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-   -   PC (CPU/Mobo) Help Required (https://www.scoobynet.com/computer-and-technology-related-34/382637-pc-cpu-mobo-help-required.html)

P1Fanatic 25 November 2004 01:47 PM
PC (CPU/Mobo) Help Required
 
Was hoping to build a new PC but funds are tight around Xmas but I still need more speed for HL2 and CS:Source.

I currently have an Asus A7V266 mobo and Athlon XP 1400 Cpu. Checking the latest BIOS versions I can download 1011 which apparently supports the Athlon XP 2600+.

I can pull an Athlon 2400+ 266FSB off ebay for £30. So a few questions:

1. Do you guys think this is a worthwhile upgrade? Am also thinking of getting an Radeon 9800 Pro for around £110 to replace 9600 pro
2. How easy is it to upgrade the BIOS?
3. Once BIOS upgraded is it just a case of pull old cpu out and put new one (forgetting about heat sink / fan and thermal compound).

Thanks,
Simon.

Daz34 25 November 2004 02:59 PM
Originally Posted by P1Fanatic
Was hoping to build a new PC but funds are tight around Xmas but I still need more speed for HL2 and CS:Source.

I currently have an Asus A7V266 mobo and Athlon XP 1400 Cpu. Checking the latest BIOS versions I can download 1011 which apparently supports the Athlon XP 2600+.

I can pull an Athlon 2400+ 266FSB off ebay for £30. So a few questions:

1. Do you guys think this is a worthwhile upgrade? Am also thinking of getting an Radeon 9800 Pro for around £110 to replace 9600 pro
2. How easy is it to upgrade the BIOS?
3. Once BIOS upgraded is it just a case of pull old cpu out and put new one (forgetting about heat sink / fan and thermal compound).

Thanks,
Simon.
As far as I am aware, XP2600+'s are as rare as rocking horse doo doo. An XP2400+ would be a decent upgrade though & flashing the BIOS is easy. You just need to ensure that your motherboard does indeed support the chip as you'll probably need the latest revision of motherboard. Look in your case & it will be marked on the board. Check the revision number with the info here.
You might want to consider getting some good RAM as well with fast CAS 2 timings if you don't already have it.
The ATI 9800Pro is an excellent card at that price & I would't spend any more than that on a card as your new cpu would probably still be a bottleneck.

Darren

P1Fanatic 25 November 2004 03:44 PM
Cheers for the reply. Will check motherboard out tonight. Even if it doesnt work its worth the try I reckon for £30-£40. 9800 pro card I can take to new pc as and when I build it.

Simon.

jjones 25 November 2004 04:00 PM
how much system ram have you got?

may be worth putting on win98 as opposed to xp/2000 if gaming is your thing as this won't use as much resources. (not sure on win98 support of >512mb ram tho).

Krade 25 November 2004 04:06 PM
Im running an XP2600+ Radeon 9800pro with a gig of ram XP SP2 and it runs HL2 fine with high detail. So you should do fine if you go the route you say.

I do some stutter, think thats down to the CPU tho.

Admitadly the FPS is bit poor at about 30-40 when it gets busy and 60 when not much going on. I know by fiddleing with all the models, reducing details ect I can bump it up but can't see the point tbh. the game is too good and polished to turn half the details off :)

P1Fanatic 25 November 2004 04:35 PM
Originally Posted by jjones
how much system ram have you got?

may be worth putting on win98 as opposed to xp/2000 if gaming is your thing as this won't use as much resources. (not sure on win98 support of >512mb ram tho).
768mb (3x256mb) Crucial DDR PC2100.

Simon.

P1Fanatic 25 November 2004 04:39 PM
Originally Posted by Krade
Im running an XP2600+ Radeon 9800pro with a gig of ram XP SP2 and it runs HL2 fine with high detail. So you should do fine if you go the route you say.

I do some stutter, think thats down to the CPU tho.

Admitadly the FPS is bit poor at about 30-40 when it gets busy and 60 when not much going on. I know by fiddleing with all the models, reducing details ect I can bump it up but can't see the point tbh. the game is too good and polished to turn half the details off :)
What res is that in? Im playing 800x600 now on med detail and getting between 20-40 fps.

Simon.

Krade 25 November 2004 04:43 PM
im using 1024 x 768. high detail.

Krade 25 November 2004 04:47 PM
heres some stuff put up on anther forum I use to improve your FPS.


I used these on CS source and it get rid of nearly every bit of detail there is, looks pants but gives very good FPS.

Code:
cl_cull "1"
cl_ejectbrass "0"
cl_forcepreload "1"
cl_interp "0.01"
cl_phys_props_enable "0"
cl_phys_props_max "0"
cl_ragdoll_collide "0"
cl_ragdoll_physics_enable "1"
cl_show_bloodspray "0"
cl_show_splashes "0"
cl_smooth "0"
fog_enable "0"
fog_enable_water_fog "0"
mat_bloom "0"
mat_bufferprimitives "0"
mat_bumpmap "0"
mat_fastnobump "0"
mat_fastspecular "0"
mat_forcedynamic "0"
mat_specular "0"
max_shells "0"
r_3dnow "1"
r_decal_cullsize "0"
r_DispUseStaticMeshes "0"
r_drawparticles "0"
r_drawrain "0"
r_drawropes "0"
r_mmx 1
r_modellodscale "0.1"
r_rainalpha 0
r_rainalphapow 0
r_raindensity 0
r_rainlength 0
r_RainProfile 0
r_RainRadius 0
r_RainSideVel 0
r_RainSimulate 0
r_rainspeed 0
r_RainSplashPercentage 0
r_rainwidth 0
r_shadows "0"
r_sse 1
r_sse2 1
r_teeth "0"
Havent tried these ones out but it gives you a better Idea of what it changes than the otehr list.

Code:

autoexec.cfg:

//muzzle light
muzzleflash_light "0"
//end muzzle light

//better sound
dsp_enhance_stereo "1"
//end better sound

//take away particles
//r_drawparticles "0"
//end take away particles

//force preloading
cl_forcepreload "1"
//end force preloading

//Smooth view/eye origin after prediction errors
cl_smooth 0
//end Smooth view/eye origin after prediction errors

//Models with alot less polys than default will make stable fps in combat
r_modellodscale "0.1"
//end Models with alot less polys than default will make stable fps in combat

//remove the bananas on italy, the bottles and empty cans on dust
cl_phys_props_enable "0"
cl_phys_props_max "0"
//r_propsmaxdist 5000
//end remove the bananas on italy, the bottles and empty cans on dust

//increases texture quality from a distance
mat_mipmaptextures "1"
//end increases texture quality from a distance

//makes it so that the models always look their best from any distance
r_lod "-1"
//end makes it so that the models always look their best from any distance

//gives the C4 bomb ticking light dynamic lighting
cl_c4dynamiclight "1"
//end gives the C4 bomb ticking light dynamic lighting

//see decals from any distance
//r_decal_cullsize "0"
//end see decals from any distance

//renders visible objects only
l_cull "1"
//end renders visible objects only

//remove floor reflections will improve by 50 fps
mat_bumpmap "0"
mat_specular "0"
mat_bloom "0"
mat_fastnobump "0"
mat_fastspecular "0"
mat_forcedynamic "0"
mat_bufferprimitives "0"
//end remove floor

//Turns off ejecting bullets
max_shells "0"
cl_ejectbrass "0"
//end Turns off ejecting bullets

//remove fog
fog_enable "0"
//end remove fog

//disable rain
r_drawrain "0"
r_rainalpha "0"
r_rainalphapow "0"
r_raindensity "0"
r_rainlength "0"
r_RainProfile "0"
r_RainRadius "0"
r_RainSideVel "0"
r_RainSimulate "0"
r_rainspeed "0"
r_RainSplashPercentage "0"
r_rainwidth "0"
//end disable rain

//remove splashing water
cl_show_splashes "0"
//end remove splashing water

//ragdolls collide with each other
cl_ragdoll_collide "0"
cl_ragdoll_physics_enable "0"
//end ragdolls collide with each other

--

Found those commands via googling, was on some neowin.net forums.. Can't access the thread now though, as they force log in or something.

Seriously try those commands though, on aztec boosted my fps from 60 - 120+ on a LAN game.

On DKYT source server last night, 8v8, was getting about 60 constant D:

P1Fanatic 28 November 2004 01:33 AM
Originally Posted by Daz34
As far as I am aware, XP2600+'s are as rare as rocking horse doo doo. An XP2400+ would be a decent upgrade though & flashing the BIOS is easy. You just need to ensure that your motherboard does indeed support the chip as you'll probably need the latest revision of motherboard. Look in your case & it will be marked on the board. Check the revision number with the info here.
You might want to consider getting some good RAM as well with fast CAS 2 timings if you don't already have it.
The ATI 9800Pro is an excellent card at that price & I would't spend any more than that on a card as your new cpu would probably still be a bottleneck.

Darren
Cheers Darren. I looked at that link. It says 2400+ supported from PCB 1.07 onwards. Any idea how I check which "PCB" I have?

Simon.

Nick 28 November 2004 09:22 AM
Originally Posted by P1Fanatic
Cheers Darren. I looked at that link. It says 2400+ supported from PCB 1.07 onwards. Any idea how I check which "PCB" I have?

Simon.
PCB = printed circuit board. You need to look carefully at your motherboard & see if there's any version numbers written on it.

Daz34 29 November 2004 03:29 PM
Yes it is usually printed in between the PCI slots in white on Asus boards

P1Fanatic 30 November 2004 04:59 PM
Originally Posted by Daz34
Yes it is usually printed in between the PCI slots in white on Asus boards
Under A7V266 (in large white letters) it says revision 1.06 so I assume thats referring to pcb version?

From the ASUS website it seems I can only go up to the following:

Athlon XP 2000+(Model 8)(Thoroughbred) 1.05. 1010
Athlon XP 2100+(Model 8)(Thoroughbred) 1.05. 1010
Athlon XP 2100+(Model 6)(Palomino) 1.05. 1002C
Athlon XP 2200+(Model 8)(Thoroughbred) 1.05. 1010

Looks like the XP 2200+ model 8 it is. How do I distinguish a model 8 (Thoroughbred) from model 10 (Thorton), as will be buying off ebay?

Cheers,
Simon


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