i have a really poor computer lol and i play some graphic intense games. i was wondering how i can get the most out of my graphics card, in terms of commands i can use in games to increase performance. graphic detail isnt really a big thing for me, but i do want something nice to look at lol
i have a P4 1.8Ghz cpu and a ATi Radeon 9200SE
i would upgrade but i have no money

System Properties>Advanced>Perfomance>Settings

I think if you turn off all themes and stuff, and things it can speed your pc..

not sure though...

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Originally posted by Negro_Joe
System Properties>Advanced>Perfomance>Settings

I think if you turn off all themes and stuff, and things it can speed your pc..

not sure though...

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Have you got all of the updated drivers etc. for your graphics card, if not, then you can find them here: Windows XP Drivers.

There is also a catalyst control centre there too, so you can get the most out of your GPU.

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Originally posted by Reaper
havnt got any funky themes etc

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No Joe, it wouldn't, it would hardly effect the graphics card anyway, it would effect your RAM the most, thus slowing down your computer, not the GPU.

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Originally posted by traxor
Have you got all of the updated drivers etc. for your graphics card, if not, then you can find them here: Windows XP Drivers.

There is also a catalyst control centre there too, so you can get the most out of your GPU.

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Originally posted by Negro_Joe

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Originally posted by Reaper
havnt got any funky themes etc

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i mean like animated icons, and cursors, and stuff, if you get rid of them all i think it can increase your computers speed or whatever...

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If you really want to make it any better, then you could try overclocking your card a bit, you can get some tools from NGO HQ, but do this at your own risk, there is a possibility of burning out your card etc. So if I were you, get some tutorials while doing so.

yeh i was thinkin of doin that but i dont have the money for a better fan. also my card is not really worth overclocking, im better off buying a new one. even thoguh i could do with a CPU lol
that reminds, does the CPU have an affect on how well the graphics card performs?

There we go, have you selected that...?

I dont think your getting me..

Well, for some reason, if you select better appearance, then your PC will run better anyway, there was a massive tutorial on the forum a while back on how to make your computer run well. So checking "Optimize for best Appearance" would make it run better anyways.

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Originally posted by traxor
So checking "Optimize for best Appearance" would make it run better anyways.

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hmmm, but would disabling some of the stuff make a BIG difference in performance in my games?

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Originally posted by Reaper
hmmm, but would disabling some of the stuff make a BIG difference in performance in my games?

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Originally posted by Negro_Joe

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Originally posted by traxor
So checking "Optimize for best Appearance" would make it run better anyways.

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hmm...is it jst me or does that not make sense...

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Originally posted by traxor
It wouldn't matter a single bit.

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lol, ace mag [/offtopic]

it might not look as tho it would do anything, but it cant hurt, it does actually help, but not that much. its like the tesco advert: every bit helps!

I don't think it would affect the gaming too much, because the effects are things like making menus fade in and stuff. And your not going to be doing any of that stuff when playing a game.

which is why you should switch it off, even if you arent doing it it still runs in the background switch everything off that you can afford to, cut down on things at start up and that'll notch it up a bit....

Like I said earlier, having it like that won't affect your graphics card at all that much, switching it off will just leave your computer looking shoddy. Believe me, seriously, there is no need to switch that off whatsoever, it will not affect the way your games play graphics wise.

Methos, I think you're misunderstanding his post, it isn't his computer running slow, it's the graphics he wants to change. Even if his system is running slow, changing it from best appearance to best performance won't do a hell of a lot .

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Originally posted by traxor
Like I said earlier, having it like that won't affect your graphics card at all that much, switching it off will just leave your computer looking shoddy. Believe me, seriously, there is no need to switch that off whatsoever, it will not affect the way your games play graphics wise.

Methos, I think you're misunderstanding his post, it isn't his computer running slow, it's the graphics he wants to change. Even if his system is running slow, changing it from best appearance to best performance won't do a hell of a lot .

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Originally posted by pczone

stopping stuff at start-up stops all sorts of un-nessecary things running in the background and hogging all your computer's resources....

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I just end every task I can...

All I play atm really is Roller Coaster Tycoon 3, and I put the cd into the drive, wait for the launch menu to come up, then ctrl+alt+delete. I end everything I can in the list (INCLUDING Explorer.exe) and just leave things that cannot be stopped ("system" services etc) and things I explicitly need (eg. program to control soundcard).

Then I just end task manager and press play on the launcher and it makes the game performance a lot better.

Mind you, when I try to end one of the svchost.exe programs running, Windows will usually complain and force a timed shutdown after 30 seconds. I cancel this with start>run>shutdown -a but does anyone know if you actually NEED the program running when all you're doing is playing games?

If i'm right svchost manages dll's loaded on your computer

EDIT:
Description:
svchost.exe is a system process belonging to the Microsoft Windows Operating System which handles processes executed from DLLs. This program is important for the stable and secure running of your computer and should not be terminated.

Oops

Thanks for that Ezra, I'll bear that in mind next time

My computer is similar to yours (1.8Ghz Geforce FX5200) and what I do to make games run smoother is end tasks, like fatfreechicken does, have no background and run the game in a small resolution (800x600).
@ Joe, those settings will make the computer not lag as much while you are using your computer, but not when you are playing a game because they won't be doing anything anyway. I have turned off those performance settings and it makes a difference when I am moving windows etc.

I haven't tried this but maybe if you play the game in safe mode...

What I usually do is end the "svchost.exe" with the most memory usage (highlighted) and it doesn't come up with the 30 second shutdown.

Also don't use anti-aliasing and texture filtering.

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Originally posted by zach
My computer is similar to yours (1.8Ghz Geforce FX5200) and what I do to make games run smoother is end tasks, like fatfreechicken does, have no background and run the game in a small resolution (800x600).
@ Joe, those settings will make the computer not lag as much while you are using your computer, but not when you are playing a game because they won't be doing anything anyway. I have turned off those performance settings and it makes a difference when I am moving windows etc.

I haven't tried this but maybe if you play the game in safe mode...

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Originally posted by Ezra
Also don't use anti-aliasing and texture filtering.

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Instead of fidling with windows settings (which indeed wont change much in game performance), actually set up your game in the right way.

This means, every game has a configuration screen. And in almost all recent games you can heavly customize on what (graphic) options you want to see and/or use. Those will have a much much higher influence on game play than anything else.

for example:

quote:

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Originally posted by Ezra
Also don't use anti-aliasing and texture filtering.

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Originally posted by Reaper
i set it on binlinear, is that the best option?

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well counter strike source doesnt come with a manual
but if it helps my specs are
P4 1.8ghz cpu
ATi Radeon 9200SE
512mb RAM

set the graphic settings to the lowest possible on CS

Options -> Video -> Advanced ..

With "look into the manual", I mean: look at the proper source for such questions... Specifically for CS, why not ask your questions on the CS forums?
http://www.forumplanet.com/counterstrike/

The chances that they could answer you in extreme detail is much higher there than it is here.

In fact, there are already threads there which will answer your questions, and even a very recent one wich repeats what has been said on those forums more than once: http://www.forumplanet.com/counterstrike/topic.as...d=8447&tid=1798004
and for example also:
http://www.forumplanet.com/counterstrike/topic.as...d=8447&tid=1576031

Turning everything down to the lowest possible graphic setting, and then slowly turning everything up is what I normally do. Mind you, the biggest chokepoint for FPS is (believe it or not) RAM. When your computer has to go and fetch some data from the disk, it eats away at your processing power, which is why you get such a low framerate. RAM's pretty cheap ($50 CAD for a 512 DIMM), so if you really want to squeeze out some awesome framerates, upgrade your RAM.