Integrated Graphics Cards
 

Could someone explain to me why integrated graphics cards are crappy? I am getting a new computer on monday, it has a 2.4 ghz processor, 512 MB RAM, DVD Drive, and a 40 GB Hard Drive. The problem is that the graphics card is integrated, and I believe it is a ProSavage or something. Anyway, the main reason why I am looking forward to a new PC is for FFXI. I'd also like to know if anyone could tell me if FFXI would run well on the card. I heard they were "ok", if it can at least play it well enough, I can last until xmas, then I can get a better card, because the pc has extra agp slots. If not, I will have to beg my Mom to buy a new card or just look for something else.

So what should I do? Will FFXI run well on that type of card? If not, can anyone recommend a relatively cheap card, something that is better than what I'm getting? Either that, or me and my Mom will have to look for a different deal. If you want to know how much I'm paying, it's about 800 CAD.

Also, yesterday I got a 15 inch LCD screen, a wireless keyboard, and a wireless laser mouse, it's really sweet. =-D

Re: Integrated Graphics Cards
 

more then likely, it will run, im not intirely sure how intergrated cards work. you may have to transfer some system memory over to the gfx part to help it out a bit (not sure how to do that). but it should work 'ok'.

Re: Re: Integrated Graphics Cards
 

so... by "ok" do you mean it will just be running at minimum? would the game get jaggy? that's what I'm worried about... I've waited so long for FFXI, I don't want to play it in "crappy mode". But anyway, I talked to my Mom and we're gonna look for something else... if that fails, we're just going to go with the original plan and just customly upgrade the one we have now.

Re: Re: Re: Integrated Graphics Cards
 

even if you got that one, you could get a decent gfx card for 100, a good one for 200.

but its hard to say. the thing about intigrated graphics is that they dont really tell all the specifications for it. they arent truley meant for 3D excellerated graphics. Thing about computer games, even if you got it and it didnt look the best. can always upgrade later and the game will look better. you're never 'stuck'.

But about updating the one you have now. just be carefull depending on how old it is, or if its a manufaturers motherboard like Dell or Gateway, such, thier custom parts they make are hard to upgrade, might be a lot cheaper to build one from scratch and just use compatable parts from the old. or find a decent one for sale on a site.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Integrated Graphics Cards
 

My mother is getting a new PC next month.... The most I would possibly spend on a GFX card is $100... maybe $120...

any ones around that price that can run FFXI good?

if not... well *sits on butt and waits for Ps2 version*

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Integrated Graphics Cards
 

yup, you can find many. but most people believe its the GFX card that does all for what your doing playing games. When really its your processor CPU that dertermines what you can handle. The graphics card does more of the special effects and lighting, and shaders, and textures. things like that. GFX card makes it look pretty. CPU is what runs it really.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Integrated Graphics Cards
 

hmm... I guess I'll post the specs when we get it

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Integrated Graphics Cards
 

You can find a decent video card for around $100. If you can, search around eBay. If you want a basic GeForce FX, you can get a 5200 for like $60-$70.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Integrated Graphics Cards
 

a radeon would prolly do a lot better and last longer then an FX, even tho i GREATLY prever nvidia drivers over ati's

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Integrated Graphics Cards
 

I wasn't trying to endorse nvidia. I prefer ati.It's just that if your looking for a cheaper card that can play a good amount of hte games out, an FX could be fine. Or just get an ati if you have the money.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Integrated Graphics Cards
 

thats what i was saying tho. the ATI's are usually cheaper then the FX brand from nvidia

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Integrated Graphics Cards
 

i have a geforce fx and it playes games fine
and back on to topic try to get some sort of Gfx card because i had onboard and it was good onboard but it sucked i could not play any of the new games at more than 1 fps so i went down to the closest store and got my gfx card and everything worked fine