Graphics card input/advice

[godofallu]

So I got my computer a year or two ago, and at the time I thought the graphics card was pretty decent. I'm just now starting to hit games that I can't play but want to, which is a first for me (aside from crysis).

I went to can you run it for some advice, and it tells me I can't play a few of the games due to my graphics card, but what confuses me is the specs needed.

I have a Geforce 9100, which according to can you run it isn't good enough for 2 worlds 2 or Gothic 4. My question comes in when it says the graphics card won't work, then says all the things the graphics card has.

It says 512 videoram is needed, then it says my card has 2.4gb of video ram.
It says shader version 3 is needed, I have version 4.

Anyways it seems like my graphics card is above all the requirements so can someone explain how it all works? If i'm above the requirements why doesn't my card work for these games?

Any advice on possibly buying a new graphics card, and how to install it (or where to go to pay someone to do it right)? -Thanks guys.

 

[Siegreich]

I use a radion 8770 which has neverso much as stuttered on anything I use

 

[Fenring]

Why did you buy a 9100?!?! The card's processor is not able to handle the game. It is not supported. The 8800 is a performance card. Yours is not. Your card is well below the requirements.

I don't even. Do some research, do you want an AMD or Nvidia card? Does your motherboard support Crossfire or SLI? What resolution does your monitor display? How much money do you plan to spend? You plug it in by removing your current card and putting the new one where it is, then screwing it in.

P.S. I am 99% sure you can run Crysis on low.

EDIT: MOAR QUESTIONS - What is your current setup, do you know what you power supply will be able to handle? What type of PCI is your motherboard? How much space is in your case?

 

[Syntax Error]

I'm not really the go-to-guy for this one, but are you sure that 2.4GB really is your video RAM? Alternatively, you can google search CanYouRunIt and use the tool to see if your PC is up to snuff for a particular game.

As for me I have a Palit 9800GT Sonic Edition and I can play most of anything I throw at it for max or near-max settings (BioShock 1 and 2, Borderlands, Civ 5 which according to CanYouRunIt shouldn't be able to run on my PC, Arkham Asylum, etc.)

 

[godofallu]

If you guys read the OP before replying that would help.

I know about canyourunit, that's what I was curious about in the first place.

I don't know what any of the stuff fenrig just said means. Not sure how to figure it out either.

 

[icame]

Uhh... Gtx 460?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130568&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-14-130-568-_-Product

 

[godofallu]

If you guys read the OP before replying that would help.

I know about canyourunit, that's what I was curious about in the first place.

I don't know what any of the stuff fenrig just said means. Not sure how to figure it out either.

He's saying that your card's memory and shader version meet the requirements for the game, but not your card's internal processor (makes calculations for games). It's too slow. I'm guessing that your computer is brand name and not custom built? Like a Dell or HP? That's the reason it came with a fairly low-quality card...it probably wasn't specified as a gaming PC.

As far as replacing your video card goes, it's one of the easiest upgrade processes you can do yourself. Assuming, that is, that your motherboard has the correct slot for a discrete (stand-alone) video card. If you tell me your computer's brand name and model number, I could look up that information for you. It should be on the front or side of your computer, or maybe on a manual that was given to you with the PC.

It took me a bit but I think I found it. I have a HP, model number Ny545AA p6210y. Not sure if thats what you're looking for though.

Thanks for explaining, it's starting to come together.

 

[number2301]

Uhh... Gtx 460?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130568&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-14-130-568-_-Product

When I saw the thread title I was going to say this. So yeah, GTX 460, about the best bang for your buck (or pound or rupee or whatever).

 

[godofallu]

If you guys read the OP before replying that would help.

I know about canyourunit, that's what I was curious about in the first place.

I don't know what any of the stuff fenrig just said means. Not sure how to figure it out either.

He's saying that your card's memory and shader version meet the requirements for the game, but not your card's internal processor (makes calculations for games). It's too slow. I'm guessing that your computer is brand name and not custom built? Like a Dell or HP? That's the reason it came with a fairly low-quality card...it probably wasn't specified as a gaming PC.

As far as replacing your video card goes, it's one of the easiest upgrade processes you can do yourself. Assuming, that is, that your motherboard has the correct slot for a discrete (stand-alone) video card. If you tell me your computer's brand name and model number, I could look up that information for you. It should be on the front or side of your computer, or maybe on a manual that was given to you with the PC.

It took me a bit but I think I found it. I have a HP, model number Ny545AA p6210y. Not sure if thats what you're looking for though.

Thanks for explaining, it's starting to come together.

Alrighty, here's your motherboard: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01635734&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&site=null〈=en&product=4006020&key=null#N293

The currently installed graphics chip, the 9100, is an onboard component (installed internally within your motherboard). Meaning it's not taking up your PCI-Express slot that would be used with a discrete graphics card, and installation will be easy. Not to mention the gaming performance of your PC will go up at least tenfold by doing so. Your processor and RAM are up to speed for at least a mid-range gaming PC.

That being said, however, I do worry about the power supply installed in your computer, and whether or not it will be able to handle a discrete card at all. 300-watts is ridiculously low these days, especially when you can get a 500-watt power supply for roughly $60. HP really skimped there when they shouldn't have. Installing a new power supply isn't incredibly difficult, but it is a bit more technical than simply installing a new graphics card would be. After removing the side of your case (naturally), you would need to observe where all of the current power cables are hooked in to your motherboard, case fans, hard drive, and DVD-drive. Then remove all those connections, and mimic them with the new power supply mounted in place of the old one.

Here's the power supply I recommend (620-watts, $45 after using the promo code and mail-in rebate): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031

And step-by-step instructions with picture guidance on how to install it if that's what you choose to do: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01635734&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&site=null〈=en&product=4006020&key=null#N293

If you do want to install a new graphics card, you'll be required to do this first. Otherwise, every time you launch a game, it will appear choppy/dark until eventually your computer shuts down from lack of supplied power.

I'm not sure what price range you're thinking about for your video card, but this one will give you great bang for your buck ($120 after mail-in rebate): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127512

And how to install it (after installing the power supply and all its other connections): http://www.pchardware.co.uk/install-graphics-card-guide.php

You really went out of your way to help me, and it means a lot. Thank you.