Another Graphics Card Problem (sorry guys)

[carlosthegreat]

Hey.

I bought quite a few PC games to play over christmas. My PC met the recommended requirements yet all the games were choppy and really really slow. I think it might be my graphics card.... Basically I'm unsure which one I have!



I ran everest and it came up with what you see above. The numbers and letter also appear in my Device Manager window.

So basically I'd just like to know
1) How to nail it down and
2) if you think this wil stop the choppy graphics

Thanks in advance, Carlos.

[patio]

On board video...post the text ver of Everest and we can give you recommendations on what type of vid card you can add on...
Check your pocketbook first.

[GX1_Man]

A celeron processor is not meant for any decent games.

Integrated video is not meant for any decent games.

That's all I can come up with, as you didn't mention which games.

Details, details.

[carlosthegreat]

Here's the txt version:
Computer:
      Operating System                                  Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
      OS Service Pack                                   Service Pack 2
      DirectX                                           4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
      Computer Name                                     SN048287520382
      User Name                                        

    Motherboard:
      CPU Type                                          Intel Celeron D 341, 2933 MHz (22 x 133)
      Motherboard Name                                  Unknown
      Motherboard Chipset                               SiS 661FX/GX
      System Memory                                     960 MB  (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
      BIOS Type                                         AMI (07/11/05)
      Communication Port                                Communications Port (COM1)
      Communication Port                                Communications Port (COM2)
      Communication Port                                ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

    Display:
      Video Adapter                                     SiS 651_661FX_741_760_760GX_M661FX_M661MX_M 741_M760_M760GX  (64 MB)
      3D Accelerator                                    SiS 330 Mirage Integrated
      Monitor                                           Philips 170B (170B6)  [17" LCD]  (BZ  410738)

    Multimedia:
      Audio Adapter                                     SiS 7012 Audio Device

    Storage:
      IDE Controller                                    SiS PCI IDE Controller
      Disk Drive                                        ST3160021A  (160 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)
      Optical Drive                                     _NEC DVD_RW ND-3530A  (DVD+R9:8x, DVD+RW:16x/8x, DVD-RW:16x/6x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:48x/32x/48x DVD+RW/DVD-RW)
      SMART Hard Disks Status                           OK

    Partitions:
      C: (NTFS)                                         146467 MB (96580 MB free)

    Input:
      Keyboard                                          Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
      Mouse                                             Microsoft PS/2 Mouse
      Game Controller                                   Microsoft PC-joystick driver

    Network:
      Network Adapter                                   Belkin 54g Wireless USB Network Adapter  (192.168.2.2)
      Modem                                             Smart Link 56K Modem


OK. My friend bought me Pro Evo 5, for example. The recommended requirements are:

Windows 2000/XP
Intel Pentium IV 1.4GHz processor
256 MB RAM
8X DVD-ROM Drive
NVIDIA GeForce 4 Ti, ATI Radeon 9600, or higher
DirectX 8.1 compatible sound card
DirectX 8.1 or higher (included on Disc 1)
Network(TCP/IP 1.5Mbps or higher)
3GB free hard disk space

SUPPORTED CHIPSETS:

NVIDIA - GeForce FX (5950, 5900, 5800, 5600, 5200), GeForce4 Ti,
GeForce3

ATI - Radeon x800, 9800, 9700, 9600, 9500, 9200, 9000, 8500

That's the main example.

Would I need to do much to get my machine up to spec.?

I didn't know I wouldn't be able to play decent games

[soybean]

Hmmm, Google finds nothing on your Computer Name and your Motherboard Name is Unknown.   Did you post the whole Everest report?  Do you know the make and model of your computer?  

Do you know what AGP slots and PCI slots look like?  Have you ever opened your computer?  Ever installed any components?

[carlosthegreat]

Here's the PC and where I bought it from
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/As+Advertised/PACKARD+BELL/IMEDIA+1307/237541

I bought it about a year ago & it was £200 more expensive

I posted the whole of the summary yeah (apart from the peripherals).

Yeah I have opened my PC before, I was disappointed with the amount of RAM fitted so I put some more in. I don't know AGP or PCI slots, but I guess I could find them.

I'm sorry if this is wasted time. I just wondered if a graphics card update would help.  :-?

[soybean]

According to the website you posted, you have 3 PCI slots but no AGP slots.  AGP was specifically designed for video cards and was designed for higher performance than using PCI slots for video cards.  So, that's a limiting factor on upgrading video on your computer.  

Still, I believe you would get better performance by installing a PCI video card.  But, as GX1_MAN said, a celeron processor is not the processor of choice for gaming enthusiasts.  If you want to take a look at some PCI video cards, here's one online seller's selection: Video / Graphics Cards  PCI Video Cards .  

[carlosthegreat]

Thanks Mr. Bean.

I've been looking and reading a few reviews. I now realise that I should've bought one with a AGP slot

This seems to be the best PCI card I could find:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/XFX-FX5200-128MB-AGP8X-TVOUT/dp/tech-data/B0000TNZEY/ref=de_a_smtd/202-0536427-6605466

I don't mind spending another £20, but I really just want to know if the above is the right kind of thing. Thanks.

[soybean]

Wait!  That's not a PCI card, it's AGP, as indicated in the title: XFX GF FX5200 128MB DDR [highlight]AGP[/highlight]8X TVOUT.  Here's a PCI card: Gainward GeForce FX PP PRO/660 TV-DVI PCI FX5200 128Mb.  Note: there's a discrepancy in the info on amount of memory on this card.  The title says 128MB but the detailed info says 64MB.  You might want to seek clarification on this, or assume it's 64MB.  Also note that this card has DVI connector.  If you need a VGA connector, you can get a DVI-to-VGA adapter; they don't cost much.

For a card with 256MB, see: XFX GF FX5200 256MB DDR PCI DVI/TVO

Here's one with a VGA connector and 128MB: XFX GF FX5200 128MB DDR PCI VGA/TV-OUT - LP VERSION

[carlosthegreat]

Nice one.

Last question(s) how do I know if I have a DVI or VGA connection and will the overall thing be difficult to connect?

[soybean]

This web page, http://www.directron.com/dviguide.html, has an image which clearly shows VGA and DVI ports on a video card.  This should help with installation: How to Upgrade and Install a Video Card

[carlosthegreat]

Thanks.

OK so I opened up my PC and found the make of the motherboard. Here it is:
http://www.chiptech1.com/static/stats/MBU_223.htm

Am I right in thinking it has an AGP slot? Can I go ahead with a AGP card?

Lastly, my monitor does support DVI.

[soybean]

If your motherboard is, in fact, the same as the one shown in the picture in that link, then, yes, you have an AGP slot and can use an AGP card.  The brown slot next to the three white PCI slots is the AGP slot.

[patio]

This is pretty important when you go shopping...

[carlosthegreat]

Yeah, there was a brown slot. That's the motherboard, I'm certain.

This will honestly be my three last questions (you guys really are ace)

1) Could you recommend the best video card for around £50? I think that's around $80
2) Would I have to physically remove the onboard card or can I just disable it? It seems to be encase by other things.
3) Patio, when you say "this is important" do you mean the "I.5V" aspect? Is this something I woul have to consider wen buying a new video card?

Thanks.