PC still lagging.

[cavedog]

Ok here is my pc specs.

3.2Ghz intel cpu
3GB DDR 2 800mhz RAM
1.5 Terrabyte HDD
9800GT graphics card
400W power supply!

Now Most if not all games still lag even when my pc specs looks pretty ok. What is the problem?

Is it the CPU or Power supply?? Cause I don't want to upgrade to new hardware and then I still get lag. I can't understand though. All the games I play requires a max of 2.8GHz CPU and I don't get any power low warnings from nvidia so it looks like its getting sufficient power. Any suggestions? I just want to play a lag free game!

 

[FrancTheTank]

Is your CPU a COre2Duo? Or a P4?
What games, and at what resolution, are giving you this horrid lag?

Have you tried re-installing windows, drivers etc?

 

[cavedog]

Is your CPU a COre2Duo? Or a P4?
What games, and at what resolution, are giving you this horrid lag?

Have you tried re-installing windows, drivers etc?

nah just normal p4

games like Flatout ultimate carnage, FEAR 2 , Burnout paradise and all the newish games. I play at 1024x768 resolution.

My graphics card is the 9800GT 1GB DDR 3 so I don't think its the graphics card. But it could be incificient power to graphics card right? But I should have gotten a warning about that!

 

[cr@zydude]

I'm gonna asy it's the cpu, your gpu is being bottlenecked, thats way your games are lagging.

 

[PostmanPot]

I'd also bet on the CPU.

Insufficient power and the PC would probably reboot or not even POST.

 

[chickenbeef]

definately the cpu, should have upgraded that first

 

[Keeper]

definately the cpu, should have upgraded that first

nah dude, last - CPU Prices fall by huge margins, pretty fast.

 

[Browser]

Are you sure it's DDR2 RAM? That CPU is very slow compared to newer 2.8Ghz CPUs, for example a Core i7 920 is only 2.6 GHz and there's no contest between them (even if the i7 wasn't multicore).

More bad news is that you might not be able to get a CPU that's much faster but that will depend on your motherboard. If you list your motherboard's make and model I'm sure someone will let you know or just search for info on it, it's manufacturers website will have such info.

 

[RedhotNeo]

CPU is killing your gaming experience!

Get a core 2 processor

 

[killadoob]

Depending on the make of psu you should also upgrade that if you choose to upgrade to core2 or amd.

If it is a quality brand and no a name brand psu it should be fine.

 

[EasyUp Web Hosting]

Yeah, I have a friend that plays warcraft 3 on a P4 3ghz with a 9600gt @ 1280x1024 and it's seems a bit laggy for such an old game...I've played the game on laptops with C2D proc and 8600gt card and it's a day and night difference.

Have you checked how hot your components run?

 

[techead]

CPU mate.. I had an 8800GT and went from a P4 to a Core2Duo E8200 and was ridiculous the improvement...

Got myself a ATI 4870 to go with my E8200 and OMG

 

[cavedog]

I know I have DDR2 RAM cause I bought a motherboard that uses DDR2 RAM. Anyways. I'm buying this CPU.

Intel Core2 Duo E7300 - dual core 2.66ghz box cpu , no VT , 45nm , Lga775 , 1066mhz fsb - 2x64k L1+ shared 3mb L2 cache - with EDB , EiST, EM64T , WDE , ASC , SMA , ADMB, 128bit SSE4

Hope it will make a big difference!

 

[cavedog]

OR do you guys think it better to spend a bit extra for this one

Intel Core2 Duo E7400 - dual core 2.8ghz box cpu , no VT , 45nm

Then I have to wait 2 week for my next pay. SO will my 400W power supply hold till then or not?

 

[PostmanPot]

Yes it'll make a big difference. And go for the E7400, it's only about R50 more!

Your PSU will be fine.

 

[Sheepbot]

Yeah, I have a friend that plays warcraft 3 on a P4 3ghz with a 9600gt @ 1280x1024 and it's seems a bit laggy for such an old game...I've played the game on laptops with C2D proc and 8600gt card and it's a day and night difference.

That must be wrong...i'm playing it on a dated agp system (P4 3Ghz,7950GT, 1GB ram)on full graphics at 1680x1050 and there is no lag at all?

Anyways, that E7400 will do wonders for your gaming cavedog. Just check that your mobo supports core2 cpu's before you go and buy (it most likely will, seeing as you've got a pci-e gfx card and socket 775 cpu, but you never know )

 

[roqspider]

I agree with all the others. The Core 2 Duo uses way less wattage so your psu would be fine in that regard. Also keep in mind that your psu will be running very close to its peak depending on its efficeincy etc. so your basically shortening its lifespan. But if you ever were to consider a faster graphics card you will have to upgrade your psu.

 

[cavedog]

I agree with all the others. The Core 2 Duo uses way less wattage so your psu would be fine in that regard. Also keep in mind that your psu will be running very close to its peak depending on its efficeincy etc. so your basically shortening its lifespan. But if you ever were to consider a faster graphics card you will have to upgrade your psu.

I will when the time is right. But for now the graphics card will do just fine.