Integrated video better than dedicated ?

I have a GeForce 7100 256 Mb/64 bit dedicated video card and I find it worse than the integrated one I have - Intel GMA 3100 - G33/G31 with 256 Mb shared video memory. I think the GeForce is busted somehow coz even Zuma won't play smoothly, and 256 dedicated in way better than 8 Mb shared with 256 aperture size. What do you think ?

My system in Asus P5KPL-VM with Intel Core2Duo E4500 @2,2 Ghz, 1,5 Ghz DDR2 memory, WIN7 and you already know the video card.

 

Greetings, justin_112.

Are the proper drivers loaded for the 7100? I'd give you a direct link, but nVidia differentiates between the 7100 630i, 620i and GS - you'll have to plug in your model to get the correct Win 7 64-bit package.

 

It's 7100 GS, forgot to mention. You think it will behave better in 64 bit environment ? Because I have 32 bit Windows installed, as I only have 1,5 Ghz memory installed and there is no point for 64 bit windows... I think.
I got the newest driver and still the same problem. I don't remember the video card test I took, but the score was 21 with the GeForce card and 26 with the integrated one.

Could it be that the video card is broken ? I got it from a friend who said his computer restarts with in on.

 

My mistake. No, if 32-bit is working well, no need to change.

No idea why the difference in benchmarks. It's been my experience that a graphics card either works, or it doesn't, so I doubt that it's 'broken'.

I'm not a video card expert - be patient, and maybe some of the MG graphics gurus will jump in.

 

Just another thought: what type of power supply unit are you running? I would assume that a PCIe card will pull more power than the onboard unit.

And, I noticed that the 7100 GS does have a 64-bit memory interface - again, maybe someone can answer any question about a possible 32-bit vs. 64-bit mismatch.

 

Hi

The added video card may indeed be bad, or half-bad, anyway. I've had two GPUs, one of which started causing issues and then eventually completely failed (after years of use), and another one that started having issues a few weeks out of the box (I'm currently trying to RMA it).

In that case, your onboard may very well be a better choice until you decide to get a replacement addon GPU.

The bits have NOTHING to do with anything. The 64 bit memory bus just refers to the memory transferring to the GPU and back ON the video card... it has nothing to do with the 32 bit Windows you have (Windows bits refers to CPU processing).

Hopefully this sheds some light for you.

 

Thanks for the bus clarification, mcsmc.

So, if a video card can run a benchmark test and attain a score of '21' (vs. '26' for the onboard), the unit can still be considered 'broken'?

 

I have no idea. I don't know what benchmark test was used, and am not very familiar with benchmark tests in general. However, if a lesser GPU is out-performing another GPU on the same machine, I'm guessing something's wrong with the better GPU... that's been my experience, anyway.

 

It could be the video card; however don't overlook the power supply as a potential culprit.

The 7100 usually requires a a PSU with at least 300 total watts of 12-volt output.

• If your current PSU is OEM (Dell, HP, etc.), look at the rated 12-volt output rating on the side of the PSU. I have seen OEM PSUs with under 200 watts of 12v output - barely enough to run the stock system, let alone even a modest video card upgrade.
• How old is the PSU? PSUs (especially OEM or cheap ones) can lose up to 10% of their max output per year as they age. As such, a PSU with a "300 watt" 12 volt rating may be putting out as little as 210 watts after three years.

If either of these situations apply, I'd spring for a new PSU just to be on the safe side. Although rare, a total failure of a cheap PSU can damage the PC. Check the user reviews on Newegg or Amazon and avoid units with a high initial failure rate. When I do repairs on OEM systems; I like the Antec Basiq 350 - about $30 and enough output to run entry-level video cards such as the 7100.

Hope this helps.

 

It's no biggie, I do not have a strange need for a good video card, I was just interested in knowing the answer for my own knowledge.