550/ 256  card for 70-99 (depending and were u buy it )   its basically a 9600

most of the non dx9 cards will run dx 9  

i installed dx9.0b on a old rage pro 4mb  machine the other day and it runs ok .

[RTR]

RGR that Roscoroo, my Radeon 7000 supports DX9, and its older than dirt.

Budget wise for me for now, I think I will try the gforce 5200 card (unless I can find a 5600 for a PCI slot).

Gotta get at least playable. As it stands now my FR drop to single digits. Anything will be an improvement

AHII looks good though, even on my old crapooter.

Kudo's HTC..well done


RTR