Hardware issues?

[Specialk1]

Hello

Today, I received a new computer, and I was hoping that it would be able to play some recently released games.(All I had before was a 1.6ghz hp pavilion dv6000) I received another hp, this time it was the p6612p-b. It has a 2.9ghz Athlon II quad core processor, 750 gb of memory, 6gb of DDR ram, and has an ATI radeon HD 4200 integrated graphics with shared memory. I loaded ArmA 2 and even on the lowest settings it was choppy and looked worse than a PS2 game. This is not ideal and I was wondering what I could do to possibly make it better. I have a few hundred dollars left over and could afford a few upgrades. I need help because this game looks awesome.

Thanks.

[No Use For A Name]

HD 4200 integrated graphics with shared memory.

This is going to be a problem...integrated graphics are usually stripped down and don't offer near the performance as their PCI-E counterparts. I would suggest getting a decent GPU ($150-$250 price range minimum) which should be able to run the game more smoothly. But, you also have to realize that that PC is not made for gaming/performance, and is mainly just for 'office' use (word processing, editing, internet, etc.); so you'll never be able to max out all of Arma2's options; but it should be able to run it on medium settings, I would guess.

This should help you choose a decent graphics card: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...rade,2803.html

[Specialk1]

Should I just try and return the computer? It is also having problems connecting to the internet and other issues. If I could return it are there any systems for around 5-800 dollars that would readily run this game at a decent quality?

[No Use For A Name]

Absolutely; the best option would be to either build it yourself which can be tedious and time consuming, but usually the cheapest; or go to a custom PC building site like www.cyberpowerpc.com or http://www.buydirectpc.com/ ;and choose from several different components which they will assemble, test, and ship to you. $800 should be able to get you a very decent system (depending on any accessories/options you choose) and I think it's the better price vs. performance route instead of "cookie-cutter" dealers like HP and Dell; who like to skimp on everything just to drop the prices down. Also, you'll have better upgrade options in the future if you custom build your own.

Altogether the system I have cost me ~$1,100 total; but I've been slowly adding new parts as I get the money so it's not all at once. Just for my case, mobo, PSU, CPU, optical drives, and RAM cost ~$600.

Good luck!

[Specialk1]

So if I for some reason can not return this computer I have 300 dollars left to put into it. I found a Radeon HD 4650 card for 75 dollars. An Asus Nvidia Geforce gt 240 for 80 dollars. Would Either of these be a big step up from a Radeon 4200 Intergated graphics card?
What else would be preferable to replace, as to get the most bang for my buck?

[ron mexico]

do yourself a favor and get yourself at least an amd 5850 or nvidia gtx 460. you will be glad u did!

[Coffeecat]

yea. it may be bit more then twice the money but its not worth to buy a graphiccard which is nearly not even mid-class. get the gtx460, its a great card!