Im getting a graphics card

My computer is a 3Ghz with 512MB RAM and onboard graphics.

typo---said 1Ghz instead of 3Ghz LOL

Tomorrow, Im going to be buying a video card, just so I can play SL better Looking at an nVidia with 256MB prolly around $100.

Hopefully this will make the game more enjoyable? Right now, im using a lot of ram, and only by shutting down every other program does SL run with enough RAM. Also, I have graphics setting in SL set way down, so I cant see stuff in the distance, which sucks lol. Also, and Im not sure how much a graphics card will help, but when I enter a new area, Im always standing there for a a bit while everything forms and loads, and textures load and everything. And of course, its not very smooth while walking, its bearable, but not smooth.

Im hoping a graphics card will help fix this and make it more enjoyable! Woof!

oof, a faster CPU would help a lot, LOT more. Though onboard graphics are pretty horrible too. Pick your poison, I guess, but try to get a faster chip. P3? If so, look into a P-III-S (if you're socket 370) 1.4ghz/512k cache.

Honestly, your graphics card probably won't help *that* much. To run SL well, you realistically need a gig of RAM, and probably at least a 2 Ghz processor. And, since you have onboard video, does your motherboard even have room for another graphics card? (IE, a PCI Express 16x slot, or an AGP slot) Most that I've seen don't, and if you've got a regular PCI card, it could have all the VRAM and the fastest processor in the world, and it wouldn't run SL for shit.

well, without knowing what video card you have now, a new one will have anywhere from a big difference to none whatsoever..

SL uses an old graphics engine, so it leans very heavily on your CPU and RAM. Granted, with the new client version, a good video card will help more, but it'll still require gobs of CPU time and RAM.

If your system has only a 1GHz CPU, it might be best to save a bit longer and just upgrade the whole system. Chances are the video card you buy now won't work in a new motherboard later.

If you want, drop me a PM here on the forums with a budget and the specs of your current system and I'll see what I can reccomend.

OK, I like totally screwed that up.LOL.

My brain is numb from not being able to get its fix of SL

My computer is 3Ghz repeat, 3Ghz.

Its a new Dell 5150 with flat panel I bought in October.

Sorry


And I have one free PCI Express x16 slot. No AGP.

So, now that I've got the specs correct, which would make the biggest difference? Gfx card or adding ram so I have a gig?

hm. what's the onboard.

In my experience, I'd go with the RAM (mostly 'cause it's cheaper, usually. ;p ), though yeah, depending on the internal video card, that could help a good amount, too.

i'm leaning towards that too. Unless the onboard is an INTEL EXTREME!@$. which, as I believe Lee Linden said, is decidedly "un extreme".

I think this is it


DXDiag at the Display tab

Intel 82945G Express Chipset Family
DAC Type-Internal
Approx Total Mem: 224.0 MB

get the new graphics card.

Ok, video card first, or you won't be able to play when 1.9.1 comes out.

Then RAM.

Not questioning you, I was just wondering why you decided that way. Is my onboard video particularly bad or something?

Hmm, whats with the new client?

Intel Extreme Grahics chipsets, in many cases, won't run SL at all. Be thankful you've ever seen the grid.

You should be very pleased with the improvement when you get your new video card, but next do consider upping the RAM. I upgraded from 512 MB to 1.5 GB several months ago and it was like night and day.

P2

Today, 08:02 PM #6
Xlopos Knopfli
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 16 So, now that I've got the specs correct, which would make the biggest difference? Gfx card or adding ram so I have a gig?

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OMG look at that name it's it's omg it's scary. Xlopos, sounds like a big hairy Monster

Heres a card I was looking at

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814125220


Anything in particular to look for besides what it says in the SL FAQ? Anything that is crucial to having SL work properly?

If you are wanting a new graphics card, for around 100 bucks and do not have an AGP slot and are restricted to PCI, the G-Force FX 5500 with 256 ram on it is a decent card for that price range. however, in my personal experience, doubling my ram and adding this card did little for helping play SL, but it helps some. the biggest difference i have seen is reducing my settings in SL. I recent, uhmmm....downgraded my computer due to some hardware failure and well, needed a quick cheap fix. so really the biggest things that will add to your improvment in your SL experience would be a better CPU and faster harddrive.

He has PCI-E, Micheal, not PCI. He'll do fine with a PCI-E card.

Anywas, Xlopos, the main reason is that yes, SL is not "truly" compatible with Intel graphics cards at all; Some do run it, but that may change at any release. They're considered unsupported by LL, so thats why I suggested you go with the new card. Plus it'll probably work a whole lot better.

Onboard graphics are generally restricted - usually by space and power available, not to mention expense - to being not very powerful. Some onboard graphics chips like the GeForce 6100 are "okay" on SL, but the Intel series most definitely is rather un-okay.

GF6600 will do you quite well.

hmm....missed that, lol, oh well. but still, i agree a new card would be more benificial than increasing RAM at this point, but still, wont make a "big" difference, though a seperate card is much better than having an integrated video. just wish i still could use my SATA drive on my other comp, i think that makes the biggests diffence in SL, since it seems this ATA drive is working overtime trying to keep up with everything.

That is where I would start as far as video cards go. As far as feature requirements go, you're more than set for SL, even 1.9.1. Get it and enjoy.

Well, im going to Frys Electronics (big electronic parts retailer), to get my card, since I cant wait to get my paws on it That is, unless they are too big of a price diff, or dont have what im looking for. Not sure theyll have this same card, but they will pretty suredly have something very similar.

Not that I know what all the technical specs mean, Im guessing any nVidia GeForce 6600 with 256MB RAM will do?

Well, im going to Frys Electronics (big electronic parts retailer), to get my card, since I cant wait to get my paws on it That is, unless they are too big of a price diff, or dont have what im looking for. Not sure theyll have this same card, but they will pretty suredly have something very similar.

Not that I know what all the technical specs mean, Im guessing any nVidia GeForce 6600 with 256MB RAM will do?

I'm currently running a Ge-Force 6600 PCI-E 256mb in my system, and it works very well with SL.

I've run SL on many system configurations. Getting that 6600 will make a big difference for you. I also recommend kicking your RAM up to 1gig (if you can't afford both video card and extra RAM, get the video card first). I run 1.5gig, but honestly the biggest jump in performance was when I went from 512 to 1gig. The jump from 1 to 1.5 made a little difference, but nothing to write home about.