Intel G45/G43 Chipset Videocard only has 32mb of dedicated RAM

[polizei144]

I have a 2009 Asus Esentio PC. The model number is CM5570. It is a Pentium Dual-Core CPU E5300 @ 2.6 Ghz. This is a 64bit Windows Operating system. Iti s a Windows Vista Home Premium Edition.

I would like to run PhotoSuite 6 software. But, it requires a video card that has 256mb of RAM built onto it. The video card that is currently on the motherboard is an Intel G45/G43 Express Chipset. I am guessing the video card is directly on the motherboard. (There is not a physical video card sticking out)

I have one blue PCi slot that's available for expansion. Can I upgrade the videocard and which videocard should I use? I would really appreciate any help you guys can offer. Thank you.

Dale

 

[purple stain]

Do you know what type of powersupply you have?

Something like this should work.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102934

 

[polizei144]

My power supply is a Delta Electronics PS. It says it is rated for 300Watts but also 250Watts. I am guessing this means it is for 250Watts but 300watts max.

It is a model GPS-300AB C powersupply

 

[k1114]

256MB is the recommended, it will still run on less but it may not work well. If you haven't bought it yet, I would suggest gimp, it's free and it doesn't lag on my laptop's integrated.

 

[polizei144]

What is Gimp? PhotoSuite6 will not run on my PC. It crashes every single time. The #! culprit is 32mb of RAM on the video card....go to PhotoSuite6 software's website and look in support. Here is the link

http://www.ononesoftware.com/support/2307/

Also I would like to be able to play Battlefield3 as well without having to spend an extra $400 for an Xbox 360 plus the game itself..

thanks - Dale

 

[purple stain]

Well to play BF3 your going to need to spend a lot more on a GPU.And possibly more to upgrade the PSU.

If you got the 6570 you would be able to use PhotoSuite and keep your current PSU but you won't be able to play BF3.

 

[polizei144]

OK.... thanks for the heads-up PurpleStank I appreciate it. What kind of difference are we talking about between the upgrade for a graphic's card on PhotoSuite6 and/or BF3? I do have 2 PCI slots available.

It has been 5 years since the last time I installed a PCi video card.

1. I will disconnect the power cord to the back of the case.
2. Then I will put in the new PCI video card. Once I Push in the card itself to the
Motherboard and put in the necessary screws.
3. Then I will re-connect the power cord to the back of the case. I can then press
F1, or F2, or F3 to get into BIOS to change the video card to the new PCi
installed card?

 

[k1114]

Purple stank is right, although a 6570 can play on low on a low res just barely. What is your budget? http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/battlefield-3-graphics-performance,3063-8.html Minimum looks to be a 5770 for high with those fps drops to stay above 30.

 

[polizei144]

OK if my budget were to be between say $100-200 bucks what could I get?

 

[purple stain]

It's possible to get a 6850 and a new PSU.A 6850 should allow you to play BF3 on medium settings.Although your budget allows for a more powerful card you don't really want anything faster than a 6850 because it will start to get bottlenecked by your CPU.

Do you have a PCI-E x16 slot or just PCI slots? A PCI-E x16 slot will be very long and it has a little tab at the end of it.I was checking around and your mobo should have a x16 slot but you keep saying PCI slot so I just want to be sure.

PowerColor 6850 $150=$130 after MIR + Free Shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131374

Antec Neo 400watt $45 + Free Shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371029

 

[acerace]

Didn't 2.1 graphic cards have issues with 1.x PCI-E slot? Just wondering.

 

[purple stain]

It's 1.0 slots.The OP's mobo is 2.0.

 

[polizei144]

Hey PurpleStank,

OK I have one PCI slot that is blue and definitely has a tab on the end. There are 2 more PCI slots but they do not have tabs on them.

OK What about me taking out this old PSU that I used to have in an old case of mine? I have an EnerMax PowerSupply that is rated at 600Watts in my old Tower Case. Here is the link to my old PS Unit.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194005

 

[purple stain]

Alright then that blue slot is a PCI-E x16 slot.

That 600watt PSU will work for the 6850 but it's a real piece of junk.Honestly I think the extra money spent on the Antec PSU is well worth it.It's much more efficient and will last longer.

 

[ilysaml]

@OP, you gotta determine what you will do exactly, if you're going to do gaming @ high resolutions, you gotta consider the CPU first.

If you only need it for such programs, any mid range card from the 5k series is equivalent for your needs such as HD 5750.

Also be quite sure that your MOBO does have a PCIE 2.0 x16 interface, some reported that AMD HD 2.1 PCIE cards have compatibility issues with PCIE 1.0/1.0 gens.