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Due to having time on my hands (enforced - bit of a lay-off following a minor operation), I thought I'd treat myself to a couple of new games for he PC. Nothing too radical - couple of strategy games (Imperium Romanum & Anno 1404) - assumed they'd be within the capacity of this PC (Dell Inspiron 530, Vista).

However, it tells me my graphics set-up isn't up to the job, with this message



This is the info from SandraLite about what's there now



The system requirements on the game packaging says '128 MB DirectX 9 compatible 3D graphics cars (Geforce 6600 or Radeon 9800 or better)' is needed. Also says it needs DirectX 9.0

Sandra also gives these recommendations



I'd be grateful for some easy-to-comprehend, numptie-orientated advice on how to proceed, preferably at as low a cost as possible

MartDude wrote:
I'd be grateful for some easy-to-comprehend, numptie-orientated advice on how to proceed, preferably at as low a cost as possible

Flog the games - easy to understand - low cost - might even recoup some money

Have you tried updating the graphics driver?

http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/sb/cs-026488.htm

One of the recommendations was to use an external graphics card. Anyone know anything about these, & would it help?

MartDude wrote:One of the recommendations was to use an external graphics card. Anyone know anything about these, & would it help?

Not come across them but whatever you connected it to the PC with would need to have sufficient bandwidth. Doubt this is practical on many older laptops.

It sounds like you are using 'integrated graphics'; i.e. the graphics chip to drive your monitor is soldered to the motherboard (the big main board) in the computer. Most people who want to play recent games buy themselves a separate graphics card that plugs into one (or more) of the free slots in your motherboard.

These add-in cards have specialised graphics chips that are made specifically to play computergames at lightning speed, and are highly optimised for that task. The graphics chip on your motherboard is a general purpose unit, designed for web surfing, the odd low-resolution game and a bit of word processing. It's a bit like a the difference between a MotoGP bike and the average commuter bike.

You're trying to lap Silverstone on an ER500...

First off - is it a desktop or a slaptop?

mangocrazy wrote:First off - is it a desktop or a slaptop?

Desktop; Dell Inspriron 530

In that case, you should be able to fit a graphics card. Do you have any bumf that came with the 'poota which tells you what type of slots are available on your motherboard?

Doubt it.

I was asking about the external graphics card to avoid delving into the innards - not quite sure what to do in there, and I wouldn't want to wreck the whole thing through my inexperience.

MartDude wrote:

mangocrazy wrote:First off - is it a desktop or a slaptop?

Desktop; Dell Inspriron 530

So why on earth would anyone suggest an external graphics card?
As Mango says, if you are using on-board graphics, stick in a decent graphics card. If you do have a low end graphics card, then replace it with a better one.

It's most probably a PCI Express 1.0 port. Probably pick one up on ebay pretty cheaply. Its a shame, i binned my old pc a few months ago, it would have played them games easily.


An extarnal card will require you to open up the case, and slot in an adapter exactly as you would a normal graphics card. So you would just be loosing space in the long run. Bit of rubbish advice form whoever suggested an external graphics card - they are designed for laptops!

Dale

MartDude wrote:Doubt it.

I was asking about the external graphics card to avoid delving into the innards - not quite sure what to do in there, and I wouldn't want to wreck the whole thing through my inexperience.

I've never seen or heard of an external graphics card, and I'm sure this wasn't what people are talking about when they say 'out of the box' thinking...

I'm afraid that, as Andy says, an add-in graphics card is what you need. It really isn't rocket science inside a computer; it's just modern day Meccano, really. Everything clips together.

However, as regards what graphics card you need, I have no idea. Ideally one that is not cutting edge (and stupidly expensive), but can still play most of the good games.

Dalemac wrote:Bit of rubbish advice form whoever suggested an external graphics card - they are designed for laptops!

Dale

Now it all becomes clear...

Looks as though it's probably PCI express
http://support.euro.dell.com/support/ed ... pendix.htm