[Blade of grass]

Nobben #44, on 16 July 2012 - 03:59 PM, said:

Why do I need a new motherboard and CPU when I have too little RAM, and need a better GPU? That kind of doesn't make sense. Besides, I can't afford a new computer.

So what I am looking at right now is:
Gainward GeForce GTX 670 2GB PhysX CUDA or ASUS GeForce GTX 560Ti 2GB PhysX CUDA
Corsair Value DDR2 SO-DIMM PC6400 8GB RAM kit.

Because the problem that you think is a GPU problem ISN'T a GPU problem, its a CPU problem.

[Nobben #44]

So my GPU being at below 50% on just about everything but I'm stuck at 4GB RAM usage and 80-100% GPU power all the time is a CPU problem?

There is literally nothing I can do to make my computer better with the current CPU and Motherboard?
(Which is my entire question here)

This post has been edited by Nobben #44: 16 July 2012 - 04:12 PM

[Blade of grass]

Nobben #44, on 16 July 2012 - 04:12 PM, said:

So my GPU being at below 50% on just about everything but I'm stuck at 4GB RAM usage and 80-100% GPU power all the time is a CPU problem?

There is literally nothing I can do to make my computer better with the current CPU and Motherboard?
(Which is my entire question here)

Fraps is completely CPU intensive. It has no affect on your GPU.
Yes, only have 4GB worth of RAM is bad, but if you can have 50-60FPS without Fraps on, then 20-30 FPS with Fraps on, then that shows a CPU and yes, a Ram problem. But it could also be the speed of the RAM.
BF3 is a very GPU intensive game, less-so CPU, but Fraps is very CPU intensive.

If you buy in-store, and it doesn't change the FPS, then you can return it within 14-30 days usually if you are unsatisfied.
You might want to log on to a computer based forum because they can give you more specific details, and their would be alot more people to offer quality advice.

[Nobben #44]

So can you answer the main question? Can I increase my general performance in games by getting 8GB of ram and a better GPU?
If not, then I'm stuck. Nothing to do.

[Blade of grass]

One sec, hold the question.
Are you writing the FRAPS video to the same drive that the game is on?

[Nobben #44]

Yes, sadly I only have one hard drive. I will be able to get another hard drive, I've already been reccomended an SSD drive with something around 200GB to use for just games. (The rest will be on the drive I already have)

And it's not only Fraps related, gaming in general with and without Fraps.

[Blade of grass]

Ok, now I have to tackle another thing.
One of the main problems with FRAPS for you is that it make the HDD read and write, read and write, read and write. So while its trying to read the game (so it actually works) you then task it to start writing the video. so the needle is flying all-over your disk to try to read and write as fast as possible.
Now, if you have a lot of FPS with other games, what games are they?
And can you post your whole rig? HDD, RAM and speed exc..? If you dont know this, download CPU-Z and tell us, or validate (bottom right) and post the picture.

[Nobben #44]

Regardless of Fraps, give me a clear answer if a new GPU and more ram will increase my GAMING performance.(By the way, my PSU doesn't have any info sticked on it)
If it doesn't help any, then I'm gonna wait and buy a better rig.

And I'm gonna do the checky thingy right now.

If I understood you right the issue with Fraps killing my FPS is my harddrive, so making it write do a different one will fix that issue.
On that issue I have one question, will an external one work(with USB connection) or will that just clog up everything even worse.

This post has been edited by Nobben #44: 16 July 2012 - 04:44 PM

[Blade of grass]

Nobben #44, on 16 July 2012 - 04:41 PM, said:

Regardless of Fraps, give me a clear answer if a new GPU and more ram will increase my GAMING performance.(By the way, my PSU doesn't have any info sticked on it)
If it doesn't help any, then I'm gonna wait and buy a better rig.

And I'm gonan do the checky thingy right now.

I want to see what you have first.

[Nobben #44]

Blade of grass, on 16 July 2012 - 04:42 PM, said:

Nobben #44, on 16 July 2012 - 04:41 PM, said:

Regardless of Fraps, give me a clear answer if a new GPU and more ram will increase my GAMING performance.(By the way, my PSU doesn't have any info sticked on it)
If it doesn't help any, then I'm gonna wait and buy a better rig.

And I'm gonan do the checky thingy right now.

I want to see what you have first.

Taken from the first post:

Nobben #44, on 16 July 2012 - 10:19 AM, said:

I'm running an Asus P5Q SE2 motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad CPU (Q9550 @2.83GHz)
Nvidia GeForce 9800 GT GPU
And 4GB of Ram(What kind I have no idea)

And I'm gonna post the more detailed stuff when I get that CPU-Z thing to work.

[Blade of grass]

Nobben #44, on 16 July 2012 - 04:46 PM, said:

Blade of grass, on 16 July 2012 - 04:42 PM, said:

Nobben #44, on 16 July 2012 - 04:41 PM, said:

Regardless of Fraps, give me a clear answer if a new GPU and more ram will increase my GAMING performance.(By the way, my PSU doesn't have any info sticked on it)
If it doesn't help any, then I'm gonna wait and buy a better rig.

And I'm gonan do the checky thingy right now.

I want to see what you have first.

Taken from the first post:

Nobben #44, on 16 July 2012 - 10:19 AM, said:

I'm running an Asus P5Q SE2 motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad CPU (Q9550 @2.83GHz)
Nvidia GeForce 9800 GT GPU
And 4GB of Ram(What kind I have no idea)

And I'm gonna post the more detailed stuff when I get that CPU-Z thing to work.

lol, I want details
make sure you run it as admin (right click, properties, compatibilitie, run this program as administrator (bottom).)

This post has been edited by Blade of grass: 16 July 2012 - 04:48 PM

[Nobben #44]

http://valid.canardp....php?id=2441273

Also, read the harddrive question above.

[Blade of grass]

yes, an external HDD should work, but internal is better. Maybe go with that (new HDD or better yet SSD) and lets see how that works, then if it doesnt, we can continue to trouble shoot. try it with an external one and see if their is a difference.

I really want to find the best and most cost effective solution, so if it mean getting a new HDD, then thats great, but if not, Its gonna get more expensive, and may include multiple trips to stores.

This post has been edited by Blade of grass: 16 July 2012 - 04:56 PM

[Nobben #44]

I'll try one of the ones I have. (I think I have a 500GB 7200RPM HDD in my old Desktop)

Back to the gaming question. Will a GPU and more ram improve anything?
I do not want to change my CPU becuase I'd need a new motherboard and probably a new PSU, then I could just as well buy a new computer.

This post has been edited by Nobben #44: 16 July 2012 - 04:58 PM

[Nobben #44]

OK, now I'm gonna seem crazy.
My old desktop has a Geforce 8800 GTS that has a PCI E port(And I have space for it and a matching port)
Can I just plug it in and it will had it's power to my computer or is that just stupid?
I even have a cable from my power supply that fits and is just hanging about unused.
(And yes I do know how to put in a GPU, I've done it before)

This post has been edited by Nobben #44: 16 July 2012 - 05:13 PM

[Blade of grass]

I'm sorry to say but Im not sure if it will.
I think that a new HDD/SDD and more RAM might just be the solution to your problem, but I cant guarantee it.
Try with the external, and tell me the results.
Also, you said that you have been having FPS problems with other games? Like what?

[Blade of grass]

Nobben #44, on 16 July 2012 - 05:11 PM, said:

OK, now I'm gonna seem crazy.
My old desktop has a Geforce 8800 GTS that has a PCI E port(And I have space for it and a matching port)
Can I just plug it in and it will had it's power to my computer or is that just stupid?
I even have a cable from my power supply that fits and is just hanging about unused.
(And yes I do know how to put in a GPU, I've done it before)

Nah, Your crazy man

[Nobben #44]

Not really issues, I just want to play STALKER on 1080p instead of 720P for example.(as well as otehr games)
And I want to squeeze every bit of life out of this computer before buying a new one.

And I'm gonna try to grab the HDD out of my old computer. I have the space for like three more HDD's and three more GPU's.

[Blade of grass]

oh, then by all means get a new GPU. if your can only play STALKER in 720p then get a new card like a 6850 (which are cheap as fuck, $100-170 US/CAD).
But for the whole fraps, fraps = HDD problem, bad FPS = low RAM, and not good enought GPU.

DDR2 Ram is fucking expensive, $180 for an 8GB hit, wow, thats crazy.

[Nobben #44]

Cheaper than a new motherboard
So I got the new HDD installed. and I can acess it with all the old files on it.(I'm gonna format it)
But it registers as two HDD's, one normal one and one called "backup". How do I merge them if possible? (Never mind, figured that out.
And I'm probably gonna go for EVGA GeForce GTX 560 2GB PhysX CUDA as a GPU. Cheap and it has good reviews.


Installing that was way to easy, I just slapped on a rail and connected a SATA cable to the motherboard and a power cable from that big bundle held together with duct tape.

This post has been edited by Nobben #44: 16 July 2012 - 06:00 PM