Let's try something different - Modern Warfare 2 Forum: Free Call of Duty MW2 Community

Pyro · 09-24-2010, 02:23 AM

So, as it looks, I will not be getting a new PC for a very, very long time. But, I've been thinking, would it be a decent idea to attempt to upgrade what I have? I was able to slightly upgrade my RAM already by taking out a 256MB stick out of another old computer I have. I'd use that computer, but the motherboard is fried.

What I currently have:
Intel Celeron proccessor 2.66Ghz
Integrated Intel Exteme Graphics 3D
768 MB DDR RAM

Also, the old computer I have has a Celeron 2.93 Ghz, which I could switch for I think. My guess is that my motherboard should be compatible. Also, this might be a joke, but could you overclock it even just by a little bit?

Mainly what I was wondering, though, is if I should get a really cheap graphics card. I think what really holds me back is the integrated graphics. I don't really care if I can play the newer games, I'd just like to play something like MW1 if I could. As it stands, the only FPS I can play is Halo 1, and even that is terrible.

Spoiler:

**abc** · 09-24-2010, 04:25 PM

It's only really financially economical to do substantial upgrades on a not-too-old computer. However adding even a very basic GFX card would be a huge improvement for, in the big scheme of things, a very low cost.

Whether you can OC or not depends on the motherboard. However if you can, you will be able to do a small, yet worthwhile maybe, OC.

Olaf Vikingsson · 09-27-2010, 06:09 AM

I doubt that any OCing will happen on that system. Specs look like a prebuilt. It's not going to come with a decent-enough cooler to allow you to do anything with that fairly OCing-opposed CPU.

**abc** · 09-27-2010, 01:34 PM

All things considered, my estimate would be 300MHz or so would be possible.

Like you say, the cooler will be pants and the motherboard even more so. It's almost ironic because chips like the Celeron often have far more OC potential that the "proper" performance chips - a smaller cache & lower core count lacks performance but is very good for not producing much heat. Likewise a low FSB is sluggish in gaming but means the chip has a high multiplier - ideal for OC'ing.

Pyro · 09-27-2010, 03:55 PM

My processor is a Celeron D 330. The broken comp that I stole the RAM stick from has a Celeron D 340, should I attempt to switch the two?

Mine is 2.66GHz and the 340 is 2.93GHz.

**abc** · 09-27-2010, 03:59 PM

It'll make no difference to the graphics whatsoever.

Pyro · 09-27-2010, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abc

It'll make no difference to the graphics whatsoever.

I know, but it will give me slightly more processing power. I know I need a graphics card of some sort to get better graphics.

**abc** · 09-27-2010, 05:16 PM

It's all about matching & unmatching components though. 10% more (and we are talking fractionally more) proccessing power won't be noticeable when all the other bits are so below-par.

The slowest bit of ANY computer in the world (as far as I'm aware) is the hard drive. The best way to make an old PC faster is to, ideally reformat but excusing that, have a really good clear up. This usually means things like:

* Reduce startup items to as close to none as possible
* Defragment your HDD
* Remove years of temporary files & cookie clutter (best to do this with a program)
* uninstalling as many needless programs as possible

Reducing startup programs really is the massive winner here. These are ALL of the programs that start automatically when I switch my PC on:

userinit.exe - Me, myself & I. My user/log on for my PC.
explorer.exe - This is what you see of windows. The whole mouse, clicking items, windows etc. Again this is kinda damn crucial...
mcui_exe.exe - Antivirus, Firewall etc
rtHDVCPL.exe - Sound card control panel. Possible I don't even need this to be running, the drivers all run seperately which contain the settings (?) do I need to run a control panel 24/7 too?
Adobe Gamma Loader.ink - I have no idea what this is and basically it's stubborn as f*** and always pops back up in your registry whenever you remove/delete it
Epson Status Monitor 3.exe - Again this probably isn't essential in anyway, it will probably start whenever the printer driver is used to print something
WallpaperSS.exe - this rotates my wallpaper every X minutes.

There are only 4 things that actually need to run, two maybes and a stubborn no. The reason startup items are important is not only does it take up resources when you turn on & off but the whole time you use your PC these programs are taking up valuable RAM and proccessing power that would be better used brining up the programs you want when you ask for them, not 30 seconds later.

The fact that I have an SSD is irrelevent. Infact the slower your PC the bigger the difference startup items make.

Pyro · 09-27-2010, 05:31 PM

Alright, I guess not. It is just so annoying that I can't do like anything.

One thing, my HDD is getting quite full (I only have 80gb). I am thinking I should take out the other 80 gb HDD from another computer I have who's motherboard is fried and have 2 HDDs, although this would be slower loading. I guess I can just put all those pics I don't want to lose on it and stuff.

Olaf Vikingsson · 09-28-2010, 05:27 AM

That would be a good idea. I have my OS and high-performance apps on one HD while all of my junk goes on another. That means that I only need to keep one HD properly defragged all the time.

Cloud · 09-28-2010, 10:18 AM

Sorry to not be contributing, but I love reading posts like this, so thank you.

MOAR!

Olaf Vikingsson · 09-29-2010, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abc

All things considered, my estimate would be 300MHz or so would be possible.

Like you say, the cooler will be pants and the motherboard even more so. It's almost ironic because chips like the Celeron often have far more OC potential that the "proper" performance chips - a smaller cache & lower core count lacks performance but is very good for not producing much heat. Likewise a low FSB is sluggish in gaming but means the chip has a high multiplier - ideal for OC'ing.

Forgot to post this last time. Thanks for posting this. I hadn't even thought about it like that previously. I've only really regarded the subject in terms of compatible motherboards and the lack of high-end support. Didn't even occur to me that the CPUs themselves would be brilliant for OCing (if not worth it).

**abc** · 09-29-2010, 10:01 AM

your point is the crux of the matter though tbh, a great-for-OC'ing CPU is useless on a mobo/RAM/cooler that won't facilitate proper OC'ing.

For refference, if you can OC something (either via the BIOS or software, e.g. nVidia nTune, FSBclock, AMD Overdrive etc) even the poorest performing/built motherboards can get about 15 - 30 MHz increase on the FSB/refference clock.

Depending on whether you hit the upper/lower limit and on the stock CPU speed this usually results in a 200 - 300 ish MHz OC (0.2 to 0.3 GHz) Conviniently most CPUs can hang on about 300MHz before needing more voltage so things are starting to look alright for a minor OC.

As ViS explained earlier (which actually makes me wonder why I'm repeating it... hmm) the actual problem you physically encounter in OC'ing an OEM computer is getting to the settings in the first place. BIOS is usually locked & software is very unreliable. Hardware etc is irrellavent if you can't adjust settings.

Olaf Vikingsson · 09-30-2010, 09:18 AM

FLASH YOUR BIOS BRAH

Wait wut who said that

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