FEAR Cant run to my expectations

[r34l1ty]

I have read other posts but no one seems to have a problem quite like mine.

I try to play fear but i have to put everything on minimum, so it ends up looking like doom 1 by the time i can play.

I try putting my computer on minimum then GFX on low.. then all FPS are below 10. I try customizing it myself but nothing seems to change. On minimum FPS are 100% above 40 fps in stress test...so there isnt much of a mediation. minimum to low should put it from 100% above 40 to atleast 25% 40+ and 75% 25 fps or greater.

I have 512 RAM but i can play other resource hog games, like BF2142, World of Warcraft, and games of the like.

Is there anyway i can get a console ingame and set what i want on/off?

To be honest, i dont care about shadows, extreme lighting effects, blood spray, I just want the model detail, and detail of the world map to be decent, and not look like a 1995<

Although this sounds like an easy fix, when i try to go into my custom vid settings, after i put my gfx card on low, which is how i would like my detail to look, instead of minimum, i look at everything and it all still says minimum, which is fine, but something changed as a whole, including world detail, and model detail, and causes a great deal of lag.

After i seen that, i put everything back to minimum, and ALL the settings look the same as they did on low, just model detail and world detail look like pixels, not smooth objects. and hand rails up a flight of stairs or a slope look like a 3 year old drew them on paint.

I feel as if i would greatly enjoy this game multiplayer, and any help editing a CFG file for it to run on minimum with ONLY the world detail and model gfx up like it was on low, as i stated before i dont need shaders, shadows, all the pretty stuff. Also, for a recap, im only calling these ( to me ) unknown settings world detial and Model detail exactly that becuase i have no idea what it is called, so no putting it on minimum then maxing those settings out in game help or change things to my liking.

Do i just need more ram? do i need a better video card? AM I DOOMED?! =)


*EDIT* and i do have the latest drivers for my NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
*EDIT X2* so whats the final diagnosis...do i need a better vid card? or more ram? or both..

DIRECT X DIAGNOSIS

see below

[r34l1ty]

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 8/5/2007, 12:10:09
Machine name: MATT
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: n/a
System Model: Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 3000+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.2GHz
Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 252MB used, 998MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce FX 5200
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0322&SUBSYS_1942270F&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.6218 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 6/29/2007 00:43:00, 5690624 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 6/29/2007 00:43:00, 6807328 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4062-11CF-F55C-493900C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0322
SubSys ID: 0x1942270F
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
Deinterlace Caps: {212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: SB Live! Audio [9000]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0002&SUBSYS_100A1102&REV_0A
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0296 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 9/18/2003 21:47:22, 496800 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Creative
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 4000, 191999
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 32, 30
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 32, 30
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: Yes
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

Description: NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: NFORCE_VAD
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: nvapu.sys
Driver Version: 6.14.0366.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 9/2/2003 19:51:00, 312704 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: NVIDIA Corporation
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 100000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 256, 254
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 64, 64
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: SB Live! Audio [9000]
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0296 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 9/18/2003 21:47:22, 496800 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0xFFF

Description: NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio
Default Sound Capture: No
Default Voice Capture: No
Driver Name: nvapu.sys
Driver Version: 6.14.0366.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 9/2/2003 19:51:00, 312704 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0xCC0

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
Acceleration: Enabled
Ports: SB Live! DirectMusic Synthesizer [9000], Hardware (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
NVIDIA(R) Kernel Synthesizer, Hardware (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio, Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
SB Live! Audio [9000], Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
SB Live! Synth A [9000] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
NVIDIA(R) DLS Synthesizer [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
SB Live! Sw Synth [9000] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
SB Live! Synth B [9000] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
SB Live! MIDI Port [9000] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, External
SB Live! MIDI Port [9000] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Input, No DLS, External
Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
Registry: OK
Test Result: Not run

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
Device Name: Mouse
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Keyboard
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x10DE, 0x0067
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 8/4/2004 02:08:42, 57600 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 3/31/2003 08:00:00, 4736 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------
+ PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge
| Location: PCI bus 0, device 8, function 0
| Matching Device ID: pci\cc_0604
| Service: pci
| Driver: pci.sys, 8/4/2004 02:07:46, 68224 bytes
|
+-+ Creative Game Port
| | Location: PCI bus 1, device 7, function 1
| | Matching Device ID: pci\ven_1102&dev_7002&subsys_00201102
| | Service: gameenum
| | Driver: gameenum.sys, 8/4/2004 02:08:22, 10624 bytes

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 8/4/2004 02:14:36, 52736 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/4/2004 01:58:32, 24576 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 04:01:07, 40840 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/4/2004 01:58:32, 24576 bytes
|
+ PS/2 Compatible Mouse
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0f13
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 8/4/2004 02:14:36, 52736 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/4/2004 01:58:32, 23040 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 04:01:07, 40840 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/4/2004 01:58:32, 23040 bytes

----------------------------
DirectPlay Service Providers
----------------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)

DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Passed, Half Duplex: Passed, Mic: Passed
DirectPlay Test Result: Not run
Registry: OK

-------------------
DirectPlay Adapters
-------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider: PCI SoftV92 Data Fax Modem with SmartCP
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM1
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM3
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Local Area Connection - IPv4 -

-----------------------
DirectPlay Voice Codecs
-----------------------
Voxware VR12 1.4kbit/s
Voxware SC06 6.4kbit/s
Voxware SC03 3.2kbit/s
MS-PCM 64 kbit/s
MS-ADPCM 32.8 kbit/s
Microsoft GSM 6.10 13 kbit/s
TrueSpeech(TM) 8.6 kbit/s

-------------------------
DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps
-------------------------

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 15.7 GB
Total Space: 29.8 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: WDC WD1600JB-00REA0

Drive: D:
Free Space: 0.1 GB
Total Space: 0.2 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: WDC WD1600JB-00REA0

Drive: L:
Free Space: 4.4 GB
Total Space: 36.0 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: WDC WD1600JB-00REA0

Drive: M:
Free Space: 7.3 GB
Total Space: 20.3 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: WDC WD1600JB-00REA0

Drive: N:
Free Space: 16.5 GB
Total Space: 30.3 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: WDC WD1600JB-00REA0

Drive: P:
Free Space: 23.1 GB
Total Space: 36.0 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: WDC WD1600JB-00REA0

Drive: K:
Model: SAMSUNG DVD-ROM SD-816B
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 01:59:52, 49536 bytes

Drive: J:
Model: SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-248F
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 01:59:52, 49536 bytes

Drive: E:
Model: PQ9491S VUD156E SCSI CdRom Device
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 01:59:52, 49536 bytes

Drive: G:
Model: PQ9491S VUD156E SCSI CdRom Device
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 01:59:52, 49536 bytes

--------------
System Devices
--------------
Name: PCI SoftV92 Data Fax Modem with SmartCP
Device ID: PCI\VEN_14F1&DEV_2F20&SUBSYS_200014F1&REV_00\4&3B1 D9AB8&0&4040
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\HSF_CNXT.sys, 7.04.0005.0000 (English), 11/13/2003 22:18:36, 679808 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\HSFHWBS2.sys, 7.04.0005.0000 (English), 11/13/2003 22:19:48, 210304 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\HSF_DP.sys, 7.04.0005.0000 (English), 11/13/2003 22:17:00, 1042816 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\mdmxsdk.sys, 1.00.0002.0005 (English), 1/16/2004 18:21:48, 12970 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\HSFProf.cty, 11/13/2003 22:30:12, 128333 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mdmxsdk.dll, 1.00.0002.0005 (English), 1/16/2004 19:14:50, 86016 bytes
Driver: C:\Program Files\CONEXANT\CNXT_MODEM_PCI_VEN_14F1&DEV_2F20&SU BSYS_200014F1\HXFSetup.exe, 2.01.0007.0000 (English), 10/11/2003 05:18:58, 524288 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\HSFCI008.dll, 7.04.0002.0000 (English), 11/5/2003 19:02:02, 32218 bytes

Name: Creative Game Port
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_7002&SUBSYS_00201102&REV_0A\4&3B1 D9AB8&0&3940
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\gameenum.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 02:08:22, 10624 bytes

Name: Creative SB Live! series
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0002&SUBSYS_100A1102&REV_0A\4&3B1 D9AB8&0&3840
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ksuser.dll, 5.03.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 03:56:42, 4096 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ksproxy.ax, 5.03.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 03:56:58, 130048 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\ks.sys, 5.03.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 02:15:22, 140928 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\drmk.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 02:07:58, 60288 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\portcls.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 02:15:50, 145792 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\stream.sys, 5.03.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 02:08:02, 48640 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\wdmaud.drv, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 03:56:57, 23552 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\ctaud2k.sys, 5.12.0001.0296 (English), 9/18/2003 21:47:22, 496800 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\ctoss2k.sys, 5.12.0001.0292 (English), 8/28/2003 04:24:06, 113840 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\ha10kx2k.sys, 5.12.0001.0296 (English), 8/28/2003 04:22:04, 823456 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctdlang.dat, 8/28/2003 04:44:10, 189704 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctstatic.dat, 8/28/2003 04:33:24, 251970 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctdaught.dat, 8/28/2003 04:29:10, 53674 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\default.ecw, 9/22/1999 11:18:50, 2259067 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\sfman32.dll, 5.12.0001.0130 (English), 8/17/2001 02:35:46, 36864 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\a3d.dll, 80.00.0000.0003 (English), 8/28/2003 04:16:36, 65536 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctbasicw.dat, 8/28/2003 04:36:16, 115322 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\SBLive.ico, 10/21/2001 21:10:28, 4398 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\Live.bmp, 10/21/2001 21:10:28, 3126 bytes

[l337_GuY]

You need more RAM and a better video card to play it around Low. It's a really high demanding game. A friend of mine could barely play it on low with athlon 64 3000+, 9800pro and 1.2GB RAM.

[Porthos]

EDIT X2* so whats the final diagnosis...do i need a better vid card? or more ram? or both.

I say BOTH as well. I could say alot about the 5200 but the word filter would not approve.

[Ed Williams]

your video card only uses GDDR memory... Which has a very slow clock speed.. If it was GDDR2 or GDDR3 it would be a lot different...

Also, don't think you can just pick a video card and install it. Your motherboard most likely has a 4x/8x AGP slot.. So the best card you can get are probably

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814122011
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161052

The ATI one is probably alittle bit more powerful, but i personally don't like ATI that much...

[cougar62]

really? i played it on medium-high with a Radeon 9600 Pro, Semprom 3000+, and 512 Mb of ram. so maybe its depending on whats running on the background.

But you Do need a better video card and some more ram by the sounds of it.

[smurfy]

Agreed with all the above, your Vid card is crap.
My 128MB GF4 Ti4600 in an Athlon@1Ghz played FEAR (demo) better than my 128MB GFFX5200 in a PIV@3Ghz.

Other things I'd be looking at:
1) Disabling the on-board sound so only the SBLive! card is in use.
2) Get rid of the virtual DvD drives - the software running in the background will be impacting performance
3) Power supply? Quite a bit of hardware inside that rig. Disconnect any USB devices while playing.