Need Advice for Upgrade

[Gilloo]

I have a Dell Dimension 2400,

which works great most of the time, only issue is the ole virtual memory error
but Only when I play games

Now I see that most PC Adventure/Puzzle games that I want to play have requirements as follows:
for Still Life 2
Windows® XP/VistaTM
1,5 GHz Intel Pentium® 4
RAM 512 MB
Video Card 128 MB

and the current  Graphics Controller I have that was included when I purchased my computer has no more Updates

so I was wondering if I should buy a Video Card to improve graphics?.

Examples of problems areas:
...I try to play certain games and I get white screens, sound, and just the person walking. (Agatha Christie game)...things like that
and another (Hidden Object game) I get to a certain place in the game and the cursor disappears, although if ya click long enough, it does connect to things and click on it.....lol like doing it blind

but I ramble
what I have now =
 Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.080814-1236)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
       System Model: Dimension 2400               
               BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A05
          Processor: Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 2.40GHz
             Memory: 376MB RAM
          Page File: 449MB used, 453MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller
     Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
        Chip type: Intel(R) 82845G Graphics Controller
         DAC type: Internal
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2562&SUBSYS_01601028&REV_01
   Display Memory: 64.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4020 (English)


soo, since I dont know Enough about computers , do I need to just Increase my RAM, or replace the controller with a Video Card, and if so what would be compatible
or Both

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Definitely get more RAM, at least up to 768MB or 1GB.
As for your video card, one with at least 128MB VRAM will do much better than what you have now. (64MB)

[Karnac]

More RAM please.......

Standard Configuration
for Dell Dimension 2400

Maximum RAM:  2GB
Standard RAM:  128MB
Fixed RAM:  0MB
Speed of RAM:  PC-2100
# Banks:  2
# Sockets:  2
Chipset:  Intel 845GV

http://www.edgetechcorp.com/memory/upgrade.asp?cid=17156

[DA8686]

I would recommend more RAM and a seperate video card.  HOWEVER, this may not be worth it.  If you are going to end up spending a bunch of money on upgrades, it may be better to just get a new computer if that is an option.  You can find a computer with much much better specs for 300.  Also, if you are not a computer expert, you may just want to do the RAM since the video card will be harder to install and setup.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Video Card ain't that hard.....

[DA8686]

Video Card ain't that hard.....

I agree.  I just saw that he listed himself as a beginner.  I know a lot of people don't feel that comfortable playing around inside their computer too much.

[Gilloo]

Im okay with installing a video card, memory etc, Ive done it on my nieces computer

its the "compatibility" part I dont want to get wrong................

as it is, I only have two slots for ram, will have to remove what I have to put in the 1gb I plan to get

I will probably be going shopping later this week, I will see what the prices are like re video cards here in Canada

[patio]

If you want to know what type of RAM to buy and what capacity the machine will handle visit  Crucial.com's website...

[DA8686]

If you want to know what type of RAM to buy and what capacity the machine will handle visit  Crucial.com's website...

Good advice.  I use crucial's tool every time I need to buy more memory.

[Gilloo]

If you want to know what type of RAM to buy and what capacity the machine will handle visit  Crucial.com's website...

Thanks, I did go to the site, it gives a ton of GREAT info!
I will be buying two 1GB PC2700 or PC3200 DDR RAM to replace what is there now, Im on my way to a faster PC...woohoo