I need a new graphics card

[homeyg]

I bought Rome Total War yesterday. The graphics card that came with my computer doesn't seem to be able to handle it so the game shuts down (back to the desktop) when loading the battles.

Before I bought the game, I didn't know what type of graphics card I had, but I knew it had the right mb (64, which the box specifies). The box for the game also lists graphics cards that will work, and I'm thinking of buying one of those. However, I don't know very much about them or how to put them in. I don't want to screw up the computer as it is only 10 months old and I also heard that HPs are a pain in the arse to get open (their cases like to break). I have about a million questions. Would I need to find the old one and take it out? I think mine is built into the mainboard or something like that? Hell, I don't know. How do you find info about all this stuff, like what type of graphics card you have?

 

[ainwood]

Click start, then run. In the box that appears, type "dxdiag.exe" (without the quotes). That will start the directx diagnostics tool. One of the tabs on this (display) tells you about your graphics card.

BTW - crashing to desktop is not necessarily a sign of an underpowered graphics card - it is more likely to be some sort of exception error. Try updating the drivers for your graphics card (when you find out what it is!)

 

[homeyg]

The DxDiag says its a VIA/S3G UniChrome IGP? It says the same for the chipset type.

 

[ainwood]

The DxDiag says its a VIA/S3G UniChrome IGP? It says the same for the chipset type.

SOunds more like the chipset than the card....

Right-click on your desktop, choose "Properties" then "settings". Cliuck on the "advanced" button then the "adapter" tab. Does that tell you anything different?

It might be that you simply have an on-board graphics chip, rather than a graphics card.

 

[Rheinmetall]

IGP IIRC it stands for Integrated Graphics Processor. So it seems you have your video on the chipset. It also might be the case that your onboard graphics card doesn't have its own memory the 64mb you mentioned but instead it's using part of the system memory. Amount of this memory can probably be changed from BIOS.

If you want to upgrade your video card the first thing you need to know whether or not your computer has an AGP port. Then start looking for replacement. It might be that it's just a driver issue on your old "card" but since it's an IGP it may be too slow anyway for Rome Total War. I wish you lived next door. I'd be happy to come over and help you

I take it your computer still has a few months of warranty left so you don't want to open it and mess with it if you don't know what you are doing. You might break something and void the warranty at the same time. You might want to contact a friend or relative who is an expert.

 

[homeyg]

I did some researching on the VIA site and it appears that the 'card' is actually an onboard chip. Based on some things I read, I would have to replace the whole main board to upgrade my graphics stuff?

 

[Black_Hole]

I did some researching on the VIA site and it appears that the 'card' is actually an onboard chip. Based on some things I read, I would have to replace the whole main board to upgrade my graphics stuff?

not nessecarily
you can install a new card in agp(preffered) or pci slot, and then disable the onboard graphics chip(however you might not be able to disable it.... or maby you dont need to disable it, it depends on your chipset)

 

[MarineCorps]

I did some researching on the VIA site and it appears that the 'card' is actually an onboard chip. Based on some things I read, I would have to replace the whole main board to upgrade my graphics stuff?

No

 

[homeyg]

Well, I just bought a Radeon 9600 (one of the cards specified on the box). Before I install it, do I need to disable anything like Black_Hole said?

 

[MarineCorps]

Well, I just bought a Radeon 9600 (one of the cards specified on the box). Before I install it, do I need to disable anything like Black_Hole said?

Trial and error is my suggestion. Install play Rome Total war. If it crashes it means one of two things: The problem wasn't your graphics card or you need to diable the Intagrated Video Card.


BTW Can any one tel me what is Toms hardware? The sticker was on my video cards box

 

[Comraddict]

disable the integrated in windows once you get new one to display windows. that should help for beginning.

 

[homeyg]

Can anyone explain how I would do that? Please?

 

[Perfection]

not nessecarily
you can install a new card in agp(preffered) or pci slot, and then disable the onboard graphics chip(however you might not be able to disable it.... or maby you dont need to disable it, it depends on your chipset)

What exactly is the performance difference between a AGP card vs. a PCI card?

 

[homeyg]

How would I go about disabling something with the BIOS? That's what it said to do to if you have an onboard card (disable it).

 

[phoenix_night]

When you turn your computer on you should see something like "Press DEL to enter setup", telling you how to enter setup. Something like that anyway.

Provided you can get into the BIOS you should be okay to find it. It's not all computer jargon, you should be able to locate and disable the onboard graphics. Of course, don't do this until your monitor is plugged into your new card...otherwise you just won't be able to see anything at all.

 

[homeyg]

Alright, thanks, I didn't realize it was that easy.

 

[andvruss]

BTW Can any one tel me what is Toms hardware? The sticker was on my video cards box

I think it is this site: http://www.tomshardware.com/. It is (supposedly) one of the premiere computer review sites for parts, top of the line stuff, best prices etc.

 

[phoenix_night]

Oh, and by the way, I run Rome: Total War on a 9600...like a dream.

 

[jguy100]

I recently purchased Rome: Total War and have had this problem too (I have a Nvidia Geforce 2 while the game calls for a Geforce 3 or higher). The game works fine most of the time, but a few things make it crash on me (such as clicking on the senate tab or an announcement saying a faction was destroyed).
Is there any way for me to get a video card capable of playing the game atleast reliably without shelling out over a hundred dollars (the game recomends Geforce 3 or higher, ATi Radeon 8500, 9000, 9500, 9600, 9700, or 9800)? Thanks in advance.

 

[MarineCorps]

I think it is this site: http://www.tomshardware.com/. It is (supposedly) one of the premiere computer review sites for parts, top of the line stuff, best prices etc.

So I got a top of the line Video Card. Intresting. Thats Intresting considering I bought the cheapest one I could find.