optimal video memory?

[mikev]

what is the optimal amount of video memory required needed to play without frame rate drop

[Hap]

You'll get some answers.  Maybe many.  I don't have an answer for you.

However, some long time ago when I was building a computer to play AH, I phoned HTC.  I asked them the pertinent questions.  They were VERY helpful.

[Skuzzy]

It depends on the game configuration/settings.  The game can be configured to run on a video card with 256MB of video RAM.  It can also be configured to need 3GB of video RAM.

Frame rate drop can be from many things.  With the current game it can be due to the CPU and video card GPU.  Typically it is the GPU on the video card and not the video RAM that causes the frame rate drops.

However, it can be also due to resource starvation in any of the computer systems (sound, networking, video, CPU, system RAM....).

A DXDIAG output would go a long way in helping to determine what game settings would be best for your system.

[mikev]

It depends on the game configuration/settings.  The game can be configured to run on a video card with 256MB of video RAM.  It can also be configured to need 3GB of video RAM.

Frame rate drop can be from many things.  With the current game it can be due to the CPU and video card GPU.  Typically it is the GPU on the video card and not the video RAM that causes the frame rate drops.

However, it can be also due to resource starvation in any of the computer systems (sound, networking, video, CPU, system RAM....).

A DXDIAG output would go a long way in helping to determine what game settings would be best for your system.

     
 
here is DXDIAG .. I  know i have a few issues to deal with. should be able to complete upgrade for under $200

[Bizman]

You'd have to get two things to make your computer more capable for playing AH and other games. First, you'd need a video card. Second, you'd need a power supply capable to feed the new video card.

Something like this:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094 looks like a reputable power supply for your needs, and a GeForce gtx750 like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125503 might be quite in par with the rest of your computer. They'd also fit into your budget.

For those too lazy to fumble through http://h20565.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/template.PAGE/public/kb/docDisplay/?sp4ts.oid=4269976&spf_p.tpst=kbDocDisplay&spf_p.prp_kbDocDisplay=wsrp-navigationalState%3DdocId%253Demr_na-c02479685-9%257CdocLocale%253D%257CcalledBy%253D&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken: The power supply is 250W and the HD4200 video chip is integrated.

[Skuzzy]

Your builtin video chip only has 256MB of dedicated video RAM.  That is barely enough to run the game, at the lowest settings possible before system RAM starts being used (much, much slower than dedicated video RAM).

[mikev]

OK UPGRADE COMPLETE added a antec 550 watt power supply with a gefroce gtx 750 video card next is to test it and wow i feel sorry the enemy now haha.. thank you all for your help