Computer experts + Source engine fans

[HeadlessNorseman]

I got a new computer put together, want to know if its worth it for me to go out and get half life 2/TFC2/counterstrike. Its basically this:

Biostar p4m90 board
p4 3.2
DDR2667 ram, 1 gig(maybe will get another gig later on)
Soundblaster PCI sound card
Havent gotten a video card...was just thinking of a PCIE Gforce 9500gt, 512mb...unless someone has another suggestion

Will this setup run source games OK? Or laggy at all? any help appreciated! im definatley going to upgrade to a core2duo later on maybe this winter but this is all i have for now

[Frosty]

That processor is a bit weak and the ram sucks...I'm by no means an expert but I'm going to have to say that PC will be screaming for mercy with those games. I'm sure someone else with more experience can chime in too.

[HeadlessNorseman]

That processor is a bit weak and the ram sucks...I'm by no means an expert but I'm going to have to say that PC will be screaming for mercy with those games. I'm sure someone else with more experience can chime in too.

Yeah i know its a bit underpowered but im gonna try it anyyway. Cant afford anything more right now!

[GP99GT]

actually, source games should run alright on that. may not be able to crank up the resolution all the way, but i think youll be alright. you have a P4 board with a PCI-E slot? didnt know PCI-E was out when P4's were :lol:

[Whiplash Performance]

You need a graphics card to enjoy it and not be annoyed by smoke nades.

[HeadlessNorseman]

actually, source games should run alright on that. may not be able to crank up the resolution all the way, but i think youll be alright. you have a P4 board with a PCI-E slot? didnt know PCI-E was out when P4's were :lol:

Yeah pcie was out in like 2004 or 2005. Half life 2 isnt that demanding of a game but i know the source games get better and better the more modern they are. My computer i sold was an athlon xp 2.2ghz with 400mhz ram and a 256mb agp card and it actually ran half life 2 ok. The first game i got to bog it down was far cry on full graphics. but graphics off it was fine. Im a big fan of eye candy and just cranking everything up so ill def have to get a core 2 duo or quad and all new parts when i can afford it

[shane27]

RAM is cheap, get 2 gigs. but if you really cant, you will notice some lag in the games.

and if your looking to play valve games, they run MUCH better on ATI cards.

i strongly recommend
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127399 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131128)

hope this helps

[5.7TA]

Focus on a really good video card (ATIs do run better IMO) and you should be good to go...processor should be ok for now...def use a little more RAM before running, I recommend 2 gig minimum...Sound Card will be good, for the best gaming experience I like to add a 5.1 surround card to my systems.

I am A+ certified and build my own computers, not braggin, just letting you know Im not talkin out my @**8-):lol:

[Jam]

I smoke mid not drugs . Counterstrike my anti-drug. lol get CS I OWN NEWBS 24/7. let me know if you have it and I'll reinstall steam. "FIRE IN THE HOLE" " NEED BACK UP " " GO GO GO !!"" " I'M DOWNNN!"""

[GP99GT]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148240 grab yourself another gig of ram, thats DDR2 667 which is what you said...for $11 you cant really go wrong :lol:

[Jam]

actually i have some computer questions myself, but i won't hijack your thread. =]

[HeadlessNorseman]

I cant use that video card since i dont have PCIE 2.0. Just the original x16 one. get with the vintage computers!! But ill look around. Ive always used nvidia and trust them but lots of people recommend ATI so ill give them a shot. And yeah 11 dollar ram isnt a bad idea lol. Win xp can only make use of 2gb right? or was it 4? i cant remember.

I dont play counter strike a lot, but i used to. Maybe i could learn all over again. TFC is my thing though. Pyro is ftw

[Frosty]

I have an ATI Radeon HD4350 sitting here, I know it works with 2.0 but isn't it backwards compatible?

[shane27]

I cant use that video card since i dont have PCIE 2.0. Just the original x16 one.
its backwards compatible. 8-)

[r0nin89]

Lol that computer would run source fine....

I used to play cs no problem on a 2.0 p4, 1gig ddr 400 ram, a 5500 gfx card. That game came out forever ago you dont need anything special to play it. I play it perfectly on one of my extra comps I threw together its a 6600gs card, 2800+ AMD XP, 1 gig of ddr 400. Thats plays CSS on low/medium with no lag at all.

[HeadlessNorseman]

its backwards compatible. 8-)

Oh i didnt know that. Thats cool. So ill be ordering a card/ram/CPU very soon. under 200 bucks. Comp is running on a 2.0 celeron now and it sucks!

[HeadlessNorseman]

Ok i got a new setup otw...trading my friend his comp for a yamaha 5.1 home theater setup i had. I think i can run source with no problem now, but still looking for some input on how far it will go.

AMD phenom x2 550 black edition(i heard you can overclock the piss out of these with good cooling)

some socket AM3 motherboard, will find out later. Here it is http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813153149


Radeon 4870 1 gb, with slot/power hookup for a 2nd if i ever need it

DDR3 1333 ram, 2x1gb

500gb HD with slimmed down xp pro on it

good power supply ...etc

any thoughts?

[Tru2Chevy]

Sounds like you have plenty of machine to run anything on the source engine....

- Justin

[HeadlessNorseman]

Yeah im glad i decided to wait to buy that **** for the first computer. Would have wasted my money. Ill prob sell that one now. Dam pentium 4s!