Will this rig run PR? please help

[Rapid12]

Hi all, I was hoping to buy a new PC in the New Year but unfortunately I didn't earn the money I expected, so that idea has been put to bed.

However, I've been offered this rig second hand, but being useless at this stuff, I don't really know if it'll run PR or not. Please, if you can spare the time, can you tell me what sort of gameplay, fps etc I'd expect to achieve with this set up? If it needs an upgrade here or there, I'm sure I could afford that.

Processor
Model : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+
Speed : 2.21GHz
Cores per Processor : 2 Unit(s)
Threads per Core : 1 Unit(s)
Type : Dual-Core
Integrated Data Cache : 2x 64kB, Synchronous, Write-Back, 2-way, Exclusive, 64 byte line size
L2 On-board Cache : 2x 512kB, ECC, Synchronous, Write-Back, 16-way, Exclusive, 64 byte line size

Computer
Mainboard : Asus A8N-SLI SE
BIOS : Phoenix Technologies, LTD ASUS A8N-SLI SE ACPI BIOS Revision 0502 03/09/2006
Bus(es) : X-Bus PCI PCIe IMB USB i2c/SMBus
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
Multi-Processor Advanced PIC (APIC) : Yes
Total Memory : 2GB DDR

Chipset
Model : AMD Athlon 64 / Opteron HT Hub
Front Side Bus Speed : 2x 1GHz (2GHz)
Total Memory : 2GB DDR
Channels : 2
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 201MHz (402MHz)

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : Corsair VS1GB400C3 1GB DDR PC1-3200U DDR1-400 (3-3-3-8 2-11-0-0)
Memory Module : Nanya M2Y1G64DS8HB1G-5T 1GB DDR PC1-3200U DDR1-400 (3-3-3-8 2-11-0-0)

Video System
Video Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT (12 PS3.0, 5 VS3.0 562MHz, 256MB DDR3 2x702MHz, PCIe 1.00 x16)

Storage Devices
Seagate ST3160215ACE (160GB, ATA100, 3.5", 2MB Cache) : 149GB (C
Seagate ST3160022ACE (160GB, ATA100, 3.5", 2MB Cache) : 149GB (D
Hitachi HDS728080PLA380 (82.3GB, SATA150, 3.5", 7200rpm, NCQ, 7MB Cache) : 77GB (E
ASUS DVD-E616A2 (ATA100, DVD+-R, CD-R, 2MB Cache) : N/A (F
SCSIVAX DVD/CD-ROM (SCSI, SCSI-2, DVD+-R-DL, CD-R, 512kB Cache) : N/A (H

Peripherals
LPC Hub Controller 1 : ASUS nForce4 PCI to ISA Bridge
LPC Legacy Controller 1 : T0 87-12
Audio Device : ASUS nForce4 AC'97 Audio Controller
Audio Codec : Realtek Semiconductor 0090h
Audio Device : Creative Labs SB0570 [SB Audigy SE]
Disk Controller : ASUS nForce4 Parallel ATA Controller
Disk Controller : ASUS nForce4 Serial ATA Controller
Disk Controller : ASUS nForce4 Serial ATA Controller
USB Controller 1 : ASUS nForce4 USB Controller
USB Controller 2 : ASUS nForce4 USB 2.0 Controller
SMBus/i2c Controller 1 : nVidia MCP2+ SMBus 1
SMBus/i2c Controller 2 : nVidia MCP2+ SMBus 2

Network Services
Network Adapter : NVIDIA nForce 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet
Wireless Adapter 1 : Broadcom 802.11g Network Adapter (802.11g (ERP), AES-CCMP, 54Mbps)

Many thanks, Rapid.

[Ninja2dan]

Ouch, your graphics card is only a 256MB so that will hurt a bit when trying to run more modern games and graphic applications.

My #1 suggestion would be to acquire a new graphics card, preferably a 1GB VRAM model from a decent manufacturer. Going slightly generic is ok if you're on a budget, but don't go buying "Redneck Randy's 832MB Grafix Card".

I also notice that your memory modules aren't paired, but their specs are identical enough to work fine. You could dump in another paired set of 2GB (2x1) but it's not nearly as important as the video.

Other than that, you should be just fine playing PR. You won't get super-pimp performance such as running everything on High, but it'll be good enough to play and have a good time. Hell, your specs are better than mine and I play on mid/low settings with zero lag.


You also want to make sure you're running with a good PSU. I would get at least a 500W, leaves room for plenty of upgrades.

[Rapid12]

Thanks Ninj. So the processor is OK, just need new ram, new PSU and new graphics card.

When you say 'paired' I guess you mean a PC works better if the ram sticks are the same make & spec? It won't be a problem for me to buy new ram altogether, what you reckon 8gb? Or is that overkill for the PC's spec?

Same with the card, I can buy a new card as I've money which was intended to buy a new PC, I just didn't save enough (?800) for the new PC. What card would you recommend that'll fit on that mobo?

I understand PSUs, I'll buy a 650 which should handle a good card.

Many thanks so far.

[Pedz]

800GBP is a fair amount to spend on a new pc tbh :S.

Here is a system(pre-built)
3XS - 3XS Performance GTK - Sandy Bridge,2500k,GTX460,4GB RAM,NVIDIA,

from a very reputable UK e-tailer.

or even:
http://3xs.scan.co.uk/ShowSystem.asp?SystemID=1346
if you're not into the overclocking thing . The second will grant you better game FPS.


EDIT: The second one is the one to go for... by far...

[Rapid12]

I've been looking at Scan every day for two weeks, and I only live 30 minutes drive from the place. Sadly though, I didn't manage to save ?800 didn't even come close and I've got a tax bill this month..... (

[Pedz]

Ahh, ok makes mores senes now but yes ninjas is right, and that system is a good 4-5 years old in hardware, but as long as it still runs, other than the GPU and ram that might struggle, it should be good to go. Out of curiosity how much is that going to cost you? I always have doubts on buying old hardware...

If anything it should be able to run on low, and probably manage 20fps max, maybe on large maps crashing a lot.

[Rapid12]

Hi Pedz. That system is on sale for 50 knicker, I have a few hundred (nowhere near 800) to spend on upgrading it if the PR community deems fit to. (I'm clueless on whats what in computing terms) If that PC can play PR on good settings with good fps with a new graphics card, ram and PSU, then I won't mind spending a few hundred on it. If it is deemed too old and lacking, I'll stick to Xbox360 until I have the cash to buy new or nearly new.

Is the processor in this machine any good? I used to play PR on my own rig with a P4 and a radeon9600xt graphics card, but since several updates ago, it can no longer handle it and blue screens me constantly when I try to play PR. It's fine on Vanilla.

[Ninja2dan]

Here's a quick rundown of my own specs for comparison:

Asus K8V-X SE mobo which is a Socket 754 (no longer made), and I'm running an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ single-core. My board only supports a max of 2GB RAM, is AGP instead of PCI-E, and for some ***** of a reason XP no longer works on it so I'm using Vista (which the board technically isn't supposed to support).

I've got 2GB (2x1) of RAM, an HIS Radeon HD 4650 1GB AGP video card, and two borked HDD's (plus a DVD burner that won't burn).

I built this system about 7-8 years ago, when the parts were so new and high-end that I was the cool kid at all the LAN parties. It's been used, abused, and has the knuckle dents all over the aluminum case to show.

In other words, I probably have one of the worst overall PC systems among all of the forum readers. Yet I can still play PR with my graphics set in the mid or low ranges. I definitely need a new build, but for now it keeps me going when my wallet is full of dust.


With the exception of your current graphics card, your system is already ahead of mine in several areas. My suggestion would be to just get one of the standard 1GB PCI-E cards which run around $80 USD (not sure about cost in euro/pound) and see how things look from there. If you still have some extra cash to spend and feel it's just not good enough, buy a dual-channel set of RAM rated at 2GB (2x1) to boost your total to 4GB.

As for the power supply, I'm not sure what you're using now but when you bump up your video card most will recommend a 400 or higher wattage, and your best bet is just get a 500W-650W for future upgrading room.

[Mad-Mike]

That motherboard you listed can only hold 2GB of RAM, So upgrading your RAM is a No NO sadly

Mainboard : Asus A8N-SLI SE
BIOS : Phoenix Technologies, LTD ASUS A8N-SLI SE ACPI BIOS Revision 0502 03/09/2006
Bus(es) : X-Bus PCI PCIe IMB USB i2c/SMBus
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
Multi-Processor Advanced PIC (APIC) : Yes
Total Memory : 2GB DDR

Do you have a budget price on a pc your willing to buy, even if its second hand?

[Ninja2dan]

That motherboard you listed can only hold 2GB of RAM, So upgrading your RAM is a No NO sadly

Actually, according to ASUS its max is 4GB. The 2GB stated there is the current onboard.

4 x DIMM, Max. 4 GB, DDR 400/333/266 ECC,Non-ECC,Un-buffered Memory
Dual Channel memory architecture

[Mad-Mike]

Actually, according to ASUS its max is 4GB.

Ooooh Thats why you should always google the specs first mike

[Steeps]

I'm going to recommend an NVIDIA GTX 460 (any reputable brand really) as the card you should get. Can't quite see what your location is from my phone, but prices in the US are about 150 USD.

This card has awesome price/performance/power consumption ratios. For the same price of an ATI/AMD card, they don't even compare. Make sure you get the 1GB version.

Edit: EVGA has the 1GB version for exactly 149.99 USD on newegg.com.

[Rapid12]

That motherboard you listed can only hold 2GB of RAM, So upgrading your RAM is a No NO sadly



Do you have a budget price on a pc your willing to buy, even if its second hand?

Do you mean if I have a limit on what I'm prepared to spend on a 2nd hand rig?

Sure I do, and I'd be more than willing to buy 2nd hand if it gives me better performance than a new rig of the same cost. Hit me with it? Spec and asking price. PM if you prefer.

[Mad-Mike]

Think you got me wrong mate, Im asking what price you have to spend on a new or 2nd hand PC so I can look around for you.

Its no good me looking for a good system for you if it will be to expensive for you.
A price guide will help.

Hope that makes sense

[Rapid12]

Think you got me wrong mate, Im asking what price you have to spend on a new or 2nd hand PC so I can look around for you.

Its no good me looking for a good system for you if it will be to expensive for you.
A price guide will help.

Hope that makes sense

I see. Sorry. I just thought because of our close proximity you may have been offering yours for sale. At this present moment in time I'd be able to part with ?400

If I sell my gun I might be able to go brand new, but I'm in no rush to do that.

[Q2M100]

TBH I recommend not spending too much on an older system such as this. Buy a new GPU (9800 GT and up is fine), but don't get carried away with extra RAM and a new PSU (unless you need a new PSU to use the GPU, then go for a modular 650W minimum). It is better to save your money and invest in a solid system down the road, than to try and patch up an old one that will soon be outdated. I also worry about your CPU bottlenecking any higher performance GPU like the 460, though I can't confirm this.

PR is one of those games that doesn't require amazing graphics to enjoy. Its all about the teamwork and gameplay.

[Ninja2dan]

Sorry for the off topic but, how does a motherboard not support an OS?

Exiled.

No idea actually. One day I had a BSOD, no known cause. I tried swapping every individual component out for a new one and every damn time it came up with the same error. I literally built a whole new PC using all new (identical) parts, and was still getting the same error.

Just out of curiosity, I tried installing Vista. And what do you know, the ******* worked. I had been using XP since the day that system was "born", and now all of a sudden only Vista would work.


It's one of those situations where most people would have simply used their FUBAR computer as target practice, but due to lack of funds I had no choice. I actually spent almost an entire year borrowing a laptop while I figured out how to fix it.

I guess the lesson for others, even one messed up mutant PC with the right combination of parts can still be made to run PR. How good it will run it is another story.

[Ninja2dan]

And you tried reformatting and reinstalling XP? It sounds like either corrupted OS or some problem with a program/driver.

Exiled.

Yes, I tried that several times. As mentioned above, I actually rebuilt an entirely new system using new but identical components. New case, new motherboard, new HDD, new CPU, new GPU, new DVD burner, new FDD, new PSU, new fans, etc, etc. A 100% new build of the same specs I had been using for years prior. All components in the new build were NOS. The only component in the new build that was different from the old one was the case.

And yet for some reason, on both systems, they fully refused to run XP. Vista would install and run "fine", other than it was slow and Vista sucks balls. But at least it works.


Don't worry about my "problem" though, it's been diagnosed by some of the top techs in the country and nobody has yet to figure out why it's borked. If someone wants to comment on it further, I probably have a topic on it floating around the forums somewhere. But my point in bringing it up was that even with my dumbass system and all of its problems, it can still run PR. I'm not getting the best performance, but even on this old-fart system it can still run.