Circumstances are that I bought this thing recently for my new desktop: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103144 Basically, I couldn't be happier, but with one caveat; the graphics card (a ATI Radeon X1250) appears badly outdated. I just bought Mass Effect and can't get it to run. I'm totally willing to buy an up to date card, but upon cracking the case on the AL5100, I'm seeing no leeway to upgrade; everything's packed in supertight and bolted together. So my question is: 1) What sort of card do I need to buy to stay up to date if I want to turn this thing into a gaming rig? 2) Is there some sort of external graphics card available that I can use? 3) Do you suppose I'm just missing out on how to plug in a new card due to lack of technical expertise? And an add-on with that one: could I take this to a best buy/comp usa and expect to find someone who could help me upgrade? Should I be contacting Acer customer service?
I sure would like to try Mass Effect sometime...
― forksclovetofu, Wednesday, 30 July 2008 04:46 (seventeen years ago)
I think most people, when faced with the mess and difficulty of PC graphics cards, just give up and buy a 360.
― abanana, Wednesday, 30 July 2008 06:11 (seventeen years ago)
truth bomb
― webinar, Wednesday, 30 July 2008 08:33 (seventeen years ago)
more like a noob bomb
― g-kit, Wednesday, 30 July 2008 08:44 (seventeen years ago)
1) 8800gt cards are good and fairly cheap at the moment 2) no 3) you could ring them and ask if the system is upgradeable
or get an xbox :D
― DG, Wednesday, 30 July 2008 11:54 (seventeen years ago)
that thing does not look upgradeable. definitely give them a call and ask, but godamn it looks tiny/all-in-one/etc
― Will M., Wednesday, 30 July 2008 17:14 (seventeen years ago)
actually, if you cna find the radeon card, you may be able to replace it with another card, but be warned that the x1250 is an "express" card-- meaning it's a notebook vid card.
here are the ones that nvidia apparently has: http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_m_series.html
something that's a 9 series (9600 or 9800) is great in a desktop, and the above-mentioned 8800 is a good pick too. but, seriously, call/email them.
― Will M., Wednesday, 30 July 2008 17:16 (seventeen years ago)
Wageslave techie at Acer told me it's not upgradeable after poring over the specs. It's a good little computer, but I should've paid more attention to the graphics card when I was shopping. Looks like no PC gaming for me. Thanks for the suggestions; since I'm planning on getting an X360 in a month or so, I guess I'll take the loss on the game. Anybody wanna buy a copy of Mass Effect?
― forksclovetofu, Wednesday, 30 July 2008 18:54 (seventeen years ago)
the acer website lists the same integrated graphics on all the 5100 models so that may be a sign there's no way to upgrade
― DG, Wednesday, 30 July 2008 18:59 (seventeen years ago)
does PC gaming have a general thread?
― Will M., Monday, 4 August 2008 16:10 (seventeen years ago)
yup
All purpose ILG thread for "What are you playing", Wii posts, and other misc. chatter
― kingfish, Monday, 4 August 2008 22:56 (seventeen years ago)
so i'm hoping to play battlefield 3 next month but am told my current gfx card might not be up to the job if i want to play on full settings. which i do.
i have an ATI Radeon 5800. Now should I buy a brand new card, or would just buying another one of these cards bridged be acceptable?
― Summer Slam! (Ste), Wednesday, 28 September 2011 13:21 (fourteen years ago)
new and plenty o'RAM i'd say
― Once Were Moderators (DG), Wednesday, 28 September 2011 20:37 (fourteen years ago)
thoughts on a Nvidia GeForce GTX 780 3GB ?
― Drop soap, not bombs (Ste), Wednesday, 11 November 2015 20:55 (ten years ago)