computer tech question

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shadowstriker86

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Feb 12, 2009
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ok, so ive got windows xp, intel 4 2.0 ghz processer, a gig and a half of ram, and a 256mb nvidia 6800 ultra series video card, can someone please explain to my why the hell conuter strike source is still choppy with the lowest settings in 600x800? ive done all defragging and cleaning i could but its still choppy, wtf!?
 

Destal

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Jul 8, 2009
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Could be a ton of different reasons. How many process do you have running in the background? Do you run an anti spyware and anti virus? Is this a problem that came about recently?
 

TeaBaggin

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Apr 16, 2009
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CS:S comes with a stress test, do that and see if its choppy. if its not its internet connection, if it is choppy you might want to look at upgrading that video card.
 

SpAc3man

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Does your motherboard also have integrated graphics? if so make sure your monitor is actually plugged into the correct port. Not the motherboard one. You want the graphics card one.

Also make sure you have the correct graphics drivers installed
 

shadowstriker86

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Feb 12, 2009
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Destal said:
Could be a ton of different reasons. How many process do you have running in the background? Do you run an anti spyware and anti virus? Is this a problem that came about recently?
nope, its a brand new reformatted drive, but this is a frankenstein computer i had to build since my older one died, however that one had a lesser motherboard and less ram but somehow ran CSS no problem at normal settings. but i do have avg but its never been a problem before
 

Destal

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Make sure you've updated your graphics driver. Another thing to look at is opening the video card control panel and making sure that the graphics are set on the performance end, not the quality end. Again, it still could possibly be something big was running in the background. Is it possible your computer was running a virus scan while you were playing?
 

Laughing Man

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The answer is somewhat simple.

The CPU is your issue. The Source engine is a very CPU intensive program, not only that the res you are running shifts the workload from your GPU to your CPU. The Intel P4 2.0Ghz was a slow CPU when the Intel P4 was a mainline CPU, put it this way the first system I ever built, over 5 years ago had a 3.6Ghz P4.

The 2.0Ghz P4 is a single core CPU and has no HT so it is further hampered by not having the ability to run multiple tasks at once so if you have AV and a FW as well as other stuff running in the background you're further kicking the ass out of an already pretty weak CPU.

OC the balls off it if you can, failing that you'll need to get a better CPU. If it is a P4 and it is at 2.0Ghz chances are it's part of the Willaimette range of CPUs. You should be able to pick up a Prescott P4 at 3.0Ghz that will fit in that socket for around £50. Much more powerful and it may or may not come with HT. Be aware you may need to update the Motherboard Bios though.
 

RetiarySword

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Apr 27, 2008
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shadowstriker86 said:
ok, so ive got windows xp, intel 4 2.0 ghz processer, a gig and a half of ram, and a 256mb nvidia 6800 ultra series video card, can someone please explain to my why the hell conuter strike source is still choppy with the lowest settings in 600x800? ive done all defragging and cleaning i could but its still choppy, wtf!?
Because that is terrible. I could just about run it on 1.5gb ram, 2.8ghz pent 4 and an nvidia 6600.
 

shadowstriker86

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Feb 12, 2009
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Laughing Man said:
The answer is somewhat simple.

The CPU is your issue. The Source engine is a very CPU intensive program, not only that the res you are running shifts the workload from your GPU to your CPU. The Intel P4 2.0Ghz was a slow CPU when the Intel P4 was a mainline CPU, put it this way the first system I ever built, over 5 years ago had a 3.6Ghz P4.

The 2.0Ghz P4 is a single core CPU and has no HT so it is further hampered by not having the ability to run multiple tasks at once so if you have AV and a FW as well as other stuff running in the background you're further kicking the ass out of an already pretty weak CPU.

OC the balls off it if you can, failing that you'll need to get a better CPU. If it is a P4 and it is at 2.0Ghz chances are it's part of the Willaimette range of CPUs. You should be able to pick up a Prescott P4 at 3.0Ghz that will fit in that socket for around £50. Much more powerful and it may or may not come with HT. Be aware you may need to update the Motherboard Bios though.
wow, the cpu was my last guess as to what it was, though for a different reason. ya, the frankenstein i built was from old 4+ year old computers, so i guess it was kind of expected
 

Eclectic Dreck

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CPU usage can be checked through the task manager readily enough, as can memory usage. At 800x600 resolution, memory almost certainly isn't the problem however (unless you have an abnormal number of programs running in the background).

That said, your system more than meets the minimum system requirements for the game, so your problem may be elsewhere.

Generally speaking, choppy video can be the result of any number of things:

Lag - slower interent connections will cause problems in most games these days. Often, while your system waits for an update from the server you don't get a new frame of animation. Generally this is the result of packet loss more than actual latency howver. Cellular internet in particular is terrible for many online games for this very reason.

CPU - While most of the graphics processing is done on the video card, the core game code is being processed on this device. If the system is struggling with the execution of the game logic, you'll have problems regardless of the video card. Generally, a frame is produced for each pass through the game logic, and most games only have one frame in the buffer, so problems are rapidly seen. There can be a number of reasons for this - lack of power on the CPU is the most obvious. Hardware settings may be at fault (though I don't believe CS:Source has an option to use anything other than hardware accelleration for video, I don't want to download it again to check). In some cases, heat buildup is the problem. Many CPUs clock themselves down if they reach dangerous operating temperatures. The most common cause for this is dust build-up on the CPUs heat-sink or the failure of the attached fan (or case fans)

Video - In this case video is the last culprit in the list simply because the card exceeds the requirements by a significant margin.