Tryin 2 Play C&C 3 on PC

[wrx884]

Hey guys thought mayb some of use could shed some light y i cant play command and conquer red alert 3 game yet?

Intstalled the game, then as i go 2 play i get an error message saying " Please make sure u have a directX 9.0 or higher installed. Also verify that your video card meets minimum requirements and that u do not have hardware acceleration disabled in the display control panel".

Now ive checked im running a radeon 9200SE 128MB series graphics card ive also checked and i have the directX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904) and have checked that all my hardware acceleration r enabled so is there somthing im missing or need? thanx if u can help.

[BOGANV8]

i not much help but no game playing and get my led dash lights done and ready......

[wrx884]

LOL piorities 1st then urs hahaha

[wrx884]

I think i found out y it wont play from a few computer forums i managed 2 find but these rnt as busy as this 1 so hopfully some1 here can help me out, it seems as tho my card meets the requirments but its still just not enough 2 run the game.

Ok had a quick look on ebay i can get these fairly cheap 2 me i think lol which card will work and which 1 would b best? feel free 2 add ur own opinions on others if u want.

ATI Radeon x1950 Pro 256mb PCI-Express
ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT PCI Express
Gigabyte ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro - 512MB
ATI RADEON 9600XT AGP 256M DDR
ATI Radeon X800GT Sapphire Video
Sapphire 256Mb GDDR3 HD2400XT
Sapphire Radeon HD 3450 PCIE 256MB

[arrow224]

The Sapphire Radeon HD 3450 PCIE 256MB would be the best, but you need to have a PCI Express slot.

Since you mentioned a 9200SE, I assume you are running an AGP slot. In which case, you need to make sure the video card you get is AGP compatible.

Also another point to consider is whether or not it requires external power. The very low end of graphics card lines (like your 9200SE) can get enough power to run them from the AGP slot. However, once you start moving up, you need more power, so a molex connection is needed. If the card you choose does need molex power, make sure you have a spare molex connector on your PSU.

[wrx884]

The Sapphire Radeon HD 3450 PCIE 256MB would be the best, but you need to have a PCI Express slot.

Since you mentioned a 9200SE, I assume you are running an AGP slot. In which case, you need to make sure the video card you get is AGP compatible.

Also another point to consider is whether or not it requires external power. The very low end of graphics card lines (like your 9200SE) can get enough power to run them from the AGP slot. However, once you start moving up, you need more power, so a molex connection is needed. If the card you choose does need molex power, make sure you have a spare molex connector on your PSU.

Thanx 4 the reply arrow224 now im not really computer lit like that much lol so i dont really know if it has a molex connector wat does 1 look like?

If i copied the info about my comp using the run then DXGIAG thing? would u b able 2 tell or is it a case u will need some pics of the mother board?

Edit: is this a molex connector and r they all the same?

Google Image Result for http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/1902.jpg

[wrx884]

ok just some more info 4 u guys this is my mother board

MX46-533GN AOPEN Motherboard Mainboard Drivers Manuals BIOS

And i opened the tower and i can see 2 molex connectors free floating around 1 looks like its sliced into the hard drive with another molex connecter pluged into the back of that and the other from the power supply i think? spliced again 4 the DVD ROM.

will i need 2 upgrade my RAM also? ive only got 512MB atm but says i can fit 2GB max in this?

i guess my next question is, is it worth upgrading this tower or would it b much cheaper 2 buy a whole new tower? if i can id like 2 just upgrade this 1 if costs rnt that big of a difference.

[stocky]

i think the graphics card are a different connector for power. a 6 pin plug

[arrow224]

The MX46-533GN AOPEN uses the AGP interface, as can be seen by the brown slot. You thus need an AGP card.

Yes, the image you linked to is a molex. As long as you have one of those free, you can widen your choice of AGP cards.

More RAM is never a bad thing. Especially going from 512MB to 1GB, 1.5GB or even 2GB. If you wish to upgrade the RAM, you need DDR400 or PC3200 RAM. A 1GB stick should be enough, but feel free to purchase 2x 1GB sticks and have 2GB RAM.

All up, both RAM and video card would most likely cost in the region of $100 to $250, depending on a) what model you go for and b) what the prices are like. However, seeing as how (from the parts you have listed) your computer is at least 4 years old, I believe that spending money on such a machine is akin to throwing money away. Once you get in the upgrade cycle, much like cars, you can go on forever. If you feel that this is the case, have a look at saving up a bit more money, and a basic box can be sourced for as little as $750.

i think the graphics card are a different connector for power. a 6 pin plug

That's most likely if it is a PCI-E card. I have an AGP 6600GT, and it uses the standard 4 pin molex power.

[wrx884]

Can i get away with just upgrading the RAM and the card or will i need 2 upgrade other parts aswell? i had a quick look on ebay 4 RAM will these fit my board? and r they just cheap ****?

NEW 2GB 2 x 1GB PC2700 333MHZ 333 DDR RAM MEMORY 1G 266 - eBay DDR, Memory, RAM, Components, Computers. (end time 09-Jan-09 10:01:12 AEDST)

As 4 the Vid Card i dont exactly know wat im lookin 4 in the way of specs 2 b able 2 run this game and others if i have any problems so do u have any suggestions on a few that i can try source out? or is wat i listed good enough?

[MudBlood]

a fair bit of an upgrade..

the graphics card will be the hardest, finding something that is AGP and powerful enough to meet the requirements the C&C3 has.. something like an NVIDIA 6600GT came in an AGP version as mentioned above,, i think there were a few after this but am not up to scratch on older tech, i bought an ATI9800XT when they were first out and it was quite future proof till i got a PCI-E board.

System Requirements:
* OS – Windows XP / Vista (32-Bit)
* Processor – XP: 2.0 GHz (Intel Pentium 4; AMD Athlon 2000+; Multiple Cores) / Vista: 2.2 GHz (Intel Pentium 4/AMD Athlon 2200+/Multiple Cores)
* Memory – XP/Vista: 1 GB
* Hard Drive – Media: 6.0 GB / EA Link: 12.0 GB
* DVD Drive - 8 SPEED
* Video Card – NVIDIA GeForce 6800, ATI Radeon X1800 or higher end DirectX 9.0c compatible gfx card
* Sound Card - DirectX 9.0c compatible (Creative Sound Blaster Audigy cards require a Intel P4 2.6 GHz or similar under Vista, Yamaha Xwave-512 not supported)
* Input - Keyboard, Mouse

then this will all depend on your CPU aswell,, press the windows button on your keyboard and also the pause/break key this should then display your system properties window showing your CPU make and speed.. if its at least 2.0ghz you are fine there,, if not then a complete system makeover is in order.

9/10 times you can get a budget gamer to self assemble for round the $800 mark,, you can get cheaper yes,, but this is including mid range CPU and graphics average looking case and reliable PSU not a generic one..
note to everyone out there NEVER NEVER use a generic power supply yes thay are cheap, but they are of crap build and component quality.

Good luck with only requiring a simple upgrade.

[50LTRv8]

The 6600 GT are hard to get hold of now. I just got my wifes machine a 7600 GT but that even took some searching. I have tried it on Ghost Recon 2 and it was a no go

Just bare in mind that this game has slowed on 1600 res on my 8800GT so it uses the graphics card just a tad

Aus PC market have the Radeon 3650 in AGP which may a good bet

Reviewed here

Legit Reviews - ATI Radeon HD 3450 and Radeon HD 3650 Video Cards - Radeon HD 3450 and 3650 Video Cards Reviewed

All this for only $150. That would be as far as I would take that sytem though

[DUK13Y]

Do what I did and just redo your whole computer (bar the HDD's, etc).

I updated these from:
Abit kv7-v motherboard
AMD 2800+ cpu clocked to 2.22ghz
1.5Gig of DDR800 ram
nVidia 6600? 256mb graphics card

To:
Asus M3N78 motherboard
AMD 6000+ 3.0ghz dual core cpu
4gig DDR2-800 ram
no graphics as yet

I was going to buy a 512mb graphics card but didnt have the cash on me at the time and havent been bothered sinse. All this cost me less than $250. Allow about $60 for a decent 512mb graphocs card (decent but not top of the line). Computer runs so much better now and all the problems I had are gone.

For about $300, I think it's worth the upgrade.

[wrx884]

a fair bit of an upgrade..

the graphics card will be the hardest, finding something that is AGP and powerful enough to meet the requirements the C&C3 has.. something like an NVIDIA 6600GT came in an AGP version as mentioned above,, i think there were a few after this but am not up to scratch on older tech, i bought an ATI9800XT when they were first out and it was quite future proof till i got a PCI-E board.

System Requirements:
* OS – Windows XP / Vista (32-Bit)
* Processor – XP: 2.0 GHz (Intel Pentium 4; AMD Athlon 2000+; Multiple Cores) / Vista: 2.2 GHz (Intel Pentium 4/AMD Athlon 2200+/Multiple Cores)
* Memory – XP/Vista: 1 GB
* Hard Drive – Media: 6.0 GB / EA Link: 12.0 GB
* DVD Drive - 8 SPEED
* Video Card – NVIDIA GeForce 6800, ATI Radeon X1800 or higher end DirectX 9.0c compatible gfx card
* Sound Card - DirectX 9.0c compatible (Creative Sound Blaster Audigy cards require a Intel P4 2.6 GHz or similar under Vista, Yamaha Xwave-512 not supported)
* Input - Keyboard, Mouse

then this will all depend on your CPU aswell,, press the windows button on your keyboard and also the pause/break key this should then display your system properties window showing your CPU make and speed.. if its at least 2.0ghz you are fine there,, if not then a complete system makeover is in order.

9/10 times you can get a budget gamer to self assemble for round the $800 mark,, you can get cheaper yes,, but this is including mid range CPU and graphics average looking case and reliable PSU not a generic one..
note to everyone out there NEVER NEVER use a generic power supply yes thay are cheap, but they are of crap build and component quality.

Good luck with only requiring a simple upgrade.

Ok looks like i'll have 2 post up some more info about the computer 2 give use an idea of wat i can do 2 my system and wat i dont need 2 upgrade ect... i have seen a few of the ATI9800XT cards on ebay 4 like $90 is that really the Best i can go 4 APG card? i think the next thing id need 2 worry about is the power supply im pretty sure its a 300W supply.

Do what I did and just redo your whole computer (bar the HDD's, etc).

I updated these from:
Abit kv7-v motherboard
AMD 2800+ cpu clocked to 2.22ghz
1.5Gig of DDR800 ram
nVidia 6600? 256mb graphics card

To:
Asus M3N78 motherboard
AMD 6000+ 3.0ghz dual core cpu
4gig DDR2-800 ram
no graphics as yet

I was going to buy a 512mb graphics card but didnt have the cash on me at the time and havent been bothered sinse. All this cost me less than $250. Allow about $60 for a decent 512mb graphocs card (decent but not top of the line). Computer runs so much better now and all the problems I had are gone.

For about $300, I think it's worth the upgrade.

That sounds pretty good 4 the price man where did u get all ur stuff from? and i assume u installed it all urself? i wouldnt mind giving this a go myself i'l only get stuck wen it comes time 2 installing the software and not knowing if i got the right settings ect... but im sure i can get help.

Found some better RAM 2???

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....m=310112380275

[DUK13Y]

Computer Target (Aust) P/L

Thats the store just up the road from me where I buy all my stuff from. Yes, I install all my own stuff. The great thing about just apgrading these parts is that you don't have to re-install any software.

Computer Target (Aust) P/L

Thats the ram I have. It is very good for the price.

Good luck with it. Shop around a lot.

[wrx884]

Computer Target (Aust) P/L

Thats the store just up the road from me where I buy all my stuff from. Yes, I install all my own stuff. The great thing about just apgrading these parts is that you don't have to re-install any software.

Computer Target (Aust) P/L

Thats the ram I have. It is very good for the price.

Good luck with it. Shop around a lot.

thanx man i guess my next question 4 u is y did u pick that perticular board over others? That ram u got ive got some on ebay watchin atm same type, 2 1GB sticks 4 $100

[wrx884]

Well atm with out upgrading the whole unit i have 2 vid cards in mind that id get: (both AGP cards)

ATI Radeon HD3650 HD 3650 AGP 512MB DDR2 HDMI DVI $141
or
SAPPHIRE HD3850 512meg GDDR3 Dual DVI TV-Out AGP 8X $206

with

2 x 1GB Apacer DDR 400 DIMM - PC3200 184 pin 64x8 OEM NON ECC $90

So all up so far roughly $300 2 upgrade just wat i have. Now just gotta compare wat its worth 2 rebuild the lot and see wats its all worth wat do use think?

Edit: found some cheaper prices from austin computers

[DUK13Y]

The reason I chose the board is simply because it was cheap. It does what you need it to do and only cost me $120. I would stay away from any sapphire stuff as I've only heard bad things about them.

You should be able to find much lower prices than that so if you can, look around at some local computer shops and get some prices from them.

[wrx884]

The reason I chose the board is simply because it was cheap. It does what you need it to do and only cost me $120. I would stay away from any sapphire stuff as I've only heard bad things about them.

You should be able to find much lower prices than that so if you can, look around at some local computer shops and get some prices from them.

well from the reveiws ive read these seem 2 b the better APG cards if u know of any thats better can u list ur choices?

also just found some cheaper prices just edited my last post.

Building ur comp from ur site u posted says

mother board $145
CPU $130
RAM x 4 $140
= $415

+ vid card (appox) $150 - $200
total = $615

hmmm i rekon i could almost get a whole new tower alone 4 that price?

[DUK13Y]

Sorry. Not to cluey on newer AGP cards.

The ram is only $70. It is two 2Gig sticks in a pack.
So that should be about $345 all up.

Computer Target (Aust) P/L

That's a 512mb graphics card for $59.

So for all that you'd be looking at about $404.


Computer Target (Aust) P/L

That's a 512mb AGP card for a bit lower than you were looking at.

[wrx884]

Sorry. Not to cluey on newer AGP cards.

The ram is only $70. It is two 2Gig sticks in a pack.
So that should be about $345 all up.

Computer Target (Aust) P/L

That's a 512mb graphics card for $59.

So for all that you'd be looking at about $404.


Computer Target (Aust) P/L

That's a 512mb AGP card for a bit lower than you were looking at.

Ahhh is 2 i just edited it i thought it was only 1 stick. i'll have 2 do some reasearch on that card u provided on how it performs tho i think if i had a PCI-E slot id prolly spend at least $150 - $200 on a card so i wont have 2 upgrade that so soon.

so even $600 i'll have 2 see wat i can get 4 that on a whole tower alone.

[jjFarking]

Go the 3850 & the RAM.
I have not had any complaints about the Sapphire yet & am in the process of getting one myself, but anything AGP is damn near impossible to get nowadays :/
Replacing your current system with a new one that will be graphically beefy enough, will cost you considerably more.
Plus, you'd have to invest in a new Windows as well, which is not necessary

[f1tzy]

I upgraded my computer lately for cheap.

e2180 intel dual core (now oced at 2.8 on stock cooler)
msi p43 neo f
ocz ddr2 800 2x 1 gig sticks
leadtek 9600gt (oced 730/1800/1920)
500gig hdd

I got the above for about 470 because i had a good power supply and case before hand and this computer runs everything i want fine. So all up you could get a system for your $600 that plays stuff well

[wrx884]

Go the 3850 & the RAM.
I have not had any complaints about the Sapphire yet & am in the process of getting one myself, but anything AGP is damn near impossible to get nowadays :/
Replacing your current system with a new one that will be graphically beefy enough, will cost you considerably more.
Plus, you'd have to invest in a new Windows as well, which is not necessary

im leaning towards this way simply coz it will b a quick fix 4 a couple more years at least and then i think it'll b time 4 a whole new 1.

I upgraded my computer lately for cheap.

e2180 intel dual core (now oced at 2.8 on stock cooler)
msi p43 neo f
ocz ddr2 800 2x 1 gig sticks
leadtek 9600gt (oced 730/1800/1920)
500gig hdd

I got the above for about 470 because i had a good power supply and case before hand and this computer runs everything i want fine. So all up you could get a system for your $600 that plays stuff well

That dont sound 2 bad man tho am i restricted in any way if i was 2 use my own case and power supply with other motherboards? like i couldnt just wack them on any 1 i find can i? how would i find out wats compatable with wat i have?

[f1tzy]

As long as its an ATX case not come crazy slimline thingywacker then that will be fine you just have to check your power supply ie. how many watts and how many amps does it have. There should be a sticker on the side saying all that info but if it doesn't have that chances are its not too crash hot lol