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Upgrading for Doom 3/HL 2

A

AMDPwred

Diamond Member
I use my laptop for all of my computing activities right now (browsing the Internet, email, programming, school work, etc). I'd like to continue that because I love my laptop but I also want to be able to play games like Doom 3 and HL2/CS:Source. I figure I can upgrade my desktop to do this but I'm not sure which components I really need to upgrade, except the video card obviously.

CPU: AMD XP 2100+
MB: Shuttle AK31A
RAM: 512MB PC2100
Video: GeForce 3 Ti200
Sound: Something basic, I dunno
Monitor: Dell M992

I think the CPU, RAM, and MB are ok, but I want to get that confirmed here. What I'm looking to create is a gaming desktop. Thanks in advance!
 
well, if you want to have a gaming machine (especially for d3/hl2), you'll want to upgrade those three as well as your video card.

for cpu, i'd look at the athlon 64 and a socket 939 mobo, as well as ram for it. as for a video card, if you want to go all out, you can spend the cash and get a geforce 6800 (currently the best card for d3), or a radeon x800. what kind of budget are you looking at?
 
I don't have a specific budget in mind, but I'm not looking to break the bank. I had been thinking of getting an Athlon 64, but I wasn't sure if it was time to go out and buy a completely new system. I thought some major items were just down the road, major enough to wait for. Another issue with upgrading my whole system is that I'll want to use it as a primary system and I'll drop my laptop, something I really don't want to do. Oh the decisions... 😛
 
well... lemme think. you could probably stick with the ram and mobo you've got, and upgrade the cpu and video card, and you'll probably have a fairly respectable gaming machine, although you wont be able to play high-end games like doom at the highest resolution/visual settings.

let me go take a look see at some components.
 
you can get an athlon xp 2600+ or 2700+ for under 90 bucks, and as for a video card, i'd probably think about the radeon 9800 pro, which you can get for 200 bucks. if you get those, you'd be pretty set for video games for another year at least.
 
Like wfbberzerker mentioned, simply upgrading your video card would do wonders for your doom3 framerates. I'd say go with nothing slower than a 9700Pro/5900XT.

However, don't expext miracles. It would be playable but just not "the way it's meant to be played" 😉
 
Just to give you an example, I have:

P4 2.66 Ghz
512 Ram PC2100
Radeon 9700 Pro

As you can see, my system is nothing special (as I built the rig 2 years ago). But I was able to play Doom 3 at 800X600 at medium setting, which wasn't too bad at all.

I don't know about HL2, but it sure won't be as taxing as D3.
 
Originally posted by: wfbberzerker
you can get an athlon xp 2600+ or 2700+ for under 90 bucks, and as for a video card, i'd probably think about the radeon 9800 pro, which you can get for 200 bucks. if you get those, you'd be pretty set for video games for another year at least.
Click to expand...

Agree 100%

Look at my system rigs page (in sig) for my specs....

Plays Doom3 really well at 1280x1024 on high quality and at the res there is really no reason to have AA or AF on unless your going to stand in a room and look for all the things that AA/AF would cover up.
 
Originally posted by: wfbberzerker
well, if you want to have a gaming machine (especially for d3/hl2), you'll want to upgrade those three as well as your video card.

for cpu, i'd look at the athlon 64 and a socket 939 mobo, as well as ram for it. as for a video card, if you want to go all out, you can spend the cash and get a geforce 6800 (currently the best card for d3), or a radeon x800. what kind of budget are you looking at?
Click to expand...

No way i would shell that kinda money out right now..

Personally, I would pick up a 2500+ mobile chip and overclock if your into that.. Grab an additional 512 stick

I would agree with the 9800 Pro. Or if you can swing the saved money, for go the 6800 series.. Tough card to beat for the price.. Overclock to Ultra speeds and you got one hell of a card..

If you could find the x800 in the low 3's would be nice too..

I don't think i would shell out the cash for the a64 quite yet..

My 2.4 XP coupled with a gig of Hyper X and a 6800 GT..

Eats Doom 3 alive @ 1600x1200 Ultra quality.. and am confident that it will do the same to half life..


Granted 939 is an awesome socket, and will only be better as price drops and yields get even more impressive..

For now, save a LITTLE money..

😀
 
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