Junkie Computers run better

Not that mine is terrific, but some of my friends have specs worse than mine, but runs SL better. The new update released April 2, 2008 has drastically downgraded my performance, but improved things for others with crap computers. I don't understand. I have to run SL on LOW, whilst turning off all the rendering features as well, so everything is blocky and nasty just so i can get at least 10fps (on a good day). My other games run perfect in extremely high detail. Can somebody tell me whats up with my pc? Any help or advice will be greatly apprerciated to optimize my settings.

Windows Vista Ultimate (32-bit) Fully Updated
Intel P4 3.0Ghz (dual-core) supports 64-bit, socket 775
PC3200 DDR2 (400Mhz) RAM 1 1/2GB
Radeon 9550 AGP 256MB Fully Updated
PCChips Motherboard (800Mhz FSB)
Installed on D:\, a Seagate SATA 160GB HD (defragged and everything)

ComCast Cable Avg. speed @ 10MB (not on LAN)

maybe drugs do work?

The Radeon 9550 is a bit long in the tooth, and is a mediocre card at best for Second Life. Unfortunately, with an AGP system your choices are somewhat limited; the best options that are currently available would be an NVidia 7600 (available in GS and GT versions, the GT is faster) or a Radeon HD2600 (available in PRO and XT versions, XT is faster). Choose according to your budget and brand preference. For Vista, the ATI cards might be preferable because they have full DirectX 10 support. (But in general NVidia cards have been more stable for Second Life.)

There is an AGP version of the Radeon HD3850; that would be the highest performance AGP card currently available, as the AGP version of the NVidia 7800 seems to be history. (I suppose you could track one down on eBay.) I wouldn't invest $200 in an upgrade of a system of that vintage, but the option is there if you want it.

If you're up for a more involved upgrade, you could buy a new motherboard with PCI Express; you would then have a much wider choice of video cards, and the PCI Express versions of video cards are generally less expensive than the AGP versions. But most PCI Express motherboards also require DDR2 memory, so your options would be few unless you also wanted to buy new RAM. You would get more performance by taking that path, plus the option of getting even more down the road by replacing the Pentium D with a Core 2 Duo or Quad.

Windows Vista Ultimate (32-bit) Fully Updated = the problem

oh good a smart person. Thanks for the info. I tried the HD2600 when it came out but it made my other games look horrible, and it kept crashing my system so I took it back. I should probably go back to XP anyway cuz SAM4 doesn't work on it either. I'll definately upgrade everything as soon as i can.

Thanks

I'm on that same ole Radeon...on the new Client even. Had Graphics all the way down at 1st. Unchecked...what was it, VBO? Then I go out to a beach & just for no reason slid graphics up ta maximum. (256 particles, but still)

Never could to that before...ain't crash or lag...flew all around the island, & 3 more. SL is too picky. No idea how that happened.