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cheap machine for HL2

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godlyatheist   11-13-2005 at 04:48:56 AM

im running on a budget and wants to play hl2. So, what kinda of GPU and CPU do i need to run HL2 and CSS smoothly?

thanks in advance :roll:

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pokemon   11-13-2005 at 05:52:52 AM
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My brother has a 6600GT and 3200XP setup, which runs fine at lower resolution and detail. My choice would be either a X800GT or GTO and an AMD A64 3000+ with some low latency ram. CSS runs well on most machines. But if you want to get into higher res with higher detail, go with the X800XL ($220 if you look hard enough). But the X800GT should get you by with smooth game play at nice detail levels. The 128MB or 256MB versions are up to you. I think the 256MB one goes for about $160 otherwise you can get the other one for about $130-$140. The thing about HL2 is it has much more physics, AI, and such going on contiously during the game so you can't skimp too much on the CPU.

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TenaciousleyDead   11-14-2005 at 07:24:46 AM
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I'd say a 6800LE but thye stopped manufacturing after we figured out about unlocking the pipes and losing moolah. sooooo...hmmm what is your price range? i used to have a 9550 flashed to 9600pro and i ran 1024x768 on high settings but for minimum a 9800pro runs around 100 dollers now you should be able to get about 1290x1024 or w/e the res is, on high. i got my 2500 with asus a7n8x deluxe 20 bucks :D something equvilent would be good my 2500 goes to 3200 no voltage increase. a 2500 i think they only have them named as semprons now so a 2500 will do fine make sure you get 512 cache ver. ram atleast a gig i got my OCZ for like 90 bucks great deal. so so ya but it all depends how much you wanna spend. Thank You

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godlyatheist   11-14-2005 at 07:54:56 AM
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ya, i going with an amd 3700 socket 754, so i wanna spend no more than $100 on the video, any advice?

thanks

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BigMac   11-14-2005 at 11:20:59 AM
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Check out the Graphics Cards forum.

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Wolfy   11-14-2005 at 12:21:34 PM
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Agrees with Big mac but also recommends you SPEND more than $100 on the gfx. It's always always always worth it in the end.

Take a little longer and save a little more.

Reply to Wolfy
narhic_fd   11-26-2005 at 01:42:35 AM
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yeah if your going to spend the money i would spend most of it on the GPU. your getting a good procesor but you wont be able to get that good of a video card with $100. you spend most of the money on good video card and cut back on cPU. For instence, i have a athlon 64 3000, and a radeon 9800 pro. I can run the game very good detail to. games always rely more on your GPU then your CPU. so i would go with a lesser processor and put more money on the GPU. but i may be wrong on it all, lol, im still new to the computer world.

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GyRo567   11-26-2005 at 04:19:49 AM
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Since HL2 is a very CPU biased game, you can get away with a 9600 XT alongside an Athlon 64 3000+ (go Venice core) and 1 GB RAM.

However, I would highly recommend a 6600 GT since nothing else this side of 2004 is going to run very well on a 9600 XT.

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Rob423   11-26-2005 at 08:47:40 PM
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im running xp2800+ 1GB of pc3200 and an old Gf4 ti4200 128MB and i run HL2 perfectly fine, game looks excellent on my system. anything above this 3 yr old setup should be FINE.... 6600GT should run that game excellent.

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dhlucke   11-27-2005 at 04:28:25 AM
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What resolution (ie what size monitor) are you going to play at? This makes a huge difference.

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TenaciousleyDead   12-03-2005 at 01:53:02 AM
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the size of the moniter dosent matter as long as your playing at the same resolution.

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Riser   12-05-2005 at 03:51:20 PM
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You're right. It's not the size of the hardware, it's how you use it.

Good point Ten..

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Riser   12-05-2005 at 03:51:48 PM
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Btw, I have a 17 incher.

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Aaron McKenna   12-05-2005 at 04:01:32 PM
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You must have a very satisfied girlfriend.

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BigMac   12-05-2005 at 04:38:56 PM
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8O Thank you so much.

Now I have to try to rid my mind of this image of a chick with a 17" monitor shoved up her box :oops:

Reply to BigMac
Aaron McKenna   12-05-2005 at 05:25:22 PM
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Quote :

8O Thank you so much.

Now I have to try to rid my mind of this image of a chick with a 17" monitor shoved up her box :oops:


Just so long as we're clear that you're the one who conjured up the image in your own head. I was thinking of something completely different.












A girlfriend who likes larger screen resolutions.

Reply to Aaron McKenna
fishmahn   12-05-2005 at 08:04:04 PM
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ROFLMAO!

Not the image I first thought of... :lol:

Mike.

Reply to fishmahn
TenaciousleyDead   12-06-2005 at 03:16:14 AM
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lol are you serious, i hate to brag but i think my 21 incher has got the goods.

Reply to TenaciousleyDead
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