Dell Optiplex GX280 video card/RAM

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I recently installed windows 7 on my Optiplex GX280 since Microsoft pulled out XP. It's running pretty smooth, but when I try to play games or videos (on wmp) it gives a message that there's a problem with the video card (when opening windows media centre it says it doesn't have the minimum memory needed (64MB), for games it says hardware acceleration is switched off or not supported by the driver, but it is on). So I think I should get a new video card. Also, the computer crashes a lot. I think because it's low on RAM. Does anybody know what video card/how much RAM I need and where to buy it (I can't spend too much)?. And are there any good tutorials on how to install them since I'm pretty much a noob.

Specs:
Dell Optiplex GX280
Windows 7 Professional (32-bits)
RAM: 512 MB
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80 GHz (2 CPUs)
Video card:
standard-VGA graphic adapter
On total memory it says n/a
 
Solution
hang-the-9
You don't have the right video drivers installed which is why you are getting that error. Your model does not have drivers from Dell for anything newer than XP, and it looks like Win 7 does not have them built-in. The system is also very slow, especially with only 512MB of RAM. The minimum you want to have a decently working system these days is 2 gig.

For $100 or maybe less if you bargain a bit and look around, you can get a used dual-core system. Look for one with a 2.4gig + CPU, in a tower with about a 300+ watt power supply so you can upgrade it easily later. Unless you can get 2 gig of RAM and possibly a PCIe video card for under $30, I would not spend any money on this computer and just replace it.
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hang-the-9

hang-the-9

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Mar 25, 2010
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You don't have the right video drivers installed which is why you are getting that error. Your model does not have drivers from Dell for anything newer than XP, and it looks like Win 7 does not have them built-in. The system is also very slow, especially with only 512MB of RAM. The minimum you want to have a decently working system these days is 2 gig.

For $100 or maybe less if you bargain a bit and look around, you can get a used dual-core system. Look for one with a 2.4gig + CPU, in a tower with about a 300+ watt power supply so you can upgrade it easily later. Unless you can get 2 gig of RAM and possibly a PCIe video card for under $30, I would not spend any money on this computer and just replace it.
 
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Solution
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Obviously I won't be playing very heavy games with this computer, I think I'll use it most for sometimes LoL and maybe minecraft.
Thanks :)
 
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Well, that's a bit disappointing, but thanks anyway. I searched for 2 gb of RAM and the lowest I can find is around $18, but I don't know if it'll work on my computer. How can I see what kind of memory/video card I need?
 
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hang-the-9

hang-the-9

Titan
Mar 25, 2010
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Minecraft will run really badly on that system. Even at the lowest settings. And so will league of legends.

Your best bet for upgrading it not to, and replace it with a faster used system. Like I said, you can find a dual-core system for $100 or less, which is not much more than buying things to upgrade your computer will cost. You can spend $40-50 on upgrading a system that will still be slow, or $100 on a system that will already be 4-5 times faster than yours. You can even find a used system that already has a low end or older gaming card in it for $100.

If you really really want to stick with what you have, you can find the exact RAM you need by doing a system scan at www.crucial.com. Even if you don't buy it from them, you can get the speed and other specs you need.

For a video card, an older PCIe x16 card will do, you can't run a high power card nor a new card as the PCIe version in your system is almost certainly 1.0 or 1.1, and newer cards can have issues with the early PCIe slots.

I don't think you can find a usable video card for under $20, anything that's worth getting would be about that.
 
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Kisianik

Kisianik

Splendid
Jan 24, 2013
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Minecraft minimum recommended CPU is Pentium D (stronger than Pentium 4, which you have), Minecraft will play on your CPU but at the lowest settings possible with all lag you can not imagine.

I would support previous advises regarding finding Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quad PC for less, if you live in USA it is very possible.
 
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