Basically,like the title says. Here's my specs. What do I need to upgrade my PC to run this game?

I just built this computer not too long ago so i'm not too thrilled about already upgrading it. At the time though,I got the cheapest video card because I had no intentions of playing games on this,so I understand that needs to be upgraded.

I'm basically asking for some recommendations on parts. Stuff you think I should buy,as I don't know shit about gaming on the PC.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v297/TheFlowinProse/pceun.jpg

Here's the parts I currently have.

Video card - http://fyad.org/wrcs

CPU - http://fyad.org/wrct

Mobo - http://fyad.org/wrcu

RAM - http://fyad.org/wrcv

Thanks a bunch guys!

Think about this: I was running HL2 on a Geforce FX5200 over 4 years ago, which was a piece of shit even by those standards. I love Valve.

I can't imagine L4D being that much different from HL2, unless they really ramped up the graphics.

If you really want to upgrade, I'd recommend a Geforce 8800GT based card. They should be just over $100. I'm just saying you should try and run L4D on your current rig. Turn down some of the settings until you're running smoothly, and if you're not satisfied, upgrade.

*ObZ

I have an 8800GTS, AMD Athlon 3500+, and 2 gigs of ram and I have this game MAXED out totally... even in the most intense fights with like 100 zombies on the screen I don't slow down even the slightest.

Get an 8600 for like 50 bucks. I have an 8600 2gb of ram and a 2.6 dual core, and the game looks clean for me.

This.

Pop in 1 more gig of ram and you'll be set.

Together it won't run you too much.

I'd recommend splurging on the video-card... get the absolute BEST one you can possibly let yourself afford... Even my 8800GTS isn't that great really... I'd seriously buy a 9800GTX or GT2 if you could put it off and afford it.

Video Card/CPU/RAM, in that order, is how you should upgrade. If you got yourself a new processor and videocard, and eventually added some more ram, you'd be set for like 2 or 3 years.

he's buying a d830 and 1GB of RAM be realistic he's not going to want to by a 9800GTX is he...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4185307&CatId=3585

^^ thats a decent deal on a a mid(ish) range card

that 6200 isnt even worth considering.

Go with that one, if all you want to do is play Left 4 Dead, that thing should easily allow you to max out settings.

You might be able to run it with that card on minimum settings, I believe that's the card my friend has and I saw him playing left 4 dead yesterday(it was a bit choppy but still playable for sure) Download and try the demo, what can it hurt?

I'd get the 8800, it hasn't let me down yet.

It should probably be a little over a 100 now.

Think of it like this, instead of buying an older graphics card now just for left 4 dead you can dish out the extra cash for the 8800 which you can then in turn use for more games besides left 4 dead. Pc games can be pirated so you can pirate some upcoming single player games instead of buying them for your 360 The money you'll save on those games will pay for your graphics card.

I'd got that route but If you weren't willing to spend that much I'd just get an older Geforce thats in your price range.

The 8800 is the best performance:cost ratio on the market these days. It's a great little card, and dirt cheap.

I suggested it because 33% said he wasn't a big PC gamer.


*ObZ

Ok,I typed in "GeForce 8800 GT" into a few different places and get 4-5 different products. Some about $120 and some going as high as $220. What exactly am I supposed to be looking for ?

I found this one. http://fyad.org/wrhb

Will this keep me being able to play some of the newer games too? I might ask nicely to someone in my family to get me a new CPU for Christmas if I can upgrade that and actually be able to play some of the newer games like Mass Effect and Call of Duty. I don't want to buy parts now and then need new ones 6 months later,i'd rather get them now in one shot and just pay the extra money.

Edit: 2 things.


- This thing is listed as PCI Express 2.0. My current motherboard is the one I linked in the first post and only has PCI Express (not 2.0),does this make a difference?

- Here's my CPU http://fyad.org/wrhd Is this one even worth the small jump for the 80 bucks? http://fyad.org/wrhe

- This thing is listed as PCI Express 2.0. My current motherboard is the one I linked in the first post and only has PCI Express (not 2.0),does this make a difference?

- Here's my CPU http://fyad.org/wrhd Is this one even worth the small jump for the 80 bucks? http://fyad.org/wrhe

I believe they're the same size but the difference is 2.0 has twice the bandwidth, it should be compatible but won't be of 2.0 speeds.

Don't quote me on that though.

Edit:Regardless of the outcome, PCI Express 2.0 does have one major advantage: new PCIe 2.0 graphics cards are compatible with PCIe 1.1 motherboards, meaning that they will run on them using the available bandwidth of PCI Express 1.1.

Link:http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pci-express-2-0,1915.html

ok,i typed in "geforce 8800 gt"

8600.

May I reccomend a good cheap cpu.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2207283&CatId=2328

I just know that if I had the money, I'd get a very nice videocard, and the best processor that I could afford after that (that doesn't require me to buy a new mobo also).

Simple fact is, L4D will only entertain you for so long, and to make things even worse is that by the time you're done with L4D, the gaming market will have advanced all that much farther, so if you're getting old tech, you're going to be stuck with old games.

At the VERY least, I'd suggest the 8800GTS, thats what I have... I'd much rather have the 8800GTX, or something from the 9800 line-up... or even the new 200 line-up (but I'm poor, so fuck that). With the best AMD dual-core I can get.

I just had an insane L4D session. First we played with unstoppable zombie spawns (100 zombie rush every 30 seconds) and then we put on cheats and started spawning some tanks/witches/zombies.

I ran to the safe room, spawned 100 witches, then closed the door. When my friend ran in all I heard was "WHAT THE FUCK SWEET JESUS NO OMG" as he tried to close the door and run from all the witches.

Then we got up on the roof and started spawning zombies to snipe on the ground. Then I decided to spawn a tank behind the guy and watch him freak out.

Sandbox mode adds a lot of fun to the game.

Ok,after awhile of looking on the ol' interweb and the help in this thread,I ended up buying this video card http://fyad.org/wrpq and another gig of RAM. I hope this is a good card.

Thanks for all the help guys!

Ok,after awhile of looking on the ol' interweb and the help in this thread,I ended up buying this video card http://fyad.org/wrpq and another gig of RAM.

Thanks for all the help guys!

Congrats man, there's nothing better than getting a brand spankin' new graphics card.