Video and audio card slow in gaming

[NonTechyMom]

With games, this:
- Video Adapter   Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller (64 MB)
is your main culprit.
You'll need to buy real video card. Your video, is just on-board video chip with 64MB of RAM. Today's games need more RAM.
You can get decent video card with 512MB of RAM for...~$100.

Also:
- System Memory   503 MB  (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
It won't hurt to get another 512MB/1GB of RAM

OK, this is good. Would this also fix the audio delay?

And where is a good place to purchase these items?

I guess I need to open my computer to see if there are any slots available for more RAM.

[NonTechyMom]

Problem   Disk free space is only 5% on drive D:.

This is your Recovery partition, so you don't have to worry about free disk space there. Just don't touch that partition.

AHHH No problem - NO Touchy the D Drive! :-)

[NonTechyMom]

With games, this:
- Video Adapter   Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller (64 MB)
is your main culprit.
You'll need to buy real video card. Your video, is just on-board video chip with 64MB of RAM. Today's games need more RAM.
You can get decent video card with 512MB of RAM for...~$100.

Also:
- System Memory   503 MB  (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
It won't hurt to get another 512MB/1GB of RAM

OK, this is good. Would this also fix the audio delay?

And where is a good place to purchase these items?

I guess I need to open my computer to see if there are any slots available for more RAM.

OK ... So I let me make sure I understand - I need two things....


"Bigger" Video card and More Ram - Correct?

[NonTechyMom]

OK I went New Egg - To do a little research so I can ask an educated (LOL) question.

I started my search for a Video card 512 MB Ram -

They range from $60 - $300 and by all different brand names - with Cloaking devices and all sorts of stuff. WOW -

Ok, so I guess my questions would be:

1. how do I know what Video Card works for my computer?

2. What brand name has a good reputation?

3. What "stuff" do I really need on it?

I know, I know. Simple questions for many of you. But, my luck I would end up paying for one that makes my coffee and answers my phone - and I don't need all that. :-)

[Broni]

Would this also fix the audio delay?

It may, but you won't know, until you'll get your video card.

I guess I need to open my computer to see if there are any slots available for more RAM.

You don't have to. Travel to www.crucial.com, enter your computer brand, and model, and it'll tell you everything you need to know about your RAM. Prices are good there, too.

As for your video card, any computer store will do. Usually, bigger stores have better prices.
You need to get right type of card, though.
In Everest, go Computer>DMI, and click on System slots in right pane. What do you have listed there?

[NonTechyMom]

Would this also fix the audio delay?

It may, but you won't know, until you'll get your video card.

I guess I need to open my computer to see if there are any slots available for more RAM.

You don't have to. Travel to www.crucial.com, enter your computer brand, and model, and it'll tell you everything you need to know about your RAM. Prices are good there, too.

As for your video card, any computer store will do. Usually, bigger stores have better prices.
You need to get right type of card, though.
In Everest, go Computer>DMI, and click on System slots in right pane. What do you have listed there?

OUCH...there is no "system slots" option to pick from. That can't be good.
:-(

[Broni]

Don't worry. Maybe it's not listed in Everest free version.
What your HP Pavilion model?

[NonTechyMom]

Don't worry. Maybe it's not listed in Everest free version.
What your HP Pavilion model?

Ok this is where I am driving myself crazy. I was trying to use that website you gave me - crucial.com. And I was trying to do this on my own...

I have an HP series - Pavilion - but I can't find the model number.

Ok this is what I have found so far -  HP series - Pavilion - 525w

On the back plate  it says HP Pavilion 500 series -

System number - DD 291A

I hope that helps. :-)

I can't find anything that actually says - "Model Number"

[NonTechyMom]

I went to the actual HP website and this is what I found out -


For 32-bit operating systems, Windows Vista and XP 32-bit editions can address approximately 3.3 GB. This limitation is present on all 32-bit hardware and 32-bit operating systems and is not limited to HP and Compaq systems.

So will I have a problem upgrading Ram?

[NonTechyMom]

OK I found EVERYTHING!!

Yeah! While reading the HP website I found out that on HP computers you hit Ctrl / alt / and the "s" key and a screen pops up that tell you EVERYTHING about your computer!!!

Mine is --

Model Number - 525W
Product # - DD291A-ABA


And alot of other numbers that I don't think I need right now - like serial number and such.

Ok I have learned more about my computer in the last few hours than I have learned in the last few years!

Bu this is not helping me at the crucial.com website - I don't know what series I have to find the right model number - <<sigh>>>

[Broni]

As for your RAM:
HERE
You can have 2 x 512MB PC2100 184 pin DDR SDRAM
You have one 512MB stick already, so you need to buy second, identical one.

As for your video card, you'll have to buy PCI (not PCI Express) type.
The first one here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=PCI+Video+Card
should do.

[Broni]

Correction
I can see, your RAM was already changed by someone to PC3200 DDR SDRAM, so you'll want to buy same one, not as I stated before, PC2100.

[NonTechyMom]

This is everything I can find on my Particular computer.

I don't know if I can find anything else. My brain hurts. :-)


Product number
DD291A

Introduction date
19-Mar-03

Country/region sold in
United States
Canada

Bundle information

The HP Pavilion 525w desktop PC (part number DD291A) is a component of the HP Pavilion 525w-b desktop PC bundle (part number DF232A) and is available exclusively at WalMart stores.

The bundle includes the following:
HP Pavilion 525w desktop PC
HP Pavilion VF51 15-inch flat panel monitor


Hardware
Base processor and speed
Intel Celeron 2.4GHz
400MHz Front side bus
Socket mPGA478

Chipset
845GL

Motherboard manufacturer
ASUS
Motherboard specifications

Memory
Component  Attributes  

RAM (installed)  256K/DDR 2100 (1 x 256) up to 64 MB shared video memory

Maximum allowed 1 GB (2 x 512) requires replacement of the installed 256K DIMM
Speed supported PC2100 MB/sec
Type 184 pin, DDR SDRAM
DIMM slots Two
Open slots One

Cache
Type  Attributes  
Primary cache (L1) 8 KB of Data cache + 12K Micro-op Trace cache
Secondary (L2) 512 KB


Hard drive
80 GB Ultra DMA
5400 rpm


CD-RW/DVD combo drive
32x/10x/12x/40x maximum speed

Diskette drive
1.44 MB (3.5-inch)

Modem
ItU V.90 K56flex (V.92 upgradable)

Video graphics
Integrated Intel Extreme graphics with up to 64 MB shared video memory

Sound/audio
Integrated AC97 audio

Network
Integrated 10/100Base-T networking interface

MPEG
MPEG2 for full-motion digital video

External ports
Port type  Quantity  
USB (2.0) Six (two front and four back)
Serial One
Parallel One
PS/2 Keyboard One
PS/2 Mouse One

Ok this may be what we were looking for.....

But I am not sure if it applys to RAM or a video card...

Expansion slots (total) Slot type  Quantity  
PCI Three (two open)
DIMM Two (one available)
AGP No

Drive bays (total)
Bay type  Quantity  
5.25-inch, external Two (one available)
3.5-inch, internal Two (one available)
3.5-inch, external One
  

Keyboard and mouse
PS/2 Internet keyboard
PS/2 two-button scrolling

Speakers
Polk Audio "F" series stereo with Power Port technology

Software
Operating system
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

Software build ID/BIOS
SWB-ID# 32NAHEBLU3 NA-HOME

CD-RW/DVD software
RecordNow CD/DVD Writer by Vertias
Intervideo WinDVD Player

Entertainment, music, and games

MusicMatch Jukebox 7.1 by MusicMatch
Wild Tangent game channel (English only)
eMusic Store by Rioport (not French Canada)
Software Offers icon with URL (not French Canada)
User's Choice icon with URL (French Canada only)


Imaging, photography, video, and film
HP Picture and Video Toolkit:
Photo Impression by Arcsoft
Greeting Card Creator by Arcsoft
Funhouse by Arcsoft
HP Print Creator
HP Make Memories Disc
Showbiz Video Editor by Arcsoft
Simple Backup for My Pictures by Veritas
RecordNow 4.5


Education and reference
Encyclopedia Britannica 2002 Online (not French Canada)
Encyclopedia Universales (French Canada only)
Weatherbug by Weatherbug (not French Canada)


Productivity and finance
Adobe Acrobat Reader
WordPerfect Productivity Pack by Corel:
WordPerfect
Quattro Pro
Task Manager
Quicken New User Edition 2003 by Intuit (not French Canada)
MarketBrowser by MarketBrowser (not French Canada)


Recovery
Microsoft System Restore
Recovery Software Suite:
System Recovery
Application Recovery
Recovery CD Creator


Service and support
Detto Intellimover (not French Canada)
Norton Antivirus 2003
Zero-Knowledge Freedom 4.0 (not French Canada)
Backup (flash demo and URL) (not French Canada)
Electronic Upgrade and Service Guide
Backweb Client
Rubik Worldwide ISP Signups
ehelp/HP Instant Support (not French Canada)
ehelp (French Canada)
HP Tour Guide Victor
I.E. Favorites
HP OOBE


Warranty
Warranty type  Warranty duration  
Parts and Labor One year
Hardware troubleshooting One year/24 hour/7 days a week
Software phone support One year/24 hour/7 days a week
Software replacement 30 days
Self repair (kits) One Year
Return to HP (US only) One Year

[Broni]

Also, crucial says, that you have:
Graphics Support:   AGP 4X
but HP site says:
AGP     No

This is confusing, so you may need to open your computer case, and see, if you have AGP slot. It's important, because AGP is faster, then PCI, so if you have that slot, it'd be better to get AGP type of video card.
See below what to look for:

Disregard ISA pointer.

[NonTechyMom]

As for your RAM:
HERE
You can have 2 x 512MB PC2100 184 pin DDR SDRAM
You have one 512MB stick already, so you need to buy second, identical one.

As for your video card, you'll have to buy PCI (not PCI Express) type.
The first one here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=PCI+Video+Card
should do.

LOL We went to the same site to find the information. :-)

Goodness Thank you. Let me see what I can do now with all this information! :-)