Improving FPS

suicidal_monkey · June 14, 2007, 09:45:39 PM

Quote from: Penfold;194031Do you think my PIV 3ghz is still uptodate enough bearing in mind I only had ATA and AGP etc?

it'll probably do just fine - check out these reviews of AGP graphics performance:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/2007/06/11/the_best_gaming_video_cards_for_the_money_uk/page4.html
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/2007/01/10/agp-platform-analysis-uk/page7.html
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/2007/02/01/agp-platform-analysis_uk/page11.html

Short version: AGP is still pretty good, and it depends on your budget really. Top link has the various options and budgets. If you can find a x1950pro or similar AGP for a budget you are happy with it should do just fine. A 7600GT looks like the next step down (performing as well or even better than the 7800GT in thg tests!!)

Here are some alternatives to that novatech (the 7600GT is Â£75 from scan - should still be a decent enough card. The x1950pro will obviously last longer but your cpu might give out in the next game up) You even get HDCP with some of the radeon cards. Dunno what the x1950GT is but it's specs don't seem that much worse than the x1950pro's ~Â£100

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Compare.asp?CPID=17824&CPID=19322&CPID=20617&CPID=20836&CPID=20695&CPID=20839

at the end of the day it's very hard to tell just how well the money would be spent. The 1950GT for Â£100 looks like a pretty decent price? Dunno where it compares to the 7600GT (~Â£80) or the 1950pro(~Â£130) though.

Maybe someone else can advise?
oh and also there should be a few 2nd hand deals on AGP cards around.

delanvital · June 14, 2007, 09:50:50 PM

Dont go too far with the money. Even though AGP is still a good socket, you wont be able to bring the card with you when you upgrade the motherboard.

Penfold · June 14, 2007, 10:01:45 PM

I appreciate the help guys.

I'm kinda out of my depth here. If it was you - which card would you go for to try and improve my system?

Thanks

PEN

-----------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 6/14/2007, 21:57:54
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
System Model: Dimension 8300
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A07
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 377MB used, 3055MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 6600 GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_00F1&SUBSYS_21191682&REV_A2
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (16 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8421 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 3/9/2006 15:29:00, 3968512 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 3/9/2006 15:29:00, 3650368 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-43B1-11CF-D755-130103C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x00F1
SubSys ID: 0x21191682
Revision ID: 0x00A2
Revision ID: 0x00A2
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
Deinterlace Caps: {212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: SB Audigy Audio [DF00]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&SUBSYS_10021102&REV_04
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0323 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 11/25/2002 05:02:24, 496752 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Creative
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 4000, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 64, 62
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 64, 62
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: Yes
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24D5&SUBSYS_01571028&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: smwdm.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.3555 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 2/28/2003 09:17:18, 545024 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Analog Devices
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xB5B
Min/Max Sample Rate: 8000, 48000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: SB Audigy Audio [DF00]
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0323 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 11/25/2002 05:02:24, 496752 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0xFFF

Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio
Default Sound Capture: No
Default Voice Capture: No
Driver Name: smwdm.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.3555 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 2/28/2003 09:17:18, 545024 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0xCCC

delanvital · June 14, 2007, 10:52:53 PM

Well, with 2GB of RAM you are set for CS.

Graphics... I would find a used card, so depending on the deal. Maybe someone here on the forum has something they wanna sell? I bought my XFX 7800GS slightly used from from BB and still with warranty. Been very happy with that. Otherwise, go for a 7600+ depending on the price. With ATI I don't know anymore.

If it was me, I would prob find a 7600GT due to the fact that you wont get blazing FPS even with the 7800GT due to the rest of the setup. My (nonobligating) 2 cents.

You will prob. be able to run some semi-recent games at low res. and get some gameplay, but say you want what comes in 3-6 months you would need a more thorough upgrade. Imho.

Penfold · June 15, 2007, 11:51:13 PM

Thanks .

Oh decisions, decisions :blink:

What I don't want to do is to buy a card to find it's no better than the incumbent one. However I don't want to fork out unnecessarily.

I guess it's down to :

Radeon X1650 XT
or
7600GT
or
Radeon X1950 GT

Help me please my technical mates!!

PEN

Lee · June 16, 2007, 01:00:19 AM

Well when i was looking for the card to replace my 9600 i did some research and the 7600GT had the best reception for AGP cards, although i don't really know of those ones you mentioned, i might be able to find some useful benchmarking site somewhere for them. I'm pretty certain why i noticed no difference from my 9600 to my 7600GT (still getting 50-60 at good times then 10 or so in battle on chateau), it was because my processor was really rather bad, think it was an amd sempron 2.4ghz or something - not dual core. Personally if i was you, i think i'd get an average card like the 7600GT just to make you do for a while and in the meantime maybe upgrade to a PCI-E system, maybe get some ram now as it's uber cheap for a limited time. Just my two scents.

This may be of some sort of guidance. http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/2007/06/11/the_best_gaming_video_cards_for_the_money_uk/page4.html

Improving FPS

suicidal_monkey

delanvital

Penfold

delanvital

Penfold

Lee