ATI Radeon 9800 Pro (256RAM) versuse X800GTO AGP (256 RAM)

[compbrat]

I've listed the specs for my son's rig below.

Recently, I upgraded the system RAM from 512MB to 1GB. Unfortunately, the chip was bad. I removed the chip, reloaded the OS and all apps and its now running at 512MB again.

He is playing all the "high falootin'" games but unfortunately is having frame rate issues with Call of Duty 2. We've lowered texture settings and eliminated things like some of the shadow detail etc. At best he will BARELY run 31FPS in less complex maps and without alot of "battle" going on.

I have trying to talk him into allowing me to upgrade the system RAM again (I have a 512MB replacement chip - Corsair Value) as I believe this MAY resolve some of the framerate issues. His reluctance is simply in all the backing up he has to for variants, maps, etc. etc. etc. and his fear of my "blowing up" his system again! LOL!

My question is this. Whether or not I double the system RAM, does it make ANY sense for me to replace the present ATI Radeon 9800Pro with an AGP version of the X800GTO also with 256MB RAM, which I've seen under $200.

My intention is to replace his system NEXT Christmas (we were thinking Crossfire...but after reading your threads on THAT...I'm not so sure), so I'm looking simply to buy some time and keep him happy (without breaking the bank). I know this system is at the end of it's "competitive" life.

Mobo - MSI KT4V
CPU - AMD Athlon XP 1.8 MHz
System Memory - 512MB PC2700
Chipset VIA VT8377 Apollo KT400
HardDrive - 80GB Maxtor 7200
Video - ATI Radeon 9800Pro (256)
Sound - Creative Soundblaster LIVE!

I'm pretty sure your gonna advise to up the system RAM. If it makes no sense to upgrade the vid card again (this system was originally purchased with a ATI 9600 128), do you have any suggestions on how to squeeze anymore performance from this machine.

Thanks in advance. You folks are great!

 

[Conky]

You need to make sure he is running in DX7 rendering mode in the graphics options settings for the game. That change alone will make the game very playable on a 9800Pro.

 

[BlacKJesuS]

overclock the processor...my 2600+ got to 2.3 on air w/ very cheap ram

 

[Munky]

Yup. Switch COD2 to DX7 mode and it will run no problem on a 9800p. But also throw in another 512mb stick of mem, because 512mb is not enough for modern games.

A stock gto would be somewhere around 1.5x as fast in games, but seeing how the rest of the system is quite old, it's probably not worth the money.

 

[compbrat]

I appreciate the feedback. The 14 year old response is that the game looks lousy in DX7.

Now, I don't know if any of you have children, but 14 year old boys with hormonal imbalances from puberty are NOT easy to deal with. So...I'll make one last request. Can you give me an idea of what the optimal settings under DX7 should be e.g. texture settings. Also, should I make any "custom" setting changes within the Catalyst drivers itself or set them all to "auto".

Thanks again.

Oh, the battle over the RAM upgrade rages on!!! LOL!

 

[BlacKJesuS]

Originally posted by: compbrat
I appreciate the feedback. The 14 year old response is that the game looks lousy in DX7.

Now, I don't know if any of you have children, but 14 year old boys with hormonal imbalances from puberty are NOT easy to deal with. So...I'll make one last request. Can you give me an idea of what the optimal settings under DX7 should be e.g. texture settings. Also, should I make any "custom" setting changes within the Catalyst drivers itself or set them all to "auto".

Thanks again.

Oh, the battle over the RAM upgrade rages on!!! LOL!

hes 14....tell him to buy his own video card ....WIN


you can jes put the 3d on quality call it a day

 

[Conky]

When he says it looks lousy he is really saying "Daddy, buy me a new computer", lol. :laugh:

The visual difference is not that great going from DX9 to DX7.. it mostly affects atmospheric stuff like rain/snow/sand in the wind, etc which is NOT important to gameplay.

And to answer your latest question, he should be able to run the textures at high as long as it's in DX7.

 

[IlllI]

Originally posted by: compbrat
I appreciate the feedback. The 14 year old response is that the game looks lousy in DX7.

Now, I don't know if any of you have children, but 14 year old boys with hormonal imbalances from puberty are NOT easy to deal with. So...I'll make one last request. Can you give me an idea of what the optimal settings under DX7 should be e.g. texture settings. Also, should I make any "custom" setting changes within the Catalyst drivers itself or set them all to "auto".

Thanks again.

Oh, the battle over the RAM upgrade rages on!!! LOL!

sneak in and secretly switch it to dx7 while he isnt around

 

[Shaved Ape]

Originally posted by: skunkbuster

Originally posted by: compbrat
I appreciate the feedback. The 14 year old response is that the game looks lousy in DX7.

Now, I don't know if any of you have children, but 14 year old boys with hormonal imbalances from puberty are NOT easy to deal with. So...I'll make one last request. Can you give me an idea of what the optimal settings under DX7 should be e.g. texture settings. Also, should I make any "custom" setting changes within the Catalyst drivers itself or set them all to "auto".

Thanks again.

Oh, the battle over the RAM upgrade rages on!!! LOL!

sneak in and secretly switch it to dx7 while he isnt around

And then while he's playing the game, light up a cigarette and blow smoke in his face to simulate the effects culled from switching to DX7/

 

[Steelski]

Originally posted by: Shaved Ape

Originally posted by: skunkbuster

Originally posted by: compbrat
I appreciate the feedback. The 14 year old response is that the game looks lousy in DX7.

Now, I don't know if any of you have children, but 14 year old boys with hormonal imbalances from puberty are NOT easy to deal with. So...I'll make one last request. Can you give me an idea of what the optimal settings under DX7 should be e.g. texture settings. Also, should I make any "custom" setting changes within the Catalyst drivers itself or set them all to "auto".

Thanks again.

Oh, the battle over the RAM upgrade rages on!!! LOL!

sneak in and secretly switch it to dx7 while he isnt around

And then while he's playing the game, light up a cigarette and blow smoke in his face to simulate the effects culled from switching to DX7/

hmmm, have you any ideas as to simulating other functions in the game. maybee shooting him with a pelet gun? or killing his friends before his eyes to make a point of war?

 

[compbrat]

Well, all is right with the world for now! LOL!

I'll probably do the RAM upgrade this weekend, but everything suggested in here proved to be accurate.

Oh, I also let him read your comments. LOL! He loved them.

Last quick question. I know that the processor can be overclocked from within the BIOS of the MSI board...any suggestions on a good initial first set of settings to see if any additional "bang" can be achieved?

Thanks again.

 

[BlacKJesuS]

Originally posted by: compbrat
Well, all is right with the world for now! LOL!

I'll probably do the RAM upgrade this weekend, but everything suggested in here proved to be accurate.

Oh, I also let him read your comments. LOL! He loved them.

Last quick question. I know that the processor can be overclocked from within the BIOS of the MSI board...any suggestions on a good initial first set of settings to see if any additional "bang" can be achieved?

Thanks again.

push up the FSB by 5....then start computer....run like 5 minutes of game...repeat till freeze then go back down by 5