Poor Computer

[VOLT]

Hey Guys, I have this problem.
I have a 500MHz processor on a Intel ZX440 mobo, 128mb ram, and 20 Gig 7200 WD hdd, and a Xpert 128. My problem is that when I play games like Unreal Tournament or Quake 3, (heavy textured games) my computer freezes when I raise my resolution over 800*600*16. Could this be a video card problem?

 

[Quetzalboat]

Upgrade your video card, at least to GeForce3 Ti200 (for your gaming purpose)
Buy some more RAM, i.e 256MB SDRAM PC133 CAS2 latency (Corsair, Crucial or Mushkin).
Some people think that to play "heavy games" they must buy P4 or Athlon 1800+, but with a Graphic Processing Unit there's no "must" to buy faster CPU. (except you have plenty bucks in your pocket).

My rig :
MoBo : I Will VD133 Pro Raid + Hot Rod Pro (to get ATA100, because I Will Side Raid only ATA66)
Proc : Intel PIII 733MHz
CPU RAM : 384MB SDRAM PC133 Crucial CAS-2
Video card : ELSA SynergyIII Quadro2 MXR (OpenGL optimized driver for CAD and 3DStudio 4.0)
(because I work on CAD and 3D Studio, not just for play games)
HDD : 1st : Quantum Fireball AS 40GB ATA100
2nd : idem
CD-ROM : Creative Infra 52x AudioXcel
CD-RW : Plextor 24x12x40a Burnproof
Soundcard : Creative SB Live! Digital SPDIF
Speaker : Altec Lansing ADA880, 4 sattelite+1 subwoofer
Casing : Middle Tower ATX
Monitor : LG Flatron 795plus, 17" Superflat, digital OSD, 0.22mm dot pitch
Printer : EPSON Stylus 1520, Inkjet, A2, 1440x720 dpi
Scanner : EPSON Perfection 1200P
Modem : US Robotic Message 56K Voice Fax-modem external

 

[43st]

I just had a similar machine I was dealing with. You'll find that the CPU is the bottleneck in most cases. Get a Geforce2 MX and you'll be fine. If you plan on getting a new CPU/motherboard then go for the faster card.

 

[Om]

Agreed, really isnt' a need for a GeForce 3 even with the newest games out, GeForce 2 is just fine and if you look it can be had for the price of an GeForce MX model on the net.
With GeForce 4's almost out now when you do upgrade your MB and Processor you can also upgrade to the GeForce 3 for probably half of what it cost today.

 

[VOLT]

planning to upgrade soon, but don't know which is better. Intel or AMD
I heard AMD XP line is fast, faster than the Pentium 4's, is it stable?

 

[AA0]

AMD is stable

don't get a MX, they stink.

 

[VOLT]

Thanks AA0. But I guess I'm stuck between an MX or a GTS. My real question is if I'll see any performance over the MX due to my 'CPU' limitations.

 

[scoobydooby]

I would say go for the gts. It's not too much more expensive(as far as I know) and will perform much better and will be able to keep up if you decide to get a new cpu. Hope that helps.
Scoob

 

[AA0]

The MX is bad, very few cpus, short of k6s end up being the limit. A GTS or Pro would work well with your system.

 

[JBChance]

I think the video card is definitely the least expensive solution to the problem.

I had a 500 Mhz Athlon that would run Unreal Tourn. and Quake pretty decent , with a better video card.

If you look on pricewatch, you can find a GF2 GTS or Pro for around $100.00.

 

[BFG20K]

volt, u should check out the visiontek gts-v, which is basically an underclocked gts. I heard in most cases u can clock it to normal gts speeds, at which it is superior to the mx. It could be had at newegg.com for about $65.

 

[VOLT]

Thanks for the info. I guess i'll be heading to Newegg to purchase the GTS-V.