What part of my computer is holding me back?

[xtrstangx]

Hey there everyone. This computer is a little bit old, but its not too bad, IMO.

AMD Athlon XP 2400+ (overclocked from 2 ghz to 2.11 ghz)
2x512MB of PC2700 RAM
Shuttle AN-35 Ultra (nForce 2)
Sapphire ATI Radeon 9600 256MB

I'd like to run my game at all medium settings. I usually only have AIM and my low-load server (<3 visitors a day) running when I play, so I don't think its my RAM.

Any help?

[MIKEHUNT-UK]

Re: What part of my computer is holding me back?

I had a 9600 256MB, put some of the settings down to low!

Light and textures, that sort of thing. turn EAX off. that should work.

[Neat_Hedgehog]

Re: What part of my computer is holding me back?

Run a spyware scan (I suggest "Spybot: Search and Destroy" and "Ad Aware" for this), virus scan, defrag your hard drive, and update your video drivers. Any idea what FPS you're getting now?

Your specs are similar to mine. 9600 Radeon here but AIW Pro version, and I've got pc3200 RAM, with an Athlon 3200+ XP OCed to 2333. Biggest difference is the CPU, but BF2 doesn't care much about your CPU so long as it meets minimum requirements.

I'm currently running BF2 with Ultra High geometry, Ultra High draw distance, 100% view, low dynamic lighting and shadows, 4x AA, at 800x600 75mhz. Looks pretty good, and I get about 42-45 fps when I OC my GPU.

[iconfat]

Re: What part of my computer is holding me back?

Hey there everyone. This computer is a little bit old, but its not too bad, IMO.

AMD Athlon XP 2400+ (overclocked from 2 ghz to 2.11 ghz)
2x512MB of PC2700 RAM
Shuttle AN-35 Ultra (nForce 2)
Sapphire ATI Radeon 9600 256MB

I'd like to run my game at all medium settings. I usually only have AIM and my low-load server (<3 visitors a day) running when I play, so I don't think its my RAM.

Any help?

I had an AthlonXp 2400 as well. It was the C Stepping (Thoroughbred). If yours is a thorughbred too, its very important you set the FSB to 166 (333) and not leave it at 133 (266). You will have to lower you multiplier as well. I was running 13x166 for a total 2.16 Ghz. I had to increase my vcore to 1.675 which was only a 0.025 increase. The stock cooler worked very well.
With the improved bandwidth you should see a large improvement. If you can push that higher than 333 (i couldnt cause i only had DDR333 ram) than I suggest you do.

Good luck.

[xtrstangx]

Re: What part of my computer is holding me back?

Alright guys, I'll try that and see how it works.

[AtomicRadio]

Re: What part of my computer is holding me back?

what is ur FPS in game with everything on med???

[rombaft]

Re: What part of my computer is holding me back?

that vid card is setting your system back, look after an x800pro or something, those cards are relatively cheap at the moment and you get lots for the price

[kamenjar]

Re: What part of my computer is holding me back?

that vid card is setting your system back, look after an x800pro or something, those cards are relatively cheap at the moment and you get lots for the price

It depends how people perfer things. I got a 2400 also, but with GF 6600 GT. I run with medium textures and and mostly everything on low, but 12x10 resolution (LCD). I don't like to get a slightest stutter during fights, nor I like to wait forever for the level to load. I think the higher geometry and texture quality, the longer the load time.

IMO the bottleneck on my system is the CPU. If I had more RAM, I'd go up to higher geometry and textures.

[Wranger4400]

Re: What part of my computer is holding me back?

Try asking other guys.

[MIKEHUNT-UK]

Re: What part of my computer is holding me back?

^

That is what he is doing.

[Cpt_Chris]

Re: What part of my computer is holding me back?

i used to have close to that, and had to run some stuff on slow, but i had a 2600+...maybe its the processor.

[soraflair]

Re: What part of my computer is holding me back?

The AIM part AIM takes up a lot never run it while playing BF2. I have the same card but 128. I run everything on medium fine.

[Eddy01741]

Re: What part of my computer is holding me back?

Definetly by most the vid card, the processor is adequate since BF2 don't care at all about processors that are over 2.4ghz/2400+. Go after at least a 6600GT AGP, or X800 AGP. DOn't get PCI-e unless you get a new motherboard, it doesn't have a PCI-e slot.

[Shad_Blunt]

Re: What part of my computer is holding me back?

AMD Athlon XP 2400+ (overclocked from 2 ghz to 2.11 ghz)
2x512MB of PC2700 RAM
Shuttle AN-35 Ultra (nForce 2)
Sapphire ATI Radeon 9600 256MB

That mobo has got a little more in it.
It supports the multiplier unlocked Athlon XP-Mobile (Barton) processor, guaranteed to OC nicely on air.
With ram it could always be faster and you can never have enough.
The Radeon 9600(RV350) is the little brother to the Radeon 9800(R350) chipset of ATI cards and are becoming a little long in the tooth. Currently, if you look around you can find both the ATI X800-Pro and nVidia 6600-GT cards in the $199 dollar price range. Or for around a hundred more get either the nVidia 6800GT or ATI X850 XT.

Any of the above would be a decent upgrade on your system. The links are only for reference to type of product in relation to price. The current video card prices should drop again soon, so you can always consider that. I wouldn't look next gen for a video card since they are pushing PCI-E systems now, and no word on if or when AGP will be available on the higher-end gaming cards. The main bottleneck in your current setup is definitly your video card, after that Ram, then its all on the processor.

[xtrstangx]

Re: What part of my computer is holding me back?

Thanks for all the help guys. I'm not sure if I'm ready to dish out another $200ish on a video card and another $100 on a mobo that has PCI-E.

I'll try overclocking some more of what I have. Maybe see if I can switch RAM with one of my friends.