Game Speed

[Sim1013 1]

I have 2GB of RAM, a 250GB Hard Drive, a 4200+ AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dal Core Processor, and an Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE graphics card, but I can not run games on very high settings without them badly slowing down. What do I need to get or upgrade to be able to run games quickly and smoothly on high settings?

Thanks for any help!

[coolotter88 2]

set them to high settings but run it at only a maximum of rhino speed.

[prince_of_sims 0]

Since you use a Dual Core processor, you should set the processor affinity to one single processor. Google should give you quite a few methods on how to do this.

[Sim1013 1]

I have tried that, but it doesn't seem to help much.

BTW, I was referring to most games, not just SC.

Thanks for the help so far!

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Unless they've changed the architecture in the dual core models, Athlons don't slow down on overheat while Pentiums do.  Maybe you should check the internal temp in your box when this happens.  Oh, and make sure your fan ducts are clean.

[Sim1013 1]

How do I check the temperature? Also, do I just not have enough RAM or need a better video card or something. I tried playing RCT3, Myst End of Ages, and the Flight Simulator X demo, and they all run very badly when the graphics settings are high, but look bad when they're set to low.

[dadyrghluv 8]

u have plenty of RAM 2 gigs is more than most ppl. i have the same specs as u except a 3800+ AMD proc for me. my game runs somewhat slow as well. i do know the game is CPU intensive, and if u had say a FX-60 amd u might see some speedier gameplay. depending on your motherboard manufacter, check there website and see if they offer a utility for temps. any good mobo manufacter will have such a utility for download or even on the mobo setup disc that came with it.

[DOXXP29 5]

Damn, N_O_Body, I didn't know that about the Athlon/overheating thing. That's one more point for getting an Athlon for my next comp. I was almost convinced, but now that's pretty much made it a sure thing. Thanx! Sim1013, it may very well be your video card. I replaced mine with an Nvidea 6200 and noticed a significant performance slowdown. (I had a Nvidea 5500 previously) Others have mentioned that the 6000 series isn't all that great, and the 6150LE is kind of a stripped down budget version of a card. I believe it's mostly used as an OEM package by computer companies so they can have a name brand card as cheaply as possible. If you have another video card laying around, try a swap and see if you notice a difference. Your computer specs are great, but your card may be the weak link.

[Gary Colligan 0]

Originally posted by: Sim1013 How do I check the temperature? Also, do I just not have enough RAM or need a better video card or something. I tried playing RCT3, Myst End of Ages, and the Flight Simulator X demo, and they all run very badly when the graphics settings are high, but look bad when they're set to low.

I have 2GB of RAM, a 250GB Hard Drive, a 4200+ AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dal Core Processor, and an Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE graphics cardquote>

It's your Video card, the 6150 is on your Motherboard, you should have a PCI-E slot,

just add a 6600GT, it is a great card or better a 7300GT, my mate just got one

and games run great.

I also have much the same system, AMD 4200+ X2 / 2gig ram / Asus A8N-SLI

I have 2x7900GT running in SLI, running Windows XP 64bit

Have not found a game that will not run

as for SimCity 4 & a AMD Dual Core, AMD have a MS driver that wiil let any game run

on the 2 cores with no problems....

[Sim1013 1]

I thought it might be my video card. Thanks so much for all the help!

Sadly, I don't have a spare one around, so I'll just have to make a stop at Circuit City sometime.

Thanks again all!

[tungston 19]

Originally posted by: DOXXP29 Damn, N_O_Body, I didn't know that about the Athlon/overheating thing. That's one more point for getting an Athlon for my next comp. I was almost convinced, but now that's pretty much made it a sure thing. .........quote>

 

@ DOXXP29

The reason a Intel processor will cut back on the voltage/wattage when the thermal specification is reached, is so it won't continue to increase the temperature and burn out.  It is a saftey factor, not a deficit.

[DOXXP29 5]

Thanx, Tungston. I'm sure I'd prefer a slow computer to a dead one, so the thermal safety is a good thing. It's just sooooo frustrating that after my comp has been on for an extended period, it slows down horribly and I have to cut it off for an hour or so to let it cool down and get back up to speed. Sim1013, if you're gonna buy a nVidea card, I'd advise you to stay away from the 6000 series. Everyone I know loves nVidea, but they also hate the 6000 series cards, myself included. The 5500oc was an older and supposedly inferior card, but I had better performance with it than with the 6200oc even with the extra 128mb of memory. Others I know have had the same experience. Spend the extra few dollars and get a 7000 series card. It will be well worth the small investment. (you'll save more than that on headache pills in the first month alone!)

[tungston 19]

@ DOXXP29+

Have you used some compressed air to blow the dust out of the heat exchanger lately?

[Sim1013 1]

I'm planning on getting a Nvidia 7300 GT as Gary said above. I think that will make quite a difference!

Actually, no. I'm a lttle nervous about cleaning it my self. When I get the video card I'll have them clean it then.

Thanks SO much to all of you! You've been a big help!

[SC4BOY 20]

Hopefully you have an e-pci slot... if you have only a pci or agp slot, don't spend much money on your video card. You will find that even an expensive video card will underperform due to throughput limits on the bus. If you have one of these older slot types, shoot for a good, solid older design and save a lot of money toward your next pc upgrade. Given the specs on your system, it sounds pretty new, and probably has the pci-e slot, so if so, ignor my comments.. Just thought I'd mention it in case.