Upgrades:

[Xasthur]

With the new terrain and water coming in it looks like my computer needs to be upgraded a little to keep pace with the game.

Currently I am using a program called 'AlacrityPC' to shut down all unnecessary processes run by windows (Vista) and I'm still getting around 50FPS on full graphics and Hi-res.

This degrades quickly if I used full terrain-vis range and get down on the deck, especially if multiple cons are in the area.

My G-15 keyboard suggests that I am using 80-90% of my ram whilst running AH.

My system specs are:

Core 2 Duo E6750 (C) DC 2.66 GHz
1333 MHz front side bus
Socket 775

Chipset:
Intel G33 Express

Motherboard:
Manufacturer: Asus
Motherboard Name: IPIBL-LA
HP/Compaq motherboard name: Berkeley-GL8E

Memory Component    Attributes
Memory Installed   2 GB
Maximum allowed   8 GB (4 x 2 GB) (64-bit OS)

4 GB* (4 x 1 GB) (32-bit OS)

*Actual available memory may be less
Speed supported   PC2-5300 MB/sec
Type   240 pin, DDR2 SDRAM

Hard drive
500 GB SATA 3G (3.0 Gb/sec)
7200 rpm

Video Graphics
GeForce 8500GT
512 MB GDDR2 memory
I/O Ports: HDMI, dual-link DVI , S-video

Expansion slots:
PCI   One (One available)
PCI Express x16   One (None available)
PCI Express x1   Two (One available)

I just pulled that from the HP website and it looks like I can stick a fair bit more ram in there. Would that be a good way to do it?

Or should I be looking at something else?

The computer ran AH with all the eye-candy + Hi-Res pretty well when I first got it (before it was filled with crap) without the need for a program to shut Vista down as much as possible.

I know I should probably reformat the bastid and start fresh but I'm in the middle of recording an album and I don't want to muck about with anything that could throw a spanner in the works for that.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks lads.

[AirFlyer]

Only two major suggestions I can see that would make a significant difference is either getting Windows XP and/or a 9800GT(X). The latter it would be nice to know your PSU(Power Supply Unit) specs to get a better idea of what your comp can run.

[Fulmar]

I highly doubt the new water and terrain are going to be anything taxing.  I'm sure HTC will put in code to make the water and terrain not near as pretty so older comps can run it.  With the exception of your video card and ram, you system is very close to mine and I am no where near worried about the game updates.  Mine being a E6400, 4gb ram, and an 8800GTS 640mb

Though I do have an extra 2gb ram (which in AH, isn't really going to give a noticeable gain in performance), the video card is possibly the only upgrade I would think of.  Though you'd more than likely need to upgrade to a more powerful PSU.

I gun run much higher graphical games without a hitch.  For example, Silent Hunter 4 has some pretty decent graphics, especially the water (which is quite above AH's upgrade level.  I can run that with full graphics, 8x AA, and a 1680x1050 resolution.  Not a problem running it.

[Krusty]

Your current bottlneck is the budget video card. Anything below 8600 is "cheap" and even the 8600s are falling behind the 8800s, 9600s, 9800s, and several newer models. Prices are dropping quickly these days, so just look into a newer vid card.

[BaldEagl]

No biggie.  Put in 2 Gb of DDR2 800 RAM and an Nvidia 8800, 9600 or 9800 GT video card.  About $35 for the RAM and $100 for the video card.  If you need a better power supply (which you might) look for 450-500 watts with 30 amps on the 12V rail and you should be good but a quality PSU with these specs or better will run another $65+.

[Xasthur]

That is fantastic news, thanks guys. I was thinking I'd be stuck having to do a new machine or something. Will I need to upgrade the cooling system if I upgrade the card, ram and power source? It's in a standard case and is on top of my desk, not underneath. Thanks very much lads <S>

[Bruv119]

mine has 4gb  but xp 32 bit only recognises 3gb,  I dont want vista so that will have to do,

I have the same card as fulmar  and have had it for 2 years now,  it was top dollar when i bought it and it still laughs in the face of most games,

Arch if you DO need to do anything, like the others have said bigger card m8,

[Skuzzy]

You really should wait, if you are thinking you need to upgrade because of the few new screenshots we have put up.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

With the new terrain and water coming in it looks like my computer needs to be upgraded a little to keep pace with the game.

Currently I am using a program called 'AlacrityPC' to shut down all unnecessary processes run by windows (Vista) and I'm still getting around 50FPS on full graphics and Hi-res.

This degrades quickly if I used full terrain-vis range and get down on the deck, especially if multiple cons are in the area.

My G-15 keyboard suggests that I am using 80-90% of my ram whilst running AH.

My system specs are:

I just pulled that from the HP website and it looks like I can stick a fair bit more ram in there. Would that be a good way to do it?

Or should I be looking at something else?

The computer ran AH with all the eye-candy + Hi-Res pretty well when I first got it (before it was filled with crap) without the need for a program to shut Vista down as much as possible.

I know I should probably reformat the bastid and start fresh but I'm in the middle of recording an album and I don't want to muck about with anything that could throw a spanner in the works for that.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks lads.

First: Having all your memory used on Vista does _not_ mean you're out of memory. Vista caches stuff in Ram you will never see your ram free. If you have around 2 gigs of ram and Vista, AH will run happily on it.

Second buying stuff from any brand like HP is asking for trouble. You'll get overpriced OEM modified legacy parts that in worst case cut you off on upgrades from get go.

[Skuzzy]

If all your memory *appears* to be sucked dry under Vista, disable SuperFetch and ReadyBoost and that nonsense will stop.  It can cause a slight performance hit or stutter when the game is loading textures.

[mipoikel]

Second buying stuff from any brand like HP is asking for trouble.

Sorry to say but this mostly so bs. 

[Dragon]

Xasthur, I have the same CPU and Mem on an similar ASUS board with an 8600 vid card and run solid 59-60 frames without disabling Vista at all.  Simple upgrade of the vid card would do wonders.

[Chalenge]

Wait and see.

[Fulmar]

Sorry to say but this mostly so bs. 

Depends on the product.  IMO, anything in the budget range for off the shelf PC's is going to be about the same quality.  Tech support etc may differ.  But outside of this, HP makes some HQ stuff.

[chewie86]

Are you kidding, Archaius?

you got a very good graphic card and good memory.  Only the OS could need a change.

Any ways I dont think the new terrain and stuff will affect so much the performances.

<S>