Forum:ATI 3100's capability...

I have the ATI 3100 Graphics card, and my computer meets the recommended levels for everything except the card. I read that when playing games, RAM and video cards somehow combine or something like that, so it should work. Anyway, I'm going to get Fallout 3 for Christmas, and I was just wondering if it would work decently enough for about mid level graphics. Another thing I am interested in is making large explosions, but I don't mind turning the graphics down for that. If anyone else has this card, could you let me know how well it works? Thanks. --Toast 02:14, November 14, 2009 (UTC)

I did a quick Google search. Seems the ATI 3100 is not a graphics "card", but a graphics processor integrated with the mother board. Many manufactures do this to save money on lower end computers. Being integrated with the motherboard, the main system RAM has to do double duty, providing for the system AND for the graphics, and that slows everything down. You should be able to run FO3, but will have to turn some settings down, and even then you will still get frame rate problems. See if you have an open PCI slot (you should)and buy an actual video card. (Nvidia 8800 or better, ATI 3800 or better, are what is recommended) Wait. Did some more looking around. Are you using a laptop? Asylum Keeper 16:14, November 14, 2009 (UTC)

Yes, I am. It works pretty good so far, and I can play the whole half-life series with no trouble. I don't mind having the graphics set low, as long as it works ok. I forgot to consider that I had a laptop though, so sorry about that. Also, I have 4 GB of RAM. --Toast 19:28, November 14, 2009 (UTC)

You should be able to play just fine with some of the graphic settings turned down. Maybe do some research on how to make Vista be more efficient with RAM and CPU power. Asylum Keeper 22:15, November 14, 2009 (UTC)

Ok, thanks. I also heard that Windows 7 can run games easier, but I'm not sure if I want to bother with that whole ordeal. If all I have to turn down is resolution or something, that'd be nice, but I don't mind turning down other things. Do you think that if I lowered the graphics enough, would I be able to record using fraps? Thanks for your help so far. --Toast 00:10, November 15, 2009 (UTC)