my system too old or is something wrong?

[Maglife]

Hello ladies and gens, not a big gamer here but loved Half life and just recently got HL 2.
My System:
Amd 2700,
9800 pro 128
100 gig 5400 rpm ( i think ) h.d.
512 mb ram.
Soundblaster live value s.c.

Installed HL last week, took longer than a fresh install of windows.
My problem is It is running way too slow. It takes 4 minutes too load each game and between loads. Once it loads the game studders for a good 15 seconds, (it's frames are maybe 2 per minute and sound sounds like a broken record). Throughout the game frames will stop to almost 0 and I will get that studder sound too. Very frequently. Especially during the map on the water driving that boat.
What is my problem.
is it my VC, I could probably return it and buy an x800 pro, but don't want too unless needed.
Running at 800 x 600 with pretty much all the settings at high.
Any help would be greatly needed.
one thing to note. I installed the Sp4 for windows 2000 after installing everything, including game and VC drivers.
p.s. don't want to go crazy buying more things because this is probably the only game I will ever play unless half life 3 comes along in which that case I'll have to buy a new system again.
.

 

[exodusuk]

its your hard drive by the sounds of it m8 , its 5400rpm which is fine for the game but if you dont defrag often you will see bad results , invest in a 7200rpm hdd or even a 10,000rpm or scuzi drive if u have the dosh (and motherboard can handle it) but your system is fine to run it .; i have the 9800 pro 128mb , ive done my cusatom settings for hl2 and get well over 120fps , if you want to know how pm me on here or add me to msn . hope it helps out ya out