Getting the most out of my computer for games

Hi,

I have a pretty decent rig:

AMD Athlon XP 2800+ (2.09ghz)

256mb of ram (DDR)

Geforce FX 5200 128mb video

ONboard Sound

DVD and CD-RW Drive

Is it possible with my current configuration to play games such as Joint Operations or Battlefield Vietnam at higer resolutions than 800X600? Or is there a way to get more quality into my games and more performace by upgrading anything above? I'd really like to start seeing my games look as good as they play,and with relatively little or no lag. I am prepared to buy addons for my computer, but need input on how to get the most of out it first.

Thanks,

Pops

#240292

First, get more RAM. 256MB for an XP machine is not enough for serious work/gaming. 512MB will probably be good enough.

#240296

your current PC setup isn't all that bad at all for gaming, the only thing you need is more DDR, like AndreasV said. But other than the RAM, i'd say you are set to go to run at 1024x768+ smoothly. I have a similar setup and have almost no problems running Battlefield Vietnam at 1280x1024.

#240301

yep get some more ram definately and a new soundcard would also help

the onboard sound is a bottleneck

#240375

Topic moved.

It looks like hardware discussion to me...

#240378

if you have some more cash, I would suggest you buy a newer graphic card

#240381

I would suggest a new graphics card as well. I'm running run of those right now and it isn't exactly the smoothest with games. BTW would anyone know whether or not the 6600 GT is out in AGP yet?

Oh yeah, and you definetly need more RAM. 512 should do it.

#240480

Well for christmas i got a ton of money, a nice keyboard and a mouse lol so i figure why not use the money for addons? Would a Gig of ram do it? that would bring me up to 1280mb of ram. Also, what cheap but effective video card should i get?

#240488

you'd be better to get 512 of ram, and put the extra towards a better graphics card.

going from an ok graphics card to a good one you will notice alot more of a performance/effects jump than going from 512 to 1000+ mb of ram. (remember, some of the dx9 effects require hardware that is only on newer cards). That said, going from 256 to 512 mb of ram makes a huge difference in newer games.

you can get good deals on ati 9800 pros or the equivalent nVidia (ie. they aren't exorbinantly priced). Erm... as i remember, the 'equivalent nVidia's that came out at the same time as the 9800s were crappy, so you'd want to get a 6600 or above if you go nVidia.

if you play alot of opengl games or expect to, you may want to go nVidia.

#240521

Your processor is fine but you could use another atleast 256MB of RAM. Also FX 5200 is kind of ****ty but it will RUN all games right now though, but not that well.

#247743

Seriously upgrade the FX 5200 if you really want to "get the most out of my computer for games"

Also, what cheap but effective video card should i get?

although they're not in production try looking around on ebay or something for a ATI 9800 PRO, they can be picked up for around £100 ish even less.

#247771