I've got a lovey bunch of questions ***deedlely***

[LlamaMaster]

First up

CPUMinimum: Pentium 4/Athlon XPYou Have: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3700+

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/media/srl/min_chart_3.gifPASS http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/media/srl/green_checkmark_min.gifCPU SpeedMinimum: 2.4 GHzYou Have: 2.19 GHz Performance Rated at 3.70 GHz

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/media/srl/min_chart_4.gifPASS http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/media/srl/green_checkmark_min.gifSystem RAMMinimum: 1 GBYou Have: 958.5 MB

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/media/srl/min_chart_3.gifPASS http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/media/srl/green_checkmark_min.gifOperating SystemMinimum: Windows XP/VistaYou Have: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/media/srl/min_chart_3.gifPASS http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/media/srl/red_x_min.gifVideo CardMinimum: Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 128MB RAM (NVIDIA 6600 or better/ATI X1300 or better, excluding ATI X1550).You Have: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series (ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series (0x5954))

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/media/srl/min_chart_2.gifFAIL: Sorry, your video card does not meet this minimum requirement. Upgrade to a more powerful video card will make all your applications look better. Click the 'We Recommend' button to see some great options.
Video Card Features - Minimum attributes of your Video Card
http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/media/srl/green_check_small_min.gifVideo RAM: Required - 128 MB , You have - 256.0 MBhttp://www.systemrequirementslab.com/media/srl/green_check_small_min.gifVideo Card 3D Acceleration: Required - Yes , You have - Yeshttp://www.systemrequirementslab.com/media/srl/green_check_small_min.gifVideo HW Transform & Lighting: Required - Yes , You have - Yeshttp://www.systemrequirementslab.com/media/srl/red_x_small_min.gifVertex Shader Ver.: Required - 3.0 , You have - 2.0http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/media/srl/red_x_small_min.gifPixel Shader Ver.: Required - 3.0 , You have - 2.0
http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/media/srl/blue_i_min.gifVideo Card Driver Version (DirectX)Your driver version number is: 6.14.10.6571
FYI: Your video card driver version is provided for your information, but it is not part of this analysis. But proper video card driver versions are important to the proper operation of your product.http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/media/srl/green_checkmark_min.gifSound CardMinimum: YesYou Have: Realtek AC'97 Audio

PASS http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/media/srl/blue_i_min.gifSound Card Driver VersionYour driver version number is: 5.10.0.5910
FYI: Your sound card driver version is provided for your information, but it is not part of this analysis. But proper sound card driver versions are important to the proper operation of your product. http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/media/srl/green_checkmark_min.gifFree Disk SpaceMinimum: 8 GBYou Have: 101.5 GB

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/media/srl/min_chart_6.gifPASS

Is there any hope at all of me being able to run BioShock with a new video card and more ram despite the fact my CPU is fail?

Also, can I add 1 gig of ram to my existing ram?

Also, HP screwed me over by selling me a computer with a 300w PSU, can I replace this?

Also, if so, what would be the best video card for under $200.

[Emmzee]

Yes. You can run BioShock on a 2.2 ghz card.

[Xetsuei]

Your cpu is not fail, it is merely old.

[Dr Nick]

sysreqlab are nvidia fanboys. It says I fail the requirements for BioShock and R6:V, but I can run them fine!

[LlamaMaster]

Can anybody answer my questions? I kind of need to know soon. Mostly that PSU question.

[Snowy]

Yes, you could run Bioshock with a new GPU. Yes, you can replace the Power supply, I would highly recommend doing so. Another gig of RAM would be just dandy for your PC.

:)

[Syuusuke]

You can replace this, as long as the needed connectors are there. Most of the time, they are.

[LlamaMaster]

Yes, you could run Bioshock with a new GPU. Yes, you can replace the Power supply, I would highly recommend doing so. Another gig of RAM would be just dandy for your PC.

:)
Nice, good, and awesome. I'll start searching newegg. One thing though, I know my processor could run BioShock, but can it run it well? By well I meen without shuddering and stuff.

Edit: i need more help. :( This might be a stretch, but is there a video card that will run bioshock on high with a resolution of 1280x1024 and is under $200?

Edit 2: despite the fact this is extremely cheap, would it be an ok PSU?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817170019

[Snowy]

Nice, good, and awesome. I'll start searching newegg. One thing though, I know my processor could run BioShock, but can it run it well? By well I meen without shuddering and stuff.

Edit: i need more help. :( This might be a stretch, but is there a video card that will run bioshock on high with a resolution of 1280x1024 and is under $200?

Edit 2: despite the fact this is extremely cheap, would it be an ok PSU?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817170019

I've never heard of that brand of PSU. I'd stay away from it. The last thing you want to do is buy a "off-brand" PSU, have it fry, and take the motherboard with it.
You should be able to play it on 1280x1024 with high-settings with a X1950Pro (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131055), but I can't garuntee anything, especially with your processor.
However, if you have a socket 939 motherboard, you're in luck as new duel-core AMD CPU's cost nothing more than scratching somebody's back (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103052)

[Mr Buckshot]

Just get a real video card, which will also restore your RAM back to the full 1 GB. Don't worry, BioShock will run fine on your CPU, but a dual-core will improve things a bit.

If you want to run Vista and play games on high, though, doubling your RAM is recommended but not totally necessary.

[Amit]

An X1950PRO and 1 Gigabyte of RAM should be good enough to run it on 1280x1024. Your Processor isn't too bad so expect to get framerates around 28-35.

[LlamaMaster]

Is the X1950 really my best option? Would anybody recommend another card? I want something that will last for maybe 2-3 years.

[Skyline]

If your getting more ram make sure your getting the right pin number. I'm pretty sure you know this but jsut making sure.

[Snowy]

Is the X1950 really my best option? Would anybody recommend another card? I want something that will last for maybe 2-3 years.

Well, you're not going to get anything that'll last you for 2-3 years with everything on high... especially with DX10. X1950Pro and GT are good cards right now and should last you at least a year. You could save up $50-75 more for a 8800GTS 320mb, but again, it probably won't last you 2-3 years.

[LlamaMaster]

If your getting more ram make sure your getting the right pin number. I'm pretty sure you know this but jsut making sure.
Fatal mistake, I've never upgraded my computer, so I don't know anything.


Well, you're not going to get anything that'll last you for 2-3 years with everything on high... especially with DX10. X1950Pro and GT are good cards right now and should last you at least a year. You could save up $50-75 more for a 8800GTS 320mb, but again, it probably won't last you 2-3 years.I know I'm not going to be able to get a video card that will support everything on high for 3 years, but I do want something that will run everything on high now and simply be able to play games (even if they look like crap) in 3 years. Only thing that worries me is the fact that the X1950 doesn't support DirectX10. I'm not sure if I should really worry about it all that much or not. Does BioShock use alot (or any) directX10 effects? What about Crysis? Will games in the future look a lot worse if I don't get a directX10 card now? Btw, I'm still using XP, and don't plan on changing until I need to.

I pretty much need someone to hold my hand through this, sorry. :(

Edit: This is so damn confusing, this card has 256mb of ram, but it supports directX10 and has great reviews. Better or worse than the other card? (I'm assuming worse)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130084

[Skyline]

I have the 8600 GTS, I haven't had any problems since the last update.

Ya you need to know which type of ram you need; DDR1 or DDR2. Same with your graphics card, you need to know if it is AGP or PCI-E.

[Patrickssj6]

We need RAM type, FSB clock and PCI_E_16 slot information.

[Pooky]

Edit: This is so damn confusing, this card has 256mb of ram, but it supports directX10 and has great reviews. Better or worse than the other card? (I'm assuming worse)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130084

Well.... one of the people reviewing this card is bragging about getting 300 FPS in counter strike 1.6

Think about that for a second...

[X3RO SHIF7]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130084
i run bioshock on the settings you want to run with 2 gb DDR2 800 Athlon 64 4800 and an 8600 GTS

[LlamaMaster]

Welp, I got my 3870HD in the mail yesterday. I haven't ordered my PSU yet because the the card came a month early. Anyway, last night I put the card in, just to make sure the massive beast would fit in my case. It did, with a little wire re-positioning, but now I can't get the card out. It's latched in there in a way where my fingers can't reach the bottom to unlatch it and take it out.

Main question here is: Will it hurt anything if I leave the card in my PCIe slot without installing the software or connecting it to the power supply? Just until my PSU comes in the mail? I'm using my dad's computer right now because I don't want to hurt anything on mine. I can't imagine why it would hurt it, but I want to make sure.

[Patrickssj6]

We can't know for sure. Better be off leaving it like this until the PSU arrives, just be patient so you don't have to freak out afterwards.

Also, bye forever.

[SnaFuBAR]

if you run your pc without installing the card's drivers, also without uninstalling the old card's drivers, you could run into problems. not to mention, your dinky 300w psu is no good for running that card. i believe that one requires a pci-e power connector that plugs into the card (i'm not talking about the slot on your motherboard). if you try to run it without adequate power, you'll definitely get a "low power" warning from the card. besides that, none of your graphically intensive apps will display (correctly) and your games won't, either.

if you're concerned about running max, you could alway add " -h" to the target and set it to software instead. but believe me, from experience, that sucks.

also, to get the card out, hold it by the rear (towards the front of the case) and rock the display connector end upwards. should pop right out.

[legionaire45]

When you remove the card make sure to check and see if it has a little push in thingy near the right-most side of the card. You'll have to push that in and wiggle the card out if their is.

[X3RO SHIF7]

Welp, I got my 3870HD in the mail yesterday. I haven't ordered my PSU yet because the the card came a month early. Anyway, last night I put the card in, just to make sure the massive beast would fit in my case. It did, with a little wire re-positioning, but now I can't get the card out. It's latched in there in a way where my fingers can't reach the bottom to unlatch it and take it out.

Main question here is: Will it hurt anything if I leave the card in my PCIe slot without installing the software or connecting it to the power supply? Just until my PSU comes in the mail? I'm using my dad's computer right now because I don't want to hurt anything on mine. I can't imagine why it would hurt it, but I want to make sure.
lol i got the same card :p

[LlamaMaster]

Why is it every time I try to upgrade my computer it doesn't fucking work? It's like god doesn't want me playing any new games at all. Customer support is the biggest load of horse shit I've ever seen. Oh joy, I can play FEAR and Halo on high. Other games? Naw, the video card just throws a tantrum and fucking FREEZES, STOPS SENDING A SIGNAL TO MY MONITOR, OR CRASHES MY COMPUTER.

First problem was this: After I installed the software, my sound didn't work. It took me four days of being on the computer every night to get my sound back. No thanks to technical support of course.

Second problem: lolcrashes, lolwtfcrashes, lolimmacrashcrashes. crashes, crashes, and more fucking crashing. Crashing any time it felt like it regardless of whether or not I was playing a game. FINALLY after a few days I drowngraded the drivers, and now it only crashes when I try to play any games from 2006 on, or mess with the settings.

Fucking. Awesome. Card.

ATI is being to much of a lazy ass mother fucking cock mongler to help me with the damn thing. So now I'm worse off now then I was when I had integrated graphics. Wonderful.

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/2742/settingsgs0.png

Why the hell is the memory clock so low? It's supposed to be 2250MHz!

When my computer crashes, the reason it gives is that the drivers cause it. So basically, is this my computers fault or what?

http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/hp-pavilion-a1310n-athlon/4507-3118_7-31660207.html?tag=specs

***sigh*** Sorry for the rant, but that was building up inside me. I believe the card is just defective, but I'm not sure. And yes I upgraded my PSU to 500w.

[Bodzilla]

send the card back to ATI.

I've done it a few times with various GPU's over the years. generally they just send you a brand new one back.

[LlamaMaster]

send the card back to ATI.

I've done it a few times with various GPU's over the years. generally they just send you a brand new one back.
Directly back to ATI? Can you do that without going through the place you ordered it from?

[Bodzilla]

well obviously you harass the people that sold it to ya, and from them it gets sent back.

Clarification: I've had this happen a few times to me over the years from BOTH company's Nvidia and ATI. However the Process of getting them replaced is both the same.

I'm just sick of the Nvidia fanboys that would blame this solely on it being an ATI card, so i thought i'd shoot down there argument before it happened and we got into another Nvidia > ATI pissing match.

[Sel]

You can download the bioschock demo.

Then you know if you can run it or not :D

[legionaire45]

I was wondering why you weren't on xfire =<.

You could always try backing all your crap up and reinstalling windows -- at this point I don't think the card is to blame (like you said, the drivers are fucking up). If that doesn't fix it then you can send it back to newegg or whever you purchased it from.

[Snowy]

Why is it every time I try to upgrade my computer it doesn't fucking work? It's like god doesn't want me playing any new games at all. Customer support is the biggest load of horse shit I've ever seen. Oh joy, I can play FEAR and Halo on high. Other games? Naw, the video card just throws a tantrum and fucking FREEZES, STOPS SENDING A SIGNAL TO MY MONITOR, OR CRASHES MY COMPUTER.

First problem was this: After I installed the software, my sound didn't work. It took me four days of being on the computer every night to get my sound back. No thanks to technical support of course.

Second problem: lolcrashes, lolwtfcrashes, lolimmacrashcrashes. crashes, crashes, and more fucking crashing. Crashing any time it felt like it regardless of whether or not I was playing a game. FINALLY after a few days I drowngraded the drivers, and now it only crashes when I try to play any games from 2006 on, or mess with the settings.

Fucking. Awesome. Card.

ATI is being to much of a lazy ass mother fucking cock mongler to help me with the damn thing. So now I'm worse off now then I was when I had integrated graphics. Wonderful.

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/2742/settingsgs0.png

Why the hell is the memory clock so low? It's supposed to be 2250MHz!

When my computer crashes, the reason it gives is that the drivers cause it. So basically, is this my computers fault or what?

http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/hp-pavilion-a1310n-athlon/4507-3118_7-31660207.html?tag=specs

***sigh*** Sorry for the rant, but that was building up inside me. I believe the card is just defective, but I'm not sure. And yes I upgraded my PSU to 500w.
You're memory is running at its correct speed.

Are you overclocking or anything? You disabled the onboard video? (I believe you do this in the bios) What brand of power supply? You did uninstall your old drivers before installing new ones, correct? Catalyst 8.1 drivers are out now.

[LlamaMaster]

Not really. I tried to let it "auto-tune" several times, but the card just stopped sending a signal to my monitor.

Power supply:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148027

The PSU works great, despite it being cheep.

I uninstalled the drivers to my onboard video.

New drivers make my computer crash much more often.

[LlamaMaster]

Is it possible to trade hard drives between two computers? (trade as in take out the only hard drive out of one computer, and take the only hard drive out of another computer, and trade them) Without losing any data?

[Bodzilla]

are you retarded >_____>

[LlamaMaster]

are you retarded >_____>
Not really. There are many, many ways I can think of why it wouldn't work, but I just wanted to make sure.

Actually yes, I am retarded. So is there any way I would be able to transfer all of my files to this other hard drive, and vice versa, directly or indirectly? Obviously I don't want to burn 20 DVD's.

[MNC]

It should work if all the stuff corresponds with eachother.

[LlamaMaster]

So yeah, that computer thing never worked out, but I have another question...

What exactly is the field of 3D modeling called? What college degree program, if any, would this field fall under. How much would I make? Basically I need lot of details, because Google isn't helping, and I need to know before I get to deep into college.

[paladin]

DigiPen (http://www.digipen.edu/main/Main_Page)

Pretty much tells you all you need even if the college is a no go for you.

[LlamaMaster]

My mom is having a problem with her computer. Basically, she can go the any website except for yahoo, which won't load. It loads on everybody else's computer in the house, but not hers....

[MNC]

Firewall blocking the site?