Will This Motherboard/Processor Combo Be Able To Handle Doom 3/Half-Life 2?

[adurkee]

Combo

I am upgrading my girlfriends computer and she wants to play Doom3/Half-Life 2. Would this combo handle those games alright? The rig would look like this:

Biostar KM266 Pro
Sempron 2200+
1,024 MB PC 32000
9600XT

Would this rig fit the bill or do I need something more powerful?

 

[Azndude51]

it will be playable, but only at low settings.

 

[SrGuapo]

Yeah, no 1600x1200 8xAF, but it is definately playable...

 

[adurkee]

Thanks, guys.

 

[slash196]

If she likes watching slide shows. Honestly, I wouldn't give that rig anything harder than SimCity, and even them it'll slog through it. If she wants to play the newer games, she'll at least need a better video card.

 

[adurkee]

Perhaps a 6600GT?

 

[ChineseDemocracyGNR]

Don't get that combo... I've seen PCChips combos here were the processor is soldered to the motherboard, and the motherboards are absolutely horrible. I think PCChips owns Biostar.

I'd recommend this:

Sempron 2200+ $49

ASRock K7Upgrade-880 $45

With this combo you can easily overclock the Sempron to 1.8GHz, that will give a nice boost for Doom. Overclocking will be as easy as setting the FSB to 200MHz instead of the processors's default 166MHz.

Overclocking is not the only pro; you'll be getting a much faster and more full-featured chipset and you'll be able to use dual-channel (I assume you're getting 2x512MB). And with an extra $35 board you can use a socket 754 processor on that motherboard.

 

[ChineseDemocracyGNR]

Originally posted by: slash196
If she likes watching slide shows. Honestly, I wouldn't give that rig anything harder than SimCity, and even them it'll slog through it. If she wants to play the newer games, she'll at least need a better video card.

I'm sorry but that's just incorrect.
"Our system was composed of a 1.5GHz Pentium 4, 512MB of Corsair RAM, and a GeForce 4 MX 440 video card."
"There is no doubt that DOOM 3?s minimum system specifications can easily deliver a good gaming experience."
http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NjQ0LDU=

And a 9600XT is not enough to you?

Originally posted by: adurkee
Perhaps a 6600GT?

That's a wonderful card, but the 6600GT costs more than the motherboard+processor+video card selected by adurkee.

 

[adurkee]

Question: I would be able to install a Socket 754 processor onto a card and then install the Socket 754 daughter card into the motherboard as a future upgrade?

 

[Azndude51]

Originally posted by: adurkee
Question: I would be able to install a Socket 754 processor onto a card and then install the Socket 754 daughter card into the motherboard as a future upgrade?

Socket 754 daughter card?

 

[AJeightFive]

remember, the better you make her system, the less time she will spend with you 😉 ...whether thats a good thing or not...

 

[adurkee]

EDIT: Socket 754 bridge card.

 

[ChineseDemocracyGNR]

Yes, you got it right. Basically, you do like this:
0) Remove the socket A processor and HSF from the motherboard;

1) Install the socket 754 processor and HSF to the 754Bridge card;

2) insert the card on the orange slot on the motherboard;

3) set motherboard jumpers per manual;

4) boot!