Is there anything I can do?

So, for a while now I've been suffering from a really slow computer, but one that has managed to play Guild Wars without many flaws. But I recently purchased Left 4 Dead, and my lag is so unbearable I have kicked from many teams because they think I just outright suck, but its actually because I lag so much. Essentially what happens is; any time there is a "big" event like, me respawning or a boomer exploding, the game freezes and replays one sound for 3-300 seconds.

A while ago I downloaded Belarc, so if you need something, I'll have to check that, but I don't even really know where to start.

I'm hoping someone can tell me something I can download/buy (for relatively cheap) that will make my games (Gw and L4D) run faster.

Post the specs of your computer, its likely not fast enough to handle L4D.

to find them, type "dxdiag" in run or search. It will pop up a page that will show some information. Post your processor, RAM, whatever video card shows in the display tab, and OS. That should help alot

Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3200+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.0GHz

RAM: 3006MB

Video Card in Tab: DirectX?

OS: XP

I have the 3500+ 2.2 and it's very dated I wouldn't count on it doing l4d, I can barely run team fortress 2 and that's after a large assortment of tweaks.

So, I'd have to get a new processor?

Aren't those essentially new computers? :S

Imo, you should get a new comp every 3 years or so if you can. It may be your internet, what is your ping rate?

ping is irrelevant. the OP's pc is simply too outdated at this point. the only thing he can do is to either not play new games, or buy a new system. he's due for an upgrade.

Not sure, but it might be just as good value to buy a PC thats already set up with good stuff in it. You can pick up reasonable PC's relitvly cheap these days.

[QUOTE=Puebert;4508452]Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3200+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.0GHz

RAM: 3006MB

Video Card in Tab: DirectX?

I don't think it's your prcessor but you should try and get a new vid card. One of tge ATI Radeon or one of the GeForce cards should work.

For a gamer the most important thing is not the processor, but the video card. Check your current frames per second.

The prob is your motherboard prolly won't have pci express on it.

Sorry it's in Dutch but it's their januari 2009 high end game system. You'll notice they don't fancy the best processors and stuff, but they put attention on the video card, power supply and two hd's in raid 0.

http://tweakers.net/reviews/1106/4

Although last week, NVidea just came out with a new flagship to beat ATI.

While an older processor can slow things down, most problems with GW are video related. A pc that played the original Guild Wars will have problems now after EotN which has higher specs.

But even with a better video card, you still won't be able to play L4D without problems. Check the recommended specs on a game, not the required. The recommended is actually as low as you want to hit. Required lets you open the game and look at things.

Alright, well by reading the responses here it looks like I'll have to get a whole brand new computer. Well, thanks for all the replies and I'll see what I can do. =]

You have the same cpu as my old comp which handled the game fine as long as i used low settings on it.

Make sure you do buy a new system, a newer videocard will most likely not fit into your old motherboard.