Video Card confusion

As complex as I feared then. So how am I supposed to know what card my PC will take??

I know I may sound defeatist, but all this is totally and utterly beyond the capabilities of someone who knows nothing about PC hardware/software. So much so that I'm inclined not to bother.

 

Tell make and model of pc or if custom build all hardware including motherboard and psu.
I mean board can handle 5450 so it means it has pci-e slot so the only other thing we need is make and model of psu.

 

Okay. Thanks, Rich.

I've established I need to open up the side of my tower, but beyond that I have no idea what I'm looking for in order to provide you with the info you need.

I'll do it tomorrow before I boot up, so if you get chance before then to try and explain what I need to be looking for once I'm inside, that would be very helpful.

 

What the main power plug plugs into is your psu and it could be on the top or the bottom of the twoer in the back. When you remove tghe cover of the tower there is a plate on the psu. We need make and model + wattage.

 

You mean the silver box in the top corner, where all the power cables sprout from a hole?

 

Could be silver and yes.

 

Okay, had no real idea what details I needed, so I hope this provides all the info you need.

Thank in advance

 

OK FSP is low quality and 350 watts is inadequate for your system. You would need to replace that with a quality 450-500 watt psu as well. Quality psu would be XFX, Seasonic, Antec HCG, Enermax or Super Flower

 

Ah well. Thanks, Rich.

At least you've saved me the expense and hassle of buying and installing a new card.

I don't really understand, though. When you say 350w is 'inadequate for your system' I'm assuming you mean only if I was to try and install a better graphic card?

And I presume it will still play Tropico 4, in that I got the green lights on CYRI ??

 

Not exactly right. Over the long run psus degrade and when they do they starve other components which will start to die as well.
Not only can't you add a card without upgrading the psu, over the next few months the system will slowly slow down and quit. Cheap psus tend to blow rather than just quit and when that happens the processor, hard drive or current video card will be damaged.
One way or the other you will most likely need to change that psu soon.

 

I'm still not clear. Are you saying I can run Tropico 4 or not?

I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that PC gaming is a load of boohocky!

Tell me, what is the appeal?? It's nothing but one giant headache and inconvenience!

 

So, did you try to play the game with your current setup or not? As far as PC gaming being a load of boohocky... well it depends on the person that is playing the games. Dealing with hardware isn't for everyone that is why some simply move on to consoles. However it's really not that difficult. What is the appeal? I would say probably the same appeal that you had when you attempted to play your game, or any other game. PC gaming has a massive appeal to those that play games generally speaking, as does console gaming, or gaming in general.

If I was you, and I truly wanted to play game nicely on a budget, I would invest in something like a quality 520W power supply, and an R7 265, or GTX 750ti, or R9 270. Something along those lines.

 

Well I'm trying to.

And here lies another reason why I think I'm one of those people who PC gaming isn't for. Why is it all so complicated??

I connected up my external dvd drive, and when I eventually got my PC to read the damn thing (after using the USB in the side of the tower, as the thing wouldn't work when I used one of the ports in the back of the tower) I shoved in the Tropico 4 disc and followed the install prompts.

Now the install has finished, and all I have is a desktop icon for Steam!!! Where's my game??? If I click the Steam icon, it tries to get me to create an account with Steam. I don't want Steam!! I just want to play Tropico 4! ARGGGHHHH!!!!

 

So out of frustration I signed up to Steam, and now it's finally installing the game!

So I buy a game, nice and legit, and am them forced to sign up to Steam if I actually want access to my game? What the hell does Steam have to do with a game I've bought on disc?

 

I've asked that very same question. Why? Here is why; simply put it's for legality reasons and mostly for illegal copies trying to be passed off as legit. There's a code on the disc which is then read through Steam if legit and hasn't been copied/used it will allow you access. If not you will get a not so nice error message telling you.

As for PC game play goes....with keyboard/mouse use, you have more control of how your character interacts with the game and over all game performance. Kind of like fine tuning a carburetor on an engine. You can tweak the heck out of a game on a PC in all manners....game software and PC hardware which will increase FPS for smoother game play. You can't do this on a console

What gets the novice in trouble with PC gaming; they thing they can use an OEM retail purchased PC (HP, Dell) from a Walmart or Bestbuy and expect it to work. Those PC's are only designed for basic computing and web surfing.

 

I understand the piracy thing, bassfisher, but I still don't see why that keycode can't be verified without having to create a Steam account. Not only did I have to create a Steam account, I had to create one with the makers of the game Calypso, too.

What happened to the days when you just stuck the disc in your machine and hit play??

 

Albert,
Now I think you are getting into the mechanics of telling someone how to run their business without realizing it. In today's world many software companies do nothing but create and support their products and hire all kinds of specialists to do the other "stuff" they don't care about but this is nothing new. I spent 35 years in the womens clothing industry and one of the most difficult things for me to live with was a well known clothing company who used a factor for all financial affairs. Why because factors are good at that and ideological companies are not and actually we should be thankful when others make such decisions because in the long run things will run better and make our life easier.

 

But, Rich, things are only done like this nowadays, so that those companies can spam their customers' inbox with offers, promotions, upgrades, DLC, etc.

 

We really don't know that is true...there sure is enough spam to go around though from every resource.
That is why I have 2 Hotmail accounts I seldom look at for internet signups.

 

Once you start using STEAM you will realize how good and efficient it really is. I understand the clamoring for the days of old where we installed games from CD or DVD, but in reality physical media days are coming to a close fast and digital delivery will be the only means of software delivery. Right now if you look on the STEAM main page there is a ridiculous sale going on for about a week where a lot games are stunningly low priced. This is one of the many benefits you get with STEAM delivery. By the way there is a way to play most games in "offline mode" as well. When I start a game I always minimize the STEAM interface as well.

As far as an upgrade goes for you and what you have now etc. I think a good place to start was your picture of the power supply, and if you can also take a picture of the entire side of the case with the case cover off, showing the motherboard and all the internals we can gauge how much room you have to install an aftermarket graphics card and a better power supply. Right now, I am thinking you are a budget PC gamer, but aspiring to eventually upgrade to midrange, or close to it, and an R7 370 or GTX 750ti/GTX 960 will do wonders. That is if you desire to play other newly released games at 1080p with high or medium high settings. So when you get a chance please post some pictures and we can go from there we would be happy to help you. In the mean time Enjoy Tropico4!