Will I want the 512MB of Video RAM reccomended by Microsoft?

I read a webpage on Microsoft's website that suggests 512MB for serious gaming. I have 224MB, which seems decent I don't plan to do alot of serious gaming on my pc, because I prefere game consoles like the PS2. But I do plan to get all the CSI games and Law and Order.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/games/learnmore/videocard101.mspx

 

BTW, I am using my new Dell XPS 200.

 

Are you talking about getting a dedicated 512MB Graphics RAM, or Shared 512MB Graphics RAM?

 

I don't know. Are you talking about the GPU or Video adapter? Why don't I pasted my PC specs, and you tell me what kind of improvements you would make to play top tier games.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_card

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphics_card

Name Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family
PNP Device ID PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2772&SUBSYS_01D01028&REV_02\3&172E68DD&0&10
Adapter Type Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family, Intel Corporation compatible
Adapter Description Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family
Adapter RAM 224.00 MB (234,881,024 bytes)
Installed Drivers ialmrnt5.dll
Driver Version 6.14.10.4543
INF File oem19.inf (i945G0 section)
Color Planes 1
Color Table Entries 4294967296
Resolution 1024 x 768 x 75 hertz
Bits/Pixel 32
Memory Address 0xEFF00000-0xEFF7FFFF
I/O Port 0x0000ECD8-0x0000ECDF
Memory Address 0xD0000000-0xDFFFFFFF
Memory Address 0xEFEC0000-0xEFEFFFFF
IRQ Channel IRQ 16
I/O Port 0x000003B0-0x000003BB
I/O Port 0x000003C0-0x000003DF
Memory Address 0xA0000-0xBFFFF
Driver c:\windows\system32\drivers\ialmnt5.sys (6.14.10.4543, 1.11 MB (1,166,972 bytes), 7/18/2006 2:05 AM)

Name Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family
PNP Device ID PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2776&SUBSYS_01D01028&REV_02\3&172E68DD&0&11
Adapter Type Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family, Intel Corporation compatible
Adapter Description Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family
Adapter RAM 224.00 MB (234,881,024 bytes)
Installed Drivers ialmrnt5.dll
Driver Version 6.14.10.4543
INF File oem19.inf (i945G1 section)
Color Planes Not Available
Color Table Entries Not Available
Resolution Not Available
Bits/Pixel Not Available
Memory Address 0xEFF80000-0xEFFFFFFF
Driver c:\windows\system32\drivers\ialmnt5.sys (6.14.10.4543, 1.11 MB (1,166,972 bytes), 7/18/2006 2:05 AM)

 

That is an integrated video card which shares its memory with system RAM. It is not in any way shape or form designed to run modern PC games, just day to day things such as web surfing and word processing or other programs that arent video intensive. To play modern games at a reasonable framerate with high graphical settings requires an equally modern video card. Give us a price range and we can reccomend some cards. Also, do you know how much system RAM you have? If you have less than 1gig then adding more should be on your list if you wanna play games.

 

yeah, I have a gig of RAM. When I add the dedicated video card, I will get the best one available for my system. In fact, I would probably wait until I got a pc game that really needed it. I'm guessing those CSI games are graphic intensive.

I have 32bit untrasharp monitor which supports DVI, but my pc does not. So I have a VGA cord connected.

 

How much do u want to spend? Also, we need to know if you have a PCI-Express slot or an AGP slot. If you dont know, download Everest Free http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4181 and attach a log

 

Is this what you need? (I downloaded the software).

Device Description Device Type
Intel GMA 950 Video Adapter
Intel GMA 950 3D Accelerator

 

nah, it should say something about Expansion Slots. Just make a Quick Report and attach it

 

Sweet, I found a DVI adapter.

 

How about this one?
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&sku=A0601303

 

Crap, the DVI converts to VGA.

 

OK, after reading up on that model it seems you have a PCI-Express slot open so a card such as a 7900GT will play anything today just fine. BTW, dont buy components from Dell, check out www.newegg.com

 

Your telling me. It took me a month to fix my display adapter problem, not thanks to their technical support. I bought some stock in Dell a few years ago, and I thought it would help if I bought from them.

 

So, if I buy the 7900GT, I will be able to use the DVI imput on my monitor?

I can currently record cable TV. So I'm guessing those video ports on the back of my PC is where the pc card slot is?

 

Check this out about intalling a video card: http://www.gamespot.com/features/6142716/index.html

It depends on the card but most have DVI out or at least have an adapter to DVI

 

If I'm looking at my PC correctly, I can add the 7900GT beside the TV card slot.

 

I've read though that the XPS 200 isn't really a gaming system, but it works well as a media center. I should have got a system with a regular size chasis, insead of a small form chasis.

 

If I intall a new video card, will it conflict with other one if I leave it intalled? (It looks like I could intall both. Also, do they make video card slots that have a coaxial connection and an DVI connection?

Right now, I am motivated to upgrade because I still have display adapter errors every now and then, many Dell XPS users have reported that it is bad hardware that causes this. I would like to upgrade to a video card that will hvae a DVI connection and allow me to record cable TV.

 

Hey pplz i use a Gigabyte 915g i want to increase my Grapichs memory to 224 MB bt cant do it currently it is 128 plz help me out