First...make sure your Video drivers are the latest. Second, drop your resolution down to 16 Bit. Third, Use Direct X for faster Frame Rates, Open GL for puuuurtier pictures. Fourth, Windows XP defaults ALL games to a refresh rate of 60 HZ. To get better frame rates you need to be up to say 85. Say it ! 85 ! To fix this look for tweek programs that let you set your frame rates to 85 or above. It can say 85 outside of the game, but once in the game it defaults to 60..why you ask ?..Because MS are idiots ! These tweek programs change your registy values to ALWAYS be at 85..therfore faster screen refreshes..faster frame rates. Fifth, go into your System properties..advanced..performance section just before a game and set everything to fastest performance. It will make your system look like Windows 95 while you are playing the game but who cares..you are playing a game..the game will be mucho bettero. After the game, go back and set everything to make my system pretty again. Next ( forget the counting stuff ), look for drivers for your specific monitor..where ? How about the Manufacturers site ! Or check with the computer manufacturer if you have...say a Compaq... Drivers for your specific monitor will always work better than a generic default monitor driver.
Next to really help out, get rid of the crappy fans that are stock on these Video Cards..and add some heat sinks. Thermaltake Blue Orb/Crystal Orb and those fine heat sinks at OCsystems.com work..well...fine !
If you don't want to cut into your Beer and Pretzle money to update your card fan and add heat sinks you can always just do what I laid out earlier. But remember ya cheap bastages, heat is the biggest foe of frame rates and Video Card performance..the cooler the card ( not cooler like you were in High School ) but cooler as in " Burrrrrr " the happier it works.
Hope this helps. Be sure to tune in next week when I'll show you how to knit a neato bathroom rug with old saved up Belly Button lint. Until then, this is the Shell Answer Man saying.. " Happy Motoring ! "
TX-BlackKnight
Black 2