Lag Caused by RAM or Videocard?

HardwareNewbie3 · 10-17-2006, 06:18 PM

Hi guys.

Here's my specs:
2.6 Ghz P4 Processor
512 MB DDRAM
128MB ATI Radeon 9700
Windows XP

I'm currently lagging in a game I play called "Rappelz"
Whenever I get to the entrance of a town, I start lagging like there's no tomorrow.
It takes around 5 minutes for all the characters to load up on my screen.

Do you think that I can improve this by increasing RAM or buying a new videocard?
I know that I SHOULD upgrade both, but I'd rather only upgrade one. haha

**linderman** · 10-17-2006, 06:37 PM

Hello:

your lagging culprits are an equal in my mind, I see neither the lack of memory or the outdated video card as your evil.

If I were you I would scan thru ebay and you could probally pick up a used AGP 9800 pro or Nvidea equalivant really cheap (i think the equalivant is a 256mb 6600 / 6800)

the bad news is : depending on your current power supply unit; you will probally need to upgrade that was well the newer video cards are super power hogs!

HardwareNewbie3 · 10-17-2006, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linderman

your lagging culprits are an equal in my mind, I see neither the lack of memory or the outdated video card as your evil.

Thanks for the help.
The only thing that I'm confused about is this statement. Is my computer just outdated ALL TOGETHER? lol
Or are you saying my lack of RAM (rather than the entire computer) also causes me to lag in addition to the videocard? ;)

Sorry for being a newb at hardware. lol

Indoril Nerevar · 10-18-2006, 01:35 AM

I agree with linderman - both video and RAM are fairly equally to blame.

The minimum specs for the game are:
1.5GHz P4 or equivalent
512MB RAM
128MB video card - Radeon 7000 / GeForce2 MX or higher
DirectX 9.0c

Firstly, download and install the latest version of DirectX.

If that doesn't help, my next suggestion would be the same as linderman's: upgrade the video card. As he suggested, I would go for an NVIDIA 6800 or an ATI X800 (the ATI 9800 is equivalent to NVIDIA's 5900).

Upgrading the RAM would also help a lot - when a game requires 512MB as minimum specs, you can tell it really needs 1GB or more. However, it should be able to survive on 512MB if you give the system a better video card.

**Fr4665** · 10-18-2006, 02:10 AM

id recommend dropping in another stick of 512mb RAM first then checking if it works.

as you can see the minimum video card required is a geforce 2 .... and ur 9700 is almost equal to a 9800 and outperforms the geforce 2 by 3 years almost so i dont the video card is the issue.

10-17-2006, 06:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
HardwareNewbie3 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 31 OS: ME & XP	Lag Caused by RAM or Videocard? Hi guys. Here's my specs: 2.6 Ghz P4 Processor 512 MB DDRAM 128MB ATI Radeon 9700 Windows XP I'm currently lagging in a game I play called "Rappelz" Whenever I get to the entrance of a town, I start lagging like there's no tomorrow. It takes around 5 minutes for all the characters to load up on my screen. Do you think that I can improve this by increasing RAM or buying a new videocard? I know that I SHOULD upgrade both, but I'd rather only upgrade one. haha

10-17-2006, 06:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Hello: your lagging culprits are an equal in my mind, I see neither the lack of memory or the outdated video card as your evil. If I were you I would scan thru ebay and you could probally pick up a used AGP 9800 pro or Nvidea equalivant really cheap (i think the equalivant is a 256mb 6600 / 6800) the bad news is : depending on your current power supply unit; you will probally need to upgrade that was well the newer video cards are super power hogs! __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial Last edited by linderman; 10-17-2006 at 06:41 PM.

10-18-2006, 01:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
Indoril Nerevar Manager, Games Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 5,007 OS: Windows 7 RC 64-bit My System	I agree with linderman - both video and RAM are fairly equally to blame. The minimum specs for the game are: 1.5GHz P4 or equivalent 512MB RAM 128MB video card - Radeon 7000 / GeForce2 MX or higher DirectX 9.0c Firstly, download and install the latest version of DirectX. If that doesn't help, my next suggestion would be the same as linderman's: upgrade the video card. As he suggested, I would go for an NVIDIA 6800 or an ATI X800 (the ATI 9800 is equivalent to NVIDIA's 5900). Upgrading the RAM would also help a lot - when a game requires 512MB as minimum specs, you can tell it really needs 1GB or more. However, it should be able to survive on 512MB if you give the system a better video card. __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. • Common PC Game Issues • Common Installation Issues • Posting System Specs • Power Supply Information • • NVIDIA Drivers • ATI Drivers • Thermal Paste Guide • System Requirements Lab • YouGamers Game-o-Meter • • Everest • Prime95 • DirectX • AMD Drivers • Memtest86 • SensorsView • Driver Cleaner • I do not give help via PM. Please post your question on the forum.

10-18-2006, 02:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
Fr4665 aka mr.fraggs Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA or Germany Posts: 2,965 OS: Win XP,Vista,Android My System	id recommend dropping in another stick of 512mb RAM first then checking if it works. as you can see the minimum video card required is a geforce 2 .... and ur 9700 is almost equal to a 9800 and outperforms the geforce 2 by 3 years almost so i dont the video card is the issue. __________________ I don't subscribe to threads please PM me if i miss a reply. ------- Everest SensorView Pro DriverCleaner how to fix your game