Looking for Graphics Help - Improvement Needed

[Vraciu]

What do I need to post to help decipher my hardware and come up with settings that won't crash anything?   It is running great right now but it seems a little 2005ish for me.  Thanks all.

[guncrasher]

post what kind of system you own, such as cpu, ram, video card.  if a brand name computer perhaps a link to the specs.


semp

[The Fugitive]

The first third of a dxdiag report and your in game settings is a good start.

[Vraciu]

The first third of a dxdiag report and your in game settings is a good start.

That's what I was wanting.  Dxdiag.  That's done in-game?

[MrRiplEy[H]]

That's what I was wanting.  Dxdiag.  That's done in-game?

No type dxdiag and press enter to your 'run' slot in the start menu.

[Vraciu]

I have another machine I built up.  It is slower in processor but I think my memory and vid/GPU are better than this one is.   Makes me wonder if I should use it as primary.



------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 1/10/2014, 15:19:31
       Machine name: ---------
   Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.130828-1532)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: LENOVO
       System Model: H215
               BIOS: LENOVO BIOS Rev: 1.0
          Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 250 Processor (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
             Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 4094MB RAM
          Page File: 2180MB used, 6006MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
   User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
 System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
    DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
     DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
          Card name: AMD Radeon HD 6570
       Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
          Chip type: AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x6759)
           DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
         Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6759&SUBSYS_25031462&REV_00
     Display Memory: 3829 MB
   Dedicated Memory: 2038 MB
      Shared Memory: 1791 MB
       Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (75Hz)
       Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
      Monitor Model: G90fb-2
         Monitor Id: VSC4907
        Native Mode: 1280 x 1024(p) (75.025Hz)
        Output Type: HD15
        Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,aticfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1172 (English)
     Driver Version: 9.12.0.0
        DDI Version: 11
       Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
  Driver Attributes: Final Retail
   Driver Date/Size: 12/19/2012 14:08:04, 1151488 bytes
        WHQL Logo'd: Yes
    WHQL Date Stamp:
  Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-2419-11CF-4673-0905BEC2C535}
          Vendor ID: 0x1002
          Device ID: 0x6759
          SubSys ID: 0x25031462
        Revision ID: 0x0000
 Driver Strong Name: oem29.inf:ATI.Mfg.NTamd64.6.1:ati2mtag_NI:9.12.0.0:pci\ven_1002&dev_6759
     Rank Of Driver: 00E62001
        Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
   Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                     {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                     {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                     {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                     {552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                     {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                     {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
       D3D9 Overlay: Not Supported
            DXVA-HD: Not Supported
       DDraw Status: Enabled
         D3D Status: Enabled
         AGP Status: Enabled

[morfiend]

 New MB and CPU,new vidcard and memory,likely new PSU to power it all!



  Seriously that is a pretty old system and upgrading it will just leave bottlenecks.

 I would look for a deal on a bundle package,you can often save a few bucks by getting the CPU and MB as a bundle,then you'll need a new vid card and memory and of course a good stable PSU to power the thing.



   

[Vraciu]

New MB and CPU,new vidcard and memory,likely new PSU to power it all!



  Seriously that is a pretty old system and upgrading it will just leave bottlenecks.

 I would look for a deal on a bundle package,you can often save a few bucks by getting the CPU and MB as a bundle,then you'll need a new vid card and memory and of course a good stable PSU to power the thing.



   

I was so hoping to not build anything else.... 

Uh....   What would be more important for fixing this one?  RAM or VID card?

It is old, but it seems new.  Time flies with computers.

[Bizman]

The problem with all <brand name> computers is, that they are tailored to run "as is" without major upgrades. Adding a gaming level video card would make the power supply underpowered, for example. Thus there's really no other alternative than to build an entirely new rig for a significantly better performance. In your case adding RAM might help some, it's relatively cheap and can be done without upgrading other components. Before doing that, though, check how much RAM your motherboard will accept. Upgrading the processor to Athlon II X2 270 should also be possible, its power consumption is level with the current one. I suppose the effect could only be measured by some tests without any real gain in games.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

I was so hoping to not build anything else....  

Uh....   What would be more important for fixing this one?  RAM or VID card?

It is old, but it seems new.  Time flies with computers.

In your case a new videocard is the only cheap upgrade you can make. Your current card is extremely weak so upgrading it is a no brainer. Adding ram or changing ram type will have no visible improvement on most games with the possible exception of Battlefield 4 for which your computer is too slow anyway.

You may also need a new PSU depending on the display card you choose. The new generation cards consume less power so if you choose wisely you may get away without a PSU upgrade. But if you like to play safe, adding 80-100 bucks for a PSU will be good.

Adding a Radeon 7790, Geforce 650Ti or a bit more expensive R9 270x will bring several generations better performance without blowing your power needs too much. Your problem will be that weak Athlon CPU. Your current CPU gets a passmark around 1700ish (compare that to lowly i3 Intels mark of 2888) It will choke up even these cards so your only option in the long run is to get a new base system using i3 or i5 or the latest AMD cpus. But I would recommend going intel this time.

To recap: I believe you can get very visible performance gains from upgrading to any of the above graphics cards even if you keep the current cpu.

[The Fugitive]

I was so hoping to not build anything else.... 

Uh....   What would be more important for fixing this one?  RAM or VID card?

It is old, but it seems new.  Time flies with computers.

What are your in game settings? If your trying to run a lot of "eye candy" your going to have issues. Turning down a few settings might make the game much more playable on that system for a longer time (so you can save up some money to get a better one).

[Vraciu]

What are your in game settings? If your trying to run a lot of "eye candy" your going to have issues. Turning down a few settings might make the game much more playable on that system for a longer time (so you can save up some money to get a better one).

Thanks to all for their input. 

As far as my current machine...   It is perfectly playable as is.  I just want to pump up the graphics some.  

I switched to this machine from my custom built rig because it was newer, had a faster CPU, etc.   Originally my son used it for his games and it worked fine, so when I came back to AH I just used this machine instead of mine.

I should break out my old rig and compare them.

Building computers used to be fun.  Now it is a chore.  I am happier just buying a tower and throwing a video card in it.   I think this one can handle more RAM.   Double what is in it.  But if that won't help....

[Vraciu]

In your case a new videocard is the only cheap upgrade you can make. Your current card is extremely weak so upgrading it is a no brainer. Adding ram or changing ram type will have no visible improvement on most games with the possible exception of Battlefield 4 for which your computer is too slow anyway.

You may also need a new PSU depending on the display card you choose. The new generation cards consume less power so if you choose wisely you may get away without a PSU upgrade. But if you like to play safe, adding 80-100 bucks for a PSU will be good.

Adding a Radeon 7790, Geforce 650Ti or a bit more expensive R9 270x will bring several generations better performance without blowing your power needs too much. Your problem will be that weak Athlon CPU. Your current CPU gets a passmark around 1700ish (compare that to lowly i3 Intels mark of 2888) It will choke up even these cards so your only option in the long run is to get a new base system using i3 or i5 or the latest AMD cpus. But I would recommend going intel this time.

To recap: I believe you can get very visible performance gains from upgrading to any of the above graphics cards even if you keep the current cpu.

(Image removed from quote.)

That would be ideal.  Many thanks.    I will check it out.