Low Frame Rates at times and Boxes Around Planes

[lowZX14]

I just started using a comp my in laws gave to me and I've noticed that sometimes I have low frame rates even without using max textures around 12 - 15, sometimes they jump into the high 20's or maybe 30's.  Also, Until I get right up on them, I have boxes around planes near me instead of dots and I see dots on my clipboard are really tiny.  I tried to get a screen shot but it didn't work, hopefully I can get one later on.  I did see at one point it was showing my video memory where it was supposed to be but used was only around 8 mb, and I don't know why.  I cut the processes down to around 36, the best I could.  Here is the DXDIAG, well at least what I could fit and what I thought you might need.

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System Information
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Time of this report: 1/16/2010, 21:18:05
       Machine name: SDMJ-PC
   Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.090805-0102)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
       System Model: Inspiron 530
               BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU     E4500  @ 2.20GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
             Memory: 2036MB RAM
          Page File: 769MB used, 3557MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 32bit Unicode
---------------
Display Devices
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        Card name: Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family
     Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
        Chip type: Intel(R) GMA 3100
         DAC type: Internal
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_29C2&SUBSYS_020D1028&REV_02
   Display Memory: 286 MB
 Dedicated Memory: 0 MB
    Shared Memory: 286 MB
     Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
      Driver Name: igdumd32.dll
   Driver Version: 7.14.0010.1437 (English)
      DDI Version: 9Ex
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 2/11/2008 19:36:08, 3301376 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-6A82-11CF-0576-0722A3C2CA35}
        Vendor ID: 0x8086
        Device ID: 0x29C2
        SubSys ID: 0x020D1028
      Revision ID: 0x0002
      Revision ID: 0x0002
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
 

Thanks for any help anyone can give me.

 

[Tigger29]

       Card name: Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family

This is the biggest bulk of your problem right here.  Turn off all advanced graphics options except "bump map terrain" and set textures to no more than 256.  Also make sure you have the latest video drivers installed.

Unfortunately the on-board video chip simply isn't designed for 3d rendering...

[Skuzzy]

What Tigger said.

[lowZX14]

That's what I was thinking, thanks guys.  Now time to prove to the boss I need to buy a new card.

[Skuzzy]

Actually, you need to find out of that system can be upgraded as the Intel video chip is built onto the motherboard and not all those systems are upgradeable.

[lowZX14]

Ok, from what I am reading from some other sites and I will verify when I get home, I should be able to upgrade it with a PCIe card.  The drawback is that from what I can tell I only have around a 250w PSU.  Any suggestions on a card?

You can move this over to Hw/Sw if you think I'll get a better response too sir. 

[kilz]

with only a 250 PSU your not going to find to many cards that will run off of that low end PSU. might want to up that PSU as well. most newer cards can run off of a 550W PSU.

[Spikes]

Wouldn't really want to waste money like that with a Dell...you'd need a new PSU if you want a decent GPU...

[kilz]

Wouldn't really want to waste money like that with a Dell...you'd need a new PSU if you want a decent GPU...

dont misunderstand that not all dells are bad. i have an awesome XPS

[lowZX14]

Wouldn't really want to waste money like that with a Dell...you'd need a new PSU if you want a decent GPU...

Yeah, well it was F-R-E-E, my favorite 4 letter word.  I know there's not many options with that small of a PSU.  I guess the next option is just to see what I can do with it if anything at all.  Even a small improvement is better than nothing with this thing right now.

[lowZX14]

Alright fellas what do you think of this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814102829

[gyrene81]

Alright fellas what do you think of this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814102829

You mean besides the fact that it's no longer in stock and may not be restocked?

You have verified visually that your system has a PCIe x16 slot on the mobo? I didn't see you post that verification.

If you're gonna jump, may as well go with something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102854

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159079

That's on the low end too...

[lowZX14]

I didn't see that it wasn't in stock, but it looks like if it comes back it should be next week correct?

Yes, I did verify that the slot is a PCIe, sorry I forgot to post that.

Would that COOLMAX fit inside that slim case I have?

[gyrene81]

  You have one of those little mini-desktop cases? You're going to have to shop for something small...I'm hoping that PSU isn't one of those long things that snaps in along one side of the case.

Any possibility that you could get the length & width of the existing power supply? I might be able to find one that fits the case properly...the one I linked is for a tower, not a mini desktop.

[lowZX14]

It's a tower, it's just a slimline tower.  I'll try to get some dimensions for you.  Hopefully my inlaws still have all the paperwork saving me from digging into it.