Nice tip for those without state-of-the-art graphics chips..

[Phil Walker]

We are NOT talking chips but cards. If you can take a pic, that might help, but from your explanation you only have a PCI socket to put the card into as I've noted the good and bad with getting one. This is one time I'm going to say what I almost never do. To get what you deisre you should consider a new system as yours is now to the point of being outdated (unless by chance that black socket is AGP or PCI-Express and just disabled). It is also best to custom order to make sure you get what you want/need in it. It will be of no small cost but worth it in the long run as this won't be the last game you'll have issues with if you continue to get more and newer games.

Sincerely,
Phil

[wkw427]

Outdated?! Excuse me but I only bought this computer for $1,400 at Best Buy in December! It is a Hp Pavilion a1620n! There is no way it can be outdated!

[Phil Walker]

OK, it's not outdated then, BUT to save on cost (so you could get it so cheap) they put sub-standard/outdated equipment in it. The onboard chip being just one thing. Could be the black socket is PCI-Express then, but get ready for a MAJOR expense to get one as PCI-Express cards by themselves are VERY expensive, and the wattage of your pwoer supply must be known before that. HP DOES downgrade power supplies, so you might be in trouble with that as I'm a Compq user (divison of HP now) and know this to be FACT! New does not always mean best or good either as you can guess with what you got.

Sincerely,
Phil

[Dobber]

Where did I get the impression he was using a laptop computer? A Hp Pavilion a1620n is a desktop, isn't it?

[dearmad]

why is everyone talking in green and blue pastel colors? It is hard to read! Is there some reason for this choice of light colors on a light background?

[LadyH]

why is everyone talking in green and blue pastel colors? It is hard to read! Is there some reason for this choice of light colors on a light background?
just because it's better to read for Phil
look here http://forum.sunflowers.de/showpost.php?p=284590&postcount=7

[Dobber]

@dearmad, highlighting it will make it easier for you to read. Highlighting it is what I do.

[wkw427]

Well I have convinced my parents to allow me to buy a graphics card. All I must do now is:

Try to get good AA batteries for my camra to send you a pic of computer..
Look for a store that sells the chips (Best Buy or Circuit City)
Put it in and play...
Polka!
Now do you think I will have to imcrese the power supply of my computer? There is a little switch to change it on the back. I havn't bothered messing with it as I don't have anything small enough to move it.

And yes, Dobber. HP Pavilion a1620n is a desktop. I'd take a pic of it but... My desktop isn't the cleanest of areas in my house. Infact it might be.. Now I'm just making a fool of myself!
--
Okay, I'm thinking about getting a "eVGA GeForce™ FX 5500 Video Card (128A8N319DX) " from Circuit City. Here is the link to it:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/eVGA-GeForce-FX-5500-Video-Card-128A8N319DX/sem/rpsm/oid/98476/catOid/-13011/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

[LadyH]

...
--
Okay, I'm thinking about getting a "eVGA GeForce™ FX 5500 Video Card (128A8N319DX) " from Circuit City. Here is the link to it:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/eVGA-GeForce-FX-5500-Video-Card-128A8N319DX/sem/rpsm/oid/98476/catOid/-13011/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
this one would be much better
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/ATI-Radeon-X1600-Pro-512MB-Video-Card-100437510CCS/sem/rpsm/oid/161711/catOid/-13043/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

[wkw427]

Also $140 more..

Are you 200% sure that it would be better then the one I posted??

[Dobber]

Before you even think about what card to get, you need to find out if you have and what kind of slot you have for a video card! That is the point Phil has been making since you started talking about your capabilities with the game!
--
Neither of those will work if you don't have an AGP slot to plug them into!

[wkw427]

Well do you have any idea how I can find the type of slots I have? There are three enpty spots in my chasis.


That sounded perverted. there are three empty spots in my computer.

[LadyH]

Also $140 more..

Are you 200% sure that it would be better then the one I posted??
Wait what Phil is thinking about that.

[wkw427]

Okay. I can wait... :)

[LadyH]

What slots are on your motherboard
that info you can find in the manual or with everest (www.lavalys.com)

[wkw427]

Okay, I'll find out. Honestally I have no clue what I got in there. The only times I added hardware was with my ancient computer, added some RAM, and a external DVD drive.. Nether gave me trouble.

Also I changed the fan in my old computer, after nearly going to the hospital due to electrical injury..


edit-

On Everest, where would I go to find information about the motherboard?

[Dobber]

@LadyH, will it show up with the Everest report if it is disabled?
His dxdiag, did not show AGP or PCI-e capability either one!

[wkw427]

So far I scanned for drivers. only had a few but it says I need membership to update them :(

[Phil Walker]

UGH :eek: !!! A 5500?! That is a LOW-END card! While DX9-compliant, it's not the best. You SHOULD get a 7000-series if at all possible. Do note until we know what that black socket is, we won't be able to tell you if it's AGP or PCI-Express as the sockets and cards are NOT interchangeable. So, don't do ANYTHING until a local shop or one of us tells you what you have. As to the power supply, look again and check the maximum wattage (not voltage) so we can tell you if you need to replace it. Minimal cards require 250 watts, and good ones anywhere from 350 watts up to 400 watts and more if a PCI-Express card. You can't improve what you have, so that is another expense to consider.

So, get the pic for us and check with a local shop as well as let us know what wattage your power supply is, before you do anything or even consider a card.


Sincerely,
Phil

[LadyH]

@LadyH, will it show up with the Everest report if it is disabled?
His dxdiag, did not show AGP or PCI-e capability either one!
look here for example
http://forum.sunflowers.de/showpost.php?p=283986&postcount=11
Motherboard Name ASRock 939A8X-M (3 PCI, 1 AGP, 4 DDR DIMM, Audio, LAN)