What min hardware from P4 2.6ghz, 6600GT to get 100 fps in Counter-Strike1.6?

[tweakboy]

Yes before I get flamed and scolded to get a new system. Please listen to what my goals are. I just need a PC that can run Counter-strike 1.6 (not-source) at 100 fps constant even through massive amount of players,gunfire,nades,smoke, etc. I run it either 800x600 or 1028x768 resolutions, no anti-aliasing, V-sync Off. Currently I can't run it at 100 fps constant, but its not bad. It is the only game I play and the only reason I use the old PC, I just dont have time for any other games and I use a laptop for everything else.

Having said that here is the current system's specs. Do you guys think I should get a new AGP videocard or upgrade the RAM or something else? I am kind of on a budget and prefer not to spend much for a Counterstrike PC.

P4 2.6 Ghz, 1 GB RAM, XFX Geforce 6600 GT, 60 GB Harddrive, piece of crap SteelSeries USB soundcard that freezes when loading maps, Windows XP, No PCI-E slots obviously.

On the other hand I might be able to get my hands on a old Core2-duo PC with 2GB RAM for free and upgrade that? Or if I can build a PC that would be way better for around $250 I'd consider that also.

Using a USB sound card is a cardinal sin first of all. just fyi on that....Buy a dedicated sound card if the freezing is bothersome...

As for CS1.6 getting 100fps with vsync set to OFF and image tearing allowed.. Then the system up above will do the job,,, However I would really consider getting a 6800 GT AGP for like 20 bucks on ebay maybe...... the 6600GT is a bit crippled.....

 

[blckgrffn]

I am not saying a C2D rig (if he can get it free) isn't a good option. My point was strictly related to Llano. Llano is a pathetic attempt on AMD's part to get noobs to buy their slow unwanted Athlon II X4 cores on the desktop. Llano only makes sense on the laptop where for $400-500 you either have to put up with crappy HD3000 or Llano, in which case Llano is a good alternative. However, on the desktop, you have to spend $115-130 for a Llano CPU that's worse in every way imaginable than a $60 AMD CPU + $70 dedicated discrete GPU. Sorry, but my view is that Llano makes no sense on the desktop, unless they drop the price $30-40.




Can you please explain how this is better than a $203 system with Phenom II X4 840, HD4870 GPU and 8 Gigs of RAM? A6 and A8 CPUs are way overpriced on the desktop.

I agree, that is all crazy talk. Once the A8 hits ~$80 then we'll discuss it's merits

OP, let us know what you decide to go with. Please

An G520 Celeron/H61 Motherboard/6570 should do it as well for le-cheap without needing a Microcenter as an enabler and should be delightfully low on the power consumption/noise front as well. If you were worried about graphics performance there is the mentioned 4870 or the 6750/GTS450 for right around $100. When your goals are modest the number of solutions is staggering.

Too bad you aren't in the twin cities, I have an e5400 @ 3.25 ghz/GT 240 rig that I would like to sell for cheap

 

[godbless]

lol, I will let you guys know what I do. I had no idea there were so many options like this, nor did I expect such a commotion. Either way, I really appreciate all the help here and am looking in to them.

BTW, does anyone know if a Core2duo PC circa 2007/2008 would have PCI-E 16x or would it have the 8x version (I can't physically check the PC for a little while)?

 

[blckgrffn]

lol, I will let you guys know what I do. I had no idea there were so many options like this, nor did I expect such a commotion. Either way, I really appreciate all the help here and am looking in to them.

BTW, does anyone know if a Core2duo PC circa 2007/2008 would have PCI-E 16x or would it have the 8x version (I can't physically check the PC for a little while)?

It should have PCIe x16 1.0 - what you really want to know is if the case allows for full height cards. Shouldn't be a big deal if it is hand-me-down self built rig but if it was some business HP or Dell it could actually be an issue.

 

[tweakboy]

Well now that I think of it a 6800 GT AGP card for you would not only give you 100fps in CS1.6 but actually give you 300fps.... pay 20 bucks, easy way out. Your CPU is fine for CS1.6, Can I ask what OS you use btw ?

 

[godbless]

Well now that I think of it a 6800 GT AGP card for you would not only give you 100fps in CS1.6 but actually give you 300fps.... pay 20 bucks, easy way out. Your CPU is fine for CS1.6, Can I ask what OS you use btw ?

I'm running XP. I guess just a recent update, my friend offered to give me his computer for free which is way more than I need for CS1.6 (another one). Its a Pentium D 3.2 Ghz, 2GB RAM, Geforce 8800 GTX, 750W PSU. I'm either keeping that as is or I'm gonna replace the mobo, cpu, and RAM with an i3-2100, MSI H61 mobo (no USB3 no SATA 6GB), and Kingston 8GB hyperX DDR1333 RAM which should total $200... and basically keep the 8800 GTX, case, PSU, HDD's. I haven't built a computer in a while so it might be fun, but I know its overkill CS1.6 as is, so I'm still debating.

 

[blckgrffn]

I'm running XP. I guess just a recent update, my friend offered to give me his computer for free which is way more than I need for CS1.6 (another one). Its a Pentium D 3.2 Ghz, 2GB RAM, Geforce 8800 GTX, 750W PSU. I'm either keeping that as is or I'm gonna replace the mobo, cpu, and RAM with an i3-2100, MSI H61 mobo (no USB3 no SATA 6GB), and Kingston 8GB hyperX DDR1333 RAM which should total $200... and basically keep the 8800 GTX, case, PSU, HDD's. I haven't built a computer in a while so it might be fun, but I know its overkill CS1.6 as is, so I'm still debating.

That Pentium D is huge buzzkill on that video card - and might even keep you from getting that solid 100FPS.

As for keeping the rest of it - that might be a real winner Carefully consider the quality of that PSU given its age and the relatively high load that 8800GTX has been putting on it. It would be a shame to invest money, time and effort into a part upgrade only to have an old PSU smoke it.

 

[godbless]

That Pentium D is huge buzzkill on that video card - and might even keep you from getting that solid 100FPS.

As for keeping the rest of it - that might be a real winner Carefully consider the quality of that PSU given its age and the relatively high load that 8800GTX has been putting on it. It would be a shame to invest money, time and effort into a part upgrade only to have an old PSU smoke it.

The PSU would only take out itself right? not the new parts? lol. Actually that i3 build would only cost $175 (found cheaper RAM, after MIR)....... and now I'm considering a i5-2500 with MSI P67 mobo (USB3/SATA3) and 8GB DDR 1333 for $235 (after MIR's)... This is beginning to spiral out of control!!! Knowledge is not necessarily a good thing, haha.

 

[blckgrffn]

The PSU would only take out itself right? not the new parts? lol. Actually that i3 build would only cost $175 (found cheaper RAM, after MIR)....... and now I'm considering a i5-2500 with MSI P67 mobo (USB3/SATA3) and 8GB DDR 1333 for $235 (after MIR's)... This is beginning to spiral out of control!!! Knowledge is not necessarily a good thing, haha.

A 2500k! Now we are talking It will likely provide only minimal benefit to CS1.6 thought, as I believe that will only use a single core. In that respect, the i3 is a beast.

PSU's can take just themselves out - or surge and be not nice other parts. I had what I thought was a bad x850xt and so tried a 6800GT that I knew was good in that PC - and it was bad too when tested in that PC. Tried the cards in another PC, both of them were f'd, Antec TruPower 550W to blame

That sadly left me with about $400 worth of dead video cards...

You can regularly score a nice PSU south of $50 so I would recommend thinking on it. Now, if that PSU you have is Seasonic or other super high-end PSU you are likely in the clear.

 

[godbless]

A 2500k! Now we are talking It will likely provide only minimal benefit to CS1.6 thought, as I believe that will only use a single core. In that respect, the i3 is a beast.

PSU's can take just themselves out - or surge and be not nice other parts. I had what I thought was a bad x850xt and so tried a 6800GT that I knew was good in that PC - and it was bad too when tested in that PC. Tried the cards in another PC, both of them were f'd, Antec TruPower 550W to blame

That sadly left me with about $400 worth of dead video cards...

You can regularly score a nice PSU south of $50 so I would recommend thinking on it. Now, if that PSU you have is Seasonic or other super high-end PSU you are likely in the clear.

wait what? i3 > i5 for single core apps?

 

[Concillian]

No, i3 = i5 at the same clock speed for single core apps.

Therefore extra money for i5 is largely wasted for CS.

 

[godbless]

So in the end, I ended up getting this PC for free from a friend:

Pentium D 3.2 Ghz,
Asus P45WD2
2 GB RAM
Geforce 8800 GTX
Corsair TX750W PSU
Antec Case
2 SATA 60 GB HDDs

And I ended up buying these parts to replace in the free comp:
i5-2500
MSi H61 mobo
Corsair 8GB DDR3 1333 RAM

Total price: $205 after MIR for the RAM only.

And yes, I upgraded fully knowing this is overkill for CS1.6, but I'm future ready now =)

Interesting to note, even with the Pentium D and 8800 GTX, I was able to get 100 fps almost always but occasionally it still dropped.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Excellent deal. That 8800gtx is still a formidable card for older, and Source based games.

Congrats.

 

[nenforcer]

You can sell the old parts and possibly purchase an SSD or a larger mechanical hard drive as well.

You will be all set for CounterStrike 2 when it is released early next year.

 

[RussianSensation]

And I ended up buying these parts to replace in the free comp:
i5-2500
MSi H61 mobo
Corsair 8GB DDR3 1333 RAM

Total price: $205 after MIR for the RAM only.

And yes, I upgraded fully knowing this is overkill for CS1.6, but I'm future ready now =)

Amazing upgrade! $205 for a new platform that will serve you for a long-time. The Corsair PSU you got from your friend is a beast too.

 

[ther00kie16]

Good upgrade, though I'm curious where you got a i5 + mobo for <$200. Microcenter?

 

[blckgrffn]

Good upgrade, though I'm curious where you got a i5 + mobo for <$200. Microcenter?

That would explain the i5 versus the i3

 

[godbless]

Good upgrade, though I'm curious where you got a i5 + mobo for <$200. Microcenter?

Haha yea, Microcenter:

i5-2500 = $180
My mobo = $10 after the $50 discount when you buy it in combo with the i5
Corsair 8GB XMS3 $40 - $25 rebate = $15

Total = $205

Just wanted to thank you all for the quick help and all the suggestions. It got me exploring options for an upgrade and I'm pretty happy with this setup and deal.