Spore

Tried to install Spore on my son's old Dell. It installed (probably using up one of our installs, grr), then when it ran it said the graphics card didn't have the mojo. It's a Dell Dimension 2400 -- the computer just barely meets the specs but the built-in Intel graphics doesn't.

So I'm looking to either buy a PCI card to run in the Dell (the cheap solution, probably $50 or less), OR maybe it's time to replace this dog-slow box with a current model.

But I can't tell what it really takes to run Spore. "Pixel Shader 2.0" is NOT well advertised or documented. The Spore Specs page lists the "required" cards, but I see plenty of posts with people running on lower-end cards not listed on that page. What does Spore **REALLY** require??

Lots of mobos include e.g. GEforce 8200 graphics. Wikipedia says the 8200 supports DirectX 10, and DirectX 10 supports Shader Model 4 on Vista.

So:
* Does any card with DirectX 9 support (which supposedly supports PS 2.0 or 3.0) work?
* Does any card with DirectX 10 support PS 4.0?
* Will a system with a built-in 8200 work? It doesn't tell how much RAM the 8200 has but I would assume at least 128MB??
* Will Spore run OK in Vista?

Thanks,
Gary

1. Yes, if it has hardware support for DX9.0c, it will have support for pixel shader 3.0.
2. Yes, any card with a hardware support for DX10 will support pixel shader 4.0.
3. nVidia's built-in graphic chipsets usually have a 128 mb-max shared memory. I reckon it will work.
4. Yes. It runs in Vista. However, the minimum requirement won't be the same with XP.

But, if you're still worrying about its compatibility, then I suggest getting a discrete video card. Though a bit more pricey, but it ensures your gaming experience. I recommend the Radeon 4650 for this. The average price is about 60-70 dollars.

THANK YOU !!!! I've been trying to get a straight answer to that for a week.

OK. We were thinking of a small Acer.
Nvidia's 8200 page doesn't specify the RAM in the 8200. I'll try to determine that before we buy the Acer. At least I know the other requirements will be covered. Thanks very much!!

Hi there, I just registered, saw your post and have to reply -- I hope it isn't too late! Please do not buy the 8200 graphics card!! It's a very crappy card. In actual fact it isn't a card, as the name says:
"Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 8200 graphics" Integrated means it's just one of the chips in your motherboard.
When buying a graphics card, if it is Nvidia never buy anything unless the second number is 6 or higher. (The first number is the generation, the second number is the power of the card, how suitable for gaming it is). Hence a 7800 is much much better than an 8200 or 8400.

So, the fact that Acer is promoting that pc with the 8200 "for lush images" and all that crap means nothing. It's just an integrated chip, now call that chip intel, or nvidia... maybe the nvidia is slightly slightly better but still far far away from a proper gaming card.

If you decide to buy the Acer, make sure it has a PCI-E slot inside and, depending on your budget, buy nothing less than an 8600GT. If you can get a 9600GT or 8800GT - they run spore smooth and well, and will be fine for other more demanding games too.

Well, yeah, it is too late. We ordered an Acer with 8200 and it'll be here in a day or two.

I know it's minimal. It's not on the supported list. But the Wiki writeup says it supports DirectX 10, which means it supports more than is required for Spore. Hopefully I won't regret it.

If it turns out it just isn't acceptable, there is a PCI-e x16 slot for a future graphics card.

FYI: we finally got the Acer and (after resolving some bizarre network problems caused/triggered by the Spore installation), my 11-yr-old is now happily playing. The 8200 seems to be working just fine. Maybe it couldn't handle 30FPS shooter games but it's doing great on Spore.

teehee my spore runs just great with a integrated Ati Raedon HD 3200.

Don't revive dead threads.

__________________

In the heat of the game, one of the players threw a vicious punch the victim was all set to get -stuck into him when the referee rushed up and held him back. 'Now then, O'Hara! You know you mustn't retaliate!''Come on ref!' said O'Hara. 'He retaliated first!'........................................... .................................................. ................................................ch eap wow power levelingwow goldBuy WOW Gold, Cheap WOW Gold, WoW Gold, World of Warcraft Gold

Just so you know, graphics chips that are integrated into the motherboard don't have a fixed amount of RAM. Its performance depends on the amount of system RAM and CPU speed you have. That is why using an integrated GPU requires more CPU speed and RAM.

__________________
"One day I let my mind wander. It bit me and ran off.
I never found it since." -Unknown

Dedicated 512mb or 1gb for the ultimate experience

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU BUMPED A THREAD FROM JUST OVER 10 MONTHS AGO!

But seriously. This is a necrothread. And 1gb in a laptop is abysmal for gaming, you need at least 2Gb, preferably 3Gb at least though.

__________________

32Gb ftw... I wish I had that...

__________________
YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO SURE

I've gamed on a 3GB ram latptop, sucked.


But then again I'm one of those desktop elitists, if I can't run 3 instances of EVE on max settings then it's a slow machine.

__________________
The Lords Prayer has 56 words

The Ten Commandments have 297 words

The American Declaration of Independence has 300 words

The Directive of the European Economic Community (EEC) on
the import of caramel and caramel products has 26,911 words.

[http://www.forum.mostlyclueless.net/index.php"]This is SWARTA![/url]
Most games have a learning curve, EVE online has a cliff. And jagged rocks.