slow gameplay - graphics card, RAM or both?

nelsons_column · 09-18-2009, 07:20 AM

Hi all,

Playing The Sims 2, it works but its all a bit slow and jerky when scrolling across the screen etc. Plus loading each area within the game takes ages. I've pasted my stats below, as reported from Cacheman. Assuming the stats are accurate (are they, does anyone know?), then presume a RAM increase is in order.

But does my probably-rubbish graphics card need replacing too? I'm unlikely to be playing anything too demanding, The Sims and FIFA or Pro-Evo is about as advanced as it gets.

Also, what type of RAM do I need to get (how best to check this, any diagnostics tool I can run or do I need to take the back off)? And type of graphics card if needed, cheaper the better.

Cheers
Mike
----------
--- Operating System ---

Windows XP Home Premium SP3 x86

--- CPU ---

Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.06GHz, clocked @ 3.04 GHz

--- Display adapter ---

VIA/S3G UniChrome Pro IGP

Driver version: 6.14.10.275

--- RAM ---

Usage: 361/448 MBytes

Peak Usage: 428 MBytes

--- Paging File ---

Usage: 164/542 MBytes

Allocation: 542/672 MBytes

Phædrus2401 · 09-18-2009, 11:12 AM

Personally, I wouldn't spend much money upgrading this computer as it's very near the end of its usable life span. The problem is your RAM, your graphics card (yes, it is rubbish

), and the CPU.

What's your budget for upgrading/replacing?

nelsons_column · 09-18-2009, 11:32 AM

Hmm, I was hoping to simply buy a 1gig RAM stick and spend £50 on a graphics card!(Or similar) All I'm really interested is making the games, e.g. Sims2, run more smoothly, and speed up the computer a little generally.

Granted my pc is a few years old, but not keen on buying a whole new unit (if I did, it would be the cheap end of the market and I guess would need to be upgraded again almost immediately?)

09-18-2009, 07:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
nelsons_column Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2 OS: XP	slow gameplay - graphics card, RAM or both? Hi all, Playing The Sims 2, it works but its all a bit slow and jerky when scrolling across the screen etc. Plus loading each area within the game takes ages. I've pasted my stats below, as reported from Cacheman. Assuming the stats are accurate (are they, does anyone know?), then presume a RAM increase is in order. But does my probably-rubbish graphics card need replacing too? I'm unlikely to be playing anything too demanding, The Sims and FIFA or Pro-Evo is about as advanced as it gets. Also, what type of RAM do I need to get (how best to check this, any diagnostics tool I can run or do I need to take the back off)? And type of graphics card if needed, cheaper the better. Cheers Mike ---------- --- Operating System --- Windows XP Home Premium SP3 x86 --- CPU --- Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.06GHz, clocked @ 3.04 GHz --- Display adapter --- VIA/S3G UniChrome Pro IGP Driver version: 6.14.10.275 --- RAM --- Usage: 361/448 MBytes Peak Usage: 428 MBytes --- Paging File --- Usage: 164/542 MBytes Allocation: 542/672 MBytes

09-18-2009, 11:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,732 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: slow gameplay - graphics card, RAM or both? Personally, I wouldn't spend much money upgrading this computer as it's very near the end of its usable life span. The problem is your RAM, your graphics card (yes, it is rubbish ), and the CPU. What's your budget for upgrading/replacing? __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

09-18-2009, 11:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
nelsons_column Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2 OS: XP	Re: slow gameplay - graphics card, RAM or both? Hmm, I was hoping to simply buy a 1gig RAM stick and spend £50 on a graphics card!(Or similar) All I'm really interested is making the games, e.g. Sims2, run more smoothly, and speed up the computer a little generally. Granted my pc is a few years old, but not keen on buying a whole new unit (if I did, it would be the cheap end of the market and I guess would need to be upgraded again almost immediately?)