video card & lag.

0NExSEVEN · 07-22-2007, 04:28 PM

hello there everyone

i play games on my pc, nothing hardcore. it's just a few online games and one downloaded game on my pc. when i play i have to refill my health and mp when it gets low and when i press the key for it sometimes it'll lag a bit before it actually loads the new health and also when i pick up things from the ground it'll lag a bit sometimes before it actually gets picked up, not always. will a new graphics card help on removing that lag ? the one i'm using right now is only 64mb on a pci bus. what should i upgrade to ? i'm not exactly computer smart so here's a screen shot of my computers information.

thanks in advance to anybody who helps me

HawMan · 07-22-2007, 05:15 PM

Hey - Welcome to TSF.

What Game is it you play? Have you looked at the Minimum requirements?

Your Graphics is onboard so i would suggest buying a PCI Card (The Game and others will run more smooth). I run a Geforce 5200 PCI in my other PC and its good.

It also could be connection Lag but thats pretty unlikley.

0NExSEVEN · 07-22-2007, 06:22 PM

thanks for the reply and thanks for welcoming me ;D

i meet all the minimum requirements. when i first started playing the game there was the usual lag. i had 256mb so i had the lag that most people had. walk into a room full of people so you lag cus it's so full. that kind of lag but recently i upgraded to 1gb of ram and now there is no lag except for the picking up lag and the pot lag. my fan also seems to be louder than before now. my first thought was that it was my video card getting old [ there wasn't this lag when i started playing 3 years ago and 3 years ago there wasn't much downloaded computers, it was mostly games from like yahoo or those other game websites or just web browsing and aim ] but then i'm not computer smart so i'm exactly sure if that could happen. and now here i am, on this forum. hopefully you can help me out.

**mattlock** · 07-22-2007, 10:10 PM

If your motherboard has an AGP slot I would recommend an AGP card over a PCI card. If your system store bought what is the make and and model? If it's a custom build what's the motherboard make and model? If you don't the info you can find it with either Everest Home Edition or PC Wizard.

0NExSEVEN · 07-23-2007, 06:55 AM

well when i used pc wizard it said i had one AGP connector. when i checked online for the video cards there were AGP 2X/4X, AGP 4X/8X and AGP Pro 4X/8X. how do i know which one i need? my computer is a dell dimension 2400.

**mattlock** · 07-23-2007, 07:43 AM

Judging from the motherboard chipset I'd say 4x/8x AGP would be your choice, but to be sure that you have an AGP slot, pull the side cover off and look at the motherboard. If you have an agp slot it'll be brown (usually) located above the white pci slots. From what I've been able to findout the Dell 2400 didn't have an AGP, but has on board "AGP Graphics". That would explain PC Wizard seeing an AGP bus.

Have a look at the article below and you'll see what an AGP slot looks like.

http://www.techsupportforum.com/arti...pci-slots.html

**koala** · 07-23-2007, 07:53 AM

If you click the Mainboard entry in your screenshot, you should see more details in the Information area. Scroll down to see Slots Information. This will tell you if the motherboard has an AGP slot or just integrated AGP.

**mattlock** · 07-23-2007, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koala

If you click the Mainboard entry in your screenshot, you should see more details in the Information area. Scroll down to see Slots Information. This will tell you if the motherboard has an AGP slot or just integrated AGP.

Thanks Koala. I'm still on the learning curve with PC Wizard as I try to ween myself off Everest.

0NExSEVEN · 07-23-2007, 08:27 AM

i believe my computer just has an integrated AGP but just to be 100% sure i'll confirm it with you guys because you all know what you're talking about.

slot information:
slot pci: available (32-bit) 5.0v, 3.3v

**koala** · 07-23-2007, 08:46 AM

There are 19 PCI DirectX9 cards listed at newegg, ranging in price from $42 to $140.

If you don't play the latest high end games at high resolutions, you'll be fine with a 128MB graphics card. PCI cards are considered low end when it comes to games, but if that's all your motherboard can handle and you want to play newer games then the only alternative is to upgrade the motherboard to one with AGP or PCI-e slots.

What's your price limit?

0NExSEVEN · 07-23-2007, 09:06 AM

well my brother and i are sharing this computer until we get a new one or the old one gets fixed but we occasionally play a game or two from websites. there's only one downloaded / installed game on the computer at the moment. most of the time we use the computer for web browsing and aim. the money is coming out of my dad's wallet and i don't want to get something too expensive but i'm not sure of what the limit is because i just told him i'd like to get a new video card and he said pick something out and we'll get it. lols.

as for the upgrading the motherboard to agp or pci-e, how exactly would i be able to do that. just in case i want to switch in the future.

**koala** · 07-23-2007, 09:24 AM

To upgrade the motherboard to something more modern that will allow you to use a more powerful graphics card, you need to open the case, remove all the components and cables from the motherboard, remove the motherboard from the case and fit the new one. I think a motherboard upgrade counts as a new system, so you may need to reactivate your copy of Windows by calling Microsoft.

You would also need to replace the power supply unit (PSU) and cooling system with something that can handle the new graphics card, so the whole project could cost you quite a bit. We can go into more detail if you decide to go for a complete upgrade at a later date.

btw, if your dad's paying, go for the best PCI card you can find. You may not get the offer again

0NExSEVEN · 07-23-2007, 09:38 AM

wow, the whole process seems too complicated for me

if anything i'll just use this computer for simple stuff like web browsing and music. we're planning on getting a new computer in about a year or two

. well i'm all set now

thanks so much for everyones help. especially koala for walking me through the steps for everything i needed to know. i really appreciate it !

**mattlock** · 07-23-2007, 09:46 AM

Unless you replace it with another Dell motherboard you would actually have to purchase a new Windows license. The OEM installation on your Dell is tied to the Dell Bios and you would not be able to reactivate on any motherboard not supplied by Dell. You likely have to purchase the Dell board from Ebay, because it's unlikely that Dell would simply sale a new motherboard and if they did it would be way overpriced.

I would stick to one of the cards in the link below. They are all DX9 compatible. The BFG has a lifetime warranty.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=&srchInDesc=

0NExSEVEN · 07-23-2007, 09:52 AM

ooh i see. thanks matt ! i appreciate the information.

**mattlock** · 07-23-2007, 09:59 AM

You're welcome.
Feel free to post any other questions or concerns. We all always here to help.

07-22-2007, 04:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
0NExSEVEN Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7 OS: windows xp	video card & lag. hello there everyone i play games on my pc, nothing hardcore. it's just a few online games and one downloaded game on my pc. when i play i have to refill my health and mp when it gets low and when i press the key for it sometimes it'll lag a bit before it actually loads the new health and also when i pick up things from the ground it'll lag a bit sometimes before it actually gets picked up, not always. will a new graphics card help on removing that lag ? the one i'm using right now is only 64mb on a pci bus. what should i upgrade to ? i'm not exactly computer smart so here's a screen shot of my computers information. thanks in advance to anybody who helps me

07-22-2007, 05:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
HawMan Liam Join Date: May 2006 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 2,938 OS: Win XP My System	Re: video card & lag. Hey - Welcome to TSF. What Game is it you play? Have you looked at the Minimum requirements? Your Graphics is onboard so i would suggest buying a PCI Card (The Game and others will run more smooth). I run a Geforce 5200 PCI in my other PC and its good. It also could be connection Lag but thats pretty unlikley.

07-22-2007, 06:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
0NExSEVEN Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7 OS: windows xp	Re: video card & lag. thanks for the reply and thanks for welcoming me ;D i meet all the minimum requirements. when i first started playing the game there was the usual lag. i had 256mb so i had the lag that most people had. walk into a room full of people so you lag cus it's so full. that kind of lag but recently i upgraded to 1gb of ram and now there is no lag except for the picking up lag and the pot lag. my fan also seems to be louder than before now. my first thought was that it was my video card getting old [ there wasn't this lag when i started playing 3 years ago and 3 years ago there wasn't much downloaded computers, it was mostly games from like yahoo or those other game websites or just web browsing and aim ] but then i'm not computer smart so i'm exactly sure if that could happen. and now here i am, on this forum. hopefully you can help me out. Last edited by 0NExSEVEN; 07-22-2007 at 06:24 PM.

07-22-2007, 10:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
mattlock Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,183 OS: XP SP2, Win 7 Beta, Win 7 RC My System	Re: video card & lag. If your motherboard has an AGP slot I would recommend an AGP card over a PCI card. If your system store bought what is the make and and model? If it's a custom build what's the motherboard make and model? If you don't the info you can find it with either Everest Home Edition or PC Wizard. __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free!

07-23-2007, 06:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
0NExSEVEN Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7 OS: windows xp	Re: video card & lag. well when i used pc wizard it said i had one AGP connector. when i checked online for the video cards there were AGP 2X/4X, AGP 4X/8X and AGP Pro 4X/8X. how do i know which one i need? my computer is a dell dimension 2400.

07-23-2007, 07:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
mattlock Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,183 OS: XP SP2, Win 7 Beta, Win 7 RC My System	Re: video card & lag. Judging from the motherboard chipset I'd say 4x/8x AGP would be your choice, but to be sure that you have an AGP slot, pull the side cover off and look at the motherboard. If you have an agp slot it'll be brown (usually) located above the white pci slots. From what I've been able to findout the Dell 2400 didn't have an AGP, but has on board "AGP Graphics". That would explain PC Wizard seeing an AGP bus. Have a look at the article below and you'll see what an AGP slot looks like. http://www.techsupportforum.com/arti...pci-slots.html __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free! Last edited by mattlock; 07-23-2007 at 07:53 AM.

07-23-2007, 07:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,319 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: video card & lag. If you click the Mainboard entry in your screenshot, you should see more details in the Information area. Scroll down to see Slots Information. This will tell you if the motherboard has an AGP slot or just integrated AGP. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

07-23-2007, 08:27 AM	#9 (permalink)
0NExSEVEN Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7 OS: windows xp	Re: video card & lag. i believe my computer just has an integrated AGP but just to be 100% sure i'll confirm it with you guys because you all know what you're talking about. slot information: slot pci: available (32-bit) 5.0v, 3.3v

07-23-2007, 08:46 AM	#10 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,319 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: video card & lag. There are 19 PCI DirectX9 cards listed at newegg, ranging in price from $42 to $140. If you don't play the latest high end games at high resolutions, you'll be fine with a 128MB graphics card. PCI cards are considered low end when it comes to games, but if that's all your motherboard can handle and you want to play newer games then the only alternative is to upgrade the motherboard to one with AGP or PCI-e slots. What's your price limit? __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here Last edited by koala; 07-23-2007 at 09:27 AM. Reason: correction

07-23-2007, 09:06 AM	#11 (permalink)
0NExSEVEN Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7 OS: windows xp	Re: video card & lag. well my brother and i are sharing this computer until we get a new one or the old one gets fixed but we occasionally play a game or two from websites. there's only one downloaded / installed game on the computer at the moment. most of the time we use the computer for web browsing and aim. the money is coming out of my dad's wallet and i don't want to get something too expensive but i'm not sure of what the limit is because i just told him i'd like to get a new video card and he said pick something out and we'll get it. lols. as for the upgrading the motherboard to agp or pci-e, how exactly would i be able to do that. just in case i want to switch in the future.

07-23-2007, 09:24 AM	#12 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,319 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: video card & lag. To upgrade the motherboard to something more modern that will allow you to use a more powerful graphics card, you need to open the case, remove all the components and cables from the motherboard, remove the motherboard from the case and fit the new one. I think a motherboard upgrade counts as a new system, so you may need to reactivate your copy of Windows by calling Microsoft. You would also need to replace the power supply unit (PSU) and cooling system with something that can handle the new graphics card, so the whole project could cost you quite a bit. We can go into more detail if you decide to go for a complete upgrade at a later date. btw, if your dad's paying, go for the best PCI card you can find. You may not get the offer again __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

07-23-2007, 09:38 AM	#13 (permalink)
0NExSEVEN Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7 OS: windows xp	Re: video card & lag. wow, the whole process seems too complicated for me if anything i'll just use this computer for simple stuff like web browsing and music. we're planning on getting a new computer in about a year or two . well i'm all set now thanks so much for everyones help. especially koala for walking me through the steps for everything i needed to know. i really appreciate it !

07-23-2007, 09:46 AM	#14 (permalink)
mattlock Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,183 OS: XP SP2, Win 7 Beta, Win 7 RC My System	Re: video card & lag. Unless you replace it with another Dell motherboard you would actually have to purchase a new Windows license. The OEM installation on your Dell is tied to the Dell Bios and you would not be able to reactivate on any motherboard not supplied by Dell. You likely have to purchase the Dell board from Ebay, because it's unlikely that Dell would simply sale a new motherboard and if they did it would be way overpriced. I would stick to one of the cards in the link below. They are all DX9 compatible. The BFG has a lifetime warranty. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=&srchInDesc= __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free!

07-23-2007, 09:52 AM	#15 (permalink)
0NExSEVEN Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7 OS: windows xp	Re: video card & lag. ooh i see. thanks matt ! i appreciate the information.

07-23-2007, 09:59 AM	#16 (permalink)
mattlock Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,183 OS: XP SP2, Win 7 Beta, Win 7 RC My System	Re: video card & lag. You're welcome. Feel free to post any other questions or concerns. We all always here to help. __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free!