Omg!! This is sad, my chip is bad!!?!??!

[matius]

I asked questions apon questions, thinking my computer was awesome, and now I think it SUX with a passion!!! *sniff* I'm worried about my card!

Its a NVIDIA GeForce MX 420! (DDR)

I have a 100 And some GB comp.
250 Mb of mem. or w/e
Direct X 8.1
And I just got this new Dell computer that costed me a fortune ;.;

I took the test and got 3400!!!!!! I thought that was good but maybe I'm mistaken, and the bencher doesn't mean jack!!!!!

O please don't tell me I have to get a new card?! I want really good graphics, top of the line. And if I do need a graphics card, what would you suggest??
And how do you install those things? lol I'm so new to this stuff! hehe.

Thanks alot for your time guys!!!!

-Tanks again-!!

Matius

[Haplo]

You don't NEED to upgrade, because the card will run FFXI, but without any enhanced graphics. If you want the game to look pretty, you'll have to upgrade.

[matius]

Ermies! Yesh, I want enhanced graphics, the best of course!!! hehe. Thanks for your help, but can I ask for a lil more? If you don't mind.... ermies. Well, what card do you suggest?!! And how do you install something like a new card? o.o

Thanks TONS!

I appreciate it!

Matius

[Arrochar]

If that comp was expensive to you then you probably aren't looking to spend a whole lot more. Probably for what your budget sounds like I'd suggest buying a 256mb stick of ram and going for a 128mb gf4 ti4200. Altogether it'd set you down another couple hundred dollars(maybe less if you look around). Also, upgrade to dx9 when you replace your vid card. I'd replace the video card then do the ram, but others may think different. :P Still a month and half away from NA release so you could get a part time job for a few weeks to buy those two things.

[matius]

Okay, I really did love your guys replies. But truthfully, you only answered part of my question.

I'm not a computer experience, and very illiterate when it comes to computers....sorry =(!!

I mean, I want the best graphics for the game, or why would I want a half-*** game in the first place if I'm spending all this money?!

Now, I don't know how to ''INSTALL'' these graphic cards. I don't know where to go to get them. I was figuring you would buy a new card, shove it in the back of the damn computer, and your set! I was thinking of getting just a ''Upgrade'' from what I have now, which would give me pretty much FULL graphics.

Doesn't 3400 on the bench test mean something? Wouldn't that say something about my graphics or just...mean nothing?

I thought my computer had GREAT graphics, but maybe I'm wrong.. But with your help, maybe I could learn a lil more about this stuff!!!

Thanks so much!!!!

Matius

[Mafia]

well if you don't know where to buy them, look in the phone book and find a computer hardware/software store

go there and look for a new video card, the one the guy mentioned before would be a good one for you to get the geforce 4200 would be fine

but if ur getting 3400 i can't imagine ffxi not running extremely smooth on ur computer, that benchmark i would listen to over some know it all people

but if u do decide to get a new vc, don't ask questions in the store, they will just make you feel stupid and tell you, u shouldn't do it urself, plus if you do it yourself your probably invalidating your warranty with dell.

either way to change your vc, you open your computer up, you will see a big board that everything is plugged into. now look at the card inside that your monitor "was" hooked up too (you should have everything unplugged and power off if your inside your computer working)

then just remove two little screws that hold in in place (this is the case with mine anyway) then you'll want to tug really hard to pull the card out of it's socket

if it is a AGP card (will say on box and should be the only one you have, the other slots are PCI slots, you'll want to buy another AGP video card regardless) just put your new VC in the slot, may have to push down really hard to get it to snap in the sockets, just be firm and gentle otherwise you might snap the card.

put everything back together, turn the power on, and your windows should automatically find the new hardware and install it's drivers without you doing a thing as soon as Windows starts.

your color might be messed up, you might have to change your options to get your resolution back, but that is doubtful

it's really not hard to do, and you could get another 256 ram chip for 40 bux at a good bargin computer store, just make sure it's the same type of ram that's compatible with your computer. and you should have plenty of plug in's on your motherboard for that too, just find your other ram chip and plug it in the same way basically as the VC, only it will go in a completely different slot/socket.

then you'd have 512 mb of ram, and your computer will read all this stuff automatically, it's all rather easy, but if you get someone to do it for you, the labor will cost more than the parts more than likely, so i'd start by just opening your computer up, and looking around not touching anything. maybe get on the internet and get a map tourtial of your motherboard that points out everything or has a legend then just compare it to your comp. and you might just catch on.

edit:

also i forgot go to pricewatch.com they have all kinds of good deals

half.com and also may as well look on ebay, think i saw that geforce 4200 for 43 bux on there tonight.

[matius]

Thank you so much! This finally makes a lil sense!!! I appreciate everything Mafia!!!! And everyone else! I just hope I don't screw up muh damn computer. I figured out I would just get the game first, see if the graphics are okay, and if they're fine, just keep it, but if there a lil weak and not crisp....then I'll get a video chip!

Thanks again!

-TaruTaru Ish ME!-

-Matius

[Phoenyx]

matius...it is pretty simple a job to complete the instructions provided above are pretty much exactly it...however ive noticed you said you want the best possible...just to warn ya if you go with the best vid cards on the market that could run you up another 600-800 Canadian...so maybe like 500 american..which is practically unneccesary...just go with a graphics card with 128 or more ddr ram with agp obviously...thats all ya need ....around here you can pick up a gforce 440 128ddr agp for 99 bucks...so you shouldnt have to spend an arm and a leg to upgrade maybe 150 tops if ya also want more ram..which is a good idea:)

good luck..and dont let those sales ppl tell ya what ya need lol cause they always try heh.

[UltimaWeapon]

Yeah, what the other guy said. See, i'm only 14 and i upgraded my computer without breaking a sweat. Not shoving it in your face but its real easy. Remember to be careful when opening your pc (don't get static) and well...yeah.

Hope to see you in FFXI fellow Dell user!

[matius]

Omg! Thanks so much. You guys are great!!! I would TRY and install it, but I think I'm fine. I posted above what I have, and with a 3400 on my bench, and Everything else I have, I should be fine! I mean, like you said, why get a lil better graphics, for over 200 bucks? That sux!

If I do get a card, I'm going to give it to dell to install because then it would be covered in my warrante!

Thanks so much guys, I appreciate all your comments!

Matius!

*~*~The Lil TaruTaru~*~*~

[Negesh]

I'm just gonna add to a few things here...first of all avoid geforce 4 mx cards like the plague, they are closer to a geforce 2 than a geforce 4 in many respects...

Also if you are gonna buy a new video card, do try to install it on your own(good thing to know how to do if you ask me), though be very careful about where you do it. Avoid working on carpet or other floors that are prone to having static. Also make sure you ground your self before starting by touching a seperate piece of metal. However if you are still nervious about installing it, you could always have a local store install it for you, and sometimes they will even let you watch how to do it if you ask nicely.

As for which card you should get, i would recommend a gf4 ti4200 if your tight on cash, a radeon 9600 pro/np if you want to spend a fair amount on a video card with excellent dx9 support, or finally if you want the best of the best for future apps(ie dx9 games) go with a radeon 9800 pro/ np. Oh and i will second the more memory thing, i assume your using win xp which is a big rescource hog so the more memory the better.

Finally i know alot of people won't like this, but places like dell, hp/compac ect. really do not make the greatest computers ever. I really recommend looking into a local store to build your next computer, or even build your own(though i recommend that if you do go this route you should have the store seat the cpu for you as that is kinda tricky when you first start making your own systems). I think you will find that the performance/price ratio will be far better, plus you are supporting local companies which is always a good thing. Besides its just more fun to build your own rig than phoning up a "friendly" dell salesmen:biggrin:

Gl with whatever you do!

[Miles]

I only score a 3100 with my Bench, heres a screen from my PC....dont worry, you can run the game preety dam good

[Milliardo]

Man, I'm starting to get worried now. A little help here please? Tell me if this sucks or if I'm missing something from this list...

Microsoft Windows XP
Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.26GHz
256MB RAM
DirectX 8.1
37.2 GB

NVIDIA GeForce2 MX 400

Good? Garbage? Help? As far as I can figure, it seems like I need a new graphics card...

EDIT: Well... nevermind, I just found the chart for the graphic cards myself. 27% is not going to cut it for me, so I'm going to have to spring for a new graphics card or a new computer... :dead:

[kira_blade]

ok as long as you have an agp slot you are ok...but what do I do???? i got no agp slot, what gfx card should i get? it has to be bought from a major company/chain store such as future shop so i dont void my warranty. i was thinking of the xfx geforce 4 mx 440se, but i dont kno if thats good, i got celeron 1.1ghz, 256mb sd ram and a integrated intel 3d graphics 4mb at the moment, i was thinking of getting the pci geforce mx440 and going 512 ram, what would my approximate benchmark score be? thanks in advance.

[Mafia]

if you don't have an agp port then I think you can buy a Geforce Ti 4200 PCI slot card instead, i do believe i saw one last night on ebay or something

alot of company's make the geforce cards on PCI not AGP, my MX 440 is a PCI, but i've already ordered a 128 bit card that is about 2 x better from the specs, that will go in my open agp port

heck if anyone wants my nvidia 64 mb mx 440 PCI slot card, just pay the shipping and handling and i'll send it to you free of charge once i get my other card installed (which would be the same same, same hour i get it in the mail)

[kira_blade]

i would SOOOOOOOOOOOOO DO THAT, but it would void my warranty with dell (@#**$*@$@*$) omfg, i have to pay $170 for the card and installation so i dont void warranty... or get it for 000000000000000000000$ but i cant...or CAN I????

edit: thats the exact card i wanna get (btw its canadian funds)

[Mafia]

oh, i work on my own computer, and as far as gateway knows, my limited warranty is still good.

as long as they don't ever have to see your computer, they won't know you've done anything. heck, how do you think I got this free monitor ;)

[kira_blade]

lol hey do you know if the geforce fx 5200 pci version is good? about $100 bucks, is it a good card? also are you serious you will send me your gf4? and how does this whole warranty thing work? thanks