[5.0Massacre]

Ok so I don't know much about computers. So I'm wondering what is a good, reasonably priced video card that I can buy to play pc games with. I recently bought Command and Conquer Red Alert 3 and I can only play it on low settings and It's all laggy an stuff. So If I buy a better video card, can I just install it? and then the game will automatically run better? or is there something else I have to do.

and how do I know which card to buy? I don't know what all the lingo means.

my comp:

System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 4/10/2009, 22:25:14
Machine name: COMPAQ-426CEE26
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: HP Pavilion 04
System Model: P6320A-ABA 760N
BIOS: Award Medallion BIOS v6.0
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1.80GHz
Memory: 1280MB RAM
Page File: 493MB used, 2560MB 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

Card name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700LE (Microsoft Corporation)
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce FX 5700LE
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0343&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A1
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.5673 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 4/13/2008 16:12:02, 4274816 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 8/3/2004 21:29:54, 1897408 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4003-11CF-9975-0A2000C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0343
SubSys ID: 0x00000000
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
Deinterlace Caps: {212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

[Lefty]

Well you def. need to upgrade your ram. You only have 1 gig

And you're processor is hurting you quite a bit.

[5.0Massacre]

..............so how do I get more RAM? and what's wrong w/my proccessor?

[dude496]

Originally Posted by Lefty Well you def. need to upgrade your ram. You only have 1 gig And you're processor is hurting you quite a bit.

1 gig would be plenty for that kind of setup...heck his motherboard might not even support anything more than that lol.

As for your question, yes a video card will help...but with your current setup, i wouldnt run anything higher than maybe a nvidia 6800gt.

If you want to learn a lil about computers, i'd suggest taking a look at Tom's Hardware: Hardware News, Tests and Reviews All sorts of great info there.

[Lefty]

Originally Posted by dude496 1 gig would be plenty for that kind of setup...heck his motherboard might not even support anything more than that lol.

Yes very true haha...I'm so used to running high end everything with work so I'm a little spoiled

[5.0Massacre]

WTF so..... can I add more memory or not? and why would you not run anything higher than an nvidia geforce 6800gt?

the min specs for the game are

os: windows xp sp2, windows vista (32bit) (no clue what that means)
CPU: any intel core duo machine, XP: Intel Pentium 4 2.2ghz(lolwut)
RAM: 1GB
HARD DRIVE: at least 10gb of free space.
disc drive: 8x dvd drive or better
Video: directx 9.0c compatible vid card
sound: directx 9.0c compatible sound card

NVIDIA GeForce 6800 or better, ATI Radeon x800 or better

[dude496]

find out what motherboard you have, then google the specs on it...seeing that your setup is running a 1.8 gig pentium 4, you have a rather outdated system...most motherboards in that time frame had about a max memory of a gig. As for the video card, your cpu wouldnt be able to take any advantage of anything higher than that.

In all honesty, it wouldnt be worth upgrading the ram, cpu or video card on your setup...cant remember the link, but somebody built a budget system that ran Crysis at max speeds for about $600 or so.

[5.0Massacre]

ohhhhhhhhhhhh so even if I buy a better vid card, my cpu wont be able to use it?..........because my computer is old? and outdated right?

so then, would it be better to just get a newer computer? and upgrade it or just buy one that's already upgraded?

[dude496]

pretty much...your computer is pretty much an antique at this point.

If you just want to buy one pre-built, i'd recommend taking a look at Dell coupons, HP Coupons, Best Buy coupons, Computer laptop deals they have plenty of dell and hp coupons all the time...can get a pretty decent setup going that way.

Or you could just build your own...building a computer isn't that complicated, just like a newer car all the pieces only go in one spot. About the only worry is electrostatic discharge (ESD)...it would be best to put together on a ESD mat, but if you dont have one a desk works ok (just dont build it on the carpet lol).

How much are you willing to spend?

[5.0Massacre]

Originally Posted by dude496 pretty much...your computer is pretty much an antique at this point.

lol epic phail

Originally Posted by dude496 How much are you willing to spend?

less than what I bought the goddam game for.


so.....who want's to trade their xbox 360 copy of Red alert 3 for my pc copy!
lol.

[mpboy]

depends on the type of memory too, SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, Rambus DRAM. you could also have an integrated mother board. there are a lot of answers to give ya. what kind of computer do you have?

[5.0Massacre]

Originally Posted by mpboy depends on the type of memory too, SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, Rambus DRAM. you could also have an integrated mother board. there are a lot of answers to give ya. what kind of computer do you have?

........................I like cake.

[dude496]

Originally Posted by mpboy depends on the type of memory too, SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, Rambus DRAM. you could also have an integrated mother board. there are a lot of answers to give ya. what kind of computer do you have?

His ram is most likely SDRAM...doubt its anything more than PC133...since its a nvidia 5700, I doubt its integrated...but then again it is an hp, so it could be.

[5.0Massacre]

Originally Posted by mpboy depends on the type of memory too, SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, Rambus DRAM. you could also have an integrated mother board. there are a lot of answers to give ya. what kind of computer do you have?

System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 4/10/2009, 22:25:14
Machine name: COMPAQ-426CEE26
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: HP Pavilion 04
System Model: P6320A-ABA 760N
BIOS: Award Medallion BIOS v6.0
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1.80GHz
Memory: 1280MB RAM
Page File: 493MB used, 2560MB 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

[Lefty]

I suggest...(if possible) start to budget for a new computer

[dude496]

Originally Posted by 5.0Massacre less than what I bought the goddam game for. so.....who want's to trade their xbox 360 copy of Red alert 3 for my pc copy! lol.

well if you woulda bought a PS3 then you could use your pc copy

If your just using your PC for internet, email...that sort of thing...then ya no real point in spending the money to upgrade it. If your looking at pc gaming, you will need to upgrade your system.

[5.0Massacre]

what do you recommend?

[5.0Massacre]

Originally Posted by dude496 well if you woulda bought a PS3 then you could use your pc copy If your just using your PC for internet, email...that sort of thing...then ya no real point in spending the money to upgrade it. If your looking at pc gaming, you will need to upgrade your system.

xbox360>PS3

[Lefty]

Originally Posted by dude496 If your just using your PC for internet, email...that sort of thing...then ya no real point in spending the money to upgrade it. If your looking at pc gaming, you will need to upgrade your system.

+1

[dude496]

Originally Posted by Lefty I suggest...(if possible) start to budget for a new computer

Hello Hello Hello

sweet, i found one of those echo rooms