Will my box run HL2?

[tylercruz]

Hi,

Here is my computer info:

Processor: AMD Athlon XP 2200+ 1.81 GHz
Video Card: V9180 Geforce4 MX440 64MB 8X AGP
Memory: 512 MB of RAM

I was wondering if HL2 would run 'decent' on my computer, as that is all I'm looking for. I don't want to play the game on the bare minimum requirements, as that'd mean I'd have to lose a lot of quality and enjoyment. However I also cannot afford to spend money on a new card to get the ideal settings either.

Since I am a complete newbie when it comes to hardware, any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Prince of China]

Well, depends on what you plan to run it on.

 

[Mujuro]

Yes, on low-medium settings.

 

[aeroripper]

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It will "run" but won't look to terribly great with your video card. Suggest updating that and then it will look a world better... everything else will play it decent.

 

[tylercruz]

Wow, this forum rocks.. 3 posts minutes after I post it..

I can take the hint guys, you sure want me to upgrade Thing is I have absolutely no money right now, but I also can't NOT buy HL2 when it comes out in a few days.. so I'm kind of backed in a corner here.

How much would a nice video card cost me to run HL2 on my computer if I were to somehow find money and buy one?

 

[Seeky]

I have the exact same setup, only with 384 MB of ram. CSS runs reasonably smooth, with FPS between 40 and 50 in most sequences, and drops to about 30-35 in gunfights. Levels take a long time to load (about a minute), but having slightly more ram should help. My resolution is 1024x768 and quality is on "medium" (AA and Ansio are off). My fps improves about 20% when I drop to 800x600. Given that HL2 will probably require slightly higher requirements than CSS, the game should be quite playable.

 

[tylercruz]

Hi Seeky,

Thanks a lot I just want to play it until I have enough spare cash to buy a nice video card. I won't be playing it online either (I will be waiting to get more memory and a new video card, and for TF2 to come out before I play it online), if that makes any difference.

 

[aeroripper]

You should be able to play it with decent framerates with like somebody else said low-medium settings. But with that video card you won't get the cool looking water (IIRC that card doesn't support shaders) and a lot of the visuals.

 

[tylercruz]

Could somebody still give me an idea of prices for a better card for when I do have money, so I know what to get? Thanks.

 

[[Dragoon]]

I'd go for the nVidia 6800 GT 256mg (ATI fanboys are going to rip me limb from limb in the next few posts), but it's expensive as hell. 400 bucks.

 

[Bad^Hat]

Dragoon, he doesn't have that kind of money

9600XT is a good medium range choice, or if you want to spend a bit more the 9800pro should run it well on high settings. Both are good choices (I just ordered a 9800pro ), the rest of your system looks fine.

Edit - Oh, and I'm running a GF4mx440 at the mo. I don't think it'll run very well at all in HL2, but you never know.

 

[tylercruz]

Just an update. I bought HL2 today and got an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro as well Installed the video card fine, and am installing HL2 now