**Better Performance**

[RECOiL™]

Im trying to acheive fluid and smooth gameplay in all my games. My current setup, MSI-NEO2g platinum, x800256 pci-e, 1gb samsung 400hz, p4 3.0ghz (oc'd 3.2). I have latest drivers for everything. I play cs:source with no aa/af (in driver onfigs and in game), but stil the performance is jerky when 10 or more players around.

My main hdd is a Raptor sata 78gb and secondary is a 250gb ide. I have the pagefil on the second disk, i assumed this would increase performance. What else can i do ????

Think windows needs re-installing ?


*help*

[Dav0s]

how long since a reformat, and how much ahs your system changed since then

[RECOiL™]

A while, i think im going to do the whole re-isntall windows over weekend, and only install the bare essentials...

[Spud1]

well your hardware is almost the same as mine - and you have more ram than me - yest I can run CSS at 1280x1024 @ max detail without it 'jerking', avg fps in the 40-50 range.

So this defo points to software more than hardware Like Davos suggested a re-format is your best option here I think, although it would probably solve the problem if you didn't want to do it there may be other options.

What programs do you have running in your task bar? Which anti-virus, firewall, instant messanging program etc.

Certain programs can cause issue like above - off the top of my head, ZoneAlarm, Norton (antivirus or firewall), AOL IM, ICQ can all cause issues due to having bloated software.

What is your performance like in other games? not knowing what you have I can't ask for a specific one to test, but something like COD2, Doom3, or even just plain HL2 could give a good comparison.

Also consider dropping your graphics detail, see if it makes a difference?

A reformat is still the best option, but maybe you don't have to

[piranha]

Think you should consider getting some more memory - 2gb is recommended for a lot of recent games such as BF2, Fear etc.

[RECOiL™]

Re: the memory, i currentley have 1gb in dual channel, would i get better performance from 1.5gb which wouldnt be running in dual channel.

Re: the pagefile, is it better for me to have my pagefile on the same disk, but different partition on the raptor, or should i have it on the secondary sata drive ?

Spud, could you go into detail and tell me exactly what your running. You say this defo points to software issue, but I notice you have a different mobo, which can play a big part. Also are you overclocking at all ?

[Steve A]

1Gb Versus 1.5Gb , with CS:S you would notice little to no difference what so ever tbh

Have you tried de-fragging HDD, knock some of your setting on the GFX down a little like the shadows and little things that you wouldnt really notice that much, turn Vsync Off ,

You may have already done these already but if not try them ...

Regards

[Spud1]

Re: the memory, i currentley have 1gb in dual channel, would i get better performance from 1.5gb which wouldnt be running in dual channel.

Re: the pagefile, is it better for me to have my pagefile on the same disk, but different partition on the raptor, or should i have it on the secondary sata drive ?

Spud, could you go into detail and tell me exactly what your running. You say this defo points to software issue, but I notice you have a different mobo, which can play a big part. Also are you overclocking at all ?

True I do have a different mobo, but I don't think it makes that much difference.

I am not overclocking at all, have a recent(1 month old) install of XP Pro with all updates applied, latest drivers for everything, and use the built in windows firewall along with the SPI one in my firewall.

I still think that a re-format is your best option..

[RECOiL™]

Yep, i think im going to have to format, as i am already running the cs:s at low level (no aa/af) Its such a long pain staking process though innit. Re-installing everything.

When i format, I only format when through the windows xp setup. should i format of a boot disk ?

[Lee H]

tbh I find formatting when windows setup prompts ( quick ... I can't be bothered waiting ) is good enough when creating the partition and selecting which drive to install to.

You mention overclocking... How does Source play when your running it at stock?

[RECOiL™]

Good question, I cant remember really lol. I guess it was ok, meaning I had a 6800 128 before and that was good, the x800 was around the same.

I'm going to do my best to streamline my win xp install, and only install **** i actually use.
Im not to keen to overclock too much, becuase I'm relying on stock cooling, and my case doesnt have the best ventilation (coolermaster cavlier).

But the speed of the ram is ****e, so i will raise the fsb some, and give it some more vcore power. so is 1gb dual channel better than 1.5 no dual channel & pagefile allocation ??? on same disk, or different one >?