Low fps on all games....

I really need help, I'm good with computer software but don't know a thing about computer hardware. Every game I run on the lowest possible graphics runs around 20 fps.

Far Cry 2: Highest graphics - 15 fps Lowest graphics - 25 fps
TF2: With no action - 30fps Actually trying to play D: - 10fps
Prototype: 14 fps
BF2142: 23 fps

This is all the info about my computer, all drivers are updated and i have little to no processes running in the background:

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.090206-1233)
System Manufacturer: 45PS2
System Model: 775XFire-eSATA2
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.66GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 3072MB RAM
Page File: 380MB used, 4071MB available
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 9600 GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0622&SUBSYS_054510DE&REV_A1
Display Memory: 512.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.8585 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 4/30/2009 22:02:00, 5896320 bytes

Really? I read all reviews on the 9600 gt and it seems to achieve a much higher fps average than what I'm getting...

Old Pentium D tend to overheat easily when the heatsink became clogged. That cause the cpu to throttle it's speed down to prevent overheating. I would check that first.

Well, a single 9600GT is pretty much a low end card now, especially when you consider that you can get a 4850 for just $100. Anyway your CPU is severely underpowered for even the 9600GT and that is what is holding you back. Looking at the CPU support chart for that board the Best you can do is a Pentium D960 (3.6GHz). Trying to get an old Pentium D over 3 GHz is really too expensive to be worth it but maybe you can get lucky and pick one up on eBay. In the mean time I think your best option is to get an aftermarket cooler and overclock your CPU. Right now your CPU is your main bottleneck so overclocking it by like 40% (which would be like 3.7GHz so you may fall pretty sort of that ) should give you some acceptable performance. You just really need to save up some money for a newer CPU and motherboard.

Did you try the lowest settings on FC2?

I don't see anything wrong or unusual here. 9600 GT driven by Pentium D 2.66 GHz CPU trying to push FC2 framerates is going to be difficult.

1. Check Task Manager to see how much background clutter you have sucking up CPU cycles. Anti-virus, scheduled tasks, etc...

2. Check affinity settings to ensure FC2 is using both cores

3. In the Nvidia Control Panel, put the 3D performance slider to Performance.

That's all I can think of.

Taking a second look, the BF2142 framerates are worrysome. My 3.0 Pentium D and 8600GT could max it out, so either the D is bottlenecked more then I tought, or something else may be at play.