My PC upgrading (Help).

[Futendra]

I am currently busy building out my PC.
Although, I still lag in some games and my PC isn't that great.
So, I buy second hand pieces to upgrade it, and I actually have almost no knowledge of Pc's.
If you can tell me what to upgrade and what to buy, it would be a great help!

My current specs:

- Intel Pentium Dual CPU E2200 @ 2.20GHz
- ASUS P5KPL-VM / V3-P5G31 (775 socket)
- 2048 MB RAM (DDR2)
- nVidia GeForce 9800 GT - 1024 MB
- 250W ATX W/PFC
- Windows XP Professional 32-bit

[ForeverZer0]

That setup is not going to allow to play everything on high-settings, and the lag you experience is proof of that. I have these specs, and I can still get manage to lag a few games at the highest settings:

- Dell XPS L502X with Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
- Intel Core i7-2620M @ 2.7 GHz
- Nvidia 525M 1GB
- 6 GB RAM

A few things to try:

• As I suggested in the shoutbox, you can help a bit by reducing graphics quality


• Kill all other unneeded programs


• Increase CPU priority using the task manager (meh)


• Ensure that you are running the game using the GPU. Just because your PC has one does not mean that your game is automatically going to use it

[Futendra]

That setup is not going to allow to play everything on high-settings, and the lag you experience is proof of that. I have these specs, and I can still get manage to lag a few games at the highest settings:

- Dell XPS L502X with Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
- Intel Core i7-2620M @ 2.7 GHz
- Nvidia 525M 1GB
- 6 GB RAM

A few things to try:

• As I suggested in the shoutbox, you can help a bit by reducing graphics quality


• Kill all other unneeded programs


• Increase CPU priority using the task manager (meh)


• Ensure that you are running the game using the GPU. Just because your PC has one does not mean that your game is automatically going to use it

1) I do
2) I sometimes use skype for multiplayer gaming, I know it lags but I don't experience that much lag in League of Legends
3) How?
4) GPU? Im no PC-guy really...


But the topic is really about what to buy and replace.

[ForeverZer0]

I'm not sure what Nvidia application came installed on you PC.  I have the option to simply right-click a program and choose to run it with the graphics card (also referred to as a GPU (dear, me...)). If your don't have this, you should at least have a Nvidia program where you can set specific applications to use it and not. The default setting is to not, and the fact you have no idea about this, makes it likely to be your problem.

The task manager idea really isn't the best idea, but in the task manager, highlight the process in the list, right-click, and there is an option to increase CPU activity. In all likelihood this is not gonna help anything, so I wouldn't really bother with it.

But the topic is really about what to buy and replace.

Or I suppose the last option is just throw money at it an hope for the best. What I am trying to tell you is you don't have to. I have run games with PC's with less performance. If your dead-set on spending money and still not understanding your computer, simply buy a new one, with the highest upgrade available for every component that the manufacturer offers. This way you don't need to learn, and your games will run good.

[Futendra]

I'm not sure what Nvidia application came installed on you PC.  I have the option to simply right-click a program and choose to run it with the graphics card (also referred to as a GPU (dear, me...)). If your don't have this, you should at least have a Nvidia program where you can set specific applications to use it and not. The default setting is to not, and the fact you have no idea about this, makes it likely to be your problem.

The task manager idea really isn't the best idea, but in the task manager, highlight the process in the list, right-click, and there is an option to increase CPU activity. In all likelihood this is not gonna help anything, so I wouldn't really bother with it.

But the topic is really about what to buy and replace.

Or I suppose the last option is just throw money at it an hope for the best. What I am trying to tell you is you don't have to. I have run games with PC's with less performance. If your dead-set on spending money and still not understanding your computer, simply buy a new one, with the highest upgrade available for every component that the manufacturer offers. This way you don't need to learn, and your games will run good.

Thats not what I want, I am making a Pc together with my dad and I only buy second hand parts, I only spend 200 euros on what I have now and I currently use 2 monitors (each worth 200 euros, bought both for a total of 70 euros) and I just want this one to run games smooth, on mid settings, I want to learn, so please, explain further

[ForeverZer0]

Did you try the checking the Nvidia settings I suggested above?

[Futendra]

Did you try the checking the Nvidia settings I suggested above?

I don't get it, don't all programs use my graphic card?

[Ryex]

your motherboard and or processor (depending on type) can have an inbuilt graphics card on top of the nvidia card you have installed. you have to make sure that you don;t have that extra card and that your using the nvidia card.  how ever from your set up i'm pretty sure you DON'T have the extra card and are already using the nvidia card.

[Futendra]

your motherboard and or processor (depending on type) can have an inbuilt graphics card on top of the nvidia card you have installed. you have to make sure that you don;t have that extra card and that your using the nvidia card.  how ever from your set up i'm pretty sure you DON'T have the extra card and are already using the nvidia card.

I am using my nVidia, of course!

[ForeverZer0]

The fact that you are not aware yet of it does not quite make it "of course". Ryex is likely correct in guessing your PC does not have an integrated card, though.

[Futendra]

The fact that you are not aware yet of it does not quite make it "of course". Ryex is likely correct in guessing your PC does not have an integrated card, though.

It does, but my dad disabled that one

[ForeverZer0]

I don't get it, don't all programs use my graphic card?

Hmmm... Then perhaps you should have said that here instead of pretending to be ignorant of it...

[Futendra]

What Main board and Processor should I buy to be able to get more RAM?

Now it is limited to 3 GB, I would love more!

OMG! I just downloaded Core Temp out of curiousity and my E2200 is around 53°C in idle!!

[Subsonic_Noise]

Not mainboard and processor. OS. Get a 64bit OS (64 bit has been supported for an eternity in computer-time), and there you go. More ram.

[ForeverZer0]

You can't just stick a 64 bit OS on any computer, the hardware has to support it.

[Futendra]

You can't just stick a 64 bit OS on any computer, the hardware has to support it.

Can someone say if my hardware supports 64-bit?
I don't know about Windows 7 or Vista supporting many games/ RPG Maker XP...


Also, Subsonic, you said about upgrading my processor in the Thu'umbox and my question: Aren't there compatibility error's with my Motherboard then?


EDIT: I am struggling with what kind of Motherboard I should get...

[ForeverZer0]

Edited your post. No requesting pirated material over the forum. That's what google is for.

The only real "free" OS's that will are of any worth I know of would be a few Linux distros, such as Ubuntu, and I believe Mint has a 64 bit version. I'll PM you in a bit, I should have a solution for you there.

[Futendra]

Edited your post. No requesting pirated material over the forum. That's what google is for.

The only real "free" OS's that will are of any worth I know of would be a few Linux distros, such as Ubuntu, and I believe Mint has a 64 bit version. I'll PM you in a bit, I should have a solution for you there.

I'd like to stay with Windows and actually im trying to get to the point: What motherboard and processor should I get? I totally FAIL at searching this myself, spend 3 days on that nwo but I just don't understand all that compatibility stuff

[Subsonic_Noise]

64bit has been around since quite a long time. None of the hardware he has is not 64bit supported.

[ForeverZer0]

Ok, finally got around to getting you your PM. It required lengthier instructions than I first thought.