Radeon drivers...

[shifty_uk]

Having some problems with my drivers:

In the past, I've been fairly satisfied with the performance of my desktop PC. It runs what needs to be run, and still allows me to play fairly decent games(Css, Spearhead, BF2). For the first time in a while I decided to buy myself a couple of new games(not considering the hardware requirements), including MOH: Airborne, and UT3. Airborne is completely out of the question with my current setup, but I believe I meet the minimum requirements for UT3.

So, I installed the game: the graphics are terrible, I can't make much out ingame and the sound is crackling constantly. I decided to download/update the drivers for my card(hoping this would make things better, if only slightly), once isntalled however NONE of my games play(old and new). Not one of them will open up, they all seem to crash before loading.

Could anyone offer some advice? Why do the drivers seem to break everything?
I'm still running an ATI Radeon 9600

If there's no chance of getting anywhere with this card, could someone recommend me a decent card for gaming? I'm not sure if I'll need to upgrade my whole system to support a new graphics card?

Thanks.

 

[rolypolyman]

What are your system specs and at what res do you game?

 

[shifty_uk]

Processor: AMD Athlon XP 2600+ 2.9GHz; RAM: 512mb.

Don't know too much about hardware; The PC was built for my a couple of years back, I've never bothered upgrading it.

With my older games I'll get away with running them at 1024, but with the likes of Battlefield 2, I'll usually stick to 800x600.

 

[rolypolyman]

I think you need a full upgrade if you want to play modern games at a decent res and framerate. How powerful depends on your budget. Afraid your current setup is as you say 2-3yrs past its sell by.

 

[shifty_uk]

With it being Xmas, I wouldn't have much to spend on a new system. Budget would be £400, even that is pushing it a bit.

 

[badbob]

New base unit time I think , mobo, memory and CPU. Probably a PSU as you've probably got a sub 300W in yours?

 

[TheRealDeal]

For that money if it fits in you current case i suggest a

OcUK ATI Radeon HD 3850 Pro 512MB GDDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - retail this card is not in stock but its what i would look for on your budget.


Corsair HX 520W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-520HXUK)


Abit IP35 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard


Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2 DHX PC2-6400C4DHX TwinX (2x1GB)



Lose the psu if you don't need it. Guys on here will probably spec you an even lower upgrade but that was just of the top of my head hungover here can't be bothered to look harder.

 

[El Jimben]

For that money if it fits in you current case i suggest a

OcUK ATI Radeon HD 3850 Pro 512MB GDDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - retail this card is not in stock but its what i would look for on your budget.


Corsair HX 520W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-520HXUK)


Abit IP35 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard


Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2 DHX PC2-6400C4DHX TwinX (2x1GB)



Lose the psu if you don't need it. Guys on here will probably spec you an even lower upgrade but that was just of the top of my head hungover here can't be bothered to look harder.

Hehe, a CPU might be needed with the rest of that kit This would probably do you and it would overclock to 3GHz without issue - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-152-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=793

 

[shifty_uk]

I think I'll wait until after the new year to upgrade. By that time I'll have money to play with, although I'd still be sticking to a £300-400 budget. Maybe slightly more...

I also fancied getting myself one of those Shuttle cases, aswell.