Forums › English Language Forums › Technical › Technical Issues

Search

Help me Upgrade my Video Card!?!

4 replies [Last post]
Thu, 01/05/2012 - 14:56
Kleona

Since SK is the reason I need/want a better video card/"display adapter", I guess I'll start here, even if I need professional assistance from elsewhere in the end...

I have an Acer Travelmate 3260 with Mobile Intel 945GM Express chipset, which I read supports DirectX 9.0 and PCI Express. I Explorer searched my system, and believe I have the Beta of DirectX9 on it. I am eyeing several possibilities for a new video card, but am uncertain of several things.

For instance, does having a laptop mean I'll need a "low profile" video card? Do I need to be concerned about DirectX compatability? (ie, Since my current chipset supports DirectX 9.0, do I want a new video card that has an earlier or later or exactly the same DirectX compatability?) Will I need a Video Adapter and/or a DVI display? Will in need a bracket kit?

I've Wiki-ed Radeons and Geforces - the two mentioned by SK Admins in the Minimum Requirements. I'm eyeing what I can currently find for a decent price: GeForce 7200, 7300 and 8400 GSs, and Radeons x600 and x1300Pro.

Any HELPful/knowledgeable suggestions?

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 12:20
#1
Botyob
Kleona, Laptop video cards

Kleona,

Laptop video cards are not the parts you describe. They are rarely upgradeable and usually need something proprietary. You could do a RAM upgrade, CPU upgrade and basic maintenance (defragment, temporary file cleaning, video and other driver updates or just an operating system reinstallation).

Botyob

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 13:40
#2
Juances's picture
Juances
Also keep in mind dimensions,

Also keep in mind dimensions, power demand and lots of other sutff.

A crude example would be trying to use an airplane turbine inside a scooter.
It won't fit and the scooter doesnt have enough fuel to start it.

Wed, 01/11/2012 - 19:16
#3
Kleona
Yeah, uh, thanks...

I've given up on trying to upgrade what I've got. My current system passes all the Minimum Requirements with ample room to spare, anyway. The problem is with the driver for the intergrated graphics card(latest is from Feb. '08). Or a glitch in my system hardware or software.

Since the Minimum Requirements for SK aren't too stringent, I'm just going to buy a new(used) computer for SKing. I've found what I want and it'll only run me about $110 altogether. And the video card has drivers for XP Pro into '10, so it should serve for a while.

Now I'm just wondering about Bandwidth Requirements for SKing...

Wed, 01/11/2012 - 19:12
#4
Dogrock's picture
Dogrock
Just try to make user that

Just try to make user that newer computer used dedicated, or in the very least, non-Intel graphics. Otherwise you won't have the greatest gameplay experience.

As for bandwidth, as long as you've got a basic DSL/Cable that isn't being shared with other high consumption users you should be fine. Mobile broadband or satellite connections will result in high latency gameplay that won't be fun.

Powered by Drupal, an open source content management system