Question about gaming/video card - Page 2

**Lzen** · 04-28-2005, 01:50 PM

I let my son get Halo for the PC. It installed on my PC (albeit it does give some warning about my graphics not being good enough) and it works okay. But we can't get it to come up at all on his computer. I installed it and even made sure Direct X (9?) was also installed. Everything seemed to install okay but when you click to play, nothing happens. Any suggestions? This was a cheap Walmart PC for the kids. Maybe I need a video card upgrade? If so, I don't want to spend a lot of money. So, any recommendations for a decent, cheap video card would also be welcome.

**Lzen** · 04-29-2005, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metrolike

Video cards are a breeze to install. Pretty much plug and play. I've had trouble with one not wanting to fit, just a applied more pressure and it finally snapped in. Easy, don't worry.

No problem. I've done other stuff like RAM, sound card, audio card, and even replaced a processor/heat sink/fan on my old PC.

**Lzen** · 04-29-2005, 04:04 PM

Looks to me like an AGP slot. Here's a pic of the PC in question.

go bo · 04-30-2005, 08:57 PM

yeah, the bronwnish looking one that's set further back than the other white slots...

KCWolfman · 05-01-2005, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

No problem. I've done other stuff like RAM, sound card, audio card, and even replaced a processor/heat sink/fan on my old PC.

If you get the card, you should meet all minimum requirements, but at minimum, I would recommend turning off many video options on the game such as shadow details and anti-aliasing and ground detail (if they are options on the game). That will greatly increase performance.

The minimum for Halo is 128 Mb of RAM, but I have found that anything under 256 really bogs it down.

**Lzen** · 05-01-2005, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCWolfman

If you get the card, you should meet all minimum requirements, but at minimum, I would recommend turning off many video options on the game such as shadow details and anti-aliasing and ground detail (if they are options on the game). That will greatly increase performance.

Like I said, it's for the kids. They don't need a high end video card. Just something to get them by.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCWolfman

The minimum for Halo is 128 Mb of RAM, but I have found that anything under 256 really bogs it down.

Yeah, and you know the weird thing about that RAM. I pulled it out and it says on there DDR 256Mb. But when I first checked under properties, it listed it as 192Mb of RAM. WTH???

**Saulbadguy** · 05-01-2005, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

Like I said, it's for the kids. They don't need a high end video card. Just something to get them by.

Yeah, and you know the weird thing about that RAM. I pulled it out and it says on there DDR 256Mb. But when I first checked under properties, it listed it as 192Mb of RAM. WTH???

There could be some memory dedicated to the integrated video card. Usually its not that much though..but I haven't had an integrated video card in quite some time, so they might be dedicating 64mb now. Hopefully when you put in the new card and disabled the Integrated one, you'll get that memory back.

HC_Chief · 05-02-2005, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

There could be some memory dedicated to the integrated video card. Usually its not that much though..but I haven't had an integrated video card in quite some time, so they might be dedicating 64mb now. Hopefully when you put in the new card and disabled the Integrated one, you'll get that memory back.

That's what it is. I have a spare system w/ integrated video - it steals 64MB RAM by default.

Again, upgrading your system memory to 1000 MB (1GB) will have the most significant impact on overall system performance.

**Lzen** · 05-02-2005, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HC_Chief

That's what it is. I have a spare system w/ integrated video - it steals 64MB RAM by default.

Again, upgrading your system memory to 1000 MB (1GB) will have the most significant impact on overall system performance.

I don't think upgrading the memory will make their PC play Halo. That's really all I'm looking to do here. They don't need a hopped up system. It's just the PC for my 2 boys, ages 8 and 12. All they do is surf the web, IM, and play a few not very graphic intensive games.

Pants · 05-02-2005, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

I don't think upgrading the memory will make their PC play Halo. That's really all I'm looking to do here. They don't need a hopped up system. It's just the PC for my 2 boys, ages 8 and 12. All they do is surf the web, IM, and play a few not very graphic intensive games.

I'm not saying go out an buy all the most expensive shit, but a $80 video card and $50 for a memory upgrade will help a lot. Halo will not be enjoyable on a slow system (especially if the older one plans to play online), so those 30 dollars (or however much you payed) will be a waste since the boys will stop playing Halo after a week.

**Lzen** · 05-02-2005, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metrolike

I'm not saying go out an buy all the most expensive shit, but a $80 video card and $50 for a memory upgrade will help a lot. Halo will not be enjoyable on a slow system (especially if the older one plans to play online), so those 30 dollars (or however much you payed) will be a waste since the boys will stop playing Halo after a week.

I hear what you're saying. But they've been playing it on my PC and mine only has 256Mb or RAM. Halo works okay on mine and I've only played it online (man, that is fun

). I figure when I get the new graphics card for their PC, it should have 256Mb of RAM available.

Should be sufficient. If not, I'll buy some more RAM.

**Lzen** · 05-02-2005, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otter

What are the machine specs? Do they meet the 'minimum requirements' listed on the games box or documentation?

Never played Halo but from what I've seen it's a pretty graphic intense, resource hogging game. If the graphics card in there is a MOBO intergrated one or non-TL ( TL ) then fuggedabouit.

If you could post the machine specs I'm sure we'd be able to give ya a better idea.

Heh, I just noticed that this post had a link to explain TL. That looks like a pretty informative site. Thanks for the link.

**Lzen** · 05-05-2005, 07:50 AM

Heh, my friend just sent me this link. Of course, I already ordered a video card (ATI Radeon 9000 - $44.99 total at Newegg). But I thought this was kinda cool. It is a tool for transform and lightning hardware emulation. I haven't tried it so, I don't know how well it works.

http://www.3dfxzone.it/dir/tools/3d_analyze/index.htm

04-28-2005, 01:50 PM
Lzen Supporter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Jan Quadrant Vincent 16 Casino cash: $2100692	Question about gaming/video card I let my son get Halo for the PC. It installed on my PC (albeit it does give some warning about my graphics not being good enough) and it works okay. But we can't get it to come up at all on his computer. I installed it and even made sure Direct X (9?) was also installed. Everything seemed to install okay but when you click to play, nothing happens. Any suggestions? This was a cheap Walmart PC for the kids. Maybe I need a video card upgrade? If so, I don't want to spend a lot of money. So, any recommendations for a decent, cheap video card would also be welcome.
Posts: 41,394

04-29-2005, 04:04 PM	#17
Lzen Supporter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Jan Quadrant Vincent 16 Casino cash: $2100692	Looks to me like an AGP slot. Here's a pic of the PC in question. Attached Thumbnails __________________ If at first you don't succeed ...skydiving is not for you.
Posts: 41,394

04-30-2005, 08:57 PM	#18
go bo Flop = Man of Steel!! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: independence Casino cash: $10006405	yeah, the bronwnish looking one that's set further back than the other white slots...
Posts: 36,678

05-05-2005, 07:50 AM	#27
Lzen Supporter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Jan Quadrant Vincent 16 Casino cash: $2100692	Heh, my friend just sent me this link. Of course, I already ordered a video card (ATI Radeon 9000 - $44.99 total at Newegg). But I thought this was kinda cool. It is a tool for transform and lightning hardware emulation. I haven't tried it so, I don't know how well it works. http://www.3dfxzone.it/dir/tools/3d_analyze/index.htm __________________ If at first you don't succeed ...skydiving is not for you.
Posts: 41,394