what hardware would you recommend for Half-Life 2?

[Kaido]

I have a p4 2.8ghz desktop that I want to play Half-Life 2 on. It has 512mb of ddr333 and integrated video right now. I can add an 8x AGP video card and more ram if necessary. I want to play it at 1024x768, with all settings as high as possible. Will, say, a 9800 Pro 128mb and another 512mb of ram do it?

Cliffs:
Have 2.8ghz/512mb desktop
Want to play HL2 at 1024x768 with settings on high
What hardware upgrades should I add?

 

[MDE]

6600GT or 9800 Pro and bump the RAM up to 1GB

 

[NokiaDude]

For HL2 I recommend the 6600GT AGP8X version. Or if you really have the cash, a 6800 AGP8X. The 6600GT beats the 9800P in most cases. The 6800 on the other hand has all the cool DX9c eye candy and beats the 6600GT by a good lead. Try to get matching sticks of RAM. Sometimes you get different memory chips if you buy the same brand RAM ~6 months apart. You can sell the current RAM and buy a matched set or two of the same brand at the same time. How fast is your HDD?

 

[Kaido]

7200rpm hard drive. the only purpose for upgrading the desktop would be to run hl2 at 1024x768, so I want to get away with as little upgrading as possible.

 

[NokiaDude]

Originally posted by: Kaido
7200rpm hard drive. the only purpose for upgrading the desktop would be to run hl2 at 1024x768, so I want to get away with as little upgrading as possible.

I see. Yeah, just install a 6600GT or 6800 if you have the cash and you're set.

 

[Kaido]

heh, I love how people complain about how expensive the game is ($50+), yet they don't flinch at dropping $250 on a new video card and $300 on new ram

 

[NokiaDude]

Originally posted by: Kaido
heh, I love how people complain about how expensive the game is ($50+), yet they don't flinch at dropping $250 on a new video card and $300 on new ram

That's because a good video card will last you at least a year or two. A $50 game will last only 3 months if it doesn't have good multiplayer and it'll be half the price it was 6 months later.

 

[Byers]

You can always spend $33 for the import version:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=32-128-127&depa=0

 

[SonicIce]

6600 GT + 512MB RAM = A good upgrade for you.
(This should be under $230 total.)

 

[imported_Kensai]

Originally posted by: MDE
6600GT or 9800 Pro and bump the RAM up to 1GB

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Originally posted by: Kensai

Originally posted by: MDE
6600GT or 9800 Pro and bump the RAM up to 1GB

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: MDE
6600GT or 9800 Pro and bump the RAM up to 1GB

I was running 1280x1024 on my 6600GT with an A64 3000+ and that seemed to be working out well. If you do get a 9800 Pro, make sure you get one with the 256-bit-wide memory bus, not 128-bit.

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy

Originally posted by: Kensai

Originally posted by: MDE
6600GT or 9800 Pro and bump the RAM up to 1GB

yup thats all


tho if you are really strapped, just gget a 6600GT. I play hl2 with 512 megs of ram and a g4ti4400 and it still looks gorgeous

 

[thegimp03]

Another vote for 6600 gt and 512 mb ram. A gig of ram in that game makes transitions between levels in the game much smoother as there is no delay. I played it on my old p4 2.4 with 512 ram and a 6800 and there were a lot of points the game would have to stop and load.