Looking for some upgrade tips

I'm currently running a Pentium D 930 (3.0 Ghz) with 2 gig of RAM and a Nvidia GeForce 7600GT graphics card.

I'm currently getting about 20-30 fps in CoH outside of missions, and much worse than that (sometimes down into the single digits!) in CoV.

I'd like to upgrade my setup so that I can get no less than 30 fps most, if not all, of the time (assuming that's possible).

Would I be able to achieve that just by upgrading my graphics card or do I need a whole new PC?

If it's just the graphics card, what would you recommend? I'd be willing to spend about $500 or so.

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Would I be able to achieve that just by upgrading my graphics card or do I need a whole new PC?

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In order to answer this, we would need some information about your motherboard (for sure) and power supply (would be helpful). Can you advise the exact make and model of the computer (assuming it's not custom-built)?

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Would I be able to achieve that just by upgrading my graphics card or do I need a whole new PC?

[/ QUOTE ]
In order to answer this, we would need some information about your motherboard (for sure) and power supply (would be helpful). Can you advise the exact make and model of the computer (assuming it's not custom-built)?

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Sure--it's a Sony Vaio VGC-RC210G. I believe the power supply is 400 watts.

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Would I be able to achieve that just by upgrading my graphics card or do I need a whole new PC?

[/ QUOTE ]
In order to answer this, we would need some information about your motherboard (for sure) and power supply (would be helpful). Can you advise the exact make and model of the computer (assuming it's not custom-built)?

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We'd also need to know what settings you currently use in-game.
You say you want steady 30FPS, but is that with graphics set to fair-to-middling, or all-eyecandy-cranked-to-11?

CoHHelper - download, install, run, post results here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dispari I don't know why Dink thinks she's not as sexy as Jay was. In 5 posts she's already upstaged his entire career.

How's this?

---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.1.1.7---

DxDiag gathered at May 1, 2009 18:33 (-04:00)
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234)
System Manufacturer: Sony Corporation
System Model: VGC-RC210G
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Central Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2046MB
.Net Memory Report: 1546MB out of 2046MB available
Page File: 3449MB (488MB currently in use)
C Drive: (Volume 0) 204113MB out of 305242MB (66%) free
D Drive: (PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-110D) zero-size drive
E Drive: (SONY DVD-ROM DDU1615) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DirectX Diag version: 5.03.2600.5512 (32-bit version)

Display Notes: No problems found.
Sound Notes: No problems found.

No problems found.

No problems found.

No problems found.

No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.

Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor's Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 7600 GT
Video Memory: 256.0 MB
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.7813
Driver Date: 9/17/2008 11:55:00 PM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: MOTU UltraLite #1: Main Outs
Driver File: mfwawave.sys
Driver Version: 3.06.0007.0003
Driver Date: 8/23/2006 4:18:08 PM

Sound Device Description: SigmaTel Audio
Driver File: sthda.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.4717.0000
Driver Date: 9/9/2005 9:15:32 PM

Sound Device Description: MOTU UltraLite #1: Phones
Driver File: mfwawave.sys
Driver Version: 3.06.0007.0003
Driver Date: 8/23/2006 4:18:08 PM

Sound Device Description: MOTU UltraLite #1: Analog
Driver File: mfwawave.sys
Driver Version: 3.06.0007.0003
Driver Date: 8/23/2006 4:18:08 PM

Sound Device Description: MOTU UltraLite #1: SPDIF
Driver File: mfwawave.sys
Driver Version: 3.06.0007.0003
Driver Date: 8/23/2006 4:18:08 PM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: PRAGUE
Motherboard Version: AAD12395-206
BIOS Manufacturer: Intel Corp.
BIOS Name: Default System BIOS
BIOS Version: INTEL - 60
BIOS Release: 20051215000000.000000+000

Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1440x900
3D Resolution: 1440x900 (Not using renderscale)
Full Screen: Yes
Maximized: No
Screen Position: 0, 0
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Vertical Sync Enabled: Yes

Physics Quality: Medium
Maximum Particles: 50000
Max Particle Fill? 10.000
Physics Card Enabled: No

Anti-aliasing: 2x
Anisotropic Filtering: 4x
Texture LOD Bias: Smooth
Water Effects: High Quality
Bloom: 1.000 (turned off)
Depth of Field Enabled: No
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: Yes
Shader Detail: High

World Texture Level: Very High
Character Texture Level: Very High
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 2.000
Entity Detail Level: 1.506
Shadows Enabled: Yes
Gamma Correction: 0.702
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: Yes
Suppression of Extra Player FX Enabled: No
Suppression of FX When Camera Close Enabled: Yes
Close Suppression Range: 3.000
Show Advertisements: Yes

Audio Mode: Performance
3D Audio: No
FX Sound Volume: 0.221
Music Sound Volume: 0.000

Show Advanced Graphics Options: Yes
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.600
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: 333709 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 18.20090324.20T2
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
No modifications found

You run with graphical settings turned up pretty high, but your screen resolution is not terribly strenous, which is hopeful.

IMO, a graphics card upgrade would be helpful, however without knowing more detailed specs on your power supply, specifically the amperage available at +12v, it's nearly impossible to make a good suggestion.

That being said, a $500 budget is quite substantial for just an "upgrade"
That could easily buy a quality PSU and high-end videocard; the question is, do you really want to go that far seeing as you could build a complete new system for around $600?

Do a search for posts by FatherXmas (or maybe he will be summoned by the use of his name ) and take a look at the links in his signature.
The $600 rig may be right up your alley