VIDEO CARD UPGRADE

[ranger]

Trying to use a new flight simulator, I get a msg that my card can't show shades, all I have is the video system that came with my computer. I'm running win xp with service pk 3, pen 4, 2.0 MHz, with 512 ram,1 agp slot,and 3 expansion slots. I have an IBM netvista m21 8303 desktop model, so any cards that I add must be low profile. I read some where that you can't upgrade a video card in an expansion slot if you have an AGP slot  that can be used for a video upgrade?, I really don't know much about this stuff so if you could help me out, that would be gr8. thank you

[Calum]

What's your budget for an upgrade?
Also, welcome to the forums.

[DaveLembke]

I also agree that a complete system upgrade to a different ( Newer System ) may be the better direction if you can afford to do so...

Trying to use a new flight simulator

on a Pentium 4 ( 2.0 Ghz ) is really pushing that hardware. If it was a HT 2.8Ghz you might be closer to the minimum requirements with *2 cores ( *one of which is virtual hyperthreading core )

What does the game show for minimum system requirements?

[neelchauhan]

A nVidia card will work. check newegg.com[glow]

[ranger]

What's your budget for an upgrade?
Also, welcome to the forums.

oh,I don't want to spend to much, but around $100.00+, and get a card that won't need even more of a upgrade, like a power supply upgrade.

[ranger]

I also agree that a complete system upgrade to a different ( Newer System ) may be the better direction if you can afford to do so...
 on a Pentium 4 ( 2.0 Ghz ) is really pushing that hardware. If it was a HT 2.8Ghz you might be closer to the minimum requirements with *2 cores ( *one of which is virtual hyperthreading core )

What does the game show for minimum system requirements?

Minimum Recommended System:win xp or vista, pent 1.0, 512 ram ,4 GB drive space, DVD drive, 3d Accelerated video with 32 MB dedicated video memory, full win directX (pixel shader 1.4 support. This is a Real Flight G4.5, My wife bought this for me and did think of reading the system requirements.I didn't want to tell her that it's not going to work on my computer so I'm trying to upgrade my computer with out her knowing.

[ranger]

A nVidia card will work. check newegg.com[glow]

Thank you I will check on that.

[ranger]

oh,I don't want to spend to much, but around $100.00+, and get a card that won't need even more of a upgrade, like a power supply upgrade. thanks for the welcome

[truenorth]

ranger, I like your reasoning behind what you are trying to do vis-a vis the "wife" thing-classy. But an alternative is that you could say to her (if you can afford the cost--of the new computer i mean) that you value her gift so much to do it justice you really NEED to upgrade your computer. truenorth

[squall_01]

Not sure how far we got but with those spec's its not worth it.  My sister had to get a new laptop to run it an it takes alot just for it to have run like its suppose too.  I would get a faster cpu an more ram as well if you want it to work on this machine.  I had a 2.8 ghz pent 4 an 1 gb of ram an still noticed lacking so thats probably the best thing to do. 

[ranger]

Not sure how far we got but with those spec's its not worth it.  My sister had to get a new laptop to run it an it takes alot just for it to have run like its suppose too.  I would get a faster CPU an more ram as well if you want it to work on this machine.  I had a 2.8 ghz pent 4 an 1 gb of ram an still noticed lacking so thats probably the best thing to do. 

Yeah, that's what  I've been thinking, that I just have to buy a little bigger, better, faster computer. I kinda wanted to see if I could upgrade my old computer but, more RAM $, faster CPU $$, power supply upgrade $$$, faster video card $$$$, would almost spend that much on a new computer, thanks, I see the light.

[squall_01]

Thats good cause her machine has dual core.  I maybe able to run it only cause I can get the stuff required but its probably easier if you just got a new one.