Fallout 3 Reuirements question

[RyanLP]

Forgive me if this was the wrong place to post this topic, I wasn't really sure and I figured that people reading the technical section would give me a better answer.

 

Well anyways, I've been looking forward to buying Fallout 3 for quite some time now, however I've never been sure if my requirements fit. I'm not so hot when it comes to things like the system information. I don't know how to even upgrade my graphics card, or how much it would cost, so if my system requirements don't match could you please be so kind as to filling me in with those details? Thanks.

 

Here's my display information.

 

 

NAme: Intel® Q965/Q963 Express Chipset Family

 

Manufacturer: Intel Corporation

 

Chip Type: Intel® GMA 300

 

DAC Type: Internal

 

Approx. Total Memory: 256.0 MB

 

Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)

 

Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor

 

 

 

 

Here's some system information.

 

Processor: Intel® Core2 CPU 6300 @ 1.86GHz(2 CPUs)

 

Memory: 2038MB RAM

 

DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

 

 

 

One more quick question... if my RAM isn't high enough, can I use my external hard drive to fix that?

 

Anyone, please help me out, thanks.

[Snagg57]

You Should be fine, im currently running it with a Core 2 Duo (not the best but works well)

and a 2006? Nvdia 7600 Gt card.(Low-Med)

 

RAM is fine, but if possible i would suggest 4 Gb (3 gb Max on 32 bit)

 

Graphics card, is that integrated? if so i HIGHLY suggest you buy a dedicated Graphics/ Video card.

[test2]

Should run fine, as long as your graphic expectations aren't too high.

A GFX upgrade (eg. a HD 4850) should not set you back more than $100 and would allow you to run everything on Ultra High.

 

A memory upgrade is NOT advised since 2gig should be more than sufficient if you're not running that fat wh*re called Vista. You'll only be able to utilise 3gig on 32bit anyways, and running 64bit might cause issues (performance, drivers, ...). I've got 4gig and can honestly say, as cheap as it is ATM, it's not worth it :D Memory prices will keep on plummeting so best keep that cash for when you DO need it, and your patience will be greatly rewarded.

 

You CAN theoretically use your external HD for an extra Win pagefile, but this would not resolve anything and will probably even cause slowdown since USB traffic passes through the CPU.

 

 

Also, check TweakGuides.com for some essential performance tweaks.

Especially since FO3 seems to UNDERutilize your hardware (eg. multithreading, uGridsToLoad, Cell Buffers, iPreloadSizeLimit, ...)

[JimboUK]

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/referrer/srtest

 

Use this.

 

That intel gma300 sounds horribly like an integrated thing, if so I doubt you could run it properly.

[test2]

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/referrer/srtest

 

Use this.

 

That intel gma300 sounds horribly like an integrated thing, if so I doubt you could run it properly.

 

Integrated does not always mean inferior :)

Before my upgrade to an HD4850, it ran @ very acceptable quality on an onboard HD3200.

FO3 really isn't all that needy, all things considered.

 

 

EDIT: BTW, EPIC sig :D

[JimboUK]

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/referrer/srtest

 

Use this.

 

That intel gma300 sounds horribly like an integrated thing, if so I doubt you could run it properly.

 

Integrated does not always mean inferior :)

Before my upgrade to an HD4850, it ran @ very acceptable quality on an onboard HD3200.

FO3 really isn't all that needy, all things considered.

 

 

EDIT: BTW, EPIC sig :D

 

Indeed but the HD3200 isn't made by Intel, their chipsets are next to useless.

[test2]

Indeed but the HD3200 isn't made by Intel, their chipsets are next to useless.

 

Well, imagine my surprise back in the Oblivion days, when a friend's laptop's GMA blew my laptop's nVidia 6200 out of the water. Admittedly, it was the 128meg "TurboCache" (yeah, I know...) version, meaning only 32meg of dedicated video memory, but I had gone to great lengths to get everything fully optimized while the guy hadn't lifted a finger at all.

 

Anyways, if he's planning to buy FO3 anyway, he might as well give the GMA a shot at it before spending his hard-earned green. Those bills can be quite useful to light the stove when hyperinflation occurs. No, really...

[RyanLP]

Wow, thanks a lot guys. I'll probably head out and by FO3 soon then. I've been playing it on 360 and I've seriously beat EVERYTHING. I'll check up on those links too, I probably do need to upgrade my graphics card a bit though. The reason I asked in the first place is because Oblivion wouldn't run, but I just got my computer fixed and the dude had to replace some stuff so who knows?

[RyanLP]

Aww man, I checked that "Can You Run It?" link and it said everything was fine except my video card.

 

Video Card

Minimum: Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 256MB RAM (NVIDIA 6800 or better/ATI X850 or better)

You Have: Intel® Q965/Q963 Express Chipset Family (Intel® GMA 3000)

FAIL: Sorry, your video card does not meet this minimum requirement. Upgrade to a more powerful video card will make all your applications look better. Click the 'We Recommend' button to see some great options.

 

 

Video RAM: Required - 256 MB , You have - 256 MB

Video Card 3D Acceleration: Required - Yes , You have - Yes

Video HW Transform & Lighting: Required - Yes , You have - No

Vertex Shader Ver.: Required - 2.0 , You have - 0.0

Pixel Shader Ver.: Required - 2.0 , You have - 2.0

[RyanLP]

Does anybody know if I can download anything to get around the Vertex shader or the HW Transform & Lightening?