Good Ns Gaming Rig...

Phifth_Element · February 2004

<div class="IPBDescription">What do the big guys use?</div> I have been playing NS at work since it first came out. But latey I have been having problems with major bugs (wrong forum for THAT). I was wondering... what are the specs of some of the systems that the big wigs around here use? Flayra? MonsieurEvil? What OS do you run? What graphics/sound card? IF I were to buy a rig to play games on, I want to avoid the problems I read about SO OFTEN on the forums. Somebody buys a new computer and immediatly runs in to some sort of card conflict or something. Presumably Flayra doesn't get this kind of stuff happening to him! Otherwise he would get it fixed! So I want to try to duplicate a good system (if it is not TOO expensive!)

Diablo_fx · February 2004

hmm a decent ns computer....

I ran ns on a 900mhz it worked ok (40 fps) i recommend a 1.5 for instant 99 fps...
Ram at least 256 (get 512)
soundcard? anything not-onboard i use soundblaster live my self....
get DSL, cable or ADSL conenction <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /> you should be good to go

Olmy · February 2004

Processor clock speed has little to do with your fps, an average processor and a decent/good video card is all you really need for ns.

Phifth_Element · February 2004

I know what a good rig looks like...I am sitting at one right now. What I wanted to know is what the top guys use. Not as far as getting 99fps all the time (which I do get) but for STABILITY! 99fps does me no good when I keep crashing to my desktop. I have read on forums a lot and it seems that SB and nVidia have some buggy problems with NS/HL. I was wondering what some pf the programmers/ playtesters use. They can't be getting the kind of crashes I am getting. So maybe they have a good combo of hardware/drivers that they could pass on to the peons.

Nikon · February 2004

AMD XP 2600+
512 DDR3200 Dual Channel
GeForece4 Ti 4600 128Mb DDR
20GB ATA133 HDD
Asus Nforce2 MB 8x AGP
Windows XP pro

I get a constant 150-160 FPS with that machine, and I pretty much built it for 600 bucks

(forgot OS)

Clashen · February 2004

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> ([BFG]-|NiKoN|- @ Feb 4 2004, 02:44 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> AMD XP 2600+
512 DDR3200 Dual Channel
GeForece4 Ti 4600 128Mb DDR
20GB ATA133 HDD
Asus Nforce2 MB 8x AGP
Windows XP pro

I get a constant 150-160 FPS with that machine, and I pretty much built it for 600 bucks

(forgot OS)  </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> 
150fps in NS?
Is that possible? <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif' />

Phoenix_Six · February 2004

I'm going out on a limb here, but I think that the reason you hear of so many problems with SB and Nvidia cards is that they're so popular. What, at least 80% of comps 1-3 years ago had SB cards of some sort, and nvidia really dominated with their geforce cards. I've had both and haven't had any problems whatsoever since installing them oh so long ago.
I know a motherboard from a good manufacturer goes a long way. I hate going to update mobo drivers from some defunct site in Japanese only. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif' />
So I'm guessing your problems are related to either your HL or Windows configs, or your drivers. Unfortunately I have no idea what bugs you have.
I have an old 850mhz running @ 1.1, 256 RAM and probably crashed NS 3 times in as many months, (usually when exiting game to server list) and manage a constant 70 - 80 fps at 1024x768, 32 bit opengl. If your rig can meet or exceed my specs (and lets face it, almost everbody's does <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' /> ) you should be fine for running HL.

Nikon · February 2004

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Clashen @ Feb 3 2004, 11:47 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> </div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> ([BFG)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>-|NiKoN|-,Feb 4 2004, 02:44 AM] AMD XP 2600+
512 DDR3200 Dual Channel
GeForece4 Ti 4600 128Mb DDR
20GB ATA133 HDD
Asus Nforce2 MB 8x AGP
Windows XP pro

I get a constant 150-160 FPS with that machine, and I pretty much built it for 600 bucks

(forgot OS) </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'>
150fps in NS?
Is that possible? <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif' />  </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> 
yes, with steam you can unlock the FPS limits, they rewrote that part of the engine, but im sure we will see someone start blazing the flame trail with "it doesnt matter, your monitor cant display that"..........

mcrwvd · February 2004

Yeah ur Monitor cant display that <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /> I got Vsync enabled, I dont need more FPS then my Monitor can display <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif' />

thedraft · February 2004

I'd just like to throw this out: I'm willing to bet 90 percent of the issues you've read about aren't from some compatibility issue, but user error. If you keep your drivers up to date (that includes video card, sound card, motherboard AND windows update) your NS experience should be relatively crash free. I can't remember the last time NS crashed on me, either in it's Steam or WON installations.

As to what computer, I'd recommend you get something consisting of:

A decent Nforce 2 motherboard (A7N8X is good, DFI Infinity is also good)

Athlon 2500 Barton (it's like 80 bucks, which is an absolutely silly price for how fast it is.)

A Radeon 9600 XT (very fast for the price, good DX9 support ((note: HL doesn't use DX9, but most upcoming games will, including Half Life 2 and Doom 3, so you'll be good for them)) AND you get a voucher for a free copy of Half Life 2, whenever that comes out.

512mb of PC3200 (I like Corsair and Kingston as brands. You can get 512mb of either for around 80.)

That rig would run you about 450 bucks. Throw in a new HD, a DVD/CD-RW and a case with a PSU, the total comes to about 650, but you've got a whole new system, and a pretty fast one to boot.

Evo · February 2004

Yeh, I just have my max fps locked to my refresh rate (100hz) too. She never drops below 99 fps, so what do I care what it maxes out at? <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' />

Zek · February 2004

Those crashes probably have absolutely nothing to do with your computer not being good enough.

Dark_Hand · February 2004

I've played NS since the first day of 1.0's public release on a PIII 866, 384mb RAM, 32mb Geforce 256. I'm probably right on the trailing edge of satisfactory performance, but I've had no FPS problems.

Marr · February 2004

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
150fps in NS?
Is that possible? <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif' />

yes, with steam you can unlock the FPS limits, they rewrote that part of the engine, but im sure we will see someone start blazing the flame trail with "it doesnt matter, your monitor cant display that".......... </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'>

How does one go about doing this?

max_fps 999?

Or does the max_fps command even work anymore?

Zaphod · February 2004

I used to run Halflife just fine on my PII 233 Mhz w/ a Voodoo3 (sweet Voodoo).
I've never tried NS on it though.

If you got a little bit of money to spend, thedraft's Barton system is definitely the way to go. If you got a little more money, you can snag yourself a Athlon64 3000+ <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /> .

NS is the least of your worries for playing games. Now if you want this game to run Half-life 2 and Doom 3 when (if) they come out, then that's a different story. Still, the Barton 2500+ should do you fine.

Dark_Hand · February 2004

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Zaphod @ Feb 4 2004, 04:03 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> I used to run Halflife just fine on my PII 233 Mhz w/ a Voodoo3 (sweet Voodoo).
I've never tried NS on it though.
</td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'>
Oh heck if we're talking about original half life I played on my P1 233 with a 8MB Voodoo1 and 64MB ram just fine <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' />

Awsome times... Going through the halflife story for the first time. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' />

Alcapwn · February 2004

heh...played the original HL on my 200mhz 4mb diamond viper 220 and 64mb of ram.....

Right now for NS i use a...

1.7Ghz
Xp Home
256ram
40GB hard drive
Built in sound.... <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' />
Rage 128 32mb <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /> <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' />

Gettin a new system soon though! <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /> <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/nerd.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='nerd.gif' /> <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/marine.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='marine.gif' />

Phifth_Element · February 2004

The major error I get is when Windows pops up an Error Report window. 80% of the time the error is with hl.exe and then it gives me various offsets. Of course I don't hit "send error report" (I like to keep my communication with Microsoft to a bare minimum). But I have been writing down the offset values just in case someone else can decipher what they mean.

So it sounds like my system should be jsut fine error-wise. (I never had any concerns about my in-game performance, contrary to how this thread has skewed). It also sounds like nobody has run into a piece of hardware/ combination of hardware that NS players should steer clear of (as long as it is a major brand name).

inkblot · February 2004

Since NS is a HL engine game, older cards are sometimes just fine (not always). My current box (fairly lame, it's a few years old):

-P4 1.5ghz
-Some VIA motherboard, nothing special/good
-GF FX5600 (hey, it was only 100$)
-Onboard audio, it works for me
-RAM totals 768mb, 512 is PC2700 and the rest is probably 2100, it came in the system

It runs NS fine, rarely have FPS droppage to the point where it's noticable. Strangely, Day of Defeat Steam runs at least as well, if not faster. I play all games in 1024x768. I've never crashed in NS3.0, but I used to get very rare hl.exe errors in NS.

System I'm currently building (first self built box, hopefully it goes smoothly):

-AMD 2800+
-MSI K7N2 Delta-L motherboard
-FX5900 (came with free Call of Duty, so I took it over a Radeon 9600 Pro. Should be faster too)
-Western Digital Special Edition 80gb HDD I think, maybe something else if I find a good deal
-Either 512 or 1024 mb of PC3200 RAM, I haven't decided yet (probably the gig).

That computer should run NS at max monitor refresh rate w/ vsync on. Which is 75 I think for my monitor. Vsync isn't that important with NS, but when I play CS, the visual tearing is incredible when I move my mouse quickly. I don't play CS much however. Maybe it won't be an issue on the new PC.

elim · February 2004

I have a suggestion for cheap parts, www.tcwo.com, for prebuilt comps, www.ibuypower.com very cheap.

JediYoshi · February 2004

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Marr @ Feb 4 2004, 02:02 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> </div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
150fps in NS?
Is that possible? <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif' />

yes, with steam you can unlock the FPS limits, they rewrote that part of the engine, but im sure we will see someone start blazing the flame trail with "it doesnt matter, your monitor cant display that".......... </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'>

How does one go about doing this?

max_fps 999?

Or does the max_fps command even work anymore?  </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> 
max_fps was made for minimums <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' />

It gets irrelevent after the engine's limit.

thedraft · February 2004

It's basically irrelevant above 70+ fps. I mean, maybe YOU have crazy cat like eyes or something, but to me, anything above 60 fps looks silky smooth. As long as you have that solid 60, you're golden (and note: upping your FPSMAX setting does not increase performance. It just lets your PC get ahead of its self and generate frames that you're not noticing anyway. 160, indeed <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /> )

Malakai1 · February 2004

AMD Athlon XP Barton @2ghz (3200+)
1 gb pc3200 Dual Channel
ATI Radeon 9700 Pro
Maxtor 60gb ATA133 d740x
120gb Western Digital Special Edition (misc files)
200gb Western Digital Special Edition (Anime I)
250gb Maxtor 5400 rpm (Anime II)
Abit Nforce2 NF7 2.0
Windows XP pro

I gots that bling, and all I play is NS and other HL mods for the most part <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' />

Nexus_7 · February 2004

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>Awsome times... Going through the halflife story for the first time. </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'>

LAF! The HL story....
System Shock pwned HL years before it came out. HL SP was pretty dull. The MP on the other hand was revolutionary.

AND.... the man said he wanted the specs of developers and whatnot. He said he already had a good rig....so, why are still suggesting things?

Phifth_Element · February 2004

Thanks Nexus for the tangent bump! I have copied dow the various rigs epople are using. I gotta go on the cheap end but I will see what I can find.

(And SS2 is the greatest SP experience you will EVER HAVE! when those zombies are yelling "Your song is not OURS!" you *RUN* FAST! And when you can hear the monkeys screeching in the next room....BRRR! It still gives me the jibblies!)

Shockeh · February 2004

x-treme : To be honest, it's not worth worrying about. My 800Mhz Duron (Hell, my 233Mhz P2!) ran NS okay, the ongoing upgrade-fest is 90% one upmanship. Your playing ability isn't that much based on specs, it's just a handy scapegoat for those who can't.

BattleTech · February 2004

I have
Athlon XP+ 2200 (1.8ghz) - Upgraded from 1.34GHZ
512MB DDR PC2100 (I got this computer back in 2002) - Upgraded from 128MB
40 GB Hard-Drive
XP Home
GeForce4 MX460 64MB AGP 4x - Upgraded from GeForce2 MX200? 32MB
nVidia nForce Dolby Digital 5.1 - Inboard
nVidia nForce Network Card
Altec Surround Sound System

I get 80-100FPS constant in NS on Steam on 1280x1024 and sometime's 60-70 if there's alot of stuff going on.

Nikon · February 2004

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Marr @ Feb 4 2004, 01:02 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> </div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
150fps in NS?
Is that possible? <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif' />

yes, with steam you can unlock the FPS limits, they rewrote that part of the engine, but im sure we will see someone start blazing the flame trail with "it doesnt matter, your monitor cant display that".......... </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'>

How does one go about doing this?

max_fps 999?

Or does the max_fps command even work anymore?  </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> 
to see how many FPS you can get, just type these three things into your console

net_graph 3
fps_max 999
developer 1

then you should see what you comp can do, but it doesnt really matter, can only see 70 fps or so.

Phifth_Element · February 2004

Use cl_showfps 1 instead of netgraph. It is easier to read and doens't slow you down.

And I don't know why people keep thinking that I am trying to get a top end computer with flashy specs to I can get better skills through better frame rate or something (shockwave). If you read my first post you will see that I am not interested in some sort of amazing performance rig but in STABILITY!

G-L_AngeL · February 2004

OS : Windows XP Professional
-----------------------------------
System:
---------
AMD Athlon XP 2800+ @ 2GHz
1024 MB DDR PC2100 RAM
ATI Radeon 9200 128MB GFX
2 x 40 GB Maxtor HDs
nVidia nForce
Cyber Acoustics 5.1 Surround Speakers
Trust 305K Wireless Optical Mouse + Keyboard

Good Ns Gaming Rig...

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