Looking To Buy A Better Graphics Card

T

Tycox94

New Member
I trying to learn how graphics cards work so please excuse my ignorance.

I want to buy a new graphics card so i can play newer computer games. I have a graphics card now but it sucks. I've looked up my adapter stuff but i haven't got a clue what this all means.

Adapter Information
Clip Type: Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
DAC: Type: Internal
Adapter String: Intel(R) GMA X4500
Bios Information: Intel Video BIOS

Total Available Graphics Memory: 1695mb
Dedicated Video Memory: 64mb
System Video Memory: 0mb
Shared System Memory: 1631mb
Click to expand...
The graphics card's driver(s) is/are up to date.

The game I want to play is called Skyrim. The minimum requirements for this game are:

Windows 7/Vista/XP PC (32 or 64 bit)
Processor: Dual Core 2.0 GHz or equivalent processor
2 GB System RAM
6 GB free HDD Space
Direct X 9 compliant video card with 512 MB of RAM
DirectX compatible sound card
Internet access for Steam activation
Click to expand...
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Elder-Scrolls-Skyrim-System-Requirements-Pete-Hines-RPG,13821.html

My Game Booster's diagnostic: (For extra information)
Game Booster Diagnose Report v1.0
Version: 3.0.0.1218
Date: 2011/12/09 01:22:00

----------------------------------
01 - Operating System
----------------------------------

0101 - Operating System : Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.110622-1503)
0102 - Language : English (Regional Setting: English)
0103 - BIOS : Default System BIOS
0104 - Processor : Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E5700 @ 3.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
0105 - Memory : 4096MB RAM
0106 - Available OS Memory : 4060MB RAM
0107 - Page File : 2865MB used, 5254MB available
0108 - Windows Dir : C:\Windows
0109 - DirectX Version : DirectX 11
0110 - DX Setup Parameters : Not found
0111 - User DPI Setting : 96 DPI (100 percent)
0112 - System DPI Setting : 96 DPI (100 percent)
0113 - DWM DPI Scaling : Disabled
0114 - DxDiag Version : 6.01.7600.16385

----------------------------------
02 - Processor
----------------------------------

0201 - Caption : Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E5700 @ 3.00GHz x2 ~3003MHz
0202 - CurrentClockSpeed : 3003MHz
0203 - L1-Cache : 64.00 KB
0204 - L2-Cache : 2.00 MB
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Last edited:
Just some personal experience with Skyrim... I used to have a Radeon 4850 for the longest time. It performed exceptionally well for a $70 video card. Playing Skyrim in 'Ultra' quality was very easy, even with over 110 mods installed, which pushed Skyrim far beyond its default quality settings. To perhaps give you an idea of what I mean, here are some in-game screenshots I took: http://imgur.com/a/iBvgg#0

Despite how well the Radeon 4850 performed, there was still some lag from time to time, but it was far from unbearable. I wanted to push Skyrim further, and the 4850 wouldn't allow me, so I bought a new GTX 560 Ti graphics card for $250. Was the $250 worth it? Mmm... Sure, but I can't say I'm completely satisfied.

Stats for both video cards (I think, not certain):
Radeon 4850
625 MHz core clock
1024 MB GDDR3 memory
1986 MHz memory clock

GTX 560 Ti
900 MHz core clock
1024 MB GDDR5 memory
4212 MHz memory clock
1800 MHz shader clock

My computer specs can be seen here: http://www.computerforum.com/204098-computer-projector-good.html

Perhaps my little tale will help give you an idea of what type of graphics card you should look into buying.

Have fun playing Skyrim.
 
Have you got the GMA X4500 or the GMA X4500HD? But either way you going to have to upgrade the power supply if you get a decent video card.
 
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