Lag When Playing

Want feedback as to what components of my PC may be causing the lag

Ok, so to begin, First it took me 4 hours to realize I had the wrong drivers installed for my GPU and the game kept freezing in the LAN game screen. (really dont know why this would be caused by my drivers, but after changing them it suddenly seemed to work.) Turns out I have a ATI Radeon X300 and I had originally installed the drivers for the X600.

In either case, I finally got the game working and It Lags like CRAZY! I believe it is my graphics card but i'm going to post all specs I think may be relevant and would like feedback. Don't wanna go out there and spend 200$ on a new graphics card and find out Something else is causing it to lag.

- Intel Pentium D, Dual Core 3.2Ghz

- 2GB RAM

- ATI Radeon X300 256MB

-Windows XP Media Centre SP2

- Running Demigod and lowest resolution and with all video setting set to low.

Please, if anyone can also suggest any decent Video cards for cheap, I would appreciate it. School has just started and I'm trying to pay off Tuition and buy my books at the same time.

3,084 views 21 replies
Reply #1 Top

 

Yes, believe it or not, but your graphic card is very very very outdated.
Of course i would suggest a Geforce 9800 GX2 or Geforce GTX 280, but they are not cheap.

You will do fine with a Geforce 8800.

Do not buy any Geforce card of the 7 series, neither buy a 8200, 8400 low-end or 8600 mid-end card, they are way too slow for all current games and upcoming games.

You say cheap, but you should afford about 100 - 150$ (i'm not familiar with US prices) for a new up-to-date high-end graphic card, if you want to play smooth, get a good one (high-end), not just a cheap one.

ATI of course has good cards too, but i'm a Geforce NVIDIA fanboy.

 

Reply #3 Top

Quoting Himmelweiss, reply 1
 i'm a Geforce NVIDIA fanboy. 
End of Himmelweiss's quote

 

I'm a nVidia fangirl. I'm still using a 3-yeard old GF 6800 (AGP model, with 512 MB of vram), and it runs Demigod fine & fluid at a rez of 1440 X 900 ... but I have to turn off v-synch, shadow fidelity, and AA. (It looks good nonetheless on a 19-inch widescreen.)

I agree with you : one should not "upgrade" to the series 7000 GF and the cheaper series 8000 models. I'll get around to buying a new system in 2009, and it will have one of the new, post-9000 nVidia videocards.

Reply #4 Top

with the current uncertainty relating to defective nVidia cards, you might want to get an ATI instead - a 3850 or 3870 would handle demigod without any problems, and will only cost $140 or so for the 3850

 

The 3870 is roughly equivalent to the geforce 8800gt (which I have, and runs demigod at 1680 x 1050 with everything on high with no problems), and the 3850 is a slightly lower spec version than the 3870, so either would suit you fine.

Reply #5 Top

nVidia 8800GT is a very powerful budget card.  Both me and my wife are using this without issue.

1650x1080 all setting max.  No problem.

AMX X2 4800+  (2.5 GHz)  & 2 GB ram to round that out.

Reply #6 Top

Why would you suggest old versions of graphics cards to people, Himmelweiss, Sorceress, verspunken?

On a side-note: My 7800GT is three years old, (7 series were out late summer 2005) so apparently Sorceress you were tricked, or you miscalculated.

Today's lineup for mid/high and high end range is:

nVidia - Geforce 9800GTX+ / Geforce GTX260 /  Geforce GTX280

ATi - Radeon HD4850 / Radeon HD4870 / Radeon HD4870x2

Performance wise, very, very roughly: 4850 ~= 9800GTX+ < GTX260 ~= 4870 < GTX280 < 4870x2.

Cheapest: 4850 $180, 9800GTX+ $200.

Forget about all 88xx series, 38x0 series, ATi's 38x0 series were mediocre when they were released. 88xx series are 2 years old (xept some rehashes that are 1 year old and are not worth it.)

For your PC I doubt that the most expensive ones will do any justice to it, since games will be processor limited. Get a cheap one, and use it at low resolutions if you have a CRT or LCD with a native res of less or equal to 1440x900 / 1280x1024. If you have a LCD and its native resolution is higher, you might want to get the GTX260/HD4870.

To you three: Considering pc hardware, please don't advise when you are not sure about stuff, it might not cost you, but it will cost the person you give advice to. Also, people don't buy graphics cards just to play one game.

PS: Although I think Pentium D motherboards didn't come out at all with AGP8x, you might want to check that out, since, if you are on AGP8x instead of PCI-E you have to buy some nerfed edition of some older graphics card (today's graphics cards don't come in AGP8x editions, simply because that would limit their bandwidth alot, comparing to what the amount of data they can process) ...Or you could always buy a new system.

2nd PS: 88xx series are $140, but I strongly recommend buying considering the near future, and not the present. +40 bucks for a card you can keep on your next system doesn't sound too bad to me.

Example review: http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3341&p=14 (check out more reviews, never just one)

Reply #7 Top

Quoting fR1Xi0n, reply 6
Why would you suggest old versions of graphics cards to people, Himmelweiss, Sorceress, verspunken?
End of fR1Xi0n's quote

I believe someone here thinks he is the only expert.
First, the reason why i said he should get a 8800 is because he wants a cheap solution. Not everyone can spend alot of cash on Geforce 9800+ or Radeon HD4870 or whatever.
I own a PC since about 14 years, my job is "Special Computer Scientist" and i'm very well familiar with the up-to-date hardware stuff, thank you.

In your list of up-to-date high-end graphic cards you actually forgot the Geforce 9800 GX2 which is faster than the 260 and slightly faster in some parts than the 280 (depends, just read through some benchmarks).


To you three: Considering pc hardware, please don't advise when you are not sure about stuff, it might not cost you, but it will cost the person you give advice to. Also, people don't buy graphics cards just to play one game.
End of quote

Before pointing fingers, you actually should read the OP again, then you will understand why people suggested graphic cards such as the 8800 GT. So, 140$ or 199$, it's still an difference. If people go to school still, then they won't even have 100$ most of the time.

Of course i strongly recommend buying the better cards as well, but since his cash is limited, you know...


PS: Although I think Pentium D motherboards didn't come out at all with AGP8x, you might want to check that out, since, if you are on AGP8x instead of PCI-E you have to buy some nerfed edition of some older graphics card (today's graphics cards don't come in AGP8x editions, simply because that would limit their bandwidth alot, comparing to what the amount of data they can process) ...Or you could always buy a new system.
End of quote

Since you actually seem to have some knowledge about this stuff, if you suggest a 9800, 260 or 280 graphic card to someone, make sure to mention that having a motherboard with PCIe 2.0 support will make more use out of the current monstercards. However, most 2.0 graphic cards run with 1.0 - 1.1 PCIe Slots, but some do not or cause boot problems. So before giving any advice, make sure to add such important info for the poor people who might buy an expensive card only because of wannabe genius people like you.

Reply #8 Top
Quoting fR1Xi0n, reply 6

[1] Why would you suggest old versions of graphics cards to people, Himmelweiss, Sorceress, verspunken?

[2] On a side-note: My 7800GT is three years old, (7 series were out late summer 2005) so apparently Sorceress you were tricked, or you miscalculated.

End of fR1Xi0n's quote

 

1. You misrepresent my post's content. I stated that I had a 6800 : I did not suggest that people buy an old series 6000 card. On the contrary, my post clearly states that I do not recommend nVidia videocards older than the best series 8000 models -- which, by the way, are better than some of the more recent series 9000 models.

2. Your 7800 GT is a PCI-Express card. My 6800 model (the one with 512 MB of vram) requires an AGP motherboard. I have a 4½-year old AGP-interface motherboard : it could not fit in and operate your 7800 GT. I was not tricked, and I did not miscalculate : during the summer of 2005, that 6800 was the best that was compatible with my AGP-interface motherboard.

You're too quick on the draw, old man ... and you illustrate this fortune-cookie saying : « A little knowledge is worse than none. »

Reply #9 Top

Listen, I just want to say Thanks to everyone and I didn't mean to cause any fights. I just REALLY wanna play Demigod! I'm actually about to go out right now to the computer store (Microbytes for any Quebecers here) and have them look into changing my Power Supply cause im gonna need something better than my 305 W to get a new GPU. And I'm considering the 8800 GT. It's on sale for 120$ Canadian at Future Shop and seems like something I can run. Checked it out, I have PCI-E 16x, not AGP so it should be fine.

Reply #10 Top

 

Quoting Himmelweiss, reply 7
First, the reason why i said he should get a 8800 is because he wants a cheap solution. Not everyone can spend alot of cash on Geforce 9800+ or Radeon HD4870 or whatever.I own a PC since about 14 years, my job is "Special Computer Scientist" and i'm very well familiar with the up-to-date hardware stuff, thank you.
End of Himmelweiss's quote

You didn't sound like it, self-proclaiming yourself a nVidia fanboy - it always gets on my nerves. (btw, want a photo of my 80286? :) )


Quoting Himmelweiss, reply 7

In your list of up-to-date high-end graphic cards you actually forgot the Geforce 9800 GX2 which is faster than the 260 and slightly faster in some parts than the 280 (depends, just read through some benchmarks).

End of Himmelweiss's quote

Older gen, the GTX280 replaces it performance-wise, doesn't it? I don't get your point.

Quoting Himmelweiss, reply 7

Before pointing fingers, you actually should read the OP again, then you will understand why people suggested graphic cards such as the 8800 GT. So, 140$ or 199$, it's still an difference. If people go to school still, then they won't even have 100$ most of the time.Of course i strongly recommend buying the better cards as well, but since his cash is limited, you know...
End of Himmelweiss's quote

I'm afraid we might have a different perception of it, and I don't know how economy in the USA is after the recent events, but $50 isn't that much in Europe, maybe 2 nights out. And where exactly did I point fingers? $140 older gen vs $200 newer gen, especially when the newer gen is 20-25% faster, handles AA better and supports dx10.1 with upcoming dx10.1 games incoming. I'd borrow money if I didn't have it, to get the newer one.


Quoting Himmelweiss, reply 7

Since you actually seem to have some knowledge about this stuff, if you suggest a 9800, 260 or 280 graphic card to someone, make sure to mention that having a motherboard with PCIe 2.0 support will make more use out of the current monstercards. However, most 2.0 graphic cards run with 1.0 - 1.1 PCIe Slots, but some do not or cause boot problems. So before giving any advice, make sure to add such important info for the poor people who might buy an expensive card only because of wannabe genius people like you.
End of Himmelweiss's quote

I actually checked a 4870 on a pci-e 1.0 review before posting that thread, to make sure they ran on it, so I wouldn't need to come up with a comment. Perhaps I should check nV gfx cards too. And you seriously can't claim that for 1.1.

Quoting Sorceresss, reply 8

1. You misrepresent my post's content. I stated that I had a 6800 : I did not suggest that people buy an old series 6000 card. On the contrary, my post clearly states that I do not recommend nVidia videocards older than the best series 8000 models -- which, by the way, are better than some of the more recent series 9000 models.
2. Your 7800 GT is a PCI-Express card. My 6800 model (the one with 512 MB of vram) requires an AGP motherboard. I have a 4½-year old AGP-interface motherboard : it could not fit in and operate your 7800 GT. I was not tricked, and I did not miscalculate : during the summer of 2005, that 6800 was the best that was compatible with my AGP-interface motherboard.
You're too quick on the draw, old man ... and you illustrate this fortune-cookie saying : « A little knowledge is worse than none. »
End of Sorceresss's quote

I was babbling about AGP mobos out of thin air, while I didn't know that the 6800 is a AGP model? No. I merely thought the AGP version of the 7800 hit the market at the same time. Is that enough to say I lack knowledge? (unless you meant it on that specific matter)

And I apologize about that, since you are right. The AGP version came out early '06.

Yes I know, and it's logical, considering that the 9000 series is a process shrink with no serious other advancements. I didn't get your point though. I wasn't suggesting the 9800 GT vs the 8800 Ultra.

Now put your weapons down, nvidia fanboy and fangirl. I didn't attack you, stop trying to prove I am ignorant.

 

I still think people should be informed about what's going on, rather than suggesting one kind of card, that is simply not going to make it with any title coming 2009 on fully-high, other than Demigod and StarCraft 2 (only companies focused more on gameplay rather than showing off their ultrapimped graphics).
That's how you are going to cause this guy trouble. That's why I said you are going to cost him money.

Where did I say I'm a genius? Where did I say I was full of myself?

Perception is reality, though, and you need to fix your perception about people.

PEOPLE DON'T ATTACK YOU FOR NO REASON, so you should stop taking arguments so defensively, and responding by attacking.

Thank you.

Reply #11 Top

EDIT: It's 180 average for the 4850 at newegg (previous post), sorry.

Quoting andydude27, reply 9
Listen, I just want to say Thanks to everyone and I didn't mean to cause any fights. I just REALLY wanna play Demigod! I'm actually about to go out right now to the computer store (Microbytes for any Quebecers here) and have them look into changing my Power Supply cause im gonna need something better than my 305 W to get a new GPU. And I'm considering the 8800 GT. It's on sale for 120$ Canadian at Future Shop and seems like something I can run. Checked it out, I have PCI-E 16x, not AGP so it should be fine.
End of andydude27's quote

Checked the site, the 4850 is double the money, at 220, and the 8800GT must get cheaper by the minute, it's at 100..

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10096083&catid=

No go for the 4850. The 8800GT is a much better deal perf/$$ in that case.

Funny, in my country, the 4850 is at 150 euros, and 8800gt at 170, just checked. Weird.

As far as PSU's go, you should be fine with a 450W one, and they are cheap.

Reply #12 Top

Well, just wanna update everyone. Bought a Asus Nvidia 9600 GT Top (overclocked) and a new power supply. The game Runs SMOOOTHH... Initially I didnt wanna spend that much but meh, you only Beta test Demigod once!

Reply #13 Top

Well, just wanna update everyone. Bought a Asus Nvidia 9600 GT Top (overclocked) and a new power supply. The game Runs SMOOOTHH... Initially I didnt wanna spend that much but meh, you only Beta test Demigod once!
End of quote

Better run smooth... That's a really nice card even though I think the 8800 pulls slightly ahead it's not the better price for the buck last time I checked. Fun fact: 9800 GT = 8800GT. Seriously, all the specs are the same, I wonder why the 9800 GT designation even exists.

Reply #14 Top

 

Meh i don't really wanna fight either, in the end everyone has good points (i did read through all newest replys though).
Just one more comment.

Older gen, the GTX280 replaces it performance-wise, doesn't it? I don't get your point.

End of quote

Yes in theory, but the 2 GPUs of the 9800 GX2 still owns the GTX280 on most resolutions and the GX2 is cheaper.
The only real advantage of the GTX280 is Shader Model 4.1 support, but then again, how many games do we actually have which use 4.1 ?

But i'm sure you know about this anyway, but the reason why 9800 GX2 fits in well, still, is perfomance-wise the GX2 is on the top along with the 280. It's vise-versa, 280 has some leads, GX2 has some leads. If i remember right the 280 shows more power in higher resolutions, the GX2 in lower resolutions.

And yes, sorry about the initial attack. Was just surprised about your harsh reply :)

 

 

 

Reply #15 Top

the 9600 GT is slightly faster in clock speeds than the 8800GT but the 8800 still has better fill Rates because it runs on more tranfer tubes or whatever. However i figure the one i got is Overclocked and gives me an option to raise and lower the clock at will I figure it can possibly pull the same. Besides,  they were sold out of 8800s and I really wanted to play Demigod last night :P

Reply #16 Top

Quoting andydude27, reply 15
the 9600 GT is slightly faster in clock speeds than the 8800GT but the 8800 still has better fill Rates because it runs on more tranfer tubes or whatever. However i figure the one i got is Overclocked and gives me an option to raise and lower the clock at will I figure it can possibly pull the same. Besides,  they were sold out of 8800s and I really wanted to play Demigod last night
End of andydude27's quote

Very good choice imo, of course 9800 GX2 or the 280 would have been better, but they sure cost alot more than the 9600 GT, i'm just not familiar with US prices.
But here in germany i believe the 9800 GX2 and 280s are currently in the range of 250 - 500€, depends what version.

Reply #17 Top

Quoting Himmelweiss, reply 14
 
Meh i don't really wanna fight either, in the end everyone has good points (i did read through all newest replys though).Just one more comment.

Older gen, the GTX280 replaces it performance-wise, doesn't it? I don't get your point.

Yes in theory, but the 2 GPUs of the 9800 GX2 still owns the GTX280 on most resolutions and the GX2 is cheaper.The only real advantage of the GTX280 is Shader Model 4.1 support, but then again, how many games do we actually have which use 4.1 ?But i'm sure you know about this anyway, but the reason why 9800 GX2 fits in well, still, is perfomance-wise the GX2 is on the top along with the 280. It's vise-versa, 280 has some leads, GX2 has some leads. If i remember right the 280 shows more power in higher resolutions, the GX2 in lower resolutions.
And yes, sorry about the initial attack. Was just surprised about your harsh reply
 
End of Himmelweiss's quote

Yea, you are right about that, lower resolutions where the 9800gx2 doesn't bottleneck with the 1024mb / 2 = 512mb framebuffer, it is way off limits, it even breaks the 4870x2 in one or two TWIMTBP games.

I will buy the 4870x2 nonetheless, (nV pissed me off with their performance cheat in Crysis, and the pressure they put on Ubi to remove DX10.1 support from Assassin's Creed so that nV cards could perform better than ATi's)

I didn't want to sound harsh, I apologize for that.

Quoting andydude27, reply 15
the 9600 GT is slightly faster in clock speeds than the 8800GT but the 8800 still has better fill Rates because it runs on more tranfer tubes or whatever. However i figure the one i got is Overclocked and gives me an option to raise and lower the clock at will I figure it can possibly pull the same. Besides,  they were sold out of 8800s and I really wanted to play Demigod last night
End of andydude27's quote

The 8800GT OC is faster than the 9600GT OC, 2-15%, check this review (i'm excluding Bioshock). So the 9600GT overclocked should be just a hint slower than the 8800GT on norm clocks (presuming the overclock increases the gfx card speed by 5%)

I saw that they weren't in stock, and I figured you'd buy the 4850 instead! Wasn't it at the same price with the 9600GT at 220? I took all that time posting for ya! X|

Still, it's a very good card for Demigod.

Don't bother messing with the clocks, if it's already overclocked, you won't be able to push it much further, and it won't make any difference (except increasing heat dissipation, which may lead to onscreen artifacts depending on the capabilities of the heatsink)

Reply #18 Top

I saw that they weren't in stock, and I figured you'd buy the 4850 instead! Wasn't it at the same price with the 9600GT at 220? I took all that time posting for ya!
End of quote

Sorry Fr1xion, I went to a local store instead of the website you posted. And all they had in my price range was the 9600. Theyre were all out of 8800 which Is what i asked for first. the 9600 cost me 160$ canadian.

 

Reply #19 Top

Quoting andydude27, reply 18
I saw that they weren't in stock, and I figured you'd buy the 4850 instead! Wasn't it at the same price with the 9600GT at 220? I took all that time posting for ya!
Sorry Fr1xion, I went to a local store instead of the website you posted. And all they had in my price range was the 9600. Theyre were all out of 8800 which Is what i asked for first. the 9600 cost me 160$ canadian.
 
End of andydude27's quote

Cool then :)

Reply #20 Top

it sorta sucks that every year or so u gotta upgrade your video card to play the newest games,why dont they let u run these games on the graphic seetings u want ,not everyone need to run these game on the highest detail possible...

Reply #21 Top

why dont they let u run these games on the graphic seetings u want
End of quote

they do, but there are limits. Some people are succesfully running demigod on a 6800gt, a card that is five years old.

It's not possible for game developers to have ten or fifteen levels of graphics so that their game can run on older and older graphics cards, but there are several settings that can be adjusted so that it can run on less powerful cards