What components to upgrade for better FPS?

Hello everyone, 1st post here .

I just bought Drive today, and it is awesome - The problem is, though, that I have to be at min settings to get relatively unlaggy gameplay, and even so, i am using 80-90%+ of my CPU.

These are my specs:

Win XP
CPU: Intel Pentium E2180 @2.00GHZ
RAM: 4gb DDR2
MoBo: Intel D946GZIS
GPU: GeForce GTX 560 Ti (EVGA)
PSU: Ultra 700 watt


My CPU is about 5 years old, so I suspect that's what is causing the bottleneck (happens in most other games too; stuck at medium-high or lower), although it was pretty good when it was new.

My question is, what MoBo, Ram (DDR3), and CPU combo would you suggest on the cheap that would let me run things at high settings , or at least medium in this? I know that my GPU should be able to, but it is held back my my older CPU.
The reason I'm asking for suggestions for a new mobo and RAM too, is the the CPU uses the older LGA775 clot type, which mean that no new CPU's will fit the mobo.

I don't have that big f a budget, as im still a student,but I do have a part time job.

Anyway, thanks for any suggestions, as well as tips to make Drive run better for me for now (removing shadows?).


-Oliver

 

Well there's your problem there.

Here's the Minimum requirements for your rig. To run Drive at max settings you will need a Quad-core processor with hyper-threading and 8GB of RAM and DDR3. Even with moderate settings you will still need 4GB RAM and DDR3, and you have a DDR2. And you have XP, drive requires Windows 7.

• CPU: Dual-core processor
• RAM: 4GB
• GPU: Something better than integrated graphics (at least 512MB Video RAM)
• Windows 7

Do you have a quad core or a dual core?

EDIT: Set ALL settings to lowest not low, lowest. Then give us a update on how it runs.

 

Answers in bold, here is the list I made. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...S&percm=19-116-773:$$$$$$$;19-113-281:$$$$$$$

 

That pentium needs to go. If you want to stay Intel, a used i5 is a great choice for this game (i have the 2500K at stock, runs really well). Do you want to overclock? if yes, get an unlocked processor and a decent motherboard. If no, get a locked processor and a decent motherboard. Any motherboard using the correct socket will work, and then also get 8 gigs of RAM.

*Fair warning, i am an ASUS fanboi so im gonna suggest one of their mobos. Quality part that will last a long time.* All prices are from Newegg
NOT FOR OVERCLOCKING
i5 2310 - Quad core, 2.9 ghz (Turbos to 3.2 ghz) $184.99
ASUS H61M-PLUS - MATX mobo, enough room for your GPU and a PCI 1X card (super small one) $76.99
G.Skill Value Series - 8 gigs of ram, 2X 4GB $64.99 (NEEDS to be 2X sticks of ram, mobo only holds 2 sticks

Something like that will be a marked improvement. the AMD side is cheaper so if you dont like the price of the intel, i can put your something together from the Red side. Hope this helped!

*EDIT* also you can go on ebay and find a used parts, i just went with new ones because its easier that way. Also, if you buy these in a decent computer shop you could also get a System Builder copy of windows 7, about 110 bucks

 

Everything at lowest gives me (according to the debug) 25 fps. Task Manager is saying that I am using about 90% of my CPU. Im noticing no improvement at lowest vs all low, except tat it looks awful - seems to be same FPS.

I believe that the CPU is a virtual quad core.

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Thanks guys! I should be able to get those components or similar from tigerdirect (bit cheaper as my parents have a business account with em, and as I'm in canada).

I've lso heard good things about this CPU:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103961
views on it?



Oh, and a (possibly silly) question: Would it be better to start by saving up thecash for the components, or to get Win 7 1st? I know that 7 optimizes things, and, well, its not from 2003.

 

Well on my old HP 2000 (with windows 7) I get 30 FPS running everything at high besides lighting, and my specs are:

Intel(R) Pentium(R) CPU B960 @ 2.20GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.2GHz Memory: 4096MB RAM
OS Memory: 3948MB RAM.

I would get another computer if you only get 25 FPS, or you can take the other route, buying a higher end graphics card. Go here: http://www.notebookcheck.net/ and that's a computer reviewing site, they give in depth detail on computers. And 90% CPU is high for that computer. Set all the setting to high besides lighting. Then tell me what happens.

EDIT: Find your CPU here: http://www.cpubenchmark.net/midlow_range_cpus.html Go into your search bar for windows and search DxDiag, and PM me the full list.

 

Pm sent.

I just tried with maxed settings as you did (Post FX etc on too), and fraps was saying that I was getting 16ish FPS. It seemed just as smooth as lowest settings though.

 

Did you see any changes? Like texture quality? Did you set lighting to low?

 

keep your case, gpu, psu, optical drives, and hard drive if you don't care for a bigger faster one. Order a new lga 1155 mobo, an i5 or i7, 8gb of ddr3 ram, and I think you're set.

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Fyi you're cpu is a nerfed i3 and OP's is a nerfed core 2 duo. pretty different

 

IT did seem much higher quality. And, yep, the lighting was on low. ill try it on high and see what the FPS is like.

 

I have

8gb ram
nvidia gtx 750 gpu
amd phenom 2.4 ghz cpu
and nvidia motherboard

i only get 75-80 fps although every thing was built In 2009 except the gpu
so I wanted to know what I can upgrade and upgrade to, so I can get I can get about 100+ fps

 

there is no reason to get 100 fps, 60 fps is all you need (as your monitor more than likely only show up to 60 fps)

 

Tell me more about that CPU. What model is it ? If it's a Phenom 9750, upgrade that.

By the way, your reason for upgrading is pretty pointless. Also, you need to go into more detail with your specs for people to recommend things. Nvidia motherboard ? heh, OK..