Specs

[Jeffey]

Hey all, I'm just curious as to what specs would be really ideal for getting zero slowdown during zerg. atm I'm running 1gig of ram on a 1.82ghz P4 processor. My video card is the ever popular radeon 9600 pro. On this setup I run "middle" detail graphics on most every setting, and I'm getting pretty lame slowdown during heavy combat / zerg situations. It might not be *severe* but often enough it is the factor that kills poor Rainmaker.

Oh and sorry, I would imagine this is a old topic, but I'm a new player =)

[Majik]

Your processor is light. You'll want to look into upgrading that.

[Baneblade]

1-800-get-cray

[juggalokilla]

i run a pent 2.8 HT with 1 gig ram and radeon 9800 pro and i get slowdown sometimes in a zerg also. I probably shouldnt have most eye candy turned up, but it only gets bad in large fights against vs. nc i dont drop below 25fps and in a light fight i get 60+. non combat and sanc i run 120+. I think i need to tweak some system settings for better but im not too skilled in overclocking or anything

[Mag-Mower]

if you are to upgrade one thing, upgrade the CPU, to atleast 2.5 GHz, i also recomend getting an AMD processor, but that would require a mobo upgrade also...

[Jeffey]

could someone offer some suggestions for feasible processor upgrades?

[Mag-Mower]

could you post info on your motherboard?

[ChronoSphere]

you got Ok amount of RAM, I agree with the rest, definately want to upgrade on the CPU, vid card if you can afford it too. PS can get laggy in large fights with the amount of projectiles and vehicles running about.

[Mag-Mower]

yea, i stopped playing PS, not because ofthe game, or the mechanics, but the system requirements, i love this game, but i cant play at a decesnt frame rate, i get 20 FPS in sanc and 5 in battle...

[Jeffey]

sorry im out of the loop in most computer terms, CPU = processer?

[Gammit10]

sorry im out of the loop in most computer terms, CPU = processer?
Yes, it does. We'll need to know your motherboard, so we can recommend the fastest processor it can handle.

Since PS isn't all about flashy visuals, having the fastest videocard is not always the best thing. I've found that it's all about your procerssor (CPU), and RAM.

[Jeffey]

edit: I asked around and was told to take a look inside for myself. I see that it is an ASUS motherboard, but I haven't the slightest idea as to what type it is. On the asus website they clearly show they make dozens of different motherboards.

The only other number I could attain from inspecting the board itself was the serial number P7002-00393-M8L425-B01

but that doesn't seem to be the number I would use in identifying it.

[internetn]

How old is your computer?

[Baneblade]

When you boot your computer, and you see the serial number at the bottom of the screen, press Pause/Break key and write that down, then Google it.

[Jeffey]

he built it in 99 i believe

[Jeffey]

OKAY

I found it, here it is http://www.asus.com/prog/spec.asp?m=P4B266&langs=01#

ASUS P4B266-C

[Jeffey]

Well I've decided to go for a Radeon x800 Pro as an upgrade to my video card. I spoke with my friend, and he feels that a treuly top end video card would be the best help in killing slowdown and letting me jack up my graphic settings

[Baneblade]

A 9800 would run better at AGP 8x than 4x, but it is still a good upgrade.

[Gammit10]

Well I've decided to go for a Radeon x800 Pro as an upgrade to my video card. I spoke with my friend, and he feels that a treuly top end video card would be the best help in killing slowdown and letting me jack up my graphic settings

Good luck with that. It WILL help you increase graphics settings, but I doubt it will help with the slowdown. The only reason I say this is because when I upgraded just a video card, PS only marginially improved. But when I upgraded my processor, my slowdown virtually disappeared in comparison.

[Jeffey]

I run a pentium4 1.82ghz, that link says my motherboard can hold up to a 2.4 ghz

would that be a worthy upgrade?

[Glaynor]

Definitely that would be a good upgrade. Your RAM is good, I run 1.5 and have no problems what so ever. Your CPU upgrade is more important then doing the video card.

[Gammit10]

I run a pentium4 1.82ghz, that link says my motherboard can hold up to a 2.4 ghz

would that be a worthy upgrade?

Depending on the price, I think that would be a very worthy upgrade. Just make sure you get the right processor (correct socket and all).

[Jeffey]

I took a look over ebay and most 2.4 pentium 4's are going for 20-50 dollars, ill definetly pick one up when I can figure out exactly which type i need

[Gammit10]

I took a look over ebay and most 2.4 pentium 4's are going for 20-50 dollars, ill definetly pick one up when I can figure out exactly which type i need

Your motherboard is a socket 478. The lowest price I've found for a 2.4 Pentium 4 in a socket 478 is around $119. The other 2.4 Pentium 4 you found might not be socket 478, so be sure. Here is a link to a very reputable store's page for the processor you're looking for:


http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?DEPA=0&description=19-116-140&CMP=OTC-pr1c3watch&ATT=Microprocessors+PC

[Jeffey]

Well I got my radeon x800 today, installation was painful - since I needed a newer bigger power supply =(

Interesting results though: I put all graphics on max, and I run at a rather noodle scratching 30-40 FPS, 70% of the time the FPS number is yellow - BUT, I've recieved zero slowdown in the first 8 hours of play with it in. I can cruise right into a zerg armour collision in my marauder with my ground pounder spewing nades at some softies that we pass by, and I get nothing, flawless performance.

So my new question is whats up with the FPS?

[Gammit10]

Well I got my radeon x800 today, installation was painful - since I needed a newer bigger power supply =(

Interesting results though: I put all graphics on max, and I run at a rather noodle scratching 30-40 FPS, 70% of the time the FPS number is yellow - BUT, I've recieved zero slowdown in the first 8 hours of play with it in. I can cruise right into a zerg armour collision in my marauder with my ground pounder spewing nades at some softies that we pass by, and I get nothing, flawless performance.

So my new question is whats up with the FPS?

Lack of processor speed! I have the exact same card, and got about those numbers until I upgraded my processor. Now I get 100 fps in even the largest of fights.

[Jeffey]

is it really necessary tho? my FPS are low but I have no slowdown or freezing

[Baneblade]

Anything above 30 fps is just bragging rights.

[Mag]

The human eye comprehends up to 60 fps, anything above that is bragging rights.
...If you want to get technical.

[Baneblade]

Actually, no.

60 hz is probably what you are thinking of. And that isn't related to fps. Though having a monitor at 60hz will give you a headache very fast. 75 is best as a rule.

After 30 fps you wont be able to guess the fps.

[Gammit10]

The human eye comprehends up to 60 fps, anything above that is bragging rights.
...If you want to get technical.

I've even heard this verion before too, and it's bunk. I can DEFINITELY tell whether I'm running at 70 fps or 120 fps.

[Mag-Mower]

60 FPS is always comfortable, always have peace of mind knowing that you can go into the biggest, baddest zerg ever made, and youll still be able to play at a decent frame rate.