Help before buying HL2

[MarcoRomero]

Hello I'm new to the forums and my question is quite simple. I currently own a a Pentium 4 1.6 Ghz (Socket 478 ), 768mb RAM (PC133), GeForce 4 64mb system, will Half Life 2 run on my computer smoothly? The minimum system requirements indicate I need at least 700 Mhz and what not, I believe I'm doing okay when it comes to the hardware...oh and I'm on DirectX 9.0. Just in case, I've seen the system requirements on different sites but you guys know how that is, most of times you got a little more than the minimum system requirements and the game runs a little choppy. Anyways, thanks in advance guys/gals.

 

[The Brick]

It will run the game on lowest settings. Playable, but not always as smooth.

 

[MarcoRomero]

It will run the game on lowest settings. Playable, but not always as smooth.

Thanks Brick. I'll see what I can. What do you think I should upgrade to get smooth gameplay?

 

[Qonfused]

You should upgrade for any other PC game. Half Life 2, while looking gorgeous, is not actually that taxing on a decent system. While other games might match the graphical quality of HL2, it won't run as smooth as HL2.

 

[MarcoRomero]

You should upgrade for any other PC game. Half Life 2, while looking gorgeous, is not actually that taxing on a decent system. While other games might match the graphical quality of HL2, it won't run as smooth as HL2.

I guess so. I'm planning on buying a new videocard and using my DDR memory slots. I've got pc133 right now but it does have slots for DDR333

 

[Narvi]

You can play it very smoothly on that system. I have a Geforce 2 MX, 1.6 Ghz Pentium 4, with 256 MB of RAM, and it manages to run at nearly lowest settings. Not smoothly sometimes (say when many entities are on screen), but it runs.

 

[Beerdude26]

Oh, it will run, just don't expect terrific framerates if you put a few settings high.

 

[CyberPitz]

You'll run it fine, I've had it playing on way worse boxes...

If you want to upgrade, try to angle yourself to play Quake 3 at decent rates, that way you'll know HL2 will be flawless.

 

[Jambi]

I updated my computer to play half life 2 and im considering updating again. I currently use
AMD Athlon 64 4200+ X2
2gig DDR RAM
GeForce 7600 GS 512ddr
it runs rather nicely i have a few problems but i think thats just to do with drivers If anyone can help i have a thread about shadow colours in help and support thanks.