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amber99
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(regular)
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Fri Feb 02 2007 06:41 PM
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graphics
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Direct 9 x recommended by microsoft, nvidia gf7 400 from comet, at1 from pc world, what is the difference between these graphics, are some better that others. what exactly are shared graphics.
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Mouse
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(Moderator)
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Sun Feb 04 2007 10:26 AM
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Re: graphics
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DirectX isn't a graphics card recommended by Microsoft, it's software, not hard ware.
Quote:
DirectX is a collection of APIs for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming, on Microsoft platforms. It is competing with OpenGL and with SDL and is widely used in the development of computer games for Microsoft Windows, Sega Dreamcast, Microsoft Xbox and Microsoft Xbox 360.
DirectX is also used among other software production industries, most notably among the engineering sector because of its ability to quickly render high-quality 3D graphics using the latest 3D graphics hardware.
Both the DirectX runtime and software development kit are proprietory closed-source software but available free of charge. The DirectX runtime was originally redistributed by computer game developers along with their games, but later it was included in Microsoft Windows. Game developers still often include an updated version of DirectX that prompts installation automatically after the game installation to ensure proper program functionality.
The latest release version of DirectX is DirectX 10, which is included with Windows Vista, but is not available for other versions of Microsoft Windows.
nVidia and ATi are graphics card manufacturers and they make the hardware graphics cards. Which you go for depends on your motherboards support.
Shared graphics are cards that are integrated on the motherboard and are ok for general PC use. Useless for gaming, unless the game is very basic.
I assume from your question, you're considering purchasing an upgrade?
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amber99
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(regular)
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Sun Feb 04 2007 11:35 AM
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Re: graphics
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Thanks very much for your information. I am not considering an upgrade. My PC is over six years old. with windows ME and I intend to purchase a new PC with Vista premium. I know I must have the necessary specifications to get the best use out of Vista and I was confused about the graphics.
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Mouse
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(Moderator)
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Sun Feb 04 2007 03:31 PM
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Re: graphics
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Ok so buying a new PC is a good idea, especially the age and more so the OS, WindowsME was a nightmare. Although some rumours on the interweb suggest Vista may be similar. Although that as I said may just be rumours.
If you're looking at gaming with your new PC then shared graphics isn't the way to go.
I'd recommend nVidia over ATi, however there isn't much difference when you compare like for like to be honest.
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amber99
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(regular)
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Sun Feb 04 2007 07:57 PM
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Re: graphics
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Thanks again. I am hoping to get what I want for about £600. At this price I consdered a Fujitsu Seimans with Intel Core 2 Duo E4300, 1.80GHz speed. 1GB memory,250GB storage and 256MB Nvidia GF7300 graphics. ( I am quoting from the catologue specifications ) I am not an expert and my use of the P.C is more general then specialised. so I thought this P.C. would be all right. However I note what you said about Vista rumours and I had decided that it would be best to wait a few weeks to see if any problems crop up, as I know they did with XP. If they do I think they will probably be discussed on this website. Thanks.
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Mouse
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(Moderator)
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Sun Feb 04 2007 09:09 PM
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Re: graphics
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The specs are ok, but you can get more for your cash, in terms of hard drive size for instance. Then again as you say, if you're using this as a general machine, then you may not need to worry about storage, just yet. However consider the size if you get into movies, photos and music.
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amber99
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(regular)
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Mon Feb 05 2007 08:15 PM
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Re: graphics
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Thanks for confirming the specifications as sufficient. I think the storage will be O,K. Let us hope there not too many problems with Vista during its initial use, so I can go ahead. Thanks again.
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Mouse
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(Moderator)
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Mon Feb 05 2007 08:25 PM
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Re: graphics
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Good luck
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