ATI Radion 2400HD Pro issue(s)

[ReiHakushi]

Hello everyone. I was recommended to this site by a friend after he was completely baffled by my problem. I'll start off by giving my entire computers specs so to avoid needless questions. Keep in mind that I know nothing about computer hardware so all the following info is off the stick on the side of the box.

OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 6000+
RAM: 3GB DDRII
Optical: SuperMulti
Video: ATI Radion HD2400Pro 256MB
Audio: Intergrated
LAN: Intergrated LAN 10/100/1000
BIOS: R01-A3

Now on to my issue.

I have 2 MMOs that I play. World of Warcraft and Neverwinter Nights 2. Now, with all of my Catalyst Control Center setting on default, when playing NWN2 and going through an Area Transition it sometimes gives that classic 'Program Not Responding' message. (YAY! >_> ) This also always happens when I Alt+Tab out. This morning I finally got so sick of this, that I opened up my CCC and lowered all of the setting to their minimum. Then restarted NWN2 (already minimum graphics) and changed the resolution size from my normal 1680x1024, as I have an LG 20" WideFlat, to I belive 1024x7XX (something). This seemed to fix that issue.

However, because of Chaos Theory this caused another issue. When I finally finished what I needed done on NWN2 (checking to see if I fixed its issue), I returned to WoW. Prior to changing the settings in my CCC, I was getting anywhere from 35 to 40 frames per second. Although, when I logged back in I was then lucky to see 20fps as my average was about 18.5fps. I am wondering, why is there this sudden drop in my FPS between games, when lowering the graphics output of the entire card should have only increased the preformance.

Now, as you saw in the title, there was an S in ()'s. This is another issue that has been bothering me a little bit, but surprisingly not as irritating as the other one. Often when I am playing an MMO, any MMO, the video feed for the game seems to freeze, while audio continues. Aside from that, it appears the computer is indeed frozen. Though this only actually lasts about 3 to 30 seconds. I'm wondering why this is happening and if there is anything I can do to fix these issues. If anyone can lend me some aid, I would really appreciate it.

Rei

 

[Majes]

Make sure to update your drivers. That could be the cause of any issue.
Not really sure though without troubleshooting it myself...

Driver

 

[stepone]

You were using a 2400 @1680 res & wondered why it was struggling?!

Some people seem to forget that that MMORPG's are also dependant on your net connection so stutters & lag can also result from net slow downs.
However, which drivers do you have installed? If not cat 8.5's & as you're apparently having driver probs i'd recommend booting to safe mode uninstalling the current drivers then installing the 8.5's when back in windows to see if that helps.

Also what motherboard & PSU do you have?

In the long run if you want decent frame rates when gaming @ 1680*1050 with high IQ effects on then you're going to need either a 9600gt or 3850.
Suggestions:

ZOTAC ZT-96TES2P-FSP GeForce 9600 GT 512MB - $119.99 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814500038

POWERCOLOR AX3850 512MD3 Radeon HD 3850 512MB - $99.99 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814131096

*Also you should bare in mind that the 2400 pro is not a gamming card (it's for office/htpc usage & really is holding back that x2 6000 massively )& is about the slowest card available today.

 

[ReiHakushi]

Originally posted by: stepone
You were using a 2400 @1680 res & wondered why it was struggling?!

Some people seem to forget that that MMORPG's are also dependant on your net connection so stutters & lag can also result from net slow downs.
However, which drivers do you have installed? If not cat 8.5's & as you're apparently having driver probs i'd recommend booting to safe mode uninstalling the current drivers then installing the 8.5's when back in windows to see if that helps.

Also what motherboard & PSU do you have?

In the long run if you want decent frame rates when gaming @ 1680*1050 with high IQ effects on then you're going to need either a 9600gt or 3850.
Suggestions:

ZOTAC ZT-96TES2P-FSP GeForce 9600 GT 512MB - $119.99 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814500038

POWERCOLOR AX3850 512MD3 Radeon HD 3850 512MB - $99.99 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814131096

Alright, like I said in my first post, I know absolutely nothing about Hardware. The sticker on the box only tells me what I posted and I'm not about to open up my tower to try and find out. Odds are I'd just make things worse. I also understood like... maybe 20% of what you said. Sorry for my ignorance, but I'm self taught on computers and know more about software. Just ATI and CCC are completely new to me.

My friend who directed me here already asked me what my PSU was and again, the box doesn't tell me and there isn't a sticker on the back like he asked before. I'm totally sorry for dumping a problem like this on you guys, but I'm on a fixed income and can't really afford the really top of the line stuff like I would prefer. Though from what my landlord and his boss were saying when they looked at the sticker, it is a decent enough machine which shouldn't have any issues like this.

And I also played both games on the 1024x7XX resolution and WoW still had the low fps. As far as I know I have all updated driver, having downloading them maybe 2 weeks ago tops. So unless they have released new drivers since then, I have them updated already. Again, I apologise for being such a pain.

 

[daveybrat]

The 2400HD is not a gaming video card. It's very very weak and should be struggling at the resolutions you suggested. I would definitely upgrade your video card to something stronger.

 

[ReiHakushi]

Originally posted by: ReiHakushi
I'm on a fixed income and can't really afford the really top of the line stuff like I would prefer.

I'm sorry if this sounds rude, but if people could please fully read what I type. I know it is a lot, but it makes these kinds of post unneeded.

 

[Majes]

This is a tough one then...
Its really fairly easy to switch out a new video card, and as posted before you can get good power for cheap right now...

If that isnt financially feasible then I vote for reinstalling WoW, defragging the hard drive, and trying to sqeeze every ounce of playability out of that card...

Sooner or later though you will crack open that case, take out the video card, and put something in that can utilize all the other nicer parts of your machine.

 

[ReiHakushi]

Yes well, unfortunately the government is screwing me over for my disability. Apparently 2 messed up knees and a messed up hip isn't good enough for them, even though I can barely get around my house, let alone outside anywhere. Right now all I am getting is $560/month and $400 goes to rent, $100 to groceries, $40 in to a savings and $20 for smokes. So yeah... Me mucho el broke-o.