What is a perfect computer for games such as Half Life 2?

Half Life 2 is running slowly?

• I have a pretty nice computer, 3.20 GHz AMD phenom quad core processor, an Gigabyte HD 6850 graphics card, 8 gigs of ram and plenty of hard drive space, but for some reason Half Life 2 and Half life 2 ep. 1 & 2 lag a ton for me, even at the lowest possible graphics settings. I can play portal 2, skyrim, team fortress 2 at the highest AA and graphics settings with no lag whatsoever. I've heard that i maybe should try reinstalling the games, but i don't want to resort to that. Another thing I've noticed is that Half Life 2 runs better right after i turn my computer on, but after around 30 minutes to half an hour i start getting huge lag spikes every few seconds.Does anybody have any other advice on how i can get these games to run better?

• Answer:

  Half Life 2 minimum requirements - 1.2GHz powered PC with 256MB RAM, Win 98/ME/2000/XP and a DirectX 7 compatible graphics card. Half Life 2 preferred requirements - 2.4 GHz machine, with 512MB RAM, Windows 2000/XP and a DirectX 9 capable graphics card. Now, considering thatr you are using Windows 7 possibly 64 bit, it is conceivable to think that your OS and video card are way too far out of range for Half Life 2. Perhaps there might be a compatibility mode? Right click the desk top icon of the game shortcut too view properties.