Video Card Set Up

jny4916 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-04-2003, 10:59 PM

Ok my computer is only about three weeks old and I havnt really tried any hard core gaming on it yet.

So today I tried to play Medal Of Honor Allied Assault. It worked ok, but im unimpressed with the performance. Lots of frame lockups and general lagginess. Can anyone tell me how to set up my video card and what game option settings I should use for 3d action. I know this thing will never perform like a desktop because of the heat issues and the 5400 spindle rate on the hard drive, but it should be performing better than this.

Thanks for the help.

--jny

gsferrari · #2 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 12:10 AM

1] Go to display properties (right click on desktop) and set resolution to 800X600 or 1024X768 (max)

2] Go to advanced (actually do this before reducing resolution) and if you have the Cat 3.2 drivers - check "Always Off" for vertical sync and move the slider from Balanced to Performance (Actually just checking vertical sync to always off will be enough but in case it isnt then move the performance slider one step to the left of balanced)

3] Clean up your registry (Dload System Mechanic from www.iolo.com and run the maintenance wizard every day before you shut down the system)

4] Defrag your HDD (Use Norton System WOrks 2003 regularly)

Basically you have to maintain your system in top shape...

5] turn off all background processes

6] That should do the trick...

lemme know if any of this works...

myrkat · #3 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 01:42 AM

How can anyone recommend Norton System Work(load) to someone? What a horrible waste of resources that is. I've heard that Peter Norton is trying to get them to remove his name from their products.

I would recommend SystemSuite if I had to run one of those things... or just their Fix-It utilities.

-myrkat

gsferrari · #4 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 12:39 PM

that software certainly looks yummy....

lessee if I can dload it from somewhere

NSW2K3 is not bad - its the only one I have so I cant really recommend any other for defragging. I use System Mechanic for almost everything else...

where did you read that NSW2K3 sucked??

Babbabresaur · #5 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 05:03 PM

I have a 8887 and am playing MOHAA. I set display performance to the max for quality, both in Direct3D, and Open GL. The game runs smooth, and looks spectacular compared to my old Dell Inspiron 8000 with ati M4.

jny4916 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 05:09 PM

Hmm that sounds right. What settings are you using in the game options for video? Resolution? 16/32 color? Bil/tril filtering? Just wondering what I might be doing wrong.

--jny

jny4916 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 05:15 PM

This ATI M9000 "was" the best laptop video card around. Now NVidia has come out with a TI 4200 GO. Which is kicking ATI's ass. I just read a review about the new Dell Inspiron 8500 in Maximum PC and the thing is clocking 9100 for their 3dmark se scores with that new card. ATI could never even get out of the low 7000's.

Well I guess thats how it always is. As soon as you buy any computer the next better version is only days away.

--jny

jny4916 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 05:23 PM

For GS...

I thought there was an optimum resolution that the lcd screens had to run at or they didnt look right. Its based on the _XGA resolution for which ever one you have. If you set it lower does it look all choppy? Mine seems fine at the lower resolution but Ive read It should be set to the optimum. I guess I dont even know what that is for my lcd.

--jny

rk_cr · #9 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 05:55 PM

NSW2K3 is okay... but it has a lot of extra crap that you do not need, and does all this stuff in the background that you do not want it to do.

What it is useful for:
It's utility programs (such as defrag).
The ghosting program that comes with it now, WITHOUT installing it (If you install it, I found out, it always boots up on your computer and I have to do some serious registry searching to stop it from doing this that I have yet to try)
Antivirus (which I only really turn on when doing potentially risky ativities, like Kazaa)

Otherwise there is a bunch of annoying "features." If you do not turn it all off, it will guarantedly crash your game into a desktop window that boots up to check your hard drive for safety and whatnot... kind of annoying when you are right in a multiplayer game. But it can be turned off.

jny4916 · #10 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 06:07 PM

What is wrong with the XP defrag program? Seems to work just fine for me. I have been a PC user since they first came out and I will never use Norton or McAfee system software. That crap just loads up on its own and screws with everything.

I actually never have anything running on my desktop besides the OS. My task-bar tray has two icons. One for volume and one for the AC-Plug. If im connected to the internet or a lan some more might pop up. But for single player everything is pretty uncluttered. Thats why im so confused about this 3d problem. Just seems like this video card cant keep up with a new game.