Graphics Cards and Me(You)!

[zf6hellion]

Why does that title remind me of old World War II recruitment posters? Nevermind that.

Ok so recently I got Fallout 3 and Mass Effect for my PC, turns out I can't run them (well with Fallout 3 I kind of expected it but Mass Effect was a minor surprise until I started actually looking at the system requirements).

So I have an ATI RADEON X600 256MB Hyper Memory graphics card, which can't run either (obviously) and at the least I want the minimum that could run Mass Effect (as I have all DLCs and Fallout 3 on my PS3 anyway) which would have been an ATI RADEON X1800 - or X1650 with the 1.01a patch, but my internet searches have proven futile and living in the UK and being rather strapped for cash this Xmas the cheapest I could find was a SAPPHIRE HD 4350 PCI-E ATI Graphics card.

Now onto the actual question:

1. Are there any parts of my computer that need to be compatible with the graphics card to keep it functioning properly.

2. If it does need to be compatible with other parts, which would they be?

EDIT: (This only applies with question 2) 3. how do I find out if it is compatible with said other parts?

4. Would a SAPPHIRE HD 4350 PCI-E ATI Graphics card actually be able to run Mass Effect and/or Fallout 3?

Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[wkim564]

1. Yes the motherboard
2. Every other part in your computer, Processor, Ram, Power supply, etc.
3. Yes, I think

 

[ctrl-alt-postal]

um....I think you should get better at thread titling, should be "Graphics Cards and Me(you)!"
Nevertheless, hi & welcome.

Now onto the actual question:

1. Are there any parts of my computer that need to be compatible with the graphics card to keep it functioning properly.

2. If it does need to be compatible with other parts, which would they be?

You need to check the card you want is compatible with your PCIe slots. Do you know your motherboard?

3. Would a SAPPHIRE HD 4350 PCI-E ATI Graphics card actually be able to run Mass Effect and/or Fallout 3?

Thanks for any help in advance.

The GCard is not all that will stop you playing higher end games, other bottlenecks include CPU, ram, OS, ect.

It would be a lot more helpful if you posted the rest of your specs....

(By the way, I have no idea about ATI cards, I'd recommend NVIDIA myself...)

 

[zf6hellion]

um....I think you should get better at thread titling, should be "Graphics Cards and Me(you)!"
Nevertheless, hi & welcome.

Now onto the actual question:

1. Are there any parts of my computer that need to be compatible with the graphics card to keep it functioning properly.

2. If it does need to be compatible with other parts, which would they be?

You need to check the card you want is compatible with your PCIe slots. Do you know your motherboard?

3. Would a SAPPHIRE HD 4350 PCI-E ATI Graphics card actually be able to run Mass Effect and/or Fallout 3?

Thanks for any help in advance.

The GCard is not all that will stop you playing higher end games, other bottlenecks include CPU, ram, OS, ect.

It would be a lot more helpful if you posted the rest of your specs....

(By the way, I have no idea about ATI cards, I'd recommend NVIDIA myself...)

Hmm... yes that would seem more likely, consider it done.

As a matter a fact I don't think I do, oh well time to find out as for my specs, here they are for reference:

The Computer is an ACPI Multiprocessor PC (Just in case)

I have a Maxtor 7L250S0 Disk Drive (Just in case)

You know the Graphics card, and the secondary graphics card is the exact same as the first

I have 2 processors both Intel Pentium 4 CPU 3.40GHz

My monitor is a Plug and Play Monitor

Anything else that I should include? Oh and where would I be able to find out the stuff about my Motherboard - short of opening up the computer to find out?

 

[Jiggabyte]

Knock open dxdiag.exe from Run and post what you can find off there. You should have the documentation that came with the computer that'll tell you what's in there, but failing that all I can suggest is Device Manager from Control Panel or... isn't there some software you can download that tells you what hardware you have? I never used it before.

Chances are I've been ninja'd while writing this, probably by someone more knowledgeable. Oh well.

 

[ctrl-alt-postal]

ACPI is a function of your MB.

OK, So here are the important bits:

Motherboard:???
CPU:Intel Pentium 4 3.4G
Ram:???
GCard:ATI RADEON X600 256MB
Audio:???
HardDisk:Maxtor 7L250S0

In the future, try to use this format for displaying system info, as it is SO much easier on all involved.

Google CPUZ for software to identify your MB and ram. You audio is probably onboard (meaning part of the MB).

DVD drives, monitors ect. are usually not important info for performance factors.

You said 2 processors, is this from visual inspection of the MB or some software info? The P4 was not ever made with dualcores, afaik.

 

[Ganthrinor]

1. Are there any parts of my computer that need to be compatible with the graphics card to keep it functioning properly.

Yes.

2. If it does need to be compatible with other parts, which would they be?

Your Motherboard, Power Supply, RAM and CPU.

EDIT: (This only applies with question 2) 3. how do I find out if it is compatible with said other parts?

Product Manufacturer's websites.

4. Would a SAPPHIRE HD 4350 PCI-E ATI Graphics card actually be able to run Mass Effect and/or Fallout 3?

Thanks for any help in advance.

No idea. I'd reccomend nVidia cards. I personally run dual GeForce 9800's in SLI (they devour anything).

Look into your PC's Power Supply to find out how much power it's putting out and make sure you get a card that your supply can handle.

 

[Jiggabyte]

My edit never went through. Oh well.

256MB should be enough for Mass Effect (I just bought it, I have its minimum specs front of me), but requires Pixel Shader 3.0. That's probably the problem. If not, it may be a lack of RAM or something. In that case, you might want to check Can You Run It? and let the diagnostic tell you what falls short on the result for Mass Effect. Hell, I think it makes reccommendations for you too. Everything listed seems to be okay apart from graphics, so yeah.

What is it with everyone reccommending nVidia? I got a 1GB ATI card and it works fine considering the price gap between it and an equivelant Geforce.

 

[zf6hellion]

ACPI is a function of your MB.

OK, So here are the important bits:

Motherboard:???
CPU:Intel Pentium 4 3.4G
Ram:???
GCard:ATI RADEON X600 256MB
Audio:???
HardDisk:Maxtor 7L250S0

In the future, try to use this format for displaying system info, as it is SO much easier on all involved.

Google CPUZ for software to identify your MB and ram. You audio is probably onboard (meaning part of the MB).

DVD drives, monitors ect. are usually not important info for performance factors.

You said 2 processors, is this from visual inspection of the MB or some software info? The P4 was not ever made with dualcores, afaik.

Ok I will use that format in future, now that I know - it's the first time I've done anything like this.

Motherboard: Well from CPUZ I don't really know which part I have to name but the model is 0J8885.
Ram: Which part is that on? (yes I do in fact own an idiot diploma lol)
Audio: From the Device Manager, I get Legacy Audio Drivers is that right?

The 2 processors were what came up in the Device Manager.

My edit never went through. Oh well.

256MB should be enough for Mass Effect (I just bought it, I have its minimum specs front of me), but requires Pixel Shader 3.0. That's probably the problem. If not, it may be a lack of RAM or something. In that case, you might want to check Can You Run It? and let the diagnostic tell you what falls short on the result for Mass Effect. Hell, I think it makes reccommendations for you too. Everything listed seems to be okay apart from graphics, so yeah.

What is it with everyone reccommending nVidia? I got a 1GB ATI card and it works fine considering the price gap between it and an equivelant Geforce.

Haha... where would "Can You Run It?" be exactly? *puts dunce cap on*

I'm assuming nVidia is considered better with it's Graphics Cards I guess, myself well considering my current experience I'm never going to be the Go-To guy lol

 

[SomeUnregPunk]

Haha... where would "Can You Run It?" be exactly? *puts dunce cap on*

I'm assuming nVidia is considered better with it's Graphics Cards I guess, myself well considering my current experience I'm never going to be the Go-To guy lol

http://cyri.systemrequirementslab.com/srtest/

 

[zf6hellion]

Motherboard: Well from CPUZ I don't really know which part I have to name but the model is 0J8885.
Ram: Which part is that on? (yes I do in fact own an idiot diploma lol)
Audio: From the Device Manager, I get Legacy Audio Drivers is that right?

Ok so update on the info now that I got "Can You Run It?" to work with me.

The only thing my computer is lacking in the ability to play Mass Effect is with my Graphics Card and the only thing that's actually missing from that is the fact it doesn't have Pixel Shader 3.0 and Vertex Shader. As for my specs well other than the motherboard I have found out the proper areas for my Audio and RAM.

RAM: 1022.1 MB - which according to "Can You Run It?" is enough.
Audio: SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC

 

[D-Cypher]

Realistically, 1GB RAM isn't gonna run ME and Fallout 3 on anything but the lowest settings at a silly low resolution, and to play games like that is a pointless exercise that will sap 98% of the enjoyment from the games.

Stick with the PS3 until you can afford to build a new computer, it really doesn't cost much nowadays to build something completely capable of playing modern games at "HD" resolutions (I priced up a dual core AM3 machine with 4GB RAM and a mid range DX10 GPU for under £400 a few weeks backs).

 

[zf6hellion]

Realistically, 1GB RAM isn't gonna run ME and Fallout 3 on anything but the lowest settings at a silly low resolution, and to play games like that is a pointless exercise that will sap 98% of the enjoyment from the games.

Stick with the PS3 until you can afford to build a new computer, it really doesn't cost much nowadays to build something completely capable of playing modern games at "HD" resolutions (I priced up a dual core AM3 machine with 4GB RAM and a mid range DX10 GPU for under £400 a few weeks backs).

Well I'm stupid enough to at least try my hand with it first, if it fails then I'll post pone till I can build a new computer but hey Trial&Error

 

[MercurySteam]

Your mobo and power supply need to be able to handle your GPU.

And make sure you have PCI-E with 16 pins.

 

[Tharwen]

[a href="http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php"]This program[/a] will give you fairly detailed system specs.

EDIT: [a href="http://www.cpuid.com/pcwizard.php"]This one[/a] actually looks better for you but I've never used it.

Realistically, 1GB RAM isn't gonna run ME and Fallout 3 on anything but the lowest settings at a silly low resolution, and to play games like that is a pointless exercise that will sap 98% of the enjoyment from the games.

Actually the RAM won't affect the maximum resolution as all it does is store hard drive data in a quickly accessible place. 1GB might mean that some levels won't be able to load.

The resolution can only affect the graphics card performance (and a tiny bit of CPU).

 

[D-Cypher]

Actually the RAM won't affect the maximum resolution as all it does is store hard drive data in a quickly accessible place. 1GB might mean that some levels won't be able to load.

The resolution can only affect the graphics card performance (and a tiny bit of CPU).

It's called a bottleneck, 1GB RAM would be a huge one. I've been building custom, overclocked, watercooled PC's for nearly 5 years, trust me when I say I know what i'm talking about.

 

[ctrl-alt-postal]

Actually the RAM won't affect the maximum resolution as all it does is store hard drive data in a quickly accessible place. 1GB might mean that some levels won't be able to load.

The resolution can only affect the graphics card performance (and a tiny bit of CPU).

It's called a bottleneck, 1GB RAM would be a huge one. I've been building custom, overclocked, watercooled PC's for nearly 5 years, trust me when I say I know what i'm talking about.

Been thinking of moving to watercooling....

I agree, it is a bottleneck, and the MB he is using is a DELL, so it is prob a big bottleneck with that. I was running FO3 with 1G ram + Nvidia8500GT (mostly) happily, but I know how to tweak a system well.

OP: The GC will fit, you might need more power though. I'd recommend, if you want a good gaming machine, to do a little reading and start looking out for good deals on parts. If there is a computer market near you, check it out.

 

[e2density]

Don't roll the dice with 4350...at minimum get a 4670 or 4830.

 

[ctrl-alt-postal]

^^^

I don't know ATI, but bigger is better....

 

[jason27131]

honestly, build a new pc. Any money you spend now would be a waste, not to mention trying to upgrade a dell pc that old is extremely useless, and an excellent lession in futility. Dell gets the cheapest parts they can get. The power supply is going to be maximum 350W, which is stupidly low for any graphic card nowadays, and your cpu needs work. Pentium 3.4 GHz just isn't cutting it anymore for gaming these days. At least not on high res and high graphics.