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#1 2006-03-04 4:46 pm
- GodzFire
- Sniping UT players, one headshot at a time
- From: Parts Unknown
- Registered: 2003-06-04
- Posts: 50
What upgrade would be most benefical for UT2K4 performance? Specs Inc
Hey guys. I have been considering doing an upgrade to my good ole Mac based on current money and needed addition. One factor I would like help on is what upgrade would best enhance UT2K4 performance. I know my good ole buddy is up there in age for computers (I'd say at least 4 years old), but can still give current PC's a run for their money. Any and all advice is very much appreciated! My specs are below:
Hardware Overview:
Machine Name: Power Mac G4 QuickSilver
Machine Model: PowerMac3,5
Code: Titan, Nichrome
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (2.1)
CPU Speed: 800 MHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 256 KB
Memory: 512 MB
Bus Speed: 133 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.3.3f2
System Software Overview:
System Version: Mac OS X 10.4.4 (8G32)
Kernel Version: Darwin 8.4.0
Graphics:
ATI Radeon 7500:
Chipset Model: ATY,RV200
Bus: AGP
VRAM (Total): 32 MB
Memory:
DIMM0/J21:
Size: 256 MB
Type: SDRAM
Speed: PC133-333
DIMM1/J22:
Size: 256 MB
Type: SDRAM
Speed: PC133-333
DIMM2/J23:
Empty
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#2 2006-03-04 9:42 pm
- LLEVIATHANN
- Itch you can't scratch
- From: Between the shoulder blades
- Registered: 2001-03-14
- Posts: 6908
Re: What upgrade would be most benefical for UT2K4 performance? Specs Inc
Well lemme get this out of the way.... A PeeCee. 
OK I got that off my chest.
Keep in mind UT2K4 is more CPU bound.
I'd dump the 7500 in a heartbeat for a 9800. If the 9800 will work...if not then a 9600. Then again what is the budget. Mac 9800 Pros are going for $200. If it's less than that a pair of 512 PC133 Ram mods would do well. If you've got more then up the CPU which is what UT2K4 would like the most.
One thousand years are burned everytime 10 million play WoW for an hour.
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#3 2006-03-07 1:34 pm
Re: What upgrade would be most benefical for UT2K4 performance? Specs Inc
Cost wise I think that I would take a stepped approach:
1. Because UT2K4 is so CPU bound I would look first at a CPU upgrade. Here you want to go for the fastest you can afford that is compatible with your machine. Don't bother with any dual CPU stuff — UT2K4 can't really use it.
2. RAM. Move up to a gig of RAM. Should be able to do that at a very reasonable cost.
3. V Card. I would do this last. I think your machine only has a 4x AGP (could be wrong) so a ATI 9600 would work and be very reasonable in cost.
Good luck. Another option is add up the costs of all the upgrades then compare to a new Intel iMac. You might find it would be better to convert the QuickSilver to a server for your home network and get the new machine.
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#4 2006-03-07 6:11 pm
- CG5Addict
- Member
- From: middle of nowhere
- Registered: 2005-08-29
- Posts: 222
Re: What upgrade would be most benefical for UT2K4 performance? Specs Inc
Same question, except my specs are a little different:
Hardware Overview:
Machine Name: Power Mac G5
Machine Model: PowerMac7,2
CPU Type: PowerPC 970 (2.2)
Number Of CPUs: 2
CPU Speed: 1.8 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 1.5 GB
Bus Speed: 900 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 5.1.4f0
System Software Overview:
System Version: Mac OS X 10.4.5 (8H14)
Kernel Version: Darwin 8.5.0
Graphics:
Chipset Model: GeForce FX 5200
Type: Display
Bus: AGP
Slot: SLOT-1
VRAM (Total): 64 MB
Vendor: nVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0321
Revision ID: 0x00a2
ROM Revision: 2060
Memory:
1.5 GB SDRAM
(Ceemkm) " life time honorary member"-JediKnightChewie (Cookiee Monster)
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#5 2006-03-08 6:18 am
Re: What upgrade would be most benefical for UT2K4 performance? Specs Inc
Well Cee 'fraid there are no CPU upgrade options. The only avenues would be:
1. Go to 2 GB RAM — but at 1.5 GB already I doubt that would add much.
2. V Card — going to an ATI 9800 or x800 might help some but again UT2K4 is mostly CPU bound.
Another option would be to look around for a deal on a used 2 x 2 (or higher) G5.
Perhaps the best option would be to wait for the desktop Intel-Macs to come out later this year.
You could always build your own Windows box (there — I said it) for gaming, but even that has some draw backs. With UT2K7 on the horizon it is still anybody's guess what kind of horsepower it is going to take to run it. I've been thinking of that but am holding off till more is known about what will be needed.
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#6 2006-03-08 6:40 am
- LoupGarou
- Member
- From: Montreal
- Registered: 2001-12-28
- Posts: 206
Re: What upgrade would be most benefical for UT2K4 performance? Specs Inc
I'm surprised Cee is having trouble with UT with the rig he has. 1.8 ghz and 1.5 gig of ram seems way enough for UT. The only glitch I can see is the video card, at 64 mb it seems a little low. Does the fact it's a mac make such a difference ? Those specs are pretty close to mine, except for the V card, and I run UT with all the bells and whistles without a hitch. I'm not knocking your rig Cee, I'd be so happy to have that rig Maybe Cee is just looking for a reason to upgrade to the new Intel Macs
I'm not a pessimist, I'm a realist Loup's den
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#7 2006-03-08 8:59 am
- LLEVIATHANN
- Itch you can't scratch
- From: Between the shoulder blades
- Registered: 2001-03-14
- Posts: 6908
Re: What upgrade would be most benefical for UT2K4 performance? Specs Inc
Cee dump the 5200 it is a terrible chipset. The Mrs. had on in her PC and it was the sux. I went from running everything on low to everything on high after getting a 6800GS for her.
Looks that Mac 9800s and 6800s are going for about the same price on ebay ($200).
One thousand years are burned everytime 10 million play WoW for an hour.
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#8 2006-03-11 7:50 pm
- socamx
- Member
- Registered: 2004-08-07
- Posts: 105
Re: What upgrade would be most benefical for UT2K4 performance? Specs Inc
The dual 1.8 isn't bad per say...but it still lags noticably. I even have a X800 XT in mine now, all it allowed me to do was run from really laggy fps on the 9800 Pro to near smooth on same settings. Max settings isn't playable in most cases, runs about the same 9800 Pro did on the lower settings for me.
Really need a faster G5 to see any difference in fps for UT2004.
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#9 2006-03-21 10:18 am
- sturner
- Royal High Poobah
- From: Carrollton, TX USA
- Registered: 2000-01-31
- Posts: 9152
Re: What upgrade would be most benefical for UT2K4 performance? Specs Inc
The code isn't as optimzed for Mac as it is for Windows. The Mac will always run behind because of that. But, that being said, it is still playable, especially with a fast CPU and 9800 Pro or X800. Hopefully we will see some development on the Intel Macs that allow more use of optimized code for the Macs.
"There were places in the world commemorating those times when wizards hadn't been quite as clever [as to refrain from doing magic when you knew how easy it was], and on many of them the grass would never grow again." Terry Prachett
There are 3 types of people, those who can count and those who can't.
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#10 2006-03-21 12:15 pm
Re: What upgrade would be most benefical for UT2K4 performance? Specs Inc
Big changes will come only when game developers figure out how to really use multi-core processors. It's not there yet but with the wide implementation of multi-core systems it will come.
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#11 2006-05-18 2:44 am
- mmaverick
- Stickin it to the man since '85
- From: Canada
- Registered: 2002-02-02
- Posts: 1243
Re: What upgrade would be most benefical for UT2K4 performance? Specs Inc
With a 17" intel imac should I just go with the PC version of UT? I only ask because a little piece of me dies everytime I go to windows.
There's a snake in my boot!
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#12 2006-05-18 9:25 am
- LLEVIATHANN
- Itch you can't scratch
- From: Between the shoulder blades
- Registered: 2001-03-14
- Posts: 6908
Re: What upgrade would be most benefical for UT2K4 performance? Specs Inc
mmaverick wrote:
With a 17" intel imac should I just go with the PC version of UT? I only ask because a little piece of me dies everytime I go to windows.
Oh c'mon stop being so melodramatic. You say 'UT', which one? I'm guessing '99 since that is your preference.
Your choices:
1) Grin and bear the gimped OSX beta 3 for the sake of staying Mac.
2) Load up XP and use UT'99 in its full glory, including the last patch from UTPG.
One thousand years are burned everytime 10 million play WoW for an hour.
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#13 2006-05-18 10:21 pm
- mmaverick
- Stickin it to the man since '85
- From: Canada
- Registered: 2002-02-02
- Posts: 1243
Re: What upgrade would be most benefical for UT2K4 performance? Specs Inc
Actually I'm thinking about both of them. Is there much of a community left of 99 for someone that was mediocre at best when he played a lot?
There's a snake in my boot!
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#14 2006-05-19 9:50 am
- LLEVIATHANN
- Itch you can't scratch
- From: Between the shoulder blades
- Registered: 2001-03-14
- Posts: 6908
Re: What upgrade would be most benefical for UT2K4 performance? Specs Inc
I have no clue the state of the '99 community...esp now that UTPG hasn't been active. For a better idea go to unrealtournament.com and check out the '99 forums. They still get regular posts there.
UT2K4 Mac vs PC...
It should play ok on OSX but I think it would play better in XP. So stay in OSX for worse performance but not feel icky or play in XP for better FPS, load times and you could start to mess around with UEd. Even tho you may need to shower afterwards.
One thousand years are burned everytime 10 million play WoW for an hour.
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#15 2006-05-19 10:39 am
- mmaverick
- Stickin it to the man since '85
- From: Canada
- Registered: 2002-02-02
- Posts: 1243
Re: What upgrade would be most benefical for UT2K4 performance? Specs Inc
Heh, sounds like I may just get it for both 
There's a snake in my boot!
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#16 2006-06-01 2:42 am
- SwisSlesS
- Member
- From: Home of the Massholes
- Registered: 2002-06-19
- Posts: 8307
Re: What upgrade would be most benefical for UT2K4 performance? Specs Inc
UT99 community is ultra-pro and newbar, no middle ground, and very few good pubs.
I'm a dog, spelled backwards.
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