Ill just start off by posting my specs:
Pentium D 3.0ghz (Dual Core)
Intel Pentium D Compatible mobo
Kingston 1GB 667MHz DDR2 RAM
ATI Radeon X800 XL 16x PCIe
Thermaltake 480W PSU
Two Seagate HDs (120 + 80 gig)
SoundBlaster Audigy2 Value
Windows XP Professional
When I built this computer over the summer I was under the impression that this game would rip up any game I threw at it. I thought the Dual Core was going to be incredible. I was wrong. Battlefield 2 runs choppy, HL2 Source games run average at 30FPS and even Age of Empires 3 runs a little choppy when there is a lot of action. Mind you this is while running full settings. I see people running same settings with worse (or atleast I think) computers at 70FPS averages in HL2 Source.
My question is: Is this sort of performance expected with my specs, or is something going wrong with my computer?
Im trying to do whatever I can to improve my system performance without spending to much money. I recently upgraded my PSU from 230W to 480W (how a 350W-needed computer didnt die with 230W, I dont know) thinking that might cure some of my problems. It didnt. With some more money in my pocket, I'm looking for my next upgrade. I was thinking about buying another stick of Kingston 1GB 667MHz DDR2 RAM (the identical RAM I have now) and bring my system up to 2GB of ram and up my performance a little.
Would the change from 1GB to 2GB of RAM be that great of a change? Would it be worth the 130$ I'd be spending?
If not, is there anything I could do that would be under 200 dollars?
Sorry for the long read, any help would be much appreciated!
Pentium D 3.0ghz (Dual Core)
Intel Pentium D Compatible mobo
Kingston 1GB 667MHz DDR2 RAM
ATI Radeon X800 XL 16x PCIe
Thermaltake 480W PSU
Two Seagate HDs (120 + 80 gig)
SoundBlaster Audigy2 Value
Windows XP Professional
When I built this computer over the summer I was under the impression that this game would rip up any game I threw at it. I thought the Dual Core was going to be incredible. I was wrong. Battlefield 2 runs choppy, HL2 Source games run average at 30FPS and even Age of Empires 3 runs a little choppy when there is a lot of action. Mind you this is while running full settings. I see people running same settings with worse (or atleast I think) computers at 70FPS averages in HL2 Source.
My question is: Is this sort of performance expected with my specs, or is something going wrong with my computer?
Im trying to do whatever I can to improve my system performance without spending to much money. I recently upgraded my PSU from 230W to 480W (how a 350W-needed computer didnt die with 230W, I dont know) thinking that might cure some of my problems. It didnt. With some more money in my pocket, I'm looking for my next upgrade. I was thinking about buying another stick of Kingston 1GB 667MHz DDR2 RAM (the identical RAM I have now) and bring my system up to 2GB of ram and up my performance a little.
Would the change from 1GB to 2GB of RAM be that great of a change? Would it be worth the 130$ I'd be spending?
If not, is there anything I could do that would be under 200 dollars?
Sorry for the long read, any help would be much appreciated!