integrated intel extreme grahpics 2

[ganon89]

Hi, i just got a new computer and i am wondering if it will run guild wars. system specs are:

512mb of memory
80gb hard drive
pentium 4 (2.80ghz)
15" flat panel display
internet connection: DSL

I know these will run it but the computer comes with an integrated intel extreme graphics 2 card and i am wondering if guild wars will run on this computer with that graphics card in it, and if so how well? thanks.

[Gyro Scope]

Gaming video card types: AGP and PCI-e
Non-gaming video card types: Integrated and PCI or god forbid, ISA.

I suggest that if you have an AGP slot in there you get some sort of AGP card, and then it'll run smoothly on at least lower settings. If you only have PCI slots, then get a decent PCI card, and it will run it, but I can't guarantee it will be smooth. You'll also have to figure out how to disable the onboard graphics to properly install a real card.

For your specs, I recommend an AGP 5200, or if you don't have an AGP slot, get the PCI version, since you're going to bottleneck anything more than that so it would be a waste of money.

[trafalgar-zero]

The place that you bought it from, should hopefully give you some sort of support. I know Best Buy offers installation for like $25, but i heard they do it right the first time.

I prey that you have an AGP slot, when i bought mine, it was the only one with AGP slots, but the dummy computer guy said it was PCE. He didn't help me after that.

[lostchyld]

I've only ever run integrated graphics and never had problems. Haven't had time to upgrade, and now I'm broke.

[Dreamsmith]

Well, running integrated video is always like running a video card at least a generation or two back. OTOH, GW runs just fine with cards several generations back (I ran the WPE and BWE1 on an MX 440, and it worked fine, although I decided to upgrade my video immediately after, or rather after seeing it on my friend's top end system). I'd run it on your current video first, and see how well it works -- then upgrade if you're not happy...

[Vexion]

Guild Wars will run, just not very nicely.

[Gyro Scope]

Keep in mind, any integrated video will be far worse than even a Geforce 4 MX... I mean a Geforce 2 MX is better than integraded video in most cases.

[Manstein]

Well, to disable to the onboard graphics, just go to the BIOS when your system starts up, just by pressing F2, or F8? I don't really remember, but, the menus should guide you to the place where you disable your intergrated chip.

But, do this after you have installed your video card. If you do it before, then, it's going to be tricky to navigate back and reactivate it, because you won't see anything on screen.

Install your PCI card first, then, restart and do the BIOS thing.

[Mythwyn]

Don't mess with the BIOS. More then likely you won't have a setting to disable onboard video. You might have an option in BIOS to select either PCI or AGP as first display device. It does'nt matter though. So forget it.

Your system based on the Specs you listed is running Windows XP, you'll have to go into device manager. Start[Click] My Computer [Right Click] Properties [Click] Hardware Tab [Click] Device Manager [Click] Display Adapters [Expand] Intel Extreme [Right Click] Diable.

When prompted to restart now, [Don't] This is when you shut down your PC, unplug the power connection. Install your New card, plug in the ac and start your PC [with your monitor connected to the new cards mini sub D15 [VGA] output. Or DVI is your monitor supports it.

You'll see the BIOS post and entering windows desktop be prompted for the drivers. You should download [but not run] the latest drivers prior to card installation and if windows offers to install them cancel and use the downloaded drivers setup instead, ignoring logo certification warnings [as you got the drivers directly from ATi or nVidia, right].

Assuming your accually going to get a new card, now that you know how to install one. Concider spending around $100 for an ATi 9600 Pro or 9600XT[avoid the 9600 & 9600SE] or if you prefer nVidia the 6200s. You don't want to get into the higher end cards if your running a DELL, HP/Compaq, Emachine as the "Off-the-Shelf" systems don't generally ship with very good power supplies, which are needed for Higher End graphics cards that need an auxillary power connection. If Guild Wars is your game then the mentioned cards should do you well. Given 15" display you'll only run max 1024x768 so a 128MB video card is fine [memory is used to draw the pixels, more pixels=more memory needed]. On the off chance you have a PCI-Express slot (unlikely) wait for a while, as ATi will be shipping new cards and drive down the X700 Pro to the $169 US mark [even less online].

Besides added performance and newer DirectX 9 feature [Effects] support using a non-integrated video card takes processing cycles off the CPU and frees RAM that would normally be shared [64MB or 32MB of your 512MB system RAM]. Good Luck... Hope this clears up any questions. When in doubt ask a Service Technician instead of a Salesman, not all, but many are clueless as to technical specifics. They might try and get you a good deal or a good card, but that does'nt mean it's the right solution for your needs. A good tech will look at your system no charge, ask what you want to run, then make a recommendation.