Computer Nerds in here....
#1
06-20-2007 | 06:47 PM
Thread Starter
|
Resident Mental Patient
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,834
From: Wappingers Falls, NuYawk
Computer Nerds in here....
I have been out of the loop for a while, so I need some upgrade help.
I bought an ACER desktop about 3 months ago. Here are the specs:
2.2GHz AMD Athlon™ 64 3500+ processor
Upgraded the ram to 1gb, but it only shows 768mb
It was running Vista, but I wiped it out in favor of XP Pro and hopes that it would run smoother with the ram I have.
Some of my games are still choppy.
It has an on board video card (yes, I know) but I thought it was a decent setup:
NVIDIA® nForce™ 6100 Express x16 interface and 256MB shared video memory.
Do I need more ram or a new video card for better gaming performance?
I bought an ACER desktop about 3 months ago. Here are the specs:
2.2GHz AMD Athlon™ 64 3500+ processor
Upgraded the ram to 1gb, but it only shows 768mb
It was running Vista, but I wiped it out in favor of XP Pro and hopes that it would run smoother with the ram I have.
Some of my games are still choppy.
It has an on board video card (yes, I know) but I thought it was a decent setup:
NVIDIA® nForce™ 6100 Express x16 interface and 256MB shared video memory.
Do I need more ram or a new video card for better gaming performance?
#3
06-20-2007 | 06:56 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 315
From: Missouri
You know as cheap as ram is these days you should probably upgrade to 2 gigs. Just in case you don't know newegg.com is the best. Oh and definately yes to the video card. You could have a nice budget card for around 100 bucks. 2 gigs of cheap memory at newegg can be bought for 70 bucks or less.
#4
06-20-2007 | 07:00 PM
Thread Starter
|
Resident Mental Patient
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,834
From: Wappingers Falls, NuYawk
You know as cheap as ram is these days you should probably upgrade to 2 gigs. Just in case you don't know newegg.com is the best. Oh and definately yes to the video card. You could have a nice budget card for around 100 bucks. 2 gigs of cheap memory at newegg can be bought for 70 bucks or less.
Anyways, should I just buy another 1 gig or buy 2 gigs to add to my 1 and what is a good video card for under $100?
#6
06-20-2007 | 07:23 PM
Thread Starter
|
Resident Mental Patient
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,834
From: Wappingers Falls, NuYawk
I figured that would be the correct answer.
#7
06-20-2007 | 07:25 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 315
From: Missouri
Hmmm that is weird. Is that what it is showing you have in system properties? Does your bios say 1024 mb memory? I don't claim to be an expert by any means but I've put a few pcs together. I wonder if you maybe have some bad memory. As far as graphics cards go I know my old Sappire Radeon 9800 Pro I bought in 2005 plays games like Half Life 2 and Far Cry very well with only 1 gig of dual channel memory (Corsair). I'm sure with 2 gigs and a nice 100 dollar-ish card you shouldn't have much of a problem with dropped frames as long as you dont try to set your settings too high. I can't really say what's good. If I were you I'd just go to newegg and find a card for what you want to spend and most importantly read the reviews (as I'm sure you already know). Newegg rocks. After a quick newegg search If I were looking for a budget gaming card I'd go with this one probably...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130062
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130062
#8
06-20-2007 | 07:28 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 315
From: Missouri
Well probably not for someone with high standards. I'm just thinking in terms of getting his pc to play games decently without dropping frames. It just doesn't make sense to me to blow 300+ bucks for a pc video card that will be old news in 6 months. I'd say it makes more sense to buy an xbox 360 or ps3 for that kind of money. That's just me though...
#9
06-20-2007 | 07:34 PM
Thread Starter
|
Resident Mental Patient
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,834
From: Wappingers Falls, NuYawk
Well, I am not a big gamer, in fact my games are kinda old...Rainbow Six Athena Sword I think is my newest. 
Still like playing Nascar 2003 too.
So, anything should be an improvement over my current setup.
Still like playing Nascar 2003 too.
So, anything should be an improvement over my current setup.
#10
06-20-2007 | 07:42 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 315
From: Missouri
I haven't bought a pc game since the 360 came out so mine are pretty old too. I still play Nascar 2002 and Nascar Sim Racing every now and then on pc. Yeah I'd say just about anything would be better than your onboard video. Hey btw mcm I just watched your "sitcom". HAHA!! My favorite is your Special K character. hehe.. For some reason he kind of reminds me of Bud Bundy on married w/ children when he was Grandmaster B. HAHA!! That was great man, the laugh track was awesome. lol... .
#11
06-20-2007 | 07:53 PM
Thread Starter
|
Resident Mental Patient
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,834
From: Wappingers Falls, NuYawk
I haven't bought a pc game since the 360 came out so mine are pretty old too. I still play Nascar 2002 and Nascar Sim Racing every now and then on pc. Yeah I'd say just about anything would be better than your onboard video. Hey btw mcm I just watched your "sitcom". HAHA!! My favorite is your Special K character. hehe.. For some reason he kind of reminds me of Bud Bundy on married w/ children when he was Grandmaster B. HAHA!! That was great man, the laugh track was awesome. lol... .
#12
06-20-2007 | 08:24 PM
Guest
Posts: n/a
It DOES show you all you have, the video card is using the computers physical memory instead of its own. Why? Because it doesn't have any memory. An add in card has its own memory to use and doesn't use any of the PC's physical memory.
You need a video card. No questions asked.
I have 3GB and this is what it shows. Lance, you have something going on with your PC too, either that or you must have one hefty onboard graphics card that is using a ton of memory.
You need a video card. No questions asked.
I have 3GB and this is what it shows. Lance, you have something going on with your PC too, either that or you must have one hefty onboard graphics card that is using a ton of memory.
#13
06-20-2007 | 08:39 PM
Thread Starter
|
Resident Mental Patient
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,834
From: Wappingers Falls, NuYawk
My old system showed actual memory. My new system showed less than actual on the same screen you showed above. I thought it was Vista using a ton of RAM. When I installed XP, it showed the same 768 mb. It might be because of the onboard graphics card.
#14
06-20-2007 | 08:42 PM
Thread Starter
|
Resident Mental Patient
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,834
From: Wappingers Falls, NuYawk
Oh snap!! Just answered my own question:
what is 1,024-256?
768mb!!
DING!!
768mb!!
DING!!
#16
06-20-2007 | 08:47 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 315
From: Missouri
That cheap one I posted a link to has 256 of memory. My old 9800pro only has 128mb and it plays all my 2 yr old games great. I think that card or a similar one will be all you need seeing as you are just using it for casual gaming and what not.
#17
06-20-2007 | 09:43 PM
Guest
Posts: n/a
Right, your graphics card is on the Motherboard. It uses the PC's memory ie. takes away from it.
All you need is a video card and it will free up your PC's full memory. Either that, or you can add a GB of memory and it will pretty much even out, unless you have 4 memory slots on your Motherboard, which I doubt.
I reccommend just getting a better Video card, I have a Radeon X700SE 512 MB DDR2.
#18
06-21-2007 | 12:40 AM
More Cowbell
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,003
From: North Carolina
I have been out of the loop for a while, so I need some upgrade help.
I bought an ACER desktop about 3 months ago. Here are the specs:
2.2GHz AMD Athlon™ 64 3500+ processor
Upgraded the ram to 1gb, but it only shows 768mb
It was running Vista, but I wiped it out in favor of XP Pro and hopes that it would run smoother with the ram I have.
Some of my games are still choppy.
It has an on board video card (yes, I know) but I thought it was a decent setup:
NVIDIA® nForce™ 6100 Express x16 interface and 256MB shared video memory.
Do I need more ram or a new video card for better gaming performance?
I bought an ACER desktop about 3 months ago. Here are the specs:
2.2GHz AMD Athlon™ 64 3500+ processor
Upgraded the ram to 1gb, but it only shows 768mb
It was running Vista, but I wiped it out in favor of XP Pro and hopes that it would run smoother with the ram I have.
Some of my games are still choppy.
It has an on board video card (yes, I know) but I thought it was a decent setup:
NVIDIA® nForce™ 6100 Express x16 interface and 256MB shared video memory.
Do I need more ram or a new video card for better gaming performance?
#19
06-21-2007 | 12:57 AM
Guest
Posts: n/a
You may want to think about your processor also. I have a 3.4 Ghz Pentium 4 with 2 Gigs of Ram, Nvidia G-force 7300 LE graphics card. On some games I still have to use lower resolution and have to turn of some of the "wow" effects. I also foung that if you turn off some of the sound effects it will help with lagging. Plus you should not be running stuff you dont need. Check your task bar and turn some stuff off. And last but not least turn off some of the start up items you don't need.. works for me most times. Some newer and not so newer games take a lot to run optimally..
Mike, all you need is a video card, or more RAM, or both.. Up to you.
#20
06-21-2007 | 05:14 AM
Thread Starter
|
Resident Mental Patient
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,834
From: Wappingers Falls, NuYawk
Thanks for all the input guys, I think I have a video card at home from my other system I will try first, if that doesn't work, I will buy a new one. I think 1 gig of Ram should suit my needs, if not, $35 for 1 more wont kill me.
#21
06-21-2007 | 06:06 AM
Banned
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,637
thats a big drop in ram dude....must be a heavy program running in the background somewhere on your computer...i dont know nvidia too well because i've always been a radeon kind of guy...but i havent seen too many games that the card you have cant handle short of "oblivion"...which game is messin up for you? by the way, i was lookin at your card and found this beast from nvidia:
http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...GTX_Video_Card
i may actually jump the radeon ship for this card...even though i cant see actually needing it for a few years...look at the specs on this thing...anyway...heres my rig and it runs every game at its highest....even my laptop runs world of warcraft and starwarsgalaxies at its highest settin
http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...GTX_Video_Card
i may actually jump the radeon ship for this card...even though i cant see actually needing it for a few years...look at the specs on this thing...anyway...heres my rig and it runs every game at its highest....even my laptop runs world of warcraft and starwarsgalaxies at its highest settin
#22
06-21-2007 | 07:03 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 624
Nerd here to save the day!
Ok I am a gamer myself, and in the process of building a new system. I would put money on the reason your memory only shows 768 is cuz you have dual channel ram. Duel channel ram has to be paired sticks or the mobo wont recognize it all. Another problem is you may have the ram in the wrong DIM slot. Try sticking the other stick in another slot (alot of mobos are color coded on that) The system properties should STILL show all system ram. When you are on your desktop the on board video card isnt "pulling" any ram what-so-ever, and even if it was.... it damn sure wouldnt be pulling 512mbs just to show the desktop.
Yes buy you a new video card, it will solve most of your probs. I play EQ2 (Ever Quest 2 for you non gamers) and even at 1.5 gigs of ram and a decent video card. It can run fairly smooth on that game. Thats the most graphics extensive game I know of.
Yes buy you a new video card, it will solve most of your probs. I play EQ2 (Ever Quest 2 for you non gamers) and even at 1.5 gigs of ram and a decent video card. It can run fairly smooth on that game. Thats the most graphics extensive game I know of.
#24
06-21-2007 | 12:40 PM
Guest
Posts: n/a
Ok I am a gamer myself, and in the process of building a new system. I would put money on the reason your memory only shows 768 is cuz you have dual channel ram. Duel channel ram has to be paired sticks or the mobo wont recognize it all. Another problem is you may have the ram in the wrong DIM slot. Try sticking the other stick in another slot (alot of mobos are color coded on that) The system properties should STILL show all system ram. When you are on your desktop the on board video card isnt "pulling" any ram what-so-ever, and even if it was.... it damn sure wouldnt be pulling 512mbs just to show the desktop.
Yes buy you a new video card, it will solve most of your probs. I play EQ2 (Ever Quest 2 for you non gamers) and even at 1.5 gigs of ram and a decent video card. It can run fairly smooth on that game. Thats the most graphics extensive game I know of.
Yes buy you a new video card, it will solve most of your probs. I play EQ2 (Ever Quest 2 for you non gamers) and even at 1.5 gigs of ram and a decent video card. It can run fairly smooth on that game. Thats the most graphics extensive game I know of.
As far as the dual channel opinion.. Im not sure exactly what Mikes Acer's model # is, but I would just about be willing to bet $$ that it's not dual channel just based on the simple fact that it's an Acer. They are good PC's, but not necessarily top of the line.
Mike, do you have four Memory Slots on the Motherboard?
#25
06-21-2007 | 03:50 PM
Thread Starter
|
Resident Mental Patient
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,834
From: Wappingers Falls, NuYawk
Nah, I am pretty sure I just have two. It is a ACER Aspire T180. Bottom of the line, but for my needs, it will do just fine. 10x better than the system it replaced that I built myself 7 years ago.
#26
06-21-2007 | 04:09 PM
Guest
Posts: n/a
Im not sure exactly which model you have, because Acer has a strange way of numbering their systems.
But from what I can see it looks like you have 4 slots, 4GB max. DDR2 240 pin DIMM.
Looks like it has PCI-Express too, which is great for graphics cards.
It actually has some decent potential.
#27
06-21-2007 | 04:20 PM
Thread Starter
|
Resident Mental Patient
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,834
From: Wappingers Falls, NuYawk
Man, Acers really aren't bad at all. Sold many of them while I was at CC.
Im not sure exactly which model you have, because Acer has a strange way of numbering their systems.
But from what I can see it looks like you have 4 slots, 4GB max. DDR2 240 pin DIMM.
Looks like it has PCI-Express too, which is great for graphics cards.
It actually has some decent potential.
Im not sure exactly which model you have, because Acer has a strange way of numbering their systems.
But from what I can see it looks like you have 4 slots, 4GB max. DDR2 240 pin DIMM.
Looks like it has PCI-Express too, which is great for graphics cards.
It actually has some decent potential.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Acer-...oductDetail.do
#28
06-21-2007 | 04:28 PM
Guest
Posts: n/a
So I guess I should go with a PCI Express card and not your standard PCI?
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Acer-...oductDetail.do
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Acer-...oductDetail.do
This is the card that I have, and I love it.. it was pretty much one of the best cards you could get back when I built my PC. It still actually has better specs than many of the other high-end cards with the exception of SLI cards.
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...0-512P&cat=VCD
#29
06-21-2007 | 04:49 PM
Thread Starter
|
Resident Mental Patient
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,834
From: Wappingers Falls, NuYawk