I just bought my wife a Dell 3000, 512 RAM, 3.0 Ghz, 800 FSB and the video card is very poor in it. She is trying to run Trainz Simulator on it and the picture is very poor. Flight Simulator FS2004 is even worse. I realize now I should have done more research before I bought this Dell. I have searched this forum for video card update suggestions but the post are years old. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get a quality video card in this machine and if so what could I buy? Very disapointed, Cessna

If I understand the feature set of the Dell Dimension 3000, you are right to be disappointed. This computer uses the Intel extreme onboard graphics and does not include an AGP (or PCIe) slot. This means to only way to upgrade the graphics is to add a PCI video card. Whether or not you could get a better video card is very open to debate. One thing that might be worth trying is increase the amount of ram that is dedicated to the video card. You will find this setting in bios. Just keep in mind that the more you give to the graphics processor, the less that is available for other processes. At least you have the option to add more ram.

"the picture is very poor." Are you saying that the graphics device does not provide enough speed to run the games or that the image itself is not up to expectations? I would expect the current graphic device to provide enough speed to run the games. But, an Analog monitor may be the culpret and source of your disappointment. If so, then you may want to experiment with the available resolutions to see which may provide the best image. The higher resolution the better the quality. It is a shame that Dell does not add PCI Express slots until the 4700 series and I am surprised they don't at least include an AGP slot. The Dell systems as advertised are nicely priced but you do need to properly determine what you want before making a purchase. I bought one in late February. I could have gotten one for as low as $299 but when it was done I spent $1,280. I don't use it for gaming. I got a good price for what I got. Regards Bryan

Also, go to Start, Run, dxdiag, Display tab to see how much memory is allocated for the video. According to Dell's site it is adjustable from 32-64MB. If at 64 then that's all you got but if it is at 32MB then there is room for adjustment there. Look in C:\DELL\DOCS\MANUAL to find out how to adjust it. Regards, Bryan

Rimfire, From what I can see from Dxdiag is this video card has 96.0 MB of RAM. And I will definately be adding another 1000MB very shortly. Bryco....The quality of the graphics is poor, looks like there is too much color or contrast and I have tried to lessen them somewhat with very little improvement. Her monitor is a E173FP LCD. The Frames Per Second rate is marginal, just enough to keep the trains from jittering/jumping but barely. Any amount of scenery in the background and she is in trouble. So from what you guys have indicated it looks like I don't have anymore options other than adding system RAM. I will be looking in the bios before the day is out to see what is left available for the video card if any. I thank you both very much, Cessna Display Devices --------------- Card name: Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller Manufacturer: Intel Corporation Chip type: Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller DAC type: Internal Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2572&SUBSYS_019D1028&REV_02 Display Memory: 96.0 MB Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz) Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200 Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4020 (English) DDI Version: 9 (or higher) Driver Attributes: Final Retail Driver Date/Size: 1/23/2005 17:56:00, 37951 bytes WHQL Logo'd: Yes WHQL Date Stamp: n/a VDD: n/a Mini VDD: ialmnt5.sys Mini VDD Date: 1/23/2005 18:05:06, 804317 bytes Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-6632-11CF-2C7C-9721A3C2CB35} Vendor ID: 0x8086 Device ID: 0x2572 SubSys ID: 0x019D1028 Revision ID: 0x0002 Revision ID: 0x0002 Video Accel: Deinterlace Caps: n/a Registry: OK DDraw Status: Enabled D3D Status: Enabled AGP Status: Not Available DDraw Test Result: Not run D3D7 Test Result: Not run D3D8 Test Result: Not run D3D9 Test Result: Not run

You might want to try going to Start, Control Panel, Performance and Maintenance, System, Advanced, Performance, Settings button to see if you can tweak it from there. Alos look on the Advanced tab there. Bryan

if you do decide to upgrade the video card, this is possibly the best card you will find that is pci. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814140041 then, there is the cheaper card that most pci video card people have. i usually tell people to stay away from the 5200's but here is one, it should run your wife's games fine. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150040 p4 3.0ghz @ 222X15=3330mhz 512mb pc3200 dual channel @222mhz 80gb wd hdd/40gb maxtor when on linux 8x agp geforce 6200 @ 530/585can't unlock extra pipes. plz help if you can Audigy 2 ZS<b