Will more RAM help framerates?

JAK3US

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2007

18 Jul 2007 at 02:02 - 1
Well, I run some cheap hardware:
-AMD Athlon x2 4200
-Integrated Geforce 6100 256 MB
-1 GB DDR2 533 mhz RAM

I get 10-15 fps at 1440x900 without AA, 20 fps when I get lucky.

I know getting a dedicated video card is the best option, but that option isnt available for me now .

Was thinking of getting 1 GB stick, so would that help my framerates?

Thanks for any help!

scrinner

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2006

18 Jul 2007 at 02:09 - 2
No, in your case you have met the optimal amount of memory for guildwars With or Without Vista. Your processor is also fine.

I suggest toning down Textures or Turning down window graphics.

MisterB

MisterB

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Oct 2005

Planet Earth, Sol system, Milky Way galaxy

[ban]

W/

18 Jul 2007 at 02:09 - 3
Your processor is fine, and you have more than enough RAM. GW won't even use the RAM you have now. Integrated graphics are terrible for gaming, and that is your problem. You may try lowering your resolution, if possible.

JAK3US

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2007

18 Jul 2007 at 02:36 - 4
Hmm, i'll just wait it out till i get enough money for a graphics card then.

It seems 1280x800 and 960x600 are proportional. 960x600 is way too fuzzy. With AAx2 on FPS is really uunstable, sometimes giving me 10, sometimes 30!

1280x800 doesn't fit on the screen. I tried hitting the auto function on my monitor, didn't help.

Tachyon

Tachyon

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2005

Stoke, England

The Godless [GOD]

W/

18 Jul 2007 at 03:50 - 5
As already mentioned, the only thing you need is a graphics card! Your CPU and RAM are perfectly fine, but that said 2GB is the sweet spot.

BLOODGOAT

BLOODGOAT

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2007

long a

Mo/

18 Jul 2007 at 04:12 - 6
lol @...

512 MB RAM
3.2 GHz... single core rofl
INTEGRATED 64 MB GFX CARD

KK!
I get... 14 FPS (with the occasional 30-40 in minimal spots) both with graphics setting on maximum and minimum. I'm pretty sure we all know what I'm using... (max) but how come I receive relatively the same frame-rate as you when my PC seems to be 10x worse.

scrinner

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2006

18 Jul 2007 at 04:15 - 7
Probably your still using dx8? But besides that, To the op, YOu can try using Dx8 To render... Might increase performance but I haven't done this myself and dont guarantee anything.

JAK3US

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2007

18 Jul 2007 at 06:50 - 8
I would try dx8 if it wasn't for the downgrade issue... I'm doing a clean install of xp later this month so I'll try it out with dx8 then.

Flightmare

Flightmare

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2006

NL

Infinite Omega Negatives

N/

18 Jul 2007 at 07:08 - 9
Well, you don't have to have DX8 installed on your pc. 9 is just fine, you can force the game to run in DX8 http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Command_line#-dx8

JAK3US

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2007

18 Jul 2007 at 21:20 - 10
DX8 didn't help much... framerates haven't improved. I deecideed to settle for playing at 960x600 with 2xAA on, its not that bad after you get used to it

scrinner

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2006

18 Jul 2007 at 22:55 - 11
Anti Aliasing is a frames killer really. Id prefer to play at my monitors default resolution with no Anti aliasing and good looking settings. Then Again I have an LCD so anything but my native rez looks ugly

JAK3US

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2007

19 Jul 2007 at 00:23 - 12
I had to turn AA on to make the low resolution bearable

Etta

Etta

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2006

Mancland, British Empire

19 Jul 2007 at 11:58 - 13
You're using wide screen aren't you? Then sadly anything lower than 1440x900 will look like poops, fit to screen option is rubbish as it stretch everyting. You might have to bite the bullet and get a graphic card, even a gf5950 will be better than that on board one. Have a look on ebay, you can pick a 6600gt or other pci-e mid range for a real low price.

JAK3US

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2007

19 Jul 2007 at 12:38 - 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by Etta
You're using wide screen aren't you? Then sadly anything lower than 1440x900 will look like poops, fit to screen option is rubbish as it stretch everyting. You might have to bite the bullet and get a graphic card, even a gf5950 will be better than that on board one. Have a look on ebay, you can pick a 6600gt or other pci-e mid range for a real low price.
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10178681
I decided to treat myself well for GW:EN

Randomway Ftw

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Oct 2006

Ottawa, Canada

19 Jul 2007 at 12:47 - 15
Get a real (non integrated) graphics card.

Etta

Etta

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2006

Mancland, British Empire

19 Jul 2007 at 13:08 - 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by JAK3US
I dedcided to treat myself well for gW:EN
That 7900 gs is a good card for that price, you'll notice the different in FPS. Between this and the 7600gt, hard to say, depend on what you're aiming for, wide screen high res with everything on high, both cards will work just fine. 7900gs if you don't mind the $30 different or 7600 gt and you'll have enough change to buy GW:EN.

And if you decide to get a gforce 8 series for the dx10, don't go for anything lower than 8600gt (plain 8600 is not that great).

Fr_3_aK

Fr_3_aK

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Dec 2005

Australia

19 Jul 2007 at 13:46 - 17
Im a tight arse like you man, i think ive paid $200 for my whole setup.

P4 2GHz
1gig RAM
64mg GeForce 4.

I run 1024x768 on minimum graphics and get 20-30 FPS. I then "upgraded" for EOTN like you're planning, to a FX5500. Hahaha DX9 Graphics welcome
It's still bad for FPS, on max graphics i get 10-30
On minimum i get 20-30 (O_o) So choose your "upgrade" carefully, cuz you might not get better FPS at all (like me).

Etta

Etta

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2006

Mancland, British Empire

19 Jul 2007 at 14:13 - 18
Fr_3_aK, fx5500, is cheap but sadly not cheerful, what's is it $30 or something? If you can, try and get the 6600gt it's really cheap now as well but very cheerful indeed. FX series are not very good unless it's 5900 or 5950 ultra, but those two are old heroes with yesterday tech, if you see one on ebay it'll be around £20-30. I know, it's a hard work try to keep you pc upto date.

Zodiak

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

Gatineau, Qc, Canada

Kiss of Anguish [KISS]

P/W

19 Jul 2007 at 17:19 - 19
I also agree with the Onboard Video issue.

Here is another Little Known Fact

The use of Onboard Audio decreases System Performance by a whopping 10% since its calculated by the CPU.

Even though Onboard sound quality can be outstanding by todays standards, people who know better will still recommend getting a dedicationed Sound Card to get that 10% performance back.

Adding more Ram WILL increase your load time for maps and General but should not affect your FPS that much.