Gaming Essentials for PC Gaming

[JakePsycho]

I need to know what types of stuff can enhance my PC experience and gameplay.

System Specs:
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System Information
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Time of this report: 2/9/2010, 15:56:15
Machine name: JAKEPSYCHO
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090804-1435)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
System Model: Inspiron 1100
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A32
Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 CPU 2.40GHz
Memory: 248MB RAM
Page File: 262MB used, 538MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

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DxDiag Notes
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DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
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Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

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Display Devices
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Card name: Intel® 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel® 82845G Graphics Controller
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2562&SUBSYS_01491028&REV_03
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Digital Flat Panel (1024x768)
Monitor Max Res:
Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4342 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 6/21/2005 17:04:48, 38016 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ialmnt5.sys
Mini VDD Date: 10/19/2005 08:59:12, 807998 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-6622-11CF-6E63-4321A2C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x2562
SubSys ID: 0x01491028
Revision ID: 0x0003
Revision ID: 0x0003
Video Accel:
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Not Available
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

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Sound Devices
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Description: SigmaTel Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24C5&SUBSYS_01491028&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: stac97.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.3952.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 11/15/2004 15:37:52, 264440 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: SigmaTel
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xB5B
Min/Max Sample Rate: 48000, 48000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX™ 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2™ Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura™ ZoomFX™: No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

thx in advance
Edit: Srry fr the HUGE ass post, edited

 

[myuusmeow]

For general computing, maybe think about reinstalling the OS. This computer is quite old and probably could use a clean slate. I would have recommended Windows 7, but the tiny RAM (256MB, lowest I've tried 7 on was 512MB) might not work too great with that. Backup your old files, download drivers, and find/install something a stripped down version of Windows from your favorite torrent site. (When I say stripped down, I mean things like "ancient greek language keyboard layout" and other things you don't need, not core functionality)

For gaming anything past emulators of classic systems I'd say a new computer, preferably a desktop. This is a laptop (therefore no upgrade paths you can take) with 256MB of RAM and integrated graphics on a Pentium 4, you have pretty much zero hope of running any new games satisfactorily on that thing.

 

[Raki]

except nothing good. It's a P4 with 2,4 Ghz which is slow and intel integrated graphics in the range of the gma 900 which is pretty slow and unusable for games

 

[Lee79]

Could you edit your wall of text everything from and under "Sound Capture Devices" is not needed.

 

[zeromac]

Too long, Didnt fucking read...

 

[Elritha]

Most of that information isn't needed...

Don't expect to be able to play most modern 3d games with that system. To start with it's a laptop, secondly it has has poor integrated gpu and the cpu is slow.
You should be able to run older 2d games on that, -maybe- some newer ones that don't require much in system specs. Think some strategy games and so on.

A new desktop pc would greatly enhance your gaming experience. Just don't get Dell.

 

[zhuzhuchina]

change computer!

 

[prowler]

Holy crapping crap, what's with all that |: ?

Something with low RAM like yours, I suggest TinyXP but still you won't be able to play games you might be thinking of.

 

[Rydian]

To start with it's a laptop, secondly it has has poor integrated gpuAnd what she means is that since it's a laptop you can't reasonably upgrade the GPU for gaming, you're stuck.

A new desktop pc would greatly enhance your gaming experience. Just don't get Dell.

Please list your reasons and back them up with verifiable third-party sources.

QUOTE(deanxxczx @ Feb 10 2010, 01:17 PM)

Holy crapping crap, what's with all that |: ?

A full DXDiag output. Yes, they piss me off as well.

 

[Deleted_171835]

Too long, Didnt fucking read...

Yep. Hatsu spams. You don't.

Like Edhel said, get a desktop. You could build a good gaming PC for $500.

 

[Psyfira]

For general non-gaming use expanding the memory should help speed things up a bit. People forget you can often add RAM to laptops, according to the manual it can support up to 1GB max (including the 128MB built in to the motherboard). As long as you're careful to buy exactly the right stuff, memory for these older laptops is pretty cheap now. But it depends if it's worth it vs saving for a newer system in the long run. It all depends on what you use it for. Like the others said, if gaming's all you've got in mind then a graphics card with 64MB of VRAM really isn't going to cut it.

 

[Lodis]

If you want a gaming laptop, at least get one with a dedicated GPU in it that is preferably MXM 3.0 B format.