Ok, so what started happening was this.

I would enter the main server. My ping would go from a regular 60-80 up to 150+. I tried different servers, all the same, a higher ping. So then I thought I would tink around with cl_cmdrate and cl_updaterate. They were originally set at 40 at my choke and loss would stay at 0. I moved them to 101 like lv_gamers post says to. Then my fps when down from 40 to 5 an my choke was out of control with no change in ping either. Basically I could not even play the game. So I put everything back in order from were I started, but I still was unable to even play.

So in a fit of rage I unistalled and reinstalled. This went good. I set my rates back at 40 and I was back were I started, real jerky gameplay at 5 fps and a high ass ping. At the start of this problem I changed nothing! It just happened on its own.

Now for the questions.

WIth cable internet will I experiance any "bottle-necking" during peak hours?

How the hell to I tell what type of memory my CPU takes? I have aquired memory from work but it did not fit. The memory came out of a compaq and I hae a dell dim 3000.

If I "aquire" a video card from work it will be just the card and no drivers. Is this a problem or will my pc reconize the new card?

The video card that I may be "aquiring" was obviously not designed for gaming but for real work. Would it even be worth my time installing (or aquiring) this in hopes to improve my fps and smooth out my gameplay?

Ok...

To check if you're getting any bottlenecking, do a traceroute in console.

A Dell dim 3000 uses 184 pin DDR RAM.

Most video card companies have their drivers on their site. I never install off the CD. The website is always up to date.

If all you play is CS/CZ then even a cheap card will do well.

Setting your rates to 101 on most public servers will bottleneck your machine...

Setting the cl_updaterate to 30-40 is the max the server will allow u to update at...

Setting cl_cmdrate to 101 should be fine..

Thanks!