Optimizing my computer to play COD MW2

[Coh3n]

Hey guys,

Since I know basically nothing about computer hardware and how each part works off each other, I was hoping someone here could help me out. :)

I recently bought Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for PC. It runs well for the most part, but not perfect. For example, if I run into a cloud of smoke it will lag. Not a huge deal, but it's kind of inconvenient. I've played MW2 on XBox and it just seems smoother.

I was just wondering what I would have to do to make the hardware on my computer run to the best of it's capabilities. Maybe I have to improve one part to make another mark work better. Like I said, I know virtually nothing about this kind of thing.

Some things that aren't shown in the below pictures:

I duel boot with Vista/Ubuntu. The majority of the hard drive space begin on the Ubuntu partition.



http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/5557/38176213.jpg


http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/4703/15722468.jpg

Any help is greatly appreciated,
Coh3n

[Frement]

Well, upgrading your graphics card should help alot, buy like 9800GT.

Else try reducing the graphics a little in the game.

[Coh3n]

I thought my graphics card was awesome. :p Especially since its memory was so high. And I *think* the graphics are low in the game, but I'd have to double check.

[Nava2]

Why did you buy it? :<

[Coh3n]

Not one of my most practacle purchases. But I had enough on my PayPal account so I thought I'd try it out. I don't regret buying it :p its pretty sweet.

[Alek000]

Your graphics card is one step up from mine, I have the 8400 GS. I would recommend getting at least a 9400 GT or better. I just used my dad's 9400 GT to test on MW2 and it looked amazing. Maxed graphics and not one bit of problems.

[silor]

That graphic card is horrible, AFAIK COD 4/5/mw2 are cpu based more than graphics, I run everything on max except AA/AF with my horrible HD3870 and overclocked Intel C2D E8200.

try turning down AA (anti-aliasing) and AF should help alot. or just put everything on low then it should be playable. :p

edit: if you're gonna buy something new get a new graphics card, atleast 9800GT then it should be playable but I recommend something better..

[Capricorn]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161317

Or if your budget allows buy either a 5830/5850. But considering you are running a 8500 GT I doubt you'd want to go up to a 5850 :P.

[bullzeye95]

I thought my graphics card was awesome. :p Especially since its memory was so high. And I *think* the graphics are low in the game, but I'd have to double check.

Your card is only $40 :rolleyes:
If you haven't already, download the newest drivers; they might give you a couple more FPS. But if you actually want smooth gameplay with high(ish) settings on new games, buy a $100+ card.

I have a Radeon HD 4870 (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161292&cm_re=4870-_-14-161-292-_-Product), and it has never once stuttered with highest settings at 1920x1200, so you should be able to easily get away with a 4770 (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150369&cm_re=4770-_-14-150-369-_-Product).

[Frement]

(CPU) AMD Phenom™ II X4 955 Processor @ 3210MHz
(ASUSTeK Computer INC. M4A78T-E mainboard)
(RAM) 6GB, 4.49GB free (HDDs) 1.82TB, 1.21TB free
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280 (1GB), 1280x1024x32, 75Hz
(OS) Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit

Thats what i would recommend if you want to spend some money and be able to play newest games with medium-high graphics. (Thats what i have and i have never had any trouble with FPS)

[Capricorn]

Also forgot to mention that no matter what GPU you use, running in clouds of smoke will always be the time when you experience your lowest FPS. Except maybe explosions or something.

Smoke is a very graphic heavy type of special effect.

[Nava2]

No need to advise spending money haha. His card was good when he bought it. Now.. Not so much apparently heh.

Just sell the game :p

[Sex]

http://img.techpowerup.org/100325/Capture132.jpg
I got 6gb ram as well. Processor isn't that great though, Dual core @ 2.5ghz.
I run MW2 perfectly. It never lags. What's your Steam name?

[Harry]

Get an ATi card ;) 5750 is what I have.

[Coh3n]

Your card is only $40 :rolleyes:
If you haven't already, download the newest drivers; they might give you a couple more FPS. But if you actually want smooth gameplay with high(ish) settings on new games, buy a $100+ card.

I have a Radeon HD 4870 (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161292&cm_re=4870-_-14-161-292-_-Product), and it has never once stuttered with highest settings at 1920x1200, so you should be able to easily get away with a 4770 (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150369&cm_re=4770-_-14-150-369-_-Product).
Jeeze $40!? When I bought it a couple years ago it was $150, and apparently that was a good deal. :o

The game runs fine, I just don't think it runs as well as it could.


http://img.techpowerup.org/100325/Capture132.jpg
I got 6gb ram as well. Processor isn't that great though, Dual core @ 2.5ghz.
I run MW2 perfectly. It never lags. What's your Steam name?
cohen_adair


No need to advise spending money haha. His card was good when he bought it. Now.. Not so much apparently heh.

Just sell the game :p
I'd have to sell my Steam account. Plus I like the game, no need to sell it. :p
________________________

So apparently a new graphics card would be the way to go. It's nice to see that they're pretty cheap apparently. Compared to the ones I looked at a couple years ago that were hundreds. :p

I remember when I bought my computer for $700 (that's everything included) which seemed to be one of the best deals I could find. Then bam, the next year there's computers with 2x the specs for less. :duh:

[i luffs yeww]

I remember when I bought my computer for $700 (that's everything included) which seemed to be one of the best deals I could find. Then bam, the next year there's computers with 2x the specs for less. :duh:

Pretty much how technology works now.

[Coh3n]

Pretty much how technology works now.
Very rattling in my opinion.

[Frement]

I usually upgrade every 6 months. (CPU & GPU)

[noidea]

I usually upgrade every 6 months. (CPU & GPU)

Give a brotha, a hand. I've got a >3 year old laptop. Spare some change? :D

[Boreas]

You have to recalculate the performance cost ratios every so often, but IIRC it usually turns out the best thing to do is buy the 3rd most latest/greatest thing when it comes to GPU/CPU and whatever the most popular RAM (which is often the second latest). HDs are usually good when the size has been out 6-12 months, flash drives usually double that. MBs are trickier, usually whatever is popular and allows for flexible upgrades is the best way to go, but prices can be driven up by filler features that look good on paper. Though no matter what you do, unfortunately it will always remain that while collectibles lose value when taken out of the box, most computer parts lose value as soon as they leave the factory.

[Kave]

Get an ATi card ;) 5750 is what I have.

I also have the 5750 and it's flawless on CS:S, MW2 & BF2 Bad Company 2

I recommend it :smile:

[cycrosism]

If it is smooth on xbox just play on there. It's pretty cool down special ops on live

[FEAR]

Maybe closing unnecessary vista processes will help...Try this two programs. They are both free. They close unnecessary programs/processes to speed up performance. They both do the same thing but I don't know which one is better so I am linking you to both

Game Booster - http://www.iobit.com/gamebooster.html

SmartClose - http://download.cnet.com/SmartClose/3000-2094_4-10784165.html

Both program reverts everything back whenever you want. Give those a try, it might help :)

[Frement]

Yes, I highly recommend game booster, I remember playing on a laptop with it, it was great! :) Got like 10 more FPS. From 90 -> 100.

[Coh3n]

Give a brotha, a hand. I've got a >3 year old laptop. Spare some change? :D
Saaame!


You have to recalculate the performance cost ratios every so often, but IIRC it usually turns out the best thing to do is buy the 3rd most latest/greatest thing when it comes to GPU/CPU and whatever the most popular RAM (which is often the second latest). HDs are usually good when the size has been out 6-12 months, flash drives usually double that. MBs are trickier, usually whatever is popular and allows for flexible upgrades is the best way to go, but prices can be driven up by filler features that look good on paper. Though no matter what you do, unfortunately it will always remain that while collectibles lose value when taken out of the box, most computer parts lose value as soon as they leave the factory.
That's actually very useful information (not that other people's isn't) to know when upgrading. Thanks! :)

And yeah, I guess that's one bad thing about technology. :p


If it is smooth on xbox just play on there. It's pretty cool down special ops on live
I could, but I like it on computer more, and my brothers hog the xbox, so it's just easier this way. :p


Yes, I highly recommend game booster, I remember playing on a laptop with it, it was great! :) Got like 10 more FPS. From 90 -> 100.
Alright, I'll have to give it a try. Thanks FEAR. :)

[Capricorn]

If you build a computer for playing games, your computer will last as long as the current gen consoles last. The reason for this is, is that the consoles have cheap gimped hardware so developers have to develop in mind of consoles.. Unless it is PC only.

In my opinion, a smart educated purchase of PC parts can last 3-4 years easy if you want to play games at max. And after that you can donate it, sell it or turn it into a guest computer etc etc. The only time that may not be true is when you want to play a game like Crysis, to be fair however Crysis is not optimized worth a yaks bum :P.

[Coh3n]

If you build a computer for playing games, your computer will last as long as the current gen consoles last. The reason for this is, is that the consoles have cheap gimped hardware so developers have to develop in mind of consoles.. Unless it is PC only.

In my opinion, a smart educated purchase of PC parts can last 3-4 years easy if you want to play games at max. And after that you can donate it, sell it or turn it into a guest computer etc etc. The only time that may not be true is when you want to play a game like Crysis, to be fair however Crysis is not optimized worth a yaks bum :P.
Haha :p

Well my current computer has lasted 2 years so far, and I don't plan on buying a new one any time soon. I would like to upgrade sometime soon though.

[Alek000]

If you are just looking to upgrade I would get a new video card and a newer processor. That's should be all you really need to make it last a little bit longer and not spend too much money.

[Coh3n]

If you are just looking to upgrade I would get a new video card and a newer processor. That's should be all you really need to make it last a little bit longer and not spend too much money.
That's what I was thinking also. Thanks :)

[Capricorn]

If you are just looking to upgrade I would get a new video card and a newer processor. That's should be all you really need to make it last a little bit longer and not spend too much money.

Unless he needs to upgrade to a different socket mobo, then he will have to spend money on a new motherboard as well...