Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: lowZX14 on January 16, 2010, 08:29:37 PM
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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
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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.
:salute
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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...
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What Tigger said.
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That's what I was thinking, thanks guys. Now time to prove to the boss I need to buy a new card.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Wouldn't really want to waste money like that with a Dell...you'd need a new PSU if you want a decent GPU...
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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
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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.
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Alright fellas what do you think of this one?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814102829 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814102829)
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Alright fellas what do you think of this one?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814102829 (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=N82E16814102854)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159079 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159079)
That's on the low end too...
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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?
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:O 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.
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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.
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For 100 bucks you get this: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/01/14/amds_ati_radeon_hd_5670_review
Power consumption idle 14W, full power 61W and speed clearly faster than Nvidia 240.
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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.
One of these power supplies should do you then...if that is one of the cases I remember.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010320058%201131310094%20113142554&name=401%20-%20500W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010320058%201131310094%20113142554&name=401%20-%20500W)
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For 100 bucks you get this: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/01/14/amds_ati_radeon_hd_5670_review
Power consumption idle 14W, full power 61W and speed clearly faster than Nvidia 240.
Won't fit into a case like this:
(http://kulltech.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/inspiron-530s.jpg)
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Won't fit into a case like this:
(http://kulltech.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/inspiron-530s.jpg)
that is a Dell Vostro tower (i think 200)
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that is a Dell Vostro tower (i think 200)
Really? Image link says Dell Inspiron 530s.
http://kulltech.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/inspiron-530s.jpg
Do you have this one?
(http://www.cvy.ro/images/inspiron%20530.jpg)
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Using specs/model name, Inspiron 530 is:
(http://i.pgcdn.com/pi/4/12/57/41257608_160.jpg)
Height 14.2 inches
Width 6.7 inches
Depth 17.1 inches
Weight 28 pounds
Intel E4500 2.2GHz, 1GB RAM
Video chipset: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Video bus: PCI Express x16 (1)
Chassis style Tower (Mini)
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/product/33534/review/inspiron_530_desktop_22ghz_intel_core_2_duo_mobile_e4500_1gb_ddr2_320gb_dvdrw_dl_windows_vista_home_premium_19_lcd.html#specs.dimensions
Not a Slim-line from what I see, but I haven't used a Tower in a while so I don't remember what's normal.
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As with almost everything Dell they tend to offer at least 3 different cases depending on the system.
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As with almost everything Dell they tend to offer at least 3 different cases depending on the system.
Ugh, glad I haven't ever bought a Dell (dealt with a few though). Only ever had 1 Pre-built system (E-machines) so I don't keep up with them and their annoying "tricks".
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Really? Image link says Dell Inspiron 530s.
looks just like the one i have in my office and it says VOSTRO 200 i will post a picture of it at a later time
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Using specs/model name, Inspiron 530 is:
(http://i.pgcdn.com/pi/4/12/57/41257608_160.jpg)
Height 14.2 inches
Width 6.7 inches
Depth 17.1 inches
Weight 28 pounds
Intel E4500 2.2GHz, 1GB RAM
Video chipset: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Video bus: PCI Express x16 (1)
Chassis style Tower (Mini)
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/product/33534/review/inspiron_530_desktop_22ghz_intel_core_2_duo_mobile_e4500_1gb_ddr2_320gb_dvdrw_dl_windows_vista_home_premium_19_lcd.html#specs.dimensions
Not a Slim-line from what I see, but I haven't used a Tower in a while so I don't remember what's normal.
Yes, this looks like it's the one, I still need to measure (just been lazy).
Will most likely be buying something this week, either just a PCI-e card I can put in it with the current PSU, or both if the prices are reasonable.
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Since this was a free system and you're probably not flush with money:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159106 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159106)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150369 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150369)
That won't get you full max all settings performance but it should get you up to 60fps at 512 textures with detailed terrain and bump map on...lifetime warranty on the video card too.
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I appreciate the input gyrene. I'll have to try to convince the boss to let me spend some of that tax money.
Semper Fi Brother
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Won't fit into a case like this:
(http://kulltech.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/inspiron-530s.jpg)
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h153/cphantom2002/vostro_200_st_dell.jpg)
as promised my dell vorstro 200