Computer Performance Help

[xerodok]

I just bought a new computer a few weeks ago from Dell, an XPS 420.

-Intel Quad Core Q6600 (2.40Ghz & 8MB cache)
-4GB DDR2 RAM
-128MB Radeon ATI HD 2400 PRO (suggestions please?)
-Vista Home

On the ATI Control Panel I'm given the option to 'overdrive' my memory clock & GPU clock, which is turned up all the way.

My real questions are, how do I get the full functionality out of my quad core/4GB of RAM? I bought Crysis today (not even to play it, just to check my system performance rather) and it chugs along and barely runs. Is there any programs I can use to make sure my memory is all being used and make sure everything is running at peak?

Maybe this is all because I don't have a good graphics card, any input is welcome, thanks.

[Snowknight26]

Crysis doesn't play well because your video card sucks. Most games don't utilize multiple cores/processors or that much RAM.
Other than that, your specs are awesome.

[Shuemue]

Yeah, that video card is pretty mediocre, it certainly isn't doing justice to the Q6600.

[xerodok]

For running other programs, is there anyway I should turn the speeds up or anything?

[Seditedi]

Don't max the overdrive.
It's overclocking the card and may result in stability issues.

[Cephius]

Crysis is one of the few games that will actually push the q6600, but your video card is bottlenecking you right now. I have more or less the same setup as you, but I have 2 8800GTs in SLI, which is a pretty big improvement over what you have now. I run Very High at about 20-30fps and High at 60-75 in Crysis. I'd recommend spending the cash and getting a 8800gt or 9600gt and you should see a pretty big improvement.

Also, overclocking your card makes it run very hot and potentially damage your hardware, I would strongly suggest turning that down. If you start getting artifacting its a sign that your card is overheating.

[xerodok]

Thanks for the input, I knew I'd have to look into a card eventually but I just didn't have time.

Do most cards now support HD output and whatnot? I do have a huge HD monitor and I'd still like to take advantage of that.

[mootsfox]

Crysis is one of the few games that will actually push the q6600, but your video card is bottlenecking you right now. I have more or less the same setup as you, but I have 2 8800GTs in SLI, which is a pretty big improvement over what you have now. I run Very High at about 20-30fps and High at 60-75 in Crysis. I'd recommend spending the cash and getting a 8800gt or 9600gt and you should see a pretty big improvement.

Also, overclocking your card makes it run very hot and potentially damage your hardware, I would strongly suggest turning that down. If you start getting artifacting its a sign that your card is overheating.

Crysis is single-threaded. A lot of people think it's multi-threaded due to some stupid review site before release of the game. But it runs on one core only.

To the OP, you have about the worst possible graphics card of this generation. Get a 9600GT or HD3870 and then play Crysis.

"HD" just means higher resolution than SD, which is 480i. Since just about every damn computer has been above 640x480 for a dozen+ years, we already have HD :D

To play blu-ray or HD DVD movies you'll need a decoder for H.264 or VC-1, i.e. Cyberlink PowerDVD, a graphics card that can output a HDCP signal, i.e. 8 or 9 series from nvidia, HD series from ATI. And you'll need a HDCP monitor, which is just about every new one these days.

[Snowknight26]

VC-1, not VC-2.

[mootsfox]

VC-1, not VC-2.

Thanks, it's a lot of numbers to remember... MPEG2 is what I was thinking