Video Card Problems

[BattyBatty]

Hi all

I have been trying in vain to play games on my PC for a week now. After downloading some games that did not work, i have brought 3 games from Tesco's in the hope that bona fida originals would work. They dont, as my graphics card is apparently not very good. I have an Intel 82815 video card, when i try and open a game it says 'can not open GL'. I have tried to download the latest drivers for my card, but after spending a good few hours on the internet i have had no luck. Intel have stopped offering the latest drivers for my card and all other sites that claim to have it, dont.

So my question is... Can i simply go to the local (Thai, upcountry) computer store and get the guy there to install "a video card that will play games" - or is that rather a dump question? And if so, how much should I expect to pay.

I googled "good video card for gaming" and the prices ranged from $3-500!!!!

Is there not a solution for a couple thou baht here?

Or any other solution?

Many thanks

BattyBatty

[cdnvic]

Unless you want to play the latest Halo or something very high end you can get by on a 128mb card for 40-50 dollars. I've played MS flight simulator on a 32mb card. It should be a simple install for any shop.

[Tywais]

I agree with cdnvic, a 2-3k baht card will be fine for the casual game. If you are wanting to play the high end games, then more then just the card may needed upgraded.

[BattyBatty]

Guys - thanks for the speedy reply. This sounds like a good solution and I am relieved at the price range. However, just a couple more questions;

The games i brought from tescos are not very good games.... they are not known games and to be honest, i only brought them just to see if i could get them to work on my computer. In all honesty, i did buy a couple of 'moody copies' from pantip last week and also tried to download a game of the internet. They didnt work. My frined is coming over from England next week and bringing me half a dozen original PC games.... Medal of honor, grand turismo and a few others. Would games such as these be suitable for a low spec 32 video card, as you have suggested?

Best

BattyBatty

[Tywais]

"Medal of Honor"

* Windows XP/Me/2000/98/95 (Windows NT not supported)

* 450 MHz Intel Pentium or 500 MHz AMD Athlon processor

* 128 MB RAM

* 8x CD/DVD-ROM drive

* 1.2 GB free hard disk space

* 16 MB DirectX 8.0 compatible video card with OpenGL support

* DirectX 8.0 compatible sound card

So no problems with that one. Just depends on what the others are. A reasonable amount of memory may be necessary, say minimum of 512k, 1GB or more preferable for the higher end games.

The key is being sure the card supports GL and DirectX, any of the nVidia or Radeon and probably most of the modern cards will.

[BattyBatty]

Thanks again for the speedy reply. I think my best bet is to nip over to the local computer shop - Ill ask him for a selection of video cards in the 2-3000Baht range (if he has a selection), then write down the names/specs of the cards. Ill then check them out on line to make sure they are DirectX GL compatable, then go back and buy.

Unless he undrestands what I am after - in which case i will just ask foir a card that works with DirectX GL.

Simple.

Many thanks for the help.

[sniffdog]

================================================================

I've played MS flight simulator on a 32mb card.

================================================================

Well, that's past tense ... the new Flight Simulator X runs only smoothly on a 2009 computer.

BTW When you could play Medal of Honor on a 2,000-3,000 baht today, you should think about the future.

You don't want to slash out money for another new card in a couple of months.

A 2,000-3,000 baht card will limit you seriously. I've bought a Radeon 9600XT two years ago (8,000 baht) and most

of the new games will not run (or slow) with that card.

[Tywais]

Unless he undrestands what I am after - in which case i will just ask foir a card that works with DirectX GL.

One thing I forgot to mention, verify what type video card your mainboard will support. The following are the main standards:

PCI - Oldest (excluding ISA/EISA busses)

AGP - Better then PCI in performance but not necessarily with 3D

PCI-Express - the current class

Don't want to buy a card and find it it doesn't fit anywhere.

[BattyBatty]

Thanks again for the further guidance.

Sniffdog - that worries me a little... it seems the manufacturers of the PC games are inconsidrate of the average home PC user. Upgrading an 8K graphic card after a short period of time sucks, imo. Im having second thoughts now about buying a new card if thats the case - i may aswell just buy an old playstation 2 for 5K.

I did go to the local shop - unfortunatley the whole thing was lost in translation, lol.

Tywais has further got my head scratching.... I was hoping on the local guy working all of this out, but now if i want to upgrade my card i will have to buy from Pantip next weekend when i am in BKK. I will have no clue what is compatible with my mainboard.... patience is lost on me at Pantip and i usualy just want to get in and out as quick as.

I hope i didnt waste your time too much guys, but bugger it... Ill buy an old PS2, seems easier to me. I only wanted a game or two to kill the time during the day, as i have a month of work. I cant be bothered to go to all this effort just for occasional gaming.

Thank you so much for the input though.

Best wishes for a great Christmas

BattyBatty

[JustAnotherFarang]

I stopped playing games on my PC when I got a ps2......... just so much simpler to throw in a game and play, get bored, get another game and repeat, its just so simple and who needs to worry about a graphics card when everyone with a PS2 is using the same as you

JAF