Hey Guys! This is my first post, ever, and i really need some help.

I use my pc for games (but not hardcore maxed out settings).

I have recently added ram and a video card to my PC so i could play TF2, but been having trouble running team fortress 2, even thought i am passed the recommended requirements at:
http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/referrer/srtest (can you run it?)
My game runs fine until i see lots of people, or lots of action is going, then my frame rate drops dramatically!
Here are my specs:

Dell Dimension E520
Intel Celeron 3.06 Ghz
2046 RAM (4x512) channel 667
Gainward 9400Gt 1gb
500gb HD
305 Watt PSU
*No fans or coolers

Could it be the settings? like the ram speed etc?

THANKS IN ADVANCE

Hello dongoogie and welcome to the PCHF

Well you may have to bump up that PSU. But i am not a gamer here,so i will open this thread so it will get there attention..thanks for your patience

First, the "Can I Run It?" test is a very inaccurate test, it's often wrong and merely compares the specs it finds for your PC to the requirements for the game. It usually means you'll be able to run the game, whether it'll perform to a playable standard or not is another matter.

From previous experiences, the Celeron chips are really quite bad in terms of performance. I had a 3.2GHz single-core Celeron that didn't perform like a 3.2GHz clocked chip at all, it bogged down at the simplest tasks.

I remember that Team Fortress 2 used to bog down under high-action on my PCs old specs, of 2.2GHz non-OC'd CPU and a 9500 GT 1GB. I haven't played it with these current rig specs though.

A 9400 GT isn't a great card, it's pretty much a budget solution and you won't get much out of it. Plus, the PC is a Dell, and even basic upgrades won't hide the fact it's a workstation rather then a gaming, or even multimedia PC.

If your not already, try running TF2 at it's very lowest quality settings. If it plays OK then, you could try slowly improving the settings to find your optimum quality/performance ratio.

Vger also bought up a good point, that PSU will be a generic brand used by Dell and designed to provide the bare minimum power for the original system to work off. Adding a new GPU could be asking too much of such a generic component.

The only other thing I can suggest is getting some extra cooling. You mentioned that you have no fans or coolers? You must obviously have a CPU cooler and the GPU should have a built-in heatsink/fan. But adding some cheap case fans could provide a better airflow through your case and reduce component temperatures. Sometimes the stress of running games can send component temperatures quite high and this can cause some stability issues.

Thanks so much for your response IJM

i do recognize that is a dell, and am looking to upgrade to a gaming system around christmas (when i have the cash). I just bought the ram and the video card to help with some low-end games i enjoy in the meantime.

that is very interesting about "can you run it?"

i am wondering tho, is their anyway i can upgrade my current rig to bring it up to par without starting all over? like new proccesor and psu and some fans? or would it just be better to wait till christmas?

thanks again XD

You might as well just wait till you've got the money and D.I.Y, so you know what you've got, the PSU's not sounding good to me, same with the processor.

Wait.............

Hello & Welcome dongoogie!

I believe you have received some good advice Please let us know if you wish for further input or if your questions have been addressed.