graphics

Fish40 · 08-14-10, 11:48 AM

New graphics card won't help if the CPU isn't up to the task either. And don't forget, if you upgrade the GPU be sure your PSU is up to snuff to supply ample power to the whole shebang

WernherVonTrapp · 08-14-10, 12:41 PM

Thanks for the PM blacklabs. I'm gonna post some of your system specs here for the other guys to read too. That way, if I don't know the answer, or haven't read my PMs, you won't have to wait too long for yours.

Having an AMD Athlon 64 bit, dual core, is a good thing. Having only 1GB of system RAM is not too good for a graphics intensive game like SHIV. So, as I said in my reply, I would recommend at least 3 to 4 GB of RAM to improve your graphics. Also, you may want to find out (if you don't already know) if you have a dedicated graphics card or if it is system integrated. Post your replies here so that others can assist you too, probably quicker than I can. Nice PC you have there, BTW, blacklabs.

OK, update: You say you have an NVIDIA graphics card but don't know which one. Check your PC's User Manual under "Specifications". You may find the answer there.

ancient46 · 08-14-10, 01:18 PM

If you don't have a separate graphics card, a 1GB system will have trouble running the game. A chipset graphics processor on board video memory is usually less than half the listed video memory. The rest is made up of slower system memory.
Running SH4 on a system with 1GB of memory works better if you shut down all of the unused programs that eat up memory in the background. This also includes the massive amount of memory used by unneeded Windows services. To run the game with better graphics on my 1 GB Athlon dual core with a 8800gt graphics card, I reduced the XP operating footprint to less than 200 MB.
If you are not familiar with what services are essential for Windows to operate there are sites available to help you to know which ones you can safely disable.

WernherVonTrapp · 08-15-10, 04:47 AM

Blacklabs, please don't misunderstand me buddy, but you really should post your questions here, in this thread.

You're restricting yourself to my knowledge alone by sending PMs to me. I'm certainly not the last word in PC technical help.
Now, if you say that you built the computer yourself, from scratch, then you shouldn't need a manual. You should know your PC more comprehensively than I know mine. Besides, the parts you ordered/purchased to build the PC with, all come with their own manuals. I have yet to purchase a computer part that doesn't have some type of nomenclature associated with it, even if it's just printed on the box.
No, you shouldn't have to upgrade your MoBo in order to add more RAM but, you should be more specific in your questions/replies. The info I'm getting from you is very vague. Please post your questions here so that others may assist you also.

blacklabs · 08-15-10, 05:24 AM

well you see my freind helped me hes really good at computers but hes on holiday right now and i dont want to disturb him he helped me so he knows all the stuff

WernherVonTrapp · 08-15-10, 05:51 AM

Ahh, OK. Well, that's a big departure from building the system from scratch by yourself. Anyway, here is a typical picture of what RAM sticks look like. Like I said in my PM, you see the manufacturer's sticker denoting the type of RAM. In this particular (older RAM) picture, you're looking at 2 sticks of 128MB of PC100/PC133 RAM. This is to give you an idea of how to find out what type of RAM you already have installed. The type of RAM you purchase should read exactly as it does on the sticker of the RAM you already have:

This next pic is an example of a typical MoBo. The RAM slots in this pic are called "Memory Slots: Dual Channel DDR3" and "DDR2". This is where you would snap-in the new RAM sticks. Notice the white tabs at either end of the slots. These tabs have to be opened before installing the RAM. When installed correctly, these tabs will snap shut on their own:

This, is to give you an example of what a Graphics Card looks like:

I sure hope this helps.

blacklabs · 08-15-10, 07:00 AM

ok thanks but will it cost alot

08-14-10, 12:41 PM	#2
WernherVonTrapp Admiral Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Now, alot farther from NYC. Posts: 2,228 Downloads: 105 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the PM blacklabs. I'm gonna post some of your system specs here for the other guys to read too. That way, if I don't know the answer, or haven't read my PMs, you won't have to wait too long for yours. Having an AMD Athlon 64 bit, dual core, is a good thing. Having only 1GB of system RAM is not too good for a graphics intensive game like SHIV. So, as I said in my reply, I would recommend at least 3 to 4 GB of RAM to improve your graphics. Also, you may want to find out (if you don't already know) if you have a dedicated graphics card or if it is system integrated. Post your replies here so that others can assist you too, probably quicker than I can. Nice PC you have there, BTW, blacklabs. OK, update: You say you have an NVIDIA graphics card but don't know which one. Check your PC's User Manual under "Specifications". You may find the answer there. __________________ "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." -Miyamoto Musashi ------------------------------------------------------- "What is truth?" -Pontius Pilate Last edited by WernherVonTrapp; 08-14-10 at 12:55 PM.

08-15-10, 04:47 AM	#4
WernherVonTrapp Admiral Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Now, alot farther from NYC. Posts: 2,228 Downloads: 105 Uploads: 0	Blacklabs, please don't misunderstand me buddy, but you really should post your questions here, in this thread. You're restricting yourself to my knowledge alone by sending PMs to me. I'm certainly not the last word in PC technical help. Now, if you say that you built the computer yourself, from scratch, then you shouldn't need a manual. You should know your PC more comprehensively than I know mine. Besides, the parts you ordered/purchased to build the PC with, all come with their own manuals. I have yet to purchase a computer part that doesn't have some type of nomenclature associated with it, even if it's just printed on the box. No, you shouldn't have to upgrade your MoBo in order to add more RAM but, you should be more specific in your questions/replies. The info I'm getting from you is very vague. Please post your questions here so that others may assist you also. __________________ "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." -Miyamoto Musashi ------------------------------------------------------- "What is truth?" -Pontius Pilate

08-15-10, 05:24 AM	#5
blacklabs Bosun Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 61 Downloads: 66 Uploads: 0	okay well you see my freind helped me hes really good at computers but hes on holiday right now and i dont want to disturb him he helped me so he knows all the stuff

08-15-10, 05:51 AM	#6
WernherVonTrapp Admiral Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Now, alot farther from NYC. Posts: 2,228 Downloads: 105 Uploads: 0	Ahh, OK. Well, that's a big departure from building the system from scratch by yourself. Anyway, here is a typical picture of what RAM sticks look like. Like I said in my PM, you see the manufacturer's sticker denoting the type of RAM. In this particular (older RAM) picture, you're looking at 2 sticks of 128MB of PC100/PC133 RAM. This is to give you an idea of how to find out what type of RAM you already have installed. The type of RAM you purchase should read exactly as it does on the sticker of the RAM you already have: This next pic is an example of a typical MoBo. The RAM slots in this pic are called "Memory Slots: Dual Channel DDR3" and "DDR2". This is where you would snap-in the new RAM sticks. Notice the white tabs at either end of the slots. These tabs have to be opened before installing the RAM. When installed correctly, these tabs will snap shut on their own: This, is to give you an example of what a Graphics Card looks like: I sure hope this helps. __________________ "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." -Miyamoto Musashi ------------------------------------------------------- "What is truth?" -Pontius Pilate

08-14-10, 11:48 AM	#1
Fish40 The Old Man Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Yonkers, NY U.S.A. Posts: 1,507 Downloads: 154 Uploads: 0	New graphics card won't help if the CPU isn't up to the task either. And don't forget, if you upgrade the GPU be sure your PSU is up to snuff to supply ample power to the whole shebang

08-14-10, 01:18 PM	#3
ancient46 Officer Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 239 Downloads: 108 Uploads: 1	If you don't have a separate graphics card, a 1GB system will have trouble running the game. A chipset graphics processor on board video memory is usually less than half the listed video memory. The rest is made up of slower system memory. Running SH4 on a system with 1GB of memory works better if you shut down all of the unused programs that eat up memory in the background. This also includes the massive amount of memory used by unneeded Windows services. To run the game with better graphics on my 1 GB Athlon dual core with a 8800gt graphics card, I reduced the XP operating footprint to less than 200 MB. If you are not familiar with what services are essential for Windows to operate there are sites available to help you to know which ones you can safely disable.

08-15-10, 07:00 AM	#7
blacklabs Bosun Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 61 Downloads: 66 Uploads: 0	ok thanks but will it cost alot