Slow Gaming Performance with Computer

[optic_pro1430]

My computer seems to be quite slow or skipping frames on some games, such as Halo, Doom 3 and Command & Conquer: Zero Hour. Mainly the more recent games that seem quite resource intensive.

My specifications are as follows:

- Pentium 4, 2.40 GHz Processor
- 512 MB DDR RAM
- Creative Sound Blaster Live!
- Nvidia GeForce FX 5600XT, AGP 4X, 256 MB

I have DirectX 9.0c installed. Is something wrong with my computer configuration? I usually have to lower the game detail to lowest to get a decent frame rate, except with Halo. It lags when there are a lot of enemies on screen.

Any suggestions?

[bassman]

Originally posted by optic_pro1430
My computer seems to be quite slow or skipping frames on some games, such as Halo, Doom 3 and Command & Conquer: Zero Hour. Mainly the more recent games that seem quite resource intensive.It lags when there are a lot of enemies on screen.
That's normal. Additionally, your video card isn't much of a bomb to be playing Doom3 @ maimum quality.

[fishybawb]

Like bassman said, it's sort of to be expected when you're using a 5600XT to run newer games. Having said that, you might as well try the usual optimisation techniques:

http://www.sysopt.com/articles/PCHousekeeping/index.html

As well as game specific tweaks. Here's a guide for Doom 3:

http://www.sysopt.com/articles/Doom3Tweak/index.html

[Bigjakkstaffa]

Overclocking your graphcs card and processor may also help improve performance, though dont expect any mammoth gains

http://www.sysopt.com/articles/VCOGuide/index.html

--Jakk:t

[missiveusa]

One thing that will help: Go to Direct X Diagnostic (System Info/Tools) and turn down the sound hardware acceleration one notch from maximum. Also try shutting off XP Services before playing, as well as any programs running in the background that aren't needed. Black Viper (http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm) has a good write up on Windows Services.