[SOLVED] Nvidia 8400M-G confusion

sergeantz · 10-15-2007, 05:07 PM

I just purchased a computer from a company called Microtel PC. What I purchased had 2GB RAM, Duo 2Ghz proc, 160 GB 7200rpm HD, etc, etc, and an Nvidia 8400M-G card with 256MB memory.

When I got the computer, everything was to spec, except when I checked out the display drivers. All I saw was an Intel GMA 965 family chipset.

So, is this how the 8400M-G is shown in the hardware menu, do I need to download a driver to get it activated, or did I just get hosed? Thanks a lot.

ebackhus · 10-15-2007, 06:19 PM

What does it show for video adapter(s) in the device manager?

sergeantz · 10-15-2007, 09:33 PM

I don't have it with me at the moment, but I know that the display adapter listed the intel GMA 965 twice, one above the other. It has 256 megs for it, but when I try to run games with dynamic lighting/ pixel shading, it doesn't work or takes a performance cut.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. works well, but Titan Quest won't start. Half-life 2 runs great, but HL2 Episode One has a startup error.

A few other games fall somewhere in there, but you get the idea. I'll post about the device manager settings in a few hours, just in case I missed something. But I searched all through my control panel and device manager, and didn't see one mention of Nvidia anywhere.

sergeantz · 10-16-2007, 01:54 AM

Yeah, I double-checked, and the display adapter section listed two Intel GMA 965 chipsets. Might one of those actually be the Nvidia?

ebackhus · 10-16-2007, 12:23 PM

Nope, it seems you didn't get what you paid for.

sergeantz · 10-17-2007, 06:28 AM

Yeah, thought so; I guess I'll start raising some hell. Thanks a lot for your input.

sergeantz · 10-18-2007, 06:32 AM

Yep it's the GMA 3100. You can go ahead and close this out. I don't know if it's simple human error or not, but I recommend avoiding Microtel.

10-15-2007, 05:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
sergeantz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 14 OS: Windows XP, SP2	[SOLVED] Nvidia 8400M-G confusion I just purchased a computer from a company called Microtel PC. What I purchased had 2GB RAM, Duo 2Ghz proc, 160 GB 7200rpm HD, etc, etc, and an Nvidia 8400M-G card with 256MB memory. When I got the computer, everything was to spec, except when I checked out the display drivers. All I saw was an Intel GMA 965 family chipset. So, is this how the 8400M-G is shown in the hardware menu, do I need to download a driver to get it activated, or did I just get hosed? Thanks a lot.

10-15-2007, 06:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,243 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Nvidia 8400M-G confusion What does it show for video adapter(s) in the device manager? __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

10-15-2007, 09:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
sergeantz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 14 OS: Windows XP, SP2	Re: Nvidia 8400M-G confusion I don't have it with me at the moment, but I know that the display adapter listed the intel GMA 965 twice, one above the other. It has 256 megs for it, but when I try to run games with dynamic lighting/ pixel shading, it doesn't work or takes a performance cut. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. works well, but Titan Quest won't start. Half-life 2 runs great, but HL2 Episode One has a startup error. A few other games fall somewhere in there, but you get the idea. I'll post about the device manager settings in a few hours, just in case I missed something. But I searched all through my control panel and device manager, and didn't see one mention of Nvidia anywhere.

10-16-2007, 01:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
sergeantz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 14 OS: Windows XP, SP2	Re: Nvidia 8400M-G confusion Yeah, I double-checked, and the display adapter section listed two Intel GMA 965 chipsets. Might one of those actually be the Nvidia?

10-16-2007, 12:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,243 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Nvidia 8400M-G confusion Nope, it seems you didn't get what you paid for. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

10-17-2007, 06:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
sergeantz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 14 OS: Windows XP, SP2	Re: Nvidia 8400M-G confusion Yeah, thought so; I guess I'll start raising some hell. Thanks a lot for your input.

10-18-2007, 06:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
sergeantz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 14 OS: Windows XP, SP2	Re: Nvidia 8400M-G confusion Yep it's the GMA 3100. You can go ahead and close this out. I don't know if it's simple human error or not, but I recommend avoiding Microtel.