Re: My computer

Stardestroyersarecool wrote:

Hi guys, I need help. I would like to know if there is any way of upgrading the performance of my old computer without buying a new graphics card, ram, processor or, well, buying anything at all.

NoWay, Man!

It's like asking to make your car faster without buying a new engine, tyres, gearbox,... wink

The only thing what you can do without spending money is good maintainance.

Take a look at www.tweakguides.com - many guides to tweak your computer or your games so you don't waste any CPU- & GPUpower.

I have looked at overclocking but realy have no idea what it is or how to do it.

Don't overclock old hardware.
Even with new hardware an good high end coolers it's a long an painful process to build a stable overclocked computer.

Windows XP
Pentium 4 3.06GHz
NVIDIA Geforce 6200 LE
1.50GB ram

Looks like my Computer wink

Windows XP -> Sometimes faster than Vista

Pentium 4 3.06GHz -> Most older Games don't need faster CPUs. BF 2 and BF 2142 for example aren't build to use more than one Core of a CPU.
New Games like CoD 4, Crysis & the Games based on the Unreal 3 Engine (UT3, Fuels of War) can use more than 1 Core, but for this games your Graphic Card would be the bottleneck.

1.50GB ram -> i have updatet to 2 Gig - objectivly I don't feel any benefits of the 512 MB more, but it's nice to have big_smile ...

NVIDIA Geforce 6200 LE -> LE = in most cases "Cheap"
It's not a bad Card for Working. Uses little Power, runs cool, doesn't make a lot of noise.
But for gaming ?
In the worst Case only 64 Bit MemoryInterface and 128 MB RAM on the Card.

Upgrading the GFX Card would give you the most Powerboost.

I have upgraded from a ATI 9800 XT / 128 MB to a  ATI 1950 GT / 512 MB.
I can play First Strike at 1280 x 960 with textures on high and AA on x2.
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/4576/screen020qv0.th.jpg
(Actual Screenshoot: anything other is on low because i have bad FPS in "Escape from hoth")

Old Screenshoot with higher Settings:
http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/62/screen015fm2.th.jpg

But it's not easy to get a good GFX Card for an old Computer.
Most Pentium 4 Boars have a AGP Slot, and PCI-Express cards are nowdays cheaper than a comparable AGP Card.

If you want to upgrade the GFX Card:
RAM should be 256 or 512 MB. More RAM = Possible to use better Texture and AA settings
MemoryInterface should be 128 Bit or 256 Bit. Broader Interface = Card is Faster, even with AA on.

Cards for AGP:
1.)
Used Cards, 256 Bit Interface, 256 MB RAM:
most nvidea 6800 Series
most ATI 800 Series
Pro: enough GFX Power to run BF 2 & 2142 with all eyecandy
con: Powerconsumption

2.)
Used Cards, 128 Bit Interface, 256 or 512 MB RAM:
nvidea 7600 GT Series
ATI 1600 Series
con: sometimes slower in high res because smaller interface than the cards above,
pro: newer GPU, more RAM, less Powerconsumption

3.)
"new" DX 9 Cards, 256 Bit interface up to 512 MB RAM:
nvidea 7800  Series
ATI 1950 Series
pro: GFX Power enought for most games
con: power consumption & price higher than 2.)

4.)
"old" DX 10 Cards
nvidea 8600  Series (not for AGP)
ATI 2400 & 2600 Series
pro:  power consumption & price low
con: GFX Power even under DX 9 slower than 3.)

5.)
"new" DX 10 Cards
only ATI, 3800 Series
pro: GFX Power enought for most games, even faster as 3.)
con: price

Before Upgrading download CPU-Z, it's a small tool to collect all needed informations like Type of CPU, RAM, GFX Slot...
Don't go buying without a printed log of your Hardware wink

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cpu-z

CYNIC, n. A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be. Hence the custom among the Scythians of plucking out a cynic’s eyes to improve his vision
http://www.fsmod.com/stats/fssig.php?player=Al-Rik

Re: My computer

I dont recommend Ati X800 series, because of lack of Shader Model 2.0.

Re: My computer

Thing is I dont want to updrade. I got this computer about 4 or 5 years ago and I have since gotten a very good laptop. I was just wondering if there were any ways of increasing performance without an upgrade. Thanks to all who answered, and if anyone else has ideas id like to hear them.

First strike, playing from day one: SirKillsalot30

Resident Metal Gear Solid fan

Re: My computer

Irichanu wrote:

I dont recommend Ati X800 series, because of lack of Shader Model 2.0.

Shader 2.o is a Issue for some Games, but BF2, BF 2142 and it's mods aren't affected.

May main concern about this card: The tend to run hot and draw a lot of power - but they are also cheap...

Sometimes you can even find a factory new card hidden on the shelf of a shop, getting a good bargain on the price...

Stardestroyersarecool wrote:

Thing is I dont want to updrade. I got this computer about 4 or 5 years ago and I have since gotten a very good laptop.

Hm, same with my computer, and the ATI 1950 GT was the last pice of hardware i was willing to buy for it (July 2007).
Still add a X-Fi Gamersoundcard and a 2nd Hardrive in December wink , but those will went into the next Computer, along with the DVD-RW.

IMHO is the main Bottleneck your GFX-Card, and if your Laptops GFX-Card not better as a 6200 LE (?) even upgrading the Laptops RAM will be no solution.

I was just wondering if there were any ways of increasing performance without an upgrade. Thanks to all who answered, and if anyone else has ideas id like to hear them

And I fear where is no solution for more gaming power without upgrading wink

CYNIC, n. A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be. Hence the custom among the Scythians of plucking out a cynic’s eyes to improve his vision
http://www.fsmod.com/stats/fssig.php?player=Al-Rik

Re: My computer

Well allright then, thanks everyone.

First strike, playing from day one: SirKillsalot30

Resident Metal Gear Solid fan

13 (edited by Suriander 2008-04-18 22:04:19)

Re: My computer

Hmm...  Everyone seems to be in the mood for increasing their computer performance or getting new parts lately.  My parts for my new computer just came in the mail, but I have to wait 2 weeks until my brother comes home so he can assemble them.  sad

http://i47.tinypic.com/10xskg8.jpg

Re: My computer

@Suriander
I spend the afternoon with planing my next buy wink
AM2, 4 Gig, new Powersupply = roundabout 400 €uros.

Reusing Gfx Card, HD, DVD-RW and XP.

Untlil latley IMHO it dind't make sense to change to a new CPU, but with CoD and the Games based on the Unreal Engines...

CYNIC, n. A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be. Hence the custom among the Scythians of plucking out a cynic’s eyes to improve his vision
http://www.fsmod.com/stats/fssig.php?player=Al-Rik