[randallm]

Okay, so I downloaded Oblivion for my PC but it experiences an error and crashes every time I open it... I went to Can You Run It and it basically said my video card isn't good enough to play the game.

This is what it brings up for my computer:

Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E5200 @ 2.50GHz
2.49 GHz Performance Rated at: 3.735 GHz
4.0 GB RAM
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, 64-bit (Build Service Pack 16001)
With a Intel(R) GMA 3100 video card.

It says the minimum video card required is 128MB Direct3D compatible video card (NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700+ / ATI Radeon 9500+)

It requires Hardware T&L, which it says I do not have.
It requires a Vertex Shader version 2.0 and says I have 0.0


Is there ANY way I can upgrade my computer without actually purchasing a new video card? Perhaps some sort of software that will allow me to run the program successfully? I don't care if the graphics aren't optimal or anything, just wanna play it.

Thanks for any and all help, guys! I know nothing when it comes to video cards and stuff. I bought my computer in March, and at the time didn't figure I'd wanna use it for gaming, so I didn't go for something with a better default video card.

[steamwhistle]

Sounds like you have an integrated graphics card. You will have to buy a new mother board and new graphics card to correct the problem.

Have you tried to run it on the lowest settings?

[randallm]

A new mother board, too? Why is that...because my current one can't handle an ideal graphics card? Dang, I was hoping at worst it would be as easy as just buying an upgraded card...

So there's no software that could help, I take it?

[steamwhistle]

Are you talking about a PC or a laptop? From what I read online most of those graphics cards are in laptops only.

If the graphics card is integrated that means its a part of the motherboard, so to update one you have to update both.

If you have 4GB of ram + duel core and are still having issues its your graphics card that is causing the problem. My friend had a very similar issue last weekend when we were at a LAN.

[BrownPaperBag]

No. There is nothing you can do besides purchase a new graphics card.

[randallm]

Originally Posted by steamwhistle

Are you talking about a PC or a laptop? From what I read online most of those graphics cards are in laptops only.

If the graphics card is integrated that means its a part of the motherboard, so to update one you have to update both.

If you have 4GB of ram + duel core and are still having issues it your graphics card that is causing the problem. My friend had a very similar issue last weekend when we were at a LAN.

I have a desktop. Well I haven't checked prices of motherboards yet, only the graphics cards. Unfortunately, I'm still broke so I can't buy them right now

[steamwhistle]

Hm. Can you look at your motherboard and see if your graphics card is built into your computer? Let me know and I can help you from there.

[randallm]

I'll probably wait until a friend with a little more knowledge is around and they can check it out for me...lol I don't wanna be snoopin' around and end up screwing something up by accident haha. I don't know anything about hardware and all that.

[CluckBuck]

What is all this nonsense about buying a new motherboard? Just get a decent video card, looking at the type of cpu you have I assume the motherboard has a PCI-E slot. Though you might have to upgrade your power supply depending on what kind of video card you get to be able to handle the extra power draw.

Look on the motherboard and find the model number, then just google it and it will tell you all about it.

[steamwhistle]

Originally Posted by CluckBuck

What is all this nonsense about buying a new motherboard? Just get a decent video card, looking at the type of cpu you have I assume the motherboard has a PCI-E slot. Though you might have to upgrade your power supply depending on what kind of video card you get to be able to handle the extra power draw.

Look on the motherboard and find the model number, then just google it and it will tell you all about it.

Intel doesn't sell graphics cards that aren't integrated, so he will need to replace the motherboard too.

[CluckBuck]

Originally Posted by steamwhistle

Intel doesn't sell graphics cards that aren't integrated, so he will need to replace the motherboard too.

You're confusing me.

His motherboard has an integrated video chip and I'm assuming some type of extra video slot like most of them do. AGP, PCI-E, whatever. Judging by the processor I assume he has a PCI-E slot, 8x 16x whatever. So you have just buy a video card, slap it in that slot and off he goes. Integrated video can be disabled in the bios or will just automatically switch over to the PCI-E slot if a card is in there.

Now if he doesn't have any type of extra video card slot then that's a different story and the mobo will have to be replaced if he wants to game on it. Like I said, figure out the specifications of the motherboard and go from there.

[rafaelzepe]

Originally Posted by steamwhistle

Intel doesn't sell graphics cards that aren't integrated, so he will need to replace the motherboard too.

Nonsense the pci slots are there for a reason. You can and should be able to upgrade to a new video card without any problems. Motherboards and computer hardware do not have to be by the same maker. Infact I dont think any motherboard manufactures make video cards.

[steamwhistle]

Originally Posted by rafaelzepe

Nonsense the pci slots are there for a reason. You can and should be able to upgrade to a new video card without any problems. Motherboards and computer hardware do not have to be by the same maker. Infact I dont think any motherboard manufactures make video cards.

I don't deal with pre-made computers often so I wasn't aware that there was a secondary slot for a card.

[rafaelzepe]

Originally Posted by steamwhistle

I don't deal with pre-made computers often so I wasn't aware that there was a secondary slot for a card.

Oh makes sense you probably experience computers with the slot filled in to begin with. You see there isn't a secondary slot for a video card. Since he has built in graphics they are built into the motherboard therefore leaving the one slot open for upgrades.

[randallm]

The slots would be internal, right? As in I'd have to open up the case and all that to check? Do I need to turn my computer off to do that? I could check later tonight when I've got the freedom to do so.

Thanks for all the help so far, guys.

Edit -- And I do know the salesman that sold me the computer said this computer wasn't very well set up for upgrades, but I don't know what all specifics he meant by it. I just didn't think I'd need anything with more intense graphics. I figured my brand new computer would have at least good enough hardware to handle Oblivion, since it was made years ago.

[rafaelzepe]

Originally Posted by randallm

The slots would be internal, right? As in I'd have to open up the case and all that to check? Do I need to turn my computer off to do that? I could check later tonight when I've got the freedom to do so.

Thanks for all the help so far, guys.

Edit -- And I do know the salesman that sold me the computer said this computer wasn't very well set up for upgrades, but I don't know what all specifics he meant by it. I just didn't think I'd need anything with more intense graphics. I figured my brand new computer would have at least good enough hardware to handle Oblivion, since it was made years ago.

Obvious sales man pitch. Yes you would have to open your computer. However most computers have one or two screws in the back that when removed allow a side panel to come off. You also don't need to turn the computer while checking it. You should have an open Pci-Express x16 card slot open and available.

http://www.playtool.com/pages/vidslots/mballslots.jpg

Above I have included a picture to help locate the slot.

[steamwhistle]

Originally Posted by rafaelzepe

Oh makes sense you probably experience computers with the slot filled in to begin with. You see there isn't a secondary slot for a video card. Since he has built in graphics they are built into the motherboard therefore leaving the one slot open for upgrades.

I build from scratch so the mobo is completely bare.

[randallm]

Well I bought it at Best Buy, and friends I know that worked there say they only get base pay, no commission, so he shouldn't have been toying with me about anything... and the girl I talked to a previous day said the exact same stuff as him, I believe (with the exception of them both being confused on the actual price of my computer...lol)

Once my friends leaves here, which will hopefully be soon, then I'll try to check it out.

I'm just about finished downloading Morrowind, Tribunal and Blood Moon though so they may distract me haha

Edit -- Steam, is it a lot cheaper to build your own? Or is it more expensive, or...? I used to want to build my own, but when I bought this computer, I needed one immediately so I bought this one because it was on sale and seemed decent enough.

[rafaelzepe]

Originally Posted by steamwhistle

I build from scratch so the mobo is completely bare.

Hints say that you are a gamer. You probably just purchased a video card without thinking that some motherboards have built in graphics.


Edit: Your computer isn't bad at all. You might want to upgrade to windows 7 64 bit when it comes out get a decent graphics card and possibly overclock your cpu to get more performance.

[slavik19]

get the 8800gt scc
worth the money not very expensive

[CluckBuck]

Originally Posted by rafaelzepe

possibly overclock your cpu to get more performance.

Please don't even mention overclocking to someone who has obviously very little understanding of hardware. No offence seriously. At best he'll cause more problems with instability and at worst he'll fry his computer. :p

Just forget overclocking was even mentioned and continue on....

Also keep in mind the possible problem of the power supply, if you get a video card that draws too much power then your power supply won't be able to handle it and you will need a new one. I don't know what make of pre-built computer this is Dell, HP, etc? But they usually only put large enough of a power supply in their pcs to handle what they have running with a little room. They don't factor in that you're going to upgrade a power hog video card into the mix.

[steamwhistle]

Originally Posted by randallm

Well I bought it at Best Buy, and friends I know that worked there say they only get base pay, no commission, so he shouldn't have been toying with me about anything... and the girl I talked to a previous day said the exact same stuff as him, I believe (with the exception of them both being confused on the actual price of my computer...lol)

Once my friends leaves here, which will hopefully be soon, then I'll try to check it out.

I'm just about finished downloading Morrowind, Tribunal and Blood Moon though so they may distract me haha

Edit -- Steam, is it a lot cheaper to build your own? Or is it more expensive, or...? I used to want to build my own, but when I bought this computer, I needed one immediately so I bought this one because it was on sale and seemed decent enough.

I paid $799 for all this:
Intel core 2 quad 2.33 GHz
EVGA GeForce 9800GTX+
Corsair 4GB DDR2 memory
1TB hard drive
Gigabyte energy saver mobo (because I am a poor college student)

Plus all the other stuff you need like a monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, wireless card.

I made a similar one on HP and came out with a $989 price tag not including a mouse, keyboard, and fancy mobo. Dell gave $1328 excluding the wireless card and the fancy mobo.


I built mine in April so I would guess the computer to cost $699 or less now.

[randallm]

Originally Posted by CluckBuck

Please don't even mention overclocking to someone who has obviously very little understanding of hardware. No offence seriously. At best he'll cause more problems with instability and at worst he'll fry his computer. :p

Just forget overclocking was even mentioned and continue on....

Also keep in mind the possible problem of the power supply, if you get a video card that draws too much power then your power supply won't be able to handle it and you will need a new one. I don't know what make of pre-built computer this is Dell, HP, etc? But they usually only put large enough of a power supply in their pcs to handle what they have running with a little room. They don't factor in that you're going to upgrade a power hog video card into the mix.

I've heard of overclocking and as far as I know, it's a way to make everything more efficient for best quality performance and all that? Otherwise, yeah, I'm too inexperienced to be messing with all that (for now, at least), I'm sure. Hopefully within this year I'll have a lot more knowledge and experience, and the money to build my own machine. I've become pretty obsessed with torrent files and watching all my TV shows, movies, etc. on my computer, and starting to get back into gaming as of right now.

And my computer is a Dell.

[steamwhistle]

Overclocking voids any warranty on the mobo, ram and/or computer itself. If anything were to happen to your computer during that time you are sol.

[CluckBuck]

Originally Posted by randallm

I've heard of overclocking and as far as I know, it's a way to make everything more efficient for best quality performance and all that?

Actually overclocking is forcing your computer components to run beyond their designated "safe" limits to squeeze out extra performance. Think of like turbo charging your car. You get more performance but at a decrease of life. I'm not going to get into all the specifics of volt modding, extra cooling and heat problems, stress testing for stability, how some cpus can handle it much more than others, blah, blah. Basically only overclock if you fully understand what you're doing and the consequences of what can happen if you mess it up.