[Mordsith]

First, I have to explain the problem - then my system configuration - then ask for help. Here it is...

I first built this computer using the specs from an Alienware (high-end) system in 2002. The total cost for building this entire system was around $1200. At the time, the Alienware system was priced at $3,400. So I thought it was a great deal that I built the whole thing, group up, using Pricewatch. For the first year or so the system ran EXTREMELY well and had no real problems.

Until recently... Not too long about, maybe two or three weeks ago, I formated my computer and reinstalled all the software - drivers - and all that jazz. My system at first seemed to run really smoothly. But now, when I connect to a largely populated Battlefield 2 game, I get MASSIVE frame loss and system lag. I also play other games that seem to have long load up time, and bad frame rates when a lot is happening.

Thats my problem, now heres the rig:

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System Information
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Time of this report: 8/6/2006, 22:59:25
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2
System Manufacturer: INTEL_
System Model: D875BZLK
BIOS: BIOS Date: 04/23/03 14:48:50 Ver: 08.00.09......................(<---- Is that bad?)
Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 CPU 3.20GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 1022MB RAM........................(<---- Crosair XP RAM, expensive!)
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

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Display Devices
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Card name: RADEON 9800 XT
Chip type: RADEON 9800 XT AGP
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Monitor: SCEPTRE X9S-Naga..........................(<----- Max Refresh Rate @ 60hz, bad?)
Monitor Max Res: 1280,1024

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Sound Devices
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Description: SB Audigy Audio [B800]........................(<---- Should be an Audigy Gamer!)

You can see that this machine is basically still pretty decent, and should run Battlefield 2, World of Warcraft, and other main-stream games with ease.... But it doesnt! I drop frame rate on every game.

Questions:
1. Is my generic 400w power supply not able to support my system?
2. Is having a crap (Sceptre X9) monitor the problem with frame loss and system lag?
3. Just by looking at my setup, can anyone tell me if they see an obvious problem?

I know I have more questions, but I'm not really versed in the arts of hardware. Please assist in any way you can!

[Trystane]

Well a few things....

1. Your PSU should be more then fine. When you do decide to get a new PSU (not that you need one yet for what you are running) get an Antec. They make one of the finest PSUs on the market.

2. Monitors don't cause FPS issues. I've seen monitors cause BSOD's when games try to load but not in like.. 2-3 years? Your monitor is irrelvent to your FPS.

3. The only glaring thing I see is that you have a Radeon 9800. It's starting to become a very dated card and you may be pushing it too hard in BF2.

Also take out the video card (and the whole computer for that matter) and give it a good dusting. If dust is causing your video card to not cool properly that can lead to lower FPS (just enough heat to lower the GPU cycles, but not enough to cause it to crash).

Also don't worry about your Audigy card not reporting it's an "Audigy Gamer", it's still the same card just how Creative labels them for hardware.

[Mordsith]

So do some dust cleaning, roger that. It's not -bad- persay, but its pretty dusty in there. Bad enough to where if I touch anything in there, I do have a residue of dust on my hand.

As for the video card, I have been thinking about grabbing a new ATI card, but its hard right now to decided which. I know that I dont want to buy a high-end AGP card, since I've been hearing that PCI is going to start being the standard. And I dont want to have to go out an buy an SLI mo-bo, with all the bells and whistles - then have to buy an expensive card that'll be out done buy something a month later.

So the decision I have to make is... what card to buy with $500? Any suggestions anyone? I need something that'll run Battlefield 2142 when it comes out, and all the other next-gen games that are all graphically intense.

Thanks Trystane

[Trystane]

What I would do with DX10 coming out so soon is go pick up a 6800XT or even a 7800 (don't spend over $200). They are solid AGP cards that will carry you for another year.

In another year you can get a DX10 video card with PCI-e (assuming you upgraded your motherboard to use PICE-e) and then be sailing smoothly.

[Mordsith]

Question about RAM...
This is what I have, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16820145420
Could I have x1 of these: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?sk...d=1134699426031 ... along with the two strips of above?

Also, is this card worth the buy? Will it run BF2 and other games A LOT better than my current card, or just the same?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?sk...d=1130987912212

[Mofohitfo]

Well with your memory I try not to "mix and match" persay with that. I would stick with the corsair type you have and just by another 512 or so. Last time I did a "mix and match" I kept BSOD and everything but as soon as I took it out went away.

As for that video card I can't say to much with ATI i've Nvidia from when they were Voodoo cards. But it does look like it would hold you for another year or so. I'm running a GeForce 6600 on my machine. I got it from newegg for about 85 bucks and everything.

[Kaosmalice]

First off....
What version of the ATI drivers are you using? , Some cards are particular as to which version of the ATI Driver they prefer.

Second, have you gone thru and " Tweaked " your system? Page file, Display properties, yada yada yada.

those would be the first few things i would check, you may find that you get better video performance with a different version of ATI driver, but both of them would make it run a bit better.

Chances are the issue lies in Software and not the hardware.