Game Performance Help

T

ThEiiNoCeNt

New Member
Hey guys. I got some new games today like Fallout 3, Left 4 Dead and Dragon age Origins, and I have been experiencing poor performance. My CPU and RAM are more than enough for the requirements of the games, but I have an intergrated graphics card. I'm not sure if my intergrated graphics card is sharing my RAM memory, so I went on "dxdiag" and it says the following:

Name: ATI Radeon HD 4200

Chip Type: ATI display adapter (0x9710)

DAC type: Internal DAC (400MHz)

Approx. Total Memory: 1916mb


Now that is my concern. It says 1916 mb, so does that mean how much video card memory it has or taking from the ram? If that's so, then why is my gaming performance bad? I got this computer about 3 weeks ago and there are no viruses. Here are my specs, and thanks a lot for your help guys :)

Processor Type AMD Athlon II 635 Quad-Core

Processor Speed 2.90 GHz

Processor Cores 4

RAM 4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3

Hard Drive Capacity 750 GB (7200 RPM)

Hard Drive Speed (7200 RPM)

Graphics ATI RadeonTM HD 4200

Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
 
Video memory means very, very little. Integrated graphics are designed for watching videos and for using your computer for general every day tasks, using the internet, office applications etc, most definitely not gaming.

You can't, and don't, judge the quality of performance of your GPU by the amount of memory, it depends mainly on the chip itself. Even a fairly low end video card would be massively better than your integrated graphics. In order to play the games that you want to, you will need a dedicated graphics card, not necessarily the latest and greatest, but you will need one non-the-less, and, I assume this system was prebuilt, in which case you will need a new power supply as well, and if it is not standard ATX size, a new case and possibly new motherboard as well...
 
You said that you bought this computer only 3 weeks ago. Can you give us a link to a website that has your same computer, or at least the name or model number so we can look at the specific components themselves? Aastii is correct. Integrated video chips are not meant for gaming. Even if you had a real graphics card, your ATI Radeon HD 4200 is low-end itself, surely giving you poor gaming performance. Getting a new graphics will definitely help your performance. How much extra are you willing to spend, so we can help pick out a good card? Depending on the card you want, you may have to buy a new power supply. I wouldn't change the case or motherboard, because that would defeat the purpose of buying your computer brand-new. However, if you have the option to return the computer to wherever you bought it (even though you opened it, some stores have a month-guarantee for the holidays), your best bet is to build your own computer. If you decide to go this route, we'll help you choose your components.
 
Yes install a 600W power supply a 9800 video card an your games will work I get my power supply from E-Bay for $9.99+shipping and I just got a GeForce GT240 for $62 which is about the same. Have A Great Day Chuck
 
A New Guy said:
You said that you bought this computer only 3 weeks ago. Can you give us a link to a website that has your same computer, or at least the name or model number so we can look at the specific components themselves? Aastii is correct. Integrated video chips are not meant for gaming. Even if you had a real graphics card, your ATI Radeon HD 4200 is low-end itself, surely giving you poor gaming performance. Getting a new graphics will definitely help your performance. How much extra are you willing to spend, so we can help pick out a good card? Depending on the card you want, you may have to buy a new power supply. I wouldn't change the case or motherboard, because that would defeat the purpose of buying your computer brand-new. However, if you have the option to return the computer to wherever you bought it (even though you opened it, some stores have a month-guarantee for the holidays), your best bet is to build your own computer. If you decide to go this route, we'll help you choose your components.
Click to expand...



Well I am not going to build my own computer but, I was thinking of getting a 512mb ATI Radeon Graphics card from Bestbuy.ca
 
Well, here's a graphics card from newegg that looks okay.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125358
It is an ATI Radeon HD 5450, only $40 plus shipping. You can get the same exact thing from bestbuy.ca if you want, but it'll cost $80 plus shipping. Newegg is usually cheaper than most other computer stores, especially bestbuy. I've noticed that bestbuy tends to overprice its cards. The card itself is not the greatest, but will run your games. How much were you looking to spend? Also, how many watts is your power supply? If you don't know offhand, can you tell us the model number of your computer so we can find it ourselves?
 
A New Guy said:
Well, here's a graphics card from newegg that looks okay.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125358
It is an ATI Radeon HD 5450, only $40 plus shipping. You can get the same exact thing from bestbuy.ca if you want, but it'll cost $80 plus shipping. Newegg is usually cheaper than most other computer stores, especially bestbuy. I've noticed that bestbuy tends to overprice its cards. The card itself is not the greatest, but will run your games. How much were you looking to spend? Also, how many watts is your power supply? If you don't know offhand, can you tell us the model number of your computer so we can find it ourselves?
Click to expand...



Okay well honestly, I have no idea where I find the watts of my power suply or model number and can you tell me why it matters? And I am willing to pay at most 100$ for a video card.
 
If you add a video card that takes up a lot of watts, it will cause your power supply to work harder. Let's say you have a 500 watt power supply. If your computer currently uses 500 W of power, you are fine. However, if the video card you add uses 100 W of power, your 500 W power supply will not be able to run the 600 W computer. The computer could actually fry and any/all of your computer components could become damaged in the process, including your power supply. That's why it's crucial that you know how much wattage your power supply has. The model number may be on a sticker anywhere on the outside of your computer case. It could be on the top, bottom, or any of the other 4 sides. The box that came with your computer may also have instructions that have the model number on them, possibly even on the box.
 
A New Guy said:
Well, here's a graphics card from newegg that looks okay.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125358
It is an ATI Radeon HD 5450, only $40 plus shipping. You can get the same exact thing from bestbuy.ca if you want, but it'll cost $80 plus shipping. Newegg is usually cheaper than most other computer stores, especially bestbuy. I've noticed that bestbuy tends to overprice its cards. The card itself is not the greatest, but will run your games. How much were you looking to spend? Also, how many watts is your power supply? If you don't know offhand, can you tell us the model number of your computer so we can find it ourselves?
Click to expand...



Oh I found the model number it's p6610f and its HP p6000 series
 
I hate to tell you this, but you have a 250 watt power supply and a microATX case. The microATX case means that you can only use low-profile video cards. Fortunately, the power supply is ATX sized. If you upgrade to 600 W, that will be enough for future upgrades, such as a better graphics card. That would entail getting a larger case, placing all of your components into the new case. Since that would essentially be the same as building your own computer, I doubt you'd want to. I'd say your main option is getting this power supply:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339025
and getting the graphics card I previously mentioned. It'll be around $100 for both. If you want to up the cost to $150 for both, here's a graphics card that I use a variant of and can play most games on high with (including crysis):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125305&cm_re=gt_240-_-14-125-305-_-Product
 
A New Guy said:
I hate to tell you this, but you have a 250 watt power supply and a microATX case. The microATX case means that you can only use low-profile video cards. Fortunately, the power supply is ATX sized. If you upgrade to 600 W, that will be enough for future upgrades, such as a better graphics card. That would entail getting a larger case, placing all of your components into the new case. Since that would essentially be the same as building your own computer, I doubt you'd want to. I'd say your main option is getting this power supply:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339025
and getting the graphics card I previously mentioned. It'll be around $100 for both. If you want to up the cost to $150 for both, here's a graphics card that I use a variant of and can play most games on high with (including crysis):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125305&cm_re=gt_240-_-14-125-305-_-Product
Click to expand...


Alright so I HAVE to get a 600 watt power supply in order to fullfill my needs? Or can I get a 500 watt which I found for about 40$ and that I can buy in stores. And I am able to put a ATX size power supply in my computer?
 
A New Guy said:
I hate to tell you this, but you have a 250 watt power supply and a microATX case. The microATX case means that you can only use low-profile video cards. Fortunately, the power supply is ATX sized. If you upgrade to 600 W, that will be enough for future upgrades, such as a better graphics card. That would entail getting a larger case, placing all of your components into the new case. Since that would essentially be the same as building your own computer, I doubt you'd want to. I'd say your main option is getting this power supply:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339025
and getting the graphics card I previously mentioned. It'll be around $100 for both. If you want to up the cost to $150 for both, here's a graphics card that I use a variant of and can play most games on high with (including crysis):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125305&cm_re=gt_240-_-14-125-305-_-Product
Click to expand...



Alright, so do I have to get a 600 watt power supply or can I get a 550 watt power supply for only 40$ and in a local area.

BFG TECH 550 WATT POWER SUPPLY
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/cate...spx?path=0c0b6c94b7c19f1fe7f766f6075ea37ben01

I also found another video card which seems good and that I can buy in stores. Sorry, but I am trying to get the items in local stores, because I am a 14 year old boy and my parents don't really like using their credit, also that they just used it today on some steam games (which lag like crazy because of my crappy intergrated graphics card) and yeah. So will my computer support a ATX power supply is what you are saying?

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product...spx?path=b9eead6f6dcedccd95f87750152b28a3en02
 
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Well, the more expensive graphics card recommends at least a 450 watt power supply. With that said, I guess you can purchase the $40 500 W from a store. I only suggested a 600 W so you could upgrade your computer further in the future. It also ensures that you will have enough power and stability. However, if this doesn't interest you, go ahead and get the 500 W. And yes, you can put an ATX sized power supply in your computer. You already have an ATX sized power supply right now.
 
A New Guy said:
Well, the more expensive graphics card recommends at least a 450 watt power supply. With that said, I guess you can purchase the $40 500 W from a store. I only suggested a 600 W so you could upgrade your computer further in the future. It also ensures that you will have enough power and stability. However, if this doesn't interest you, go ahead and get the 500 W. And yes, you can put an ATX sized power supply in your computer. You already have an ATX sized power supply right now.
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Alright, well thanks a lot dude :) Would love to repay you in some way :P
 
lol, np. I'm just glad I could finally help somebody with a computer problem. Just a year ago, I was exactly where you are now, trying to find a graphics card. A few months ago, I joined this forum and the people helped me with the computer setup I have today. I'm happy I can finally give back to the forum. :)
 
I just noticed that you posted a 550 W power supply and a $100 Hd 5450 at your local bestbuy. The 550 W should be fine (although I couldn't find the specific model, 550W is a good bet). However, for $100, you will be very disappointed for the graphics card. The following graphics card is more than 3 times as powerful, but for $20 more.
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product...spx?path=d9d6358eeb96def2ac3f63c91b5791d2en02
I would've recommended the $106 version, but it is online-only and not in stock. The reason I say this is 3 times better is because under certain circumstances, it can run crysis warhead (one of the most graphics intensive video games ever) at 30 frames per second (pretty good for running this game), while the hd 5450 only runs it around 8 frames per second under the same circumstances. You can read the review here:
http://www.techspot.com/review/244-ati-radeon-hd-5450/page4.html
If you are getting the hd 5450, be prepared to play at most on medium settings in your games, if not low.
 
I really cant stress this enough do not skimp on the power supply, you are not going to get a good one with a high wattage for $40.00, if you skimp on the power supply it could be the last time your computer will ever work, you need to look for the likes of corsair, seasonic, antec, better you spend the cash on the psu now and wait for the gpu if you cant do both at the same time.
It is not just about the total wattage it is about the amount of amps available on the 12v rail, the most commonly used rail and cheap psu will not have a large amount and you will be lucky if it can even output the stated wattage let alone be stable.

As for the gpu your best bet is the recently released low profile GTS450

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261078&Tpk=gts 450 low profile

This is a double slot cooler which you may not have space for and as you can see on the above link in the details it says 400 watt or greater with at least 22a on the 12v rail

you also have these choices

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187098

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161357

all of which are more powerful than the HD5450.

as for the psu something like this is your best bet.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030
 
ThEiiNoCeNt said:
Alright so I HAVE to get a 600 watt power supply in order to fullfill my needs? Or can I get a 500 watt which I found for about 40$ and that I can buy in stores. And I am able to put a ATX size power supply in my computer?
Click to expand...

You do NOT need a 600W PSU, 450-500 would be plenty.

The PSU you picked, I would not use, BFG are out of business. They made some good power supplies, however, you won't have any warranty or support from it. You would be much better off going with:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371004

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194038

or

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256061

or the one which innercx posted

Also, I can pretty guarantee that a new video card and all the wires from a new power supply will not fit. If they did, the wires would pretty much stop all airflow with in the case completely, causing heat issues, your graphics card wouldn't have enough airflow, making that overheat...it just won't work. I would start out by spending your $100 on one of the power supplies above plus:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811815005

You could go and get the video card now, but you will have a case with a new PSU in, and a video card sat in a box because it won't fit
 
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