Curse

esthetic · Jul 07, 2009, 08:35 PM // 20:35

This Thread started as a question of why my two year old laptop was quicker then my one year old desktop.

The answer I believe is the graphics card in my desktop was crap. So I am asking for any suggestions on upgrading my graphics card and power supply.

Currently the computer came with an ATI HD 3200 and 350W power supply.

Since the computer cost less than $500.00 I am hesitant about spending more than $200.00 for a card and PSU. I have looked at the products on newegg but I am relatively a computer hardware novice and could use some expert advice.

Elder III · Jul 07, 2009, 08:38 PM // 20:38

Wireless will decrease the speed, not increase it. Without knowing your full system specs on both computers it's hard to say what might cause the one to run 1/3 of a second faster - there are many different possibilities there.

esthetic · Jul 07, 2009, 08:40 PM // 20:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elder III

Wireless will decrease the speed, not increase it. Without knowing your full system specs on both computers it's hard to say what might cause the one to run 1/3 of a second faster - there are many different possibilities there.

Any other general reasons why a laptop may be faster than a desktop w/ an online real time type game?

Elder III · Jul 07, 2009, 08:51 PM // 20:51

GPU,CPU,RAM,PSU,OS,MOBO,AntiVirus,Other Software, Cables, and a plethora of other things - need system specs to even comment on it.

type "-dxdiag" into the Command Promt of your Start Menu then post the results here.

rick1027 · Jul 07, 2009, 09:40 PM // 21:40

id try testing your cable first but second it possible your psu isnt strong enough to run your desktop could find out more with a systems specs as elder requested

Bristlebane · Jul 07, 2009, 09:49 PM // 21:49

Indeed it could be way number of reasons.
One reason could be you're running a lot of applications or services causing your desktop computer to do more sluggish. There could be malware/trojans doing the same thing. It could be a slow firewall that bottlenecks your internet throughput speed etc.

Try run one of thoose internet speed tests, there's plenty of them. Try find some near your geographical area. Then compare the ping between your laptop and your computer.

Also.. connect your laptop directly to your cable if you can and see if that affects speed. If your laptop gets slower on cable, it could be your ISP. For example, if the distance between you and your ISP is far it will cause cause a lot of extra ping. If you're connected by modem, it could be old phone wires in your house/appartment.

There's a number of other possible reasons but start by checking out thoose first.

Goodluck.

PS.
As comparison, I used to use a cable modem provider that gave me 35ms ping. When I changed to another cable provider, ping got reduced to only 3ms. Same computer and setup, but 10 times faster ping.

esthetic · Jul 07, 2009, 11:19 PM // 23:19

guess the lap top is only 2 years old but still:

Processor: intel core 2 duo [email protected] GHz
Memory: 2046MB

Display: GeForece 8600M GS
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Tot Mem: 1008 MB
Curnt. Disp Mode: 1440x900(32bit)(60Hz)

Desktop

Proccessor: AMD Phenom 9100e Quadcore 1.8GHz
Memory: 3838MB

Display: ATI Raedeon HD 3200(0x9610)
Memory: 1918MG
Current disp Mode: 1680x1050(32bit)(60Hz)

Desktop and Laptop do not have any other programs running w/guildwars no spyware or other malwares, Desktop is wired and laptop is wireless, both are within 6 feet of the router.

Why is my desktop slower? Just did a /roll test in an explorable area w/ both laptop and desktop the laptop.. out of 25 tries.. hit /roll enter the simultaneously on both computers the laptop won all 25 times ><

moriz · Jul 07, 2009, 11:21 PM // 23:21

well, your laptop is superior to your desktop in terms of gaming performance. is that a 8600M GT, or a 8600M GS? either way, both are superior to the HD3200, which is actually an integrated chip.

esthetic · Jul 07, 2009, 11:33 PM // 23:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriz

well, your laptop is superior to your desktop in terms of gaming performance. is that a 8600M GT, or a 8600M GS? either way, both are superior to the HD3200, which is actually an integrated chip.

well both are integrated chips no? so you think upgrading the graphics card on my desktop should fix this? What graphics card should I get?

moriz · Jul 07, 2009, 11:53 PM // 23:53

8600M GT/GS is a discrete graphic card, complete with its own memory. if you open up your laptop, you'll find an actual card plugged into a miniature PCI-e slot. unfortunately, you won't be able to remove/swap it, since its likely soldered on to prevent it coming loose while you carry your laptop around.

i'm not sure if the graphic card is the cause or not, and if i'm wrong, you'll be spending money and not fix anything. you can try lowering the settings on your desktop and see if the latency disappears or not. if the latency DOES disappear, then it might be a good idea to upgrade.

Brett Kuntz · Jul 08, 2009, 12:33 AM // 00:33

The HD 3200 is an IGP with 128mb DDR3 1333Mhz video memory. But what it seems like is your DEsktop is lagging, probably from some sort of background program running silently and eating up your bandwidth or just maintaining a lot of connections. Routers cannot handle high connection counts (100+) very well.

esthetic · Jul 08, 2009, 02:04 PM // 14:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuntz

The HD 3200 is an IGP with 128mb DDR3 1333Mhz video memory. But what it seems like is your DEsktop is lagging, probably from some sort of background program running silently and eating up your bandwidth or just maintaining a lot of connections. Routers cannot handle high connection counts (100+) very well.

Hmm how can i check whats running silently? The task manager says nothing else is running. My internet connection is comcast cable home service with a secure network running two computers. Well both the laptop and computer are on the same network so this shouldnt make a difference.

Brett Kuntz · Jul 08, 2009, 05:54 PM // 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by esthetic

Hmm how can i check whats running silently? The task manager says nothing else is running. My internet connection is comcast cable home service with a secure network running two computers. Well both the laptop and computer are on the same network so this shouldnt make a difference.

You can't really check it. Have you done any speed tests at DSLreports.com? There are a lot of reasons why your Desktop could be lagging a lot, but most of them are internet/network related.

Malician · Jul 09, 2009, 01:01 AM // 01:01

Mouse over the little FPS indicator (colored ball) in the corner of the screen. If the FPS is under 25-30, lower the resolution - it's a problem with the computer. If the ping is high, it's a problem with the internet.

esthetic · Jul 14, 2009, 02:17 AM // 02:17

BUMP for some suggestions on upgrading my desktop

Malician · Jul 14, 2009, 04:01 AM // 04:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by esthetic

BUMP for some suggestions on upgrading my desktop

It sounds like your problem is with the internet somehow (and has nothing to do with upgrading). However, you can and should upgrade your desktop's graphics for cheaply.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121319
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150340

To see whether your current PSU is sufficient you would have to open your computer case and find its model number (or the statistics on the PSU where it says amps on the 12V rail).

Elder III · Jul 14, 2009, 12:39 PM // 12:39

If I undestand correctly you have a HD3200 in your desktop and it's running off a 350watt PSU. Now, I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you have a mediocre quality PSU (which is very likely if you bought it from a major retailer) and You would be best off updating it. You could get both a quality PSU and a far better GPU than what you have now for $100.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127415

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341016

$90 after rebates (which end the 16'th) add in shipping and you are looking at about $97 which is pretty good for what you are getting there. XD

There may be even better deals out there, but it really just depends on what you want to do with the new video card and what your max budget is.

Quaker · Jul 14, 2009, 04:50 PM // 16:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriz

8600M GT/GS is a discrete graphic card, complete with its own memory. if you open up your laptop, you'll find an actual card plugged into a miniature PCI-e slot.

No, if it was a miniature PCIe slot, you could upgrade it, but it;s not.

Actually the 8600M is a discrete graphics chip, not a card. It could be either soldered directly to the laptop motherboard, or mounted on a separate plug-in card. There is no standard for the plug-in cards, and each manufacturer designs and builds whatever fits into a particular line of laptops, Companies like Dell use these proprietary cards so that they can "customize" your laptop when you order it.

The HD3200 differs in that it is an Integrated Graphics Controller. That is to say, the graphics controller function is integrated into the main motherboard chipset and is not a separate component. IGCs share main RAM more often than discrete chips do, and it appears as though the OP's shares RAM.

But anyway, to answer the OP:

First off, check to see if your computer actually has a graphics card slot. Some low-end systems that use integrated graphics, save a few pennies by not even providing a physical slot. You should check the manual/specs of the computer to see if it has a PCIe graphics slot (or at least AGP). Or you could open it up and have a look inside.

If it has a slot, there are some lower power video cards, such as (I think) the ATI 4670, that will run with a 350watt PS.
If you want to go higher end, such as an HD 4850, which requires (iirc) 400watts, you'll need a new power supply. The only caveate there is to make sure your desktop can fit a standard PS and there is a possiblity that the motherboard connector on the old PS may also be proprietary.

What's the make and model of the PoS er, desktop?

esthetic · Jul 14, 2009, 08:09 PM // 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elder III

If I undestand correctly you have a HD3200 in your desktop and it's running off a 350watt PSU. Now, I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you have a mediocre quality PSU (which is very likely if you bought it from a major retailer) and You would be best off updating it. You could get both a quality PSU and a far better GPU than what you have now for $100.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127415

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341016

$90 after rebates (which end the 16'th) add in shipping and you are looking at about $97 which is pretty good for what you are getting there. XD

There may be even better deals out there, but it really just depends on what you want to do with the new video card and what your max budget is.

Thank you, I just ordered those items! ^^ Can you help me with installation if I need any help?

Elder III · Jul 14, 2009, 09:40 PM // 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by esthetic

Thank you, I just ordered those items! ^^ Can you help me with installation if I need any help?

Sure, I'd be glad to help - as much as I can over the internet anyways. hehe

If you have never worked on the inside of a computer before you need to do 2 things first:

#1 - buy this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16899261001

#2 - read this basic starters guide to building a PC, with pics etc:

http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/other/144

have fun!