Sound is moving slow

[tommy gunn]

So I got a new computer and installed Half Life 2. This brand new computer runs slower than my last, near antiquated machine as far as HL2 goes. It takes forever to load anything, and the sound keeps skipping and locking up the game for a couple of seconds before i can proceed. I have an Acer computer, AMD Athalon 64 X2 Dual Core 4400+, 1 GB DDR Ram, and I have a Realtek HD sound card. I'm running Windows Vista. Anyone have the same problem or know a quick fix?

 

[Pesmerga]

What's your graphics card?

 

[tommy gunn]

ATI radeon Xpress 1250

 

[Pesmerga]

I'm not entirely sure that GPU will run Half Life 2 very well.

I could be wrong.

 

[99.vikram]

Try adding these launch parameters to the Steam launch options :-

+mat_forcehardwaresync 0 -autoconfig +snd_async_prefetch_priority 1

Additionally, you can add -dxlevel 81 to force DirectX 8 mode.

 

[AciD]

AMD Athalon 64 X2 Dual Core 4400+, 1 GB DDR Ram and integrated card. Huh as I can see Acer trick you to buy a computer without a standalone card(that one is integrated). And about speed issues install XP

 

[tommy gunn]

where do I find steam launch options to insert the above code that 99.vikram posted. Is XP really the better way for HL2? Is an integrated video and sound card really the problem?

 

[99.vikram]

Open Steam's 'My Games' list.
Right click the game and click 'Properties'.
Click on 'Set Launch Options' and enter that string into the box.
Click OK..

 

[tommy gunn]

Okay Vikram, i tried that and there was some small improvement on the lockup for a couple of seconds factor, however it still skips some and the more sound that is happening in gameplay the more it locks up, nearly making the game impossible, at the very least unenjoyable. It still takes a good 3 to 4 minutes to load the game or load between areas during gameplay. Again I ask is the Vista operating system just not very compatible with HL2, and are the integrated sound and video cards going to be a problem for gaming? Also in response to Pesmerga, what do you mean GPU doesn't work well with HL2? Thanks for the help so far.

 

[Pesmerga]

The problem is you have an integrated video card, which will not run HL2 very well. In order to play HL2 with any quality, you need a proper GPU (Graphics card).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062

is a great buy that will play all DX9 games very well. Be warned that you need a motherboard with a PCI-E slot to install it.

 

[tommy gunn]

Thanks for everyone's help. I might just return this bastard.

 

[Druckles]

Yeah, I'm a bit late, but I had the same problem back when Half-Life 2 first came out. It's not Vista, it's your video card. I didn't even have an integrated video card, but it still sucked ass. While the processor's not all bad, you've been stuck with only a GiB of ram and an integrated video card. I'd hit Acer. Seriously. And don't buy from Acer in the future. Personally, if you're purchasing a manufactured machine, I'd go with Dell, who while being slightly expensive, do provide you with excellent quality, nowadays.