Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Xasthur on April 27, 2007, 07:46:11 AM
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Ok guys, I have a **** computer and for some reason it's getting harder and harder to use.
It's old and slow:
Dell Pentium 4
2g processor
512mg ram (i know, this needs to be upgraded)
and everything else stock
I'm struggling to get over 25 FPS when there is little activity going on (i.e high alt not many cons around)
I use FS Autostart when I run AH with almost every non-essential processes disabled. I also close windows explorer when I'm running AH to try and speed it up a little.
With all of this, i can get up to 30 FPS in low 'load' situations in game, but this still drops to 15-20 when things get busy.
Now, i'm a full-time uni student and haven't got access to a fat wad of cash to buy a new rig, so what I'm hoping for is some other tips and tricks from those of you who have a bit computer know-how to tide me over until I can get my new computer.
Is there anything I can do (short of upgrading the ram) to help squeeze a little bit more out of this box?
Sorry to seem ignorant, but how does one over-clock a computer (as mine has not been touched in this regard)? And is there anything else i can do to speed this lump up?
Any help would much appreciated, gentlemen
Regards
Arch
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What kind of video card do you have?
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what Krusty said .
this game plays really nice on 2 ghz, 1024 ram , and a higher end video card ...
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I haven't changed anything, so i'll assume that it's just the standard hunk of junk that comes with it. It says something about it being an Intel 82845G.
If I were to put a gig of ram into it and decent video card, I might not need to buy a whole new rig?
No more (or fewer) lock-ups just as I get a kill shot?
lol
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Oh, GOD, man!
Probably ALL of your problems come from that Intel card.
If you get a decent video card (not saying the most expensive, just "normal" will do!) you'll have SO much better peformance in AH and all other games.
Depends on the motherboard you've got, but there's AGP and PCIe. Probably AGP, if your computer is older.
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This is what I've had for three years and I love it. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048+106790703+1067909573&name=GeForce+6800) Do a quick search online for "6800 unlock pipelines" to see how you can turn the AGP version into a 6800 ULTRA for free. You don't even have to increase cooling or anything like that.
I'm surprised to see those so expensive though. I thought they'd be cheaper. You might be able to find a better card, but those are my recommendation.
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Side note on unlocking pipelines: Not all cards have pipelines to unlock!
Better to get the card you want, rather than less of a card you want and hope that maybe you can do something to overclock it, IMO.
I mean, if you want a 6800 Ultra, get a 6800 Ultra, don't dink around with unlocking pipes.
Also, consider the 7600GS is probably better than the 6800Ultra. 7600GS has some available at about $99 on newegg, and that's with twice the VRAM and more crunch power, for the same price as the 6800. Just a tip!
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just as example i play on a
2500+ barton @ 2.4 ghz (overclocked on water)
1024 ram
9600 pro 128 card
i run 1024x768 at 85 hz and the hires texture pack... i get an avg fps from 40-85 the only time i dip into the 30's is when theres a new custom map and this ussually hits everyone .
my kids pc
1.3 ghz (old morgan cpu)
512 ram,
and a 9550 256 mb card runs the game in 512 textures and avg 30-80 fps . it plays really good to but has to be turned down on the performance slider about 1/3 -1/2 from full .
so as you see AH can run on a slower pc if the combo is correct .
What ever you do stay away from 5200/9200 ,6200/x200 ,7200 type cards notice the "200" number series cards are all the cheapy bottom line .
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There are too many numbers to avoid, let's offer the numbers to look at.
ATI: older 9600 Pro (or some suffix denoting "turbo), x1600 (probably not as good as the x800), x800 (any version, also x850 I think), x1900/1950.
NVidia: older 6600 (rather low end, like Ati 9600), 6800 (all versions), 7600 (GS okay, GT almost as good as 7800!), 7800 (all versions), 7900/7950.
Top of the line is Ge 8800 (any version) but that's PCIe only and too freakin' expensive for the normal person.
Avoid all other numbers...
You come across an "x1400" -- stay back!
You see a Ge7300 -- run away!
They make a "good" version.... One or two versions will come out with the release of a new card. Then they fill in the other numbers with cheap, stripped down, POS, cards, to fill the budget market niche. These cards are not even a fraction of the full card, sometimes. Most can't do 3D that well due to lack of VRAM on the card itself, slower clock speeds, and/or low power in general.
Example: The premier cards for the Ge7000 series are the 7800 and the 7600. These were the first. After this they started making 7300s (total crap) and other things, that use the new chip architecture, but are completely inferior (hey, they're budget! Not built to be good!). Then there's the 7900 and 7950, both powerhouse cards, but they came after the initial release.
So, for example, there's the x1600 with ATI, but they also put out an x1300, which is totally inferior to the x800 (in general). Higher number doesn't mean better card. Ge 6800 is probably far better than Ge7300.
Sorry if that made things more confusing.
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Question is, is there an AGP slot on your MB. Some of the older Dells did not have them. If not he is going to have to use a PCI card. Even so it will be bounds better than what you currently have. Also another 512 stick will help a lot. Ram is cheap. Really cheap. http://www.pricewatch.com
You could spen 100 dollars and double your frames pretty easily.
-Sp0t
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a older board with pci (not pci-e) arnt worth tossing a pci type card in as for there's not really much inprovement to be had there.
your going to have to take a look inside and see what slots you have .
now alot of those pent 4 's dont like to be overclocked due to heat issue's so we will steer you away from that . just beshure your heatsinks and fans are clean .
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If we knew the Dell make and model we could look up the motherboard. How about it, Xasthur?
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Not true. If anything it will free up the CPU somewhat. He will see a performance gain. Right now he is using integrated grapics chip. Which means it also sharing some of that 512 megs of ram he has.
Even a PCI card will give him a noticeable performance gain.
-Sp0t
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First, thank you for your help gents. It is greatly appreciated.
I had a quick bash around on the dell website looking for the motherboard model, but I couldn't seem to find it.
I did find out what model my computer is though:
It is a Dell 'OptiPlex 160L' which I believe is from 2003.
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Arch,
You would be wise to invest in a proper card m8.
You've done extremely well to land any kill shots with that setup.
I've had my new machine and monitor for 2-3months now and although my old machine was easily good enough to run AH my new monitor has improved my aim and shot to no end. went from 15" to 22" widescreen.
Also been flying with pedals since xmas and i'm finally getting much more out of them.
60 FPS solid no matter what 1680x 1050, 1024 res, 16x AA the game looks beautiful.
Open your case look for whether it has an AGP or PCI-e slot and get yourself a decent mid-range card.
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Its a PCI motherboard according to Dell support's website (http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/op160L/en/ug/smtabout.htm#1189073).
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Since you're limited to a PCI card, your choices are slim. The BEST PCI cards you can get are the ones below:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103031
$106.99 - $20 Rebate = $86.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814139010
$92.99
I'd recommend the ATI Card (top link). HOWEVER the ATI card needs a 420W power supply, I have no idea how many watts your power supply is. But IMHO, I'd save your money and buy a new computer that doesn't have onboard video.
If you want a quick fix, go for the new PCI Card. Otherwise, save the $100 and get a new computer. Putting in a PCI Card in your computer is like putting a Ricer Body kit on your 1978 Gremlin. Waste of money IMO.
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Yeah but he will still see a perf gain even with a PCI card. A PCI card and 512 megs should buy him 25-30 more frames. Until the next patch..lol.
-Sp0t
Edit: I just looked up your specs. I have a few questions..first your 512 megs of ram, is that one stick or two 256 meg sticks? You only have two memory connectors. Also your power supply in that rig is only 250watts. That isnt even enough to power that "higher end" PCI card.
So really you are at a cross roads here. You could go the way of spending around 200-250 bucks and go with maxing out your system. That is adding 2 gigs of ram and a PCI video card. Or just take that money and time and invest it into a new computer. After looking at your specs...invest in a new rig.
Your computer specs (http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/op160L/en/ug/specs.htm#1135711)
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I do indeed have two memory slots with 1 512mg stick.
It is a DDR 333 stick too, if I remember correctly.
It looks like this machine has had it then.
Perhaps i'll just get 1 gig of ram and stick that in for the time being.....I was quoted $150 AUD for medium-to low end 1 gig DDR 333 stick. Am I being stiffed here? Are there any brands/sellers I should look into for this short term fix?
Given the information that you've all provided for me, I think I will give up on this thing and just persist with it until I can take a break from uni (going to start towards my PPL), start working and get some cash together.
Then will come the 'I need help pt II: need a new rig' thread :rofl
Again, thanks to all for the advice, links and effort you put in to help me out.
guys, highly appreciated.
:cool: