vid cards? or just bad system

RobRob Detroit, MI
edited September 2004 in Hardware
Hey guys,

I need some help. I've got a GeForce4 Ti4200 128M card. The problem, when I play CS:S my framerate drops to sub-10 in a firefight and I'm getting my ass handed to me bad. Even with everything on low :(

Whats the current top 5 cards for this application? I'm not going to bother overclocking it, so I need out of the box performance. I've always leaned twards nvidia cards in the past, just my personal preference.

The rest of the system is a 2.0 Cele, 512M ddr, IDE drive, 2kpro sp(4?). I'm also wondering if the rest of the system is just too weak for this game.

Thanks!

Comments

  • GobblesGobbles Ventura California
    edited September 2004
    something is wrong with your system.. those specs should get you much higher frames...
  • ShortyShorty Manchester, UK Icrontian
    edited September 2004
    CS source should run on that Rob at a reasonable res & level of detail.

    What resolution? What level of detail? Remember that the source engine is not the same as the old HL engine ;) (but you probably already realise that).

    If it's CS beta.. I've heard that some people have been having horrendous framerates.. it is a beta after all :)
  • RobRob Detroit, MI
    edited September 2004
    It's beta, Counter-Strike:Source.

    Lowest resolution, lowest detail, everything off or on low just to be somewhat playable. It might hit 40FPS, until someone fires a shot :(

    I thought it would do better too. I hear people talking in the game, a lot with terrible frame rates but also some with decent FPS too. If it would hit and hold 60, which I hear a few claiming, I would be quite happy.

    Basically, you guys think I should burn the system down and try again? Maybe something got fubar along the way? This is the only game I play (CS & CS:S) so I don't have anything to compair to. CS plays fine, but that doesn't say much. Other than an occational game once and a great while, I don't leave my linux command line ;)

    I did try patching the OS and grabbed the latest drivers, still sucks.
  • rykoryko new york
    edited September 2004
    i would go and download any recent game demo and load it and play it......see if you have low framerates with that too. then you can identify if it is strickly a CS:S problem.

    better yet, grab a copy of aquamark or 3dmark01 or 03, and bench your machine. compare it to other similarly equipped rigs.....
  • RobRob Detroit, MI
    edited September 2004
    3dmark03 1431
  • RobRob Detroit, MI
    edited September 2004
    In the steam forums, there is some talk about this card. Most say it will work, but recommend a ATI 9800 pro. Everyone with it seems to want to upgrade. From what I'm seeing, the nvidia 6800GT looks like a good choice, slightly on the high side though. What's the spectrum right now? There are so many models its somewhat annoying.

    Comments? Last time I looked at video cards, this ti4200 was new ;)
  • ShortyShorty Manchester, UK Icrontian
    edited September 2004
    The GT is the best bang for buck mate.

    It's effectively an underclocked 6800 Ultra. Same 16 pipes as an ultra and most GT's can be clocked to Ultra speeds without strain. I've got the Galaxy model with the VGA silencer on it.

    It's 20mhz overclocked by default (370/1000 rather than 350/900 GT standard) and can easily do 420/1100.. which is faster than the Ultra for $100 more :)
  • RobRob Detroit, MI
    edited September 2004
    The only reason I'm hesitant on the 6800GT is the ~$400 price tag.

    6 Months from now, it will be a $50 card /exageration

    This 4200 was around $100 new, and has lasted for a while. I bought it when it was the latest thing, in the budget market.

    I keep looking and thinking, there should be a more reasonable priced card that will work just as strong in the next generation games. Usually, there is the upper priced cards that they use to gouge the market that demands the best, then a second run that works just as good in practical use for 1/2 the cost. The ti4200 was an example of that when these were new, running any game smoothly for 1/4 the cost of the high end card at the time.


    I got out of the windows/gaming/OC/benchmarking hobby a few years ago and looking for a card with little current knowledge is annoying. I think they want to confuse you, so you just open your pocket and buy the best ;)
  • RobRob Detroit, MI
    edited September 2004
    Well, now that I think of it, it was around $200 at the time, but still the same point. I have to assume the market is simular now, overcharging for bragging right and bench scores.
  • rykoryko new york
    edited September 2004
    Rob wrote:
    3dmark03 1431


    This seems about right for a ti4200.....seems like a CS:S issue.

    Anyway, the radeon 9800pro can be had for about $190, and it is a very good card...it's also a good alternative to paying $400.
  • RobRob Detroit, MI
    edited September 2004
    Yes, ~1400 seems about right for this system from what I can tell.

    So far, I've got
    high
    6800GT
    |
    |
    9800 pro
    low

    Any other recommendations? I've shyed away from ATI, bad experiences in the past but I guess the bottom line is it does what I need it to.
  • RobRob Detroit, MI
    edited September 2004
    Well, I've been digging in my parts bin and I think I'm going to upgrade the whole system. I posted here for opinions, but I think overall the system should run good.

    I'm still looking for more opinions on the video though, please share your experiences ;)
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