Will I be able to run Ut 2004 and other games with this...

[Cuda1447]

Radeon 9800 Pro
1.7ghz P4
256 MB RD Ram (Im thinking thats my problem)



If not, what would be the best way to upgrade to do this. I want to run current games, and future games. They don't have to be TOP quality, but I want it to play nicely.

 

[Lonyo]

I think both the CPU and RAM will be an issue.
Especially as that it one of the older P4's.
A Barton 2500+ mobile with 512MB RAM might be a good, cheap option for now, but might not be too futureproof.

 

[Cuda1447]

Tell me this, I used to run this system with a Radeon VE 64 MB Vid card. I couldn't play it, EXTREMELY CHOPPY, and not even worth trying. Will I be able to run this with some of the bells and whistles turned down a bit?

 

[johnjkr1]

I think the 1.7 is plenty of cpu, the ram is what is going to hold you back. XP alone takes up most of that 256. The 9800 pro will make up for alot, especially compared to a VE.

 

[Cuda1447]

Im running windows 2000, if that helps any...

 

[johnjkr1]

2k will take up similar amouts of ram. Buy a stick of 256 and you can play just about any game.

 

[Cuda1447]

Well RD ram only works in pairs if I remember correctly... but will I be able to buy 2 sticks of 256 to throw in there, thus giving me 768 RAM, or would I have to buy two more 128 sticks giving me 4 128 sticks?

 

[imported_Nacelle]

You want no less than 512mb. But, 768mb or more is the ticket.

 

[Bovinicus]

Memory is definitely going to hold you back. As well, that CPU is certainly going to limit the performance of that vide card, but it should still be quite playable. I would say that the memory is the primary concern though. Go for at least 512MB for the time being; go for more if you can afford it.

 

[Cuda1447]

Should I just buy a whole new mobo and go to DDR ram and a new processor? Or should I just buy more RD ram and a new processor down the road.... OR should I just buy a new mobo (non AMD compatible) and keep this P4 Processor and go for the DDR ram?

 

[shabby]

UT2k4 runs perfectly smooth on my 1.6 celly2 with a gf4 4600, i got 512 of ram though.
You could probably use another 256 or 512 on top of the 256 you have now.

 

[Tab]

By the game right now and see how it runs, the CPU will hold you back but it should run quite playable.

 

[SickBeast]

Download the demo and try it.

These guys are overblowing the situation. I'm sure the game will run fine on your system. Don't waste money on RDRAM, buying an entire Athlon setup would probably cost less.

What's the fastest CPU you could drop into your current motherboard? What are the RDRAM prices like these days? They used to be astronomical...

 

[Bovinicus]

Originally posted by: Tabb
By the game right now and see how it runs, the CPU will hold you back but it should run quite playable.

Agreed. Although the CPU will ultimately limit your performance, limiting your performance doesn't mean keeping it at unplayable levels. You just won't reach the full potential of the available performance of that video card. One day you can upgrade your CPU and you will realize some nice benefits without upgrading any other hardware.

 

[SBGTF]

UT2004 Demo is playable on my current system. She chugs every now and again but its definately playable.

AMD Athlon (Thunderbird) 1 GHz
320MB RAM
ATI RADEON 7200
Microsoft Windows ME
48x24x48 CD-RW
(1) 20 GB Western Digital Drive
(1) 7 GB Samsung Drive
Logitect 5.1 Speakers
Logitect Mouse
Logitect Keyboard
Audigy Gamer Sound Card
Plain Jane Case

 

[luco]

I played the demo without problems (of course, not all details and shadows were on, but it was still a great eye-candy comparred to other titles).
My system:
Athlon 1.33Ghz / 512MB RAM / Radeon 64MB DDR VIVO (7200)

I'm getting a new rig this weekend though.

 

[imported_Nacelle]

See, it's the ram that keeps it playable

 

[tweeve2002]

That will play UT2004. My friend is playing it on a 1.3 P4. Your main problem is RAM get some more and it will run happy.

If I were you I would OC the 1.7 to 1.9 or 2.0. And have atleast 512 of RAM

By the way what speed it that RD RAM?

 

[sharq]

You should be able to play UT2k4 with that system. The 9800 will help alot. Only problem I see is the ram. UT2k4 is known to be a memory hog (aren't most new apps?). I know RDram is expensive, but an extra 256 will help. Without the ram upgrade, you will be able to play it, you may have to turn down some fancy GUI features if it gets slightly choppy.

 

[Cuda1447]

Well it runs quite good, I was surprised. When I start it up it takes a few seconds to catch up with itself, but after that its pretty good for the most part.


What Im trying to figure out is whether I should put the money into buying more RD ram, or just splurge and get a new mobo with DDR ram?



Oh, and I can't overclock my processor, atleast not yet. Im having problems keeping it cooled. Right now I run the case open with a boxfan next to it, and that barely keeps it below 65 C at full load.

 

[SickBeast]

I dunno, you'll have to price it out. RDRAM is actually quite fast, so that's not the problem. If the RDRAM you want (I'm assuming you'll be getting 512mb) costs more than a new motherboard, then I would get the motherboard. 512mb of PC3200DDR will cost you probably around $85 these days, so keep that in mind.

Also actually, I'm not sure you'll be able to get a hold of a motherboard for that CPU in this day and age. I'm not sure, intel usually changes the sockets fairly frequently to prevent people from upgrading. Sad but true. They want you to buy new motherboards with their intel chipsets inside. :roll:

 

[SickBeast]

OK wow...512MB of RDRAM costs $325CDN here in Toronto, Canada, and that's the price for both the 800mhz and the 1066mhz stuff. Also, that's the price at my favourite store in the city, which usually has among the lowest prices. Wow. Honestly, if that's what you're faced with, your best bet would be to buy a Mobile Barton platform. You could get a CPU, motherboard, and 512MB of DDR for less than what the RDRAM would cost you.

 

[Gerbil333]

Just for kicks, I tried UT2k4 on my print server:

MSI K7N2G-L (nForce 2 IGP)
Athlon XP 1700+ TBred
Crucial 480mb PC2100 (2x256, but shared video memory)
Integrated GeForce 4 MX

The machine scores ~3600 in 3DMark 2001. To my surprise, the game was actually playable! I had to turn the resolution and detail settings down, but I was able to get a few frags!

Your RAM will probably be your biggest problem. My Corsair 2x256mb TWINX3200LLPT isn't enough. I'm going to upgrade to 1gb as soon as I can.

 

[Cuda1447]

Yea I was thinking if I upgrade my mobo Im going to buy a good Athlon processor anyway.


Im looking to give myself a solid machine, with upgrade routes in the future, but still stay within a reasonable price range.


Some suggestions?

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Cuda1447
Radeon 9800 Pro
1.7ghz P4
256 MB RD Ram (Im thinking thats my problem)



If not, what would be the best way to upgrade to do this. I want to run current games, and future games. They don't have to be TOP quality, but I want it to play nicely.

UT2k4 played smooth as butter on my old system
P4 1.6@2GHz
768MB RDRAM (2*128+2*256)
9800pro

To be honest, unless you're planning on ugrading everything else anyway, just getting a couple sticks of RDRAM will work just fine. Newegg lists 256MB sticks of Samsung PC1066 @ $75 each, so it's not really that bad...