Next step to run CS:S and HL2 better

[Mellow]

the rig

athlon xp 2500 @ stock 1.8ghz
gigabyte k7 triton series mobo
1024mb pc 3200 ram, offbrand
nvidia 5900XT clocked to 450/780
60gb hitachi hdd
etc etc


the problem - where hl2 isnt a big concern, i got serious fps drops in counter-strike source, averaging about 25-60 when there are more than 2 players near by. thats just unacceptably low for me.
btw, source is running in 8x6 billinear filtering, everything set on low

what to do:
athlon 64 proccesor/new mobo
athlon xp 3200 same mobo
nvidia 6800/radeon 9800 pro

or any other suggestions.

 

[alexXx]

i have a an a64 3000+
BFG 6800OC(non-ultra, though ive unlocked the pipes and vertex shader)
1024mb ram
and cs:source runs great. With everything maxed @ 1024x768, the lowest i get is ~40-50fps. I'm not a fan of under 60 fps so i generally turn down/off the aa

 

[Arcuivie]

What kind of applications do you have running in the background? There may be something hoging your resources. Do a spyware scan and such, and if to no avail, then it's time to upgrade.

If you have the money go with the Athlon 64 (I suggest 3200+) and a new motherboard. If not then get a new graphics card and just overclock your CPU to 3200+ speeds (a lot of people have had success with this).

Good luck.

 

[n7]

You need to give us a budget to work with.

If your budget is tight, just get a 6800 or 6800 GT for now, since the GeForce 5 series doesn't do too well in the newer games.

Ideally though, you'd want to jump to A64 + 6800 GT

 

[imverygifted]

for your cheapest upgrade get the 3200+ Barton, 5900xt should run HL2 fine in direct x 8 even with some settings on medium or high- your best option would be to save up a bit more and get a 64 processor and mobo but thats starting at about 300 where as just the processor is about 200

 

[Mellow]

well budget wise, i can scrap together a spare $150 if i keep the video card, and $150 + whatever the value of my 5900xt is
hope that helps, budget is kindn of tight

and as of now, i have 23 processes running. hope that helps

 

[imverygifted]

actually, if i was in your shoes i'd jus try to save up a lil more and go for the big A64 step in a little while and live with 25-60fps in cs:s for now. its really not intolerable i remember playing cs beta on my little geforce2 gt getting like 20-35FPS but now-a-days people expect more i guess

 

[Mellow]

sounds like a good idea. also, judging by my specs, and sys processes, SHOULD i be getting better fps with the specs im running source at?

 

[0roo0roo]

its your videocard. you just need to upgrade. course u can get a boost from cpu too..after u upgrade video.

 

[imverygifted]

i don't know about your processor cuz i have the 320064 bit but before i got my 6800gt i had a 5900xt (the 256meg version and i also had like 450-900 overclock you can probably reach 900 on your xt). i was able to run hl2 w/ all settings on high cept water, no antialiasing or that stuff and get about 50 consistently in source so yours sounds about right for your processor w/ that card and its clock

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: Mellow
the rig

athlon xp 2500 @ stock 1.8ghz
gigabyte k7 triton series mobo
1024mb pc 3200 ram, offbrand
nvidia 5900XT clocked to 450/780
60gb hitachi hdd
etc etc


the problem - where hl2 isnt a big concern, i got serious fps drops in counter-strike source, averaging about 25-60 when there are more than 2 players near by. thats just unacceptably low for me.
btw, source is running in 8x6 billinear filtering, everything set on low

what to do:
athlon 64 proccesor/new mobo
athlon xp 3200 same mobo
nvidia 6800/radeon 9800 pro

or any other suggestions.

No overclocking?

You can probably get that 2500+ to at least 2.2
I would just throw a 6600 or a 6800GT in there.

And that way you can hold off on the NEW CPU / MOBO combo a little longer..



MY 2.4ghz AXP KICKS ASS.
Coupled with a 6800GT @ Ulta speeds, I will not be upgrading my CPU / MOBO until I cannont play 1680x1050 maxed ( or close to )