Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > General Homebuilt > Why does old system suck?
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wolfseeker2828   02-14-2009 at 01:29:02 AM

So I recently inherited a remarkably old computer from my friend's family. I was hoping that I would be able to play my older games like SW:KotOR and Rome: Total War on it, because my new computer is running x64 Vista and has issues, duh. The specs:

AMD Athlon XP +2100 Socket A
1GB DDR 333
Antec Earthwatts 300W PSU
Radeon 9600se
2 150GB HDDs

Unfortunately, it can't play any of my games at anything above the lowest settings. Changing a single thing from 800x600 and lowest settings causes it to lag like crazy. Does this computer just suck?

------------------------------ Pentium e2160 @ 3.2 GHz - 4 GB DDR2 800 RAM - 250 GB HDD Seagate 7200.10 - Cooler Master Hyper TX2 cooler - Radeon HD 3850 512 MB
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Proximon   02-14-2009 at 01:45:46 AM
- 1 +

Pretty much. I wouldn't throw too much money at it, but you could try to find some used RAM to upgrade it to 2GB.

Better yet, just scrap it, and use the OS to dual boot your current rig.

------------------------------ My Guide to choosing parts
A big list of recommended parts
Troubleshooting Guide w/links
 Reply to Proximon
calinkula   02-14-2009 at 01:47:06 AM
- 0 +

I think the Radeon 9600 is holding you back. That wasn't that great of a card, even back then. Lower end card with a number close to the mighty 9700 that marketing used to sell more cards.

Reply to calinkula
wolfseeker2828   02-14-2009 at 04:00:07 AM
- 0 +

the funny thing is, though, that my previous rig was a celeron with a 9200 - and that played these games just fine.

------------------------------ Pentium e2160 @ 3.2 GHz - 4 GB DDR2 800 RAM - 250 GB HDD Seagate 7200.10 - Cooler Master Hyper TX2 cooler - Radeon HD 3850 512 MB
 Reply to wolfseeker2828
Proximon   02-14-2009 at 04:05:14 AM
- 0 +

Well, make sure it's not overheating and throttling back, or that the settings in BIOS are right.

------------------------------ My Guide to choosing parts
A big list of recommended parts
Troubleshooting Guide w/links
 Reply to Proximon
ir_efrem   02-14-2009 at 05:51:28 AM
- 0 +

Indeed, check the system for heat. Blow all the dust bunnies out of it. Wipe the hard drive out and start over with a fresh install of windows, this would probably add all kinds of pep to that system.

------------------------------ Don't drink and park, accidents cause people.
 Reply to ir_efrem
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