Any opinions? Is my PC capable?

AVGWarhawk · 04-01-09, 09:26 AM

I had the ATI 1300 and it ran SH4 just OK. I moved up to Nvidia 7800 and things improved. My other specs were AMD3200+ and 2 gig DDR 400 RAM. Consider a better card if cash is tight for new rig

Armistead · 04-01-09, 10:12 AM

You can get some decent video cards for under a $100.00.

One thing I quit doing was trying to upgrade the dead. No matter what you add, you just don't get much bang. I'm afraid no matter what you do, your gaming experience is not going to improve to the point the game is enjoyable.

You always have to be careful, but with people needing money these days, I picked up a nice gaming system on Craig's list for $300.00. Just check it out good before you buy it.

CapnScurvy · 04-01-09, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armistead

You can get some decent video cards for under a $100.00.

One thing I quit doing was trying to upgrade the dead. No matter what you add, you just don't get much bang.

This is a point I didn't make, but well worth repeating. With the old system I had the limitation for the video card was an 8 AGP interface. If you can find one, the price is about double a PCI Express x16 version. It makes much better sense to put the money into a newer mother board, than to pay through the nose for an older video card (or any other older device that is sub par to what's out on the market now). Yes, this means new memory, probably a new DVD burner, new Hard Disk (just because SATA connections need to be made). But the end result is you'll get your head above water with a faster system that can be upgraded for a fair price in the future.

Akula4745 · 04-01-09, 11:30 AM

Thanks for all the input, gentlemen. Yes... I am worried about the video card too.

Thanks for the link to Can you run it?, SteamWake - I had seen that site in the forums but then could not locate it again later. I posted the results of both the minimum and recommended tests. Anyone else find it curious that my video card rated higher on the recommended side than it did on the minimum side? Wierd.

Oh don't fret for a minute, gentlemen... I learned my lesson long ago about trying to add a new video card (or any other major component) to an existing platform. Sure it can be done - but it is often much more than you bargained for. My next one will be a homebuilt like my last... got 4 great years out of the ol' girl. Need to get off my butt and start ordering the pieces and parts for the new one very soon.

One other question: Does the game have a no-CD option available? Is the DVD drive required for anything other than installation?

Now if I can just get the Post Office to cooperate...

AVGWarhawk · 04-01-09, 11:35 AM

No, there was an exe file given with patch 1.4 or 1.5. I do not remember.

SteamWake · 04-01-09, 11:35 AM

Once the game is fully installed and patched no CD is required.

About the 'upgrade' I went out and got a 8800 card and plugged it in, installed new drivers, and it ran fine, for about an hour when POP a loud snap and a whiff of ozone.

The fuse in the PSU blew out in an overcurrent situation.

I replaced the PSU with a larger one and everythings been fine since. But Ill tell you it scared the hell out of me.

Akula4745 · 04-01-09, 11:39 AM

LOL SteamWake - my learning experience was very similar: Bought a bigger faster video card many years ago and it cooked the motherboard and power supply... live and learn. Sometimes the more expensive way actually saves you money!

04-01-09, 11:30 AM	#4
Akula4745 Convicted Ship Killer Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Just out of sight... plotting your course and speed Posts: 846 Downloads: 371 Uploads: 1	Thanks for all the input, gentlemen. Yes... I am worried about the video card too. Thanks for the link to Can you run it?, SteamWake - I had seen that site in the forums but then could not locate it again later. I posted the results of both the minimum and recommended tests. Anyone else find it curious that my video card rated higher on the recommended side than it did on the minimum side? Wierd. Oh don't fret for a minute, gentlemen... I learned my lesson long ago about trying to add a new video card (or any other major component) to an existing platform. Sure it can be done - but it is often much more than you bargained for. My next one will be a homebuilt like my last... got 4 great years out of the ol' girl. Need to get off my butt and start ordering the pieces and parts for the new one very soon. One other question: Does the game have a no-CD option available? Is the DVD drive required for anything other than installation? Now if I can just get the Post Office to cooperate... __________________ Akula4745 "If you sit by the river long enough... the body of your enemy will float by -- SunTzu"

04-01-09, 11:35 AM	#6
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Once the game is fully installed and patched no CD is required. About the 'upgrade' I went out and got a 8800 card and plugged it in, installed new drivers, and it ran fine, for about an hour when POP a loud snap and a whiff of ozone. The fuse in the PSU blew out in an overcurrent situation. I replaced the PSU with a larger one and everythings been fine since. But Ill tell you it scared the hell out of me. __________________ Follow the progress of Mr. Mulligan : http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=147648

04-01-09, 11:39 AM	#7
Akula4745 Convicted Ship Killer Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Just out of sight... plotting your course and speed Posts: 846 Downloads: 371 Uploads: 1	LOL SteamWake - my learning experience was very similar: Bought a bigger faster video card many years ago and it cooked the motherboard and power supply... live and learn. Sometimes the more expensive way actually saves you money! __________________ Akula4745 "If you sit by the river long enough... the body of your enemy will float by -- SunTzu"

04-01-09, 09:26 AM	#1
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,281 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	I had the ATI 1300 and it ran SH4 just OK. I moved up to Nvidia 7800 and things improved. My other specs were AMD3200+ and 2 gig DDR 400 RAM. Consider a better card if cash is tight for new rig

04-01-09, 10:12 AM	#2
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	You can get some decent video cards for under a $100.00. One thing I quit doing was trying to upgrade the dead. No matter what you add, you just don't get much bang. I'm afraid no matter what you do, your gaming experience is not going to improve to the point the game is enjoyable. You always have to be careful, but with people needing money these days, I picked up a nice gaming system on Craig's list for $300.00. Just check it out good before you buy it.