pc memory or grahics card

[cafepunch]

I'm not sure if this is the correct place to post this but if it is GREAT!! I have one question and that is I built a pentium 4 2.8 computer a year ago and I installed a ati x1600 video card. the computer shows that I have 664mb ram. A week ago i purchased a game called Heroes 5, Tribes of the East and also Titan Quest. When I try to play them, I can play but the screen is really jerky and it sucks to play either of those games. My question is is my processor to old, do I need a different video card or do I need more memory.

[Pob255]

Well the offical min specs are:
Supported OS: Windows 2000/XP (only) (XP recommended)
Processor: 1.5 GHz Pentium IV or AMD Athlon (2.4 GHz recommended)
RAM: 512 MB (1024 MB or higher recommended)
Video Card: 128 MB DirectX 9.0c-compliant AGP video card (256 MB recommended) (see supported list*)
Sound Card: DirectX 9.0c-compliant sound card
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c or higher (included on disc)
CD-ROM: 32x CD-ROM (or 4x DVD-ROM for limited edition)
Hard Drive Space: 2 GB free
Peripherals Supported: Windows-compatible mouse and keyboard
Multiplayer: Internet connection

On most 3d games jerkyness is often down to graphics card performance.
However your memory number looks rather odd what memory do you have in there?

[cafepunch]

Thats what I thought but when I look at system properties, thats what it says. I think it should be 768. Im sure I have a 512 and 256 chip in there. Its bee a year since i had the case open. Originally I had a computer that wouldn't hardly play Dungeon Seige so I built this one, which was my first and everything has been fine until now. I think its either pc3200 or 2700

[grayg1]

I wondering if you have onboard video on your motherboard and whether it is still enabled and stealing some of your RAM.

Download CPU-Z CPUID

Open the exe and go to the SPD tab, what does it say for module size on each slot #?

[cafepunch]

doing that now. will let you know in a minute or two

[cafepunch]

slot 1::::
module size: 512 mbytes correction: none
max bandwidth: pc3200 (200 mhz) registered: no
buffered: no
Slot 2::::
module size: 256 mbytes

everything else is the same

[cafepunch]

memory tab says ddr is the type and size is 768 channels is single

[grayg1]

Yeh looks like you have onboard graphics enabled and it's taking its slice of RAM for itself.
You need to go into the BIOS and disabled it.

If you aren't sure how to do that the best would be to consult your motherboard manual itself to guide you through the options etc.

[cafepunch]

thanks for your help. I will try that

[cafepunch]

would it help if I got more ram. replace my 768 ddr with 1 gig of ddr2

[grayg1]

Just adding more RAM won't stop it reserving RAM for the onboard graphics. Also I don't know what model motherboard you are using so it might not even support DDR2.

Use CPU-Z again, go to mainboard tab and what does it say for manufacturer and model?

[cafepunch]

intel corporation
model D101GGC AAD35788-308
chipset is ATI
Southbridge ATI SB400

[Lucio]

would it help if I got more ram. replace my 768 ddr with 1 gig of ddr2

Definately not as the DDR2 ram wouldn't fit inside your computer.

Your first port of call is the bank, see how much money you have available for any upgrades. Your budget should be the key point of dictating what to replace.

[cafepunch]

OK. well I went in and changed the bios setting and now says on the system info page that I have 768 memory. Just tried to play heroes V and still just as jerky as before. So depending on what I can upgrade what would you suggest I upgrade to try and fix this

[Blitzen]

Total system specs would help

[cafepunch]

processor: intel pentium D 820 smithfield socket 775 LGA
Chipset ATI RS400/RC400?RC410
AWARD BIOS for Intel
Technology: 90 nm

Specification: intel(R)PENTIUM(R) D CPU 2.8 GHZ
Family: F Model: 4 Stepping: 4 Revision: AO

Instructions: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, EM64T


Core speedas typing this: 2800.4 mhz Cache: L1 data 2x16bytes
Multiplier: x14.0 L1 Trace 2 x 12 kuops
Bus Speed 200.0 mhz level 2 2x 1024 kbytes
Rated FSB 800.1 mhz

Graphics card is a ATI radeon x1600pro pci express 512mb DDR2 ( have updated driver)