Graphics card update

[lisaann]

I got my ds Thrillville for Christmas and after I installed it, it informed me that I need a better graphics card. :thinking:idunno It tells me on the back of the card that I need a: 128 MB 3D graphics card with Vertex Shader and Pixel Shader (VS/PS) capability.

:hehee

Where do I get such a thing and do I need a geek to install it for me?

[Buzzardhut]

I got my ds Thrillville for Christmas and after I installed it, it informed me that I need a better graphics card. :thinking:idunno It tells me on the back of the card that I need a: 128 MB 3D graphics card with Vertex Shader and Pixel Shader (VS/PS) capability.

:hehee

Where do I get such a thing and do I need a geek to install it for me?

Make sure it's a NVIDIA (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130310) chip

[ghetto guy]

ebay

[Hootmon]

Where do I get such a thing and do I need a geek to install it for me?You can install it yourself, but you need more info before buying one.

What is the make/model of your machine?

[lisaann]

You can install it yourself, but you need more info before buying one.

What is the make/model of your machine?

Dell Dimension 2350.............That's what it says on the front. :idunno It's about 4 years old I think.

[Hootmon]

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim2350/index.htm
Video controller
integrated Intel 3D Extreme Graphics
According to the web site, that machine has integrated graphics and no graphics expansion slot. You can not install a new video card in this machine.
DC power supply:
200 W
With a 200 watt power supply, even if there was a video slot it still doesnt have enough power to run a modern video card.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Any upgrades for that machine would be inadvisable. Even a low-end modern machine would would be superior to it.

[Pleye]

But don't give up! even the last machine I pulled out of the trash is still useful! Just not useful for games like that. But I can use it to watch and record tv or play older games on. Or just about anything else.

I think video (including gaming, editing, etc) is one of the most intensive applications for a home computer.

[lisaann]

So, what your telling me is we can't play this game on this computer because I cannot upgrade the graphics card right?

[NovaStorm]

Ok this is what you could go with: Radeon 9250 PCI with 128MB or 256MB and replace the Power supply with a 250 or 300 watt power supply.

Radeon 9250 supports shader 1 but not shader 2 or 3, so it depends on your software what shader version is required. Most stuff works with shader 1, but newer and intensive games usually requires shader 2 while shader 3 is often left for an option.

As for buying and installing, maybe bestbuy or someplace where they have an upgrade department. Shouldn't take them more than 30 minutes to install it.

Other than that, buy a new computer :idunno 4 years is pretty old to be needing it for anything other than web browsers. There are some decent systems out there for under $500.

[watchman]

So, what your telling me is we can't play this game on this computer because I cannot upgrade the graphics card right?


Well, you could use a PCI adapter, but make sure it is not PCI-E (PCI Express) it is not the same interface.

There are some adapters still around

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814145136

Since the game does not require serious performance as most current games, you could do well to spend the money on the adapter.

But the PC you have is near it's end of useful intense 3D life.

I recommend people with children who like to play lots of game, get a game console as they are easier to trade games with friends, rent games etc, as opposed to a PC.

My recommendations for a PC is for a very serious gamer who sticks with very few same genre type games, as they are todays version of the "Muscle Car" that we grew up throwing all our hard earned dollars away on.

Well, some of us anyway...