Help with my video card please

[ton of fun]

i want to play dragon age origin on my computer but i get an error message about my video card.

as far as i can tell i have a Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family video card.
My computer is a bog standard HP-Pavillion with 4 GB memory and a Pentium(R) Dual-Core E5200 @ 2.50GHz processor all running on vista home premium edition (64-bit)

what i really want to know is it possible to play dargon age origins on this or will i need to upgrade my video card, if i do what would you recommend?

thank you for all your help

 

[Rustyy117]

"Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset" that is your motherboard.

So my guess is that you have onboard graphics, which is not suitable for playing games.

If you could tell us your budget and what make and model PSU (powersupply) you have then we can recommend a graphics card for you.

 

[ton of fun]

im willing to spend about £100 my computer plugs directly into the wall socket and there is a sign saying

ac input 100~6.0A
50/60 Hz 200~3.0A

and where the power cable plugs into the tower there is a sticker saying 230V

i hope this helps and i apologise for my lack of computer knowledge

 

[Rustyy117]

You'll have to open up your PC case, and where the power cable connects to the PC, There should be a sticker on the Powersuppy with infomation like how many watts it has, and also how many amps.

This is a powersupply.

http://www.atxpowersupplies.com/images/atx-power-supply-630wps-master-350x350.gif

You see on the side of the powersupply is a sticker. I need to know that infomation.

 

[ton of fun]

this is all the info on the psu sticker, i hope it helps

DC OUTPUT 300W

INPUT 100-127V~/8A 50-60Hz
200-240V/4A 50-60Hz

OUTPUT +5Vdc/25A MAX +12Vdc/19A MAX
+3.3Vdc/18A MAX -12Vdc/0.8A MAX
+5Vsb dc/2A MAX

COMBINED POWER ON +5 AND +3.3V RAILS NOT EXCEED 175W MAX
COMBINED POWER ON +12 AND +5V RAILS NOT EXCEED 268W MAX
CONTINUOUS TOTAL DC OUTPUT POWER SHALL NOT EXCEED 300W

 

[masterjaw]

I assume that you had one of those 'generic' PSUs.

Eitherway, you may want to get a HD 4670 which wouldn't require that much from your PSU.

 

[jyjjy]

Yeah, an HD4670 will probably be ok and is a decent gaming card for low resolutions. It should allow you to play any game at medium to high setting at resolution 1280x1024 and below.

 

[ton of fun]

thanks so much guys, ive been looking and i think im gonna get a Sapphire HD4670 512MB PCI E Ultimate Graphics Card

 

[mfarrukh]

Radeon 4670 HD will perform great on 1680x1050.(According to Toms Hardware)

So, If you game at 1280x1024
You will get exceptionall performance in amlmost every games, save for few like CRYSIS.

And your PSU will be fine with 4670


GooD LucK

 

[jyjjy]

Radeon 4670 HD will perform great on 1680x1050.(According to Toms Hardware

Tom must have recently started smoking crack then. Maybe we should have an intervention

 

[mfarrukh]

Tom must have recently started smoking crack then. Maybe we should have an intervention

They know better then you.
Don't they?
Chech your statements before you post them

 

[masterjaw]

^ You really believed those statements, huh. Maybe you should browse a little bit more and see the bigger picture. HD 4670 would do if you prefer to reduce graphics details, most of the time.

 

[mfarrukh]

I think I believe in my personall experience and proffessionals experience more than your statements

 

[hallowed_dragon]

I think I believe in my personall experience and proffessionals experience more than your statements

TomsHardware is not the only site on the Internet which reviews computer hardware. You will notice after a few websites that is not even the most reliable. Still it has one of the best forums out there.

 

[mfarrukh]

TomsHardware is not the only site on the Internet which reviews computer hardware. You will notice after a few websites that is not even the most reliable. Still it has one of the best forums out there.

I agree
There are tons of websites
But I prefer few
like
Toms Hardware
Anand Tech
Guru 3D
.....

 

[masterjaw]

So, you've really done hardcore gaming in max settings at 1680x1050 with 4670?

Or is it just the "professionals" that did that? Honestly, who would do that?

 

[mfarrukh]

Who said anyhting about 'hardcore gaming'
I said it will perform good.
If the word good meant hardcore then
yes

 

[hallowed_dragon]

I agree
There are tons of websites
But I prefer few
like
Toms Hardware
Anand Tech
Guru 3D
.....

I agree with you when it cames to Anand and Guru3D. On Toms...well that is a bit iffy.
I like Techpowerup reviews due to the Author that makes them. They are reliable and easy to read, like this one:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HIS/HD_5770/30.html

 

[masterjaw]

Radeon 4670 HD will perform great on 1680x1050

You've said it yourself. The only ones that would do great on that resolution would be GTX 260/4870 cards and up.

 

[hallowed_dragon]

Who said anyhting about 'hardcore gaming'
I said it will perform good.
If the word good meant hardcore then
yes

There is a huge difference in perception in these terms presented here. Good performing usually means medium details at that given resolution. The 4670 should not be used for resolutions like 1680x1050 if the OP wants to experience good quality gameplay. In my opinion an upgrade has to occur when the difference in quality and FPS is noticeable and it will remain like that for at least 1 year. The 4670 (last generation) will not perform to the OPs expectations.

 

[mfarrukh]

There is a huge difference in perception in these terms presented here. Good performing usually means medium details at that given resolution. The 4670 should not be used for resolutions like 1680x1050 if the OP wants to experience good quality gameplay. In my opinion an upgrade has to occur when the difference in quality and FPS is noticeable and it will remain like that for at least 1 year. The 4670 (last generation) will not perform to the OPs expectations.

I am telling it because i've seen it play some games at that resolution with maximum settings.
They weren't the most demanding games but still preetty good ones

 

[masterjaw]

I am telling it because i've seen it play some games at that resolution with maximum settings.
They weren't the most demanding games but still preetty good ones

But that is just for case-to-case basis. A card that is great in 1680x1050 should do the trick at max settings all the time for most of the games (except Crysis, of course).

 

[mfarrukh]

I agree with you when it cames to Anand and Guru3D. On Toms...well that is a bit iffy.
I like Techpowerup reviews due to the Author that makes them. They are reliable and easy to read, like this one:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HIS/HD_5770/30.html

I consider Tech powerup, tech power e.t.c. in the second place
lol

 

[hallowed_dragon]

I consider Tech powerup, tech power e.t.c. in the second place
lol

As masterjaw said, a card should be able to play most games at a given resolution to be considered a viable upgrade choice. If it can't handle most games, then its value will decrease fast due to upcoming titles which will limit the quality and playability of the given card.
Even a 9500GT will play some games at that resolution. That doesn't mean it is viable.

 

[mfarrukh]

As masterjaw said, a card should be able to play most games at a given resolution to be considered a viable upgrade choice. If it can't handle most games, then its value will decrease fast due to upcoming titles which will limit the quality and playability of the given card.
Even a 9500GT will play some games at that resolution. That doesn't mean it is viable.

All right
thanks
I'll take it for the future