HL2 preparation.

[mobA]

In preparation for Half Life 2, I am strongly considering upgrading my PC to take full advantage of what Half Life 2 has to deliver. So, what should I upgrade?

My PC specs are as follows:
Windows XP Home Edition
P4 Processor
2.26 GHz
768 MB RAM (I am unsure if it is either DDR or RD)
7200 RPM 30 GB HDD (I have used up about 1/2 of it already)
Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 128 MB RAM
Compaq CV735 Monitor (Manufactured: October 2000)

*Also, should I consider switching to ATI if a video card is next in line for an upgrade? I heard speculation that ATI video cards are the primary choice when playing Half Life 2.

**I am on a $200 budget, so I don't think I will spend more than that on a video card.

 

[SidewinderX]

I'd say get another HDD and a new vido card... vid card has most preference... you cna get a 9600XT for under 200...and 9800pro are creeping to that price range...

 

[Foxtrot]

You don't need to upgrade, but if you wan't to(the 5200 is a pretty bad card IMO) I would suggest getting the radeon 9800 pro, which on newegg is about $210.

 

[psyno]

Too bad you missed Fry's sale last weekend, when the 128 MB 9800 Pro was 180 USD.

As far as the HD goes, you'll have to consider what exactly you need. In HL2, you're going to want a pretty fast drive and to keep it defragged if you want to keep all the loading times down. Beyond that, of course, the HD can't really affect performance.

 

[lePobz]

To prepare for HL2... Let me see...

You know the huge Vapochill compressor-cooling cases? Get one of them... get an extra large one, and set it on maximum...

Then jump inside said case, and enter a deep-freeze hibernation for a good few years till HL2 gets released, then you'll be sorted.

 

[Johan_Tayn]

upgrade the video card now! get a 9800 Pro 128 for $191 w/free shipping @ http://www.allstarshop.com/shop/simprod.asp?pid=9033&ad=pwatch

Already got mine. Good deal, IMO.

Gabe said that you won't see much more return from a 2ghz as apposed to a 3ghz or similar comparisons after you get above 1.2ghz, so you're fine in that dept.

HD will just load your missions, so it's really just a matter of your patience IIRC.

 

[mobA]

What about my monitor? Do you think I would need to upgrade that, too? Would that give me a boost in the graphics department, to smooth out any edges or jaggies? It's 4 years old...I might consider a Flat-Screen.

 

[SidewinderX]

well, the monitor has litte/nothign to do with jaggies... that's all rendering stuff with the vid card.

 

[Johan_Tayn]

it could however upgrade your experience.. thats all a matter of preference, so you have to decide whether you're happy with your current or not. I know I definitely upgraded my experience with all things computer when I got my Sony Widescreen LCD.

 

[psyno]

Up to you. Monitors won't directly affect performance, but may with features like V-Sync enabled. If image quality on your current monitor is a problem, you might consider it. Smoothing jaggies has nothing to do with your monitor. Jaggies are aliasing artifacts produced in the approximation of the 2D/3D model made by your video card. This is what anti-aliasing (AA) is for. You should note, though, that aliasing artifacts are less apparent at higher resolutions, so if your monitor is limited in that way, a new one that could be run at higher res might help.

I haven't met an LCD yet they'd I'd prefer for gaming, but depending on your needs, an LCD could be very nice.