Advice on Graphics

Hello everyone,

Thanks for taking the time to hopefully give me some help and advice. With Freedom coming I thought I should see if I can upgrade my computer so I can run Ultra Mode and enjoy CoH in all its glory.

I don't have a budget in mind just yet as I'm wondering if the computer I have right now is worth upgrading or just going and buying a new computer is the better option.

I used Hyperstirke's guide to help here but didnt run the HIJACKTHIS app as I'm not having any problems with the game, I just dont have the graphics ramped up.

If you need any other info than what is provided below please let me know. I don't have much computer knowledge besides basic stuff but I'll try and keep up the best I can.

Thank you again for your help and input

---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.2.0.2---

DxDiag gathered at September 9, 2011 17:14 (-07:00)
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.101209-1647)
System Manufacturer: OEM
System Model: OEM
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Central Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2046MB
.Net Memory Report: 1174MB out of 2046MB available
Page File: 3136MB (802MB currently in use)
C Drive: (ST3500320AS) 293037MB out of 476937MB (61%) free
C Drive: (ST3500320AS) 293037MB out of 476937MB (61%) free
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.

No problems found.
Sound Notes: No problems found.

No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.

No problems found.

Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor's Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 8500 GT
Video Memory: 512.0 MB
Driver Version: 6.14.0012.7533
Driver Date: 05/24/2011 11:09:20 PM
Driver Language: English

Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor's Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 8500 GT
Video Memory: 512.0 MB
Driver Version: 6.14.0012.7533
Driver Date: 05/24/2011 11:09:20 PM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Realtek HD Audio output
Driver File: RtkHDAud.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5433
Driver Date: 06/14/2007 05:41:58 PM

Sound Device Description: Realtek HD Audio output
Driver File: RtkHDAud.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5433
Driver Date: 06/14/2007 05:41:58 PM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: Foxconn
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: G31MX Series
Motherboard Version:
BIOS Manufacturer: Phoenix Technologies, LTD
BIOS Name: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
BIOS Version: IntelR - 42302e31
BIOS Release: 20080731000000.000000+000


Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1680x1050
3D Resolution: 1680x1050 (Not using renderscale)
Full Screen: Yes
Maximized: No
Screen Position: 0, 0
Refresh Rate: 0Hz
Vertical Sync Enabled: Yes


Physics Quality: None
Maximum Particles: 50000
Max Particle Fill? 10.000
Physics Card Enabled: No


Anti-aliasing: 2x
Anisotropic Filtering: 4x
Texture LOD Bias: Smooth
Water Effects: None
Bloom: 1.000 (turned off)
Depth of Field Enabled: No
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: Yes
Shader Detail: Unknown (5)


World Texture Level: Low
Character Texture Level: High
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 0.800
Entity Detail Level: 1.000
Shadows Enabled: Yes
Shadow Mode: Stencil shadows
Shadow Map Shader: Unknown (0)
Environmental Reflections: Disabled
Advanced Occlusion Settings: No
Ambient Occlusion: Off
Occlusion Strength: Off
Blur: Bilateral
Ambient Resolution: Performance


Gamma Correction: 1.000
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: Yes
Suppression of FX When Camera Close Enabled: No
Close Suppression Range: 3.000
Show Advertisements: Yes

Audio Mode: Performance
3D Audio: No
FX Sound Volume: 1.000
Music Sound Volume: 0.600

Show Advanced Graphics Options: Yes
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.250
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: 151899 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 1950.201102230015.1
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
No modifications found

---

Member of the Hyperion Force

Would recommend getting:
ASUS P8P67 B3
Interl Core i5 2500K
Corsair Vengeance 1600 xms 8GB (2x4GB)
Corsair TX V2 650W PSU
Geforce GTX 560TI, EVGA if possible, good stuff.
Windows 7 64 bit

That would not only let you run CoX on Ultra and capped screen-refresh fps but pretty much any game.

---

Your rig is a tad long in the tooth, G31/E8400/8500GT/2GB.

If you are on a budget then upgrading to 4GB of memory (yes I know the system won't "see" all 4GB but what it does see is still better than 2GB) and just about any DX11 class video card that costs more than $100 would be an improvement (as long as the power supply can handle the power requirements of the video card).

A longer term solution is what Valenna suggests.

DDR3-1600 memory is about $10 a GB and Win 7 64-bit is a must. 1.5 volt CAS 9 or lower is desirable.

The i5-2500K is a tad over $200 and allows you to overclock as long as it is in either a P67 or Z68 motherboard.

I'm currently favoring nVidia over AMD because of the hit or miss driver problems with AMD cards and the GTX 560Ti is a nice card for around $250.

A good quality 80Plus certified 650 watt power supply like the Corsair suggested will easily power this.

Additional parts could include a 3rd party CPU heatsink to keep the CPU a lot cooler than what Intel ships with it, important in hot climates or if you plan to overclock the CPU.

If you aren't skilled at building a PC then places like iBUYPOWER and CyberPowerPC have reasonable prices where you can pick and choose from a variety of parts. Some of there prebuilt systems are available at NewEgg under desktops.

---

Father Xmas - Level 50 Ice/Ice Tanker - Victory
$725 and $1350 parts lists --- My guide to computer components

Tempus unum hominem manet

Thank you for the help and advice, I'll see what I can put together. I've never built a PC so I better get one pre-built for me. I guess I'll save up a little bit more and get a great system built.

---

Member of the Hyperion Force