Prob with my Hardware need Advice

[PaulAMD]

Hi guys,

Need some advice, i have an AMD 3200 XP (NOT 64) with 512 MB RAM on a ASUS nforce2 board and 9600XT, however while it copes with games like HL2, COD it absolutly sucks at running FEAR which is a game i def want.

What would your recommendations be as to what could be causing this? Would it be the spec of the processor, RAM?.... or would i get more life out of the kit if i just updated this graphics card? would this be causing this problem? and would it extend the usability of the hardware for future games The PC is only just over a year old and is pretty quick and i don't have the funds to buy new everything.

It such a pain PCI-E came out ....

Please help... :confused:

[Neoki]

It would be your memory. I would save up and get a socket 939 board and then consider upgrading from there. Seriously memory plays a big role in games. I went from 512mb to 1gb and now in my soon to be new rig 2gb.

[PaulAMD]

Yeh i thought thats would peeps would say. il prob have a look at getting some more RAM in the mean time and perhaps updating the graphics card in the meantime will sort the probs im having. Is there anybody else with XP3200 that is running these type of games alright?

[Neoki]

i had a 3000+xp and i ran the games perfectly. I would recommend updating the whole rig to 64 bit. Make sure you get socket 939

[Modfather]

unless of course you dont want to spend that much cash. If you want a cheaper option then add another 512mb of ram (make sure you get the same speed) and perhaps upgrade ur gfx card aswell if you feel you need it (well if it still runs p*sh after you add more ram then u will need to). That is a good cpu u'v got... if you decide you want to overclock it and dont know what you are doing just ask :) , but it would most likely run that game fine at its stock clock speed.

[PaulAMD]

Thanks for the help, yeh i dont have big money to spend so going down the route of getting a 64 bit rig really isnt an option at the moment. I will def do what you suggested and look at getting another 512 of RAM to start with.
I haven't a clue when it comes to overclocking never tried it, im not sure what settings in the BIOS i would need to alter to get that extra speed. Is it really simple to do?....

[Modfather]

really simple... you go into the bios and find the cpu settings, Turn up the fsb a bit at a time (or the cpu external frequency as asus tends to refer to it) save the settings when you exit, go into windows.. if it loads windows without crashing thats only half the battle, you gotta test it to make sure its stable.. you can do it with a proggy called Prime95 and test it with a few taxing games. when it starts to crash when you load windows or when you are testing it turn the voltage up a notch and continue... remember.. you MUST keep an eye on the cpu temp.. you must upgrade to an aftermarket cpu cooler if you want to overclock. If you get stuck just ask but remember, you do all this at your own risk :). Anyway... if you decide to upgrade your graphics card tell us your budget and we will recommend summit for you!!

[PaulAMD]

Nice one, thanks! il prob spend something like £150 to £200 on new graphics card when i go down this route after i get the additional RAM. iv always used ATI cards not had any experience with NVIDIA

[Modfather]

well if you want to go with nvidia i wld reccomend something along the lines of an agp 6600gt or 6800gt.. jus make sure ur psu has got snuff power cause they require a molex to be plugged into them for the xtra juice

[Neoki]

A plain old 6600 256 would run the games. Thats what was in my old rig.
This is what my old rig was
AMD XP Barton 3000+ @ Stock
DFI LanParty Nforce2 Ultra B
AeroCool Glacier + TT Ducting mod to 120mm AC Ryan Blackfire.
1 GB Corsair XMS Xpert pc3200XL
PNY Geforce 6600 256mb
Sound Blaster® Audigy™ 2 zs
Creative® Inspire™ 6.1 6700
2 x 160Gb Maxtor 7200 UATA (8mb Cache)
Lite On 16X DVDROM Drive
Lite On 8x DVD±R/RW Drive
AC Ryan Blackfire Unique setup

That played all games perfectly like battlefield 2, Half life 2, Matrix online, San andreas. the whole bunch

[Modfather]

A plain old 6600 256 would run the games. Thats what was in my old rig.


Yeah but if he wants to spend the extra money for better performance than i dont see any reason why not, his cpu wld tie in with one of the gt's quite nicely

[PaulAMD]

i will check the card benchmarks on tomshardware see how they are rated for the money. :)

[Sub]

f.e.a.r. is bordering on needing some seriously high specs to run it.. having said that, are you playing the single or multiplayer? as the multiplayer beta was no where near as well optimized as the single player demo that's come out.. which runs ALOT better
id say your fine with that cpu, my 2800 handles it a treat, get another 512mb of ram, and get a 9800 or x800 or something like that, i doubt you'd need any more than that to run it comfortably. my 9800 runs it alright, not amazing like, but it depends on your budget tbh.
but deffinately get another 512mb of ram for it, games like that suck your memory dry at the best of times.

[kempez815]

i will check the card benchmarks on tomshardware see how they are rated for the money. :)

The 6800GT'z are great VFM and at the moment they can be picked up for a song :D

Another 512mb memory (check compatibiluity with your motherboard and RAM 1st, of couerse) will have the games flying :)

You don't need an A64 rig to play all the latest games and make 'em look good, my old Barton used to cope nicely :cool: