Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

How do I find what Video, Sound Card, etc... is on my PC?

Dec 17, 2004 2:48PM PST

I have an Emachines model that is a couple years old, and want to buy Tiger Woods 2005 for my PC, but don't want to if it will run poorly. I want to know what video cards I have and so forth to see if it matches with the games minimum requirements.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
RE: how...
Dec 17, 2004 3:16PM PST

Search for Belarc Advisor, small, free, save PC profile generated as "web page only" to desktop. It will list some hardware and all programs with keys or codes.
Same with Aida32, small, free, gives a lot of hardware info, including video RAM. I bet it's only 4mb, maybe listed as 3.5mb because it shares some of the ram.
Update to DirectX 8.1 or higher, plus critical updates, and start>run>dxdiag and go to display tab.

- Collapse -
thanks 1 more question
Dec 17, 2004 3:45PM PST

I have basic knowledge on computers, that program is cool. Anyway, I don't think I have enough for TW2005 but am thinking of maybe 2003...I am getting a new computer within a few months so i don't want to put a new video card in...this is what the Belarc program said under Multimedia:

MPU-401 Compatible MIDI Device
SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio
Standard Game Port

What does this really mean...I know the Soundmax is the sound card, but what does standard game port and the MPU-401 mean.

I know all of that is pretty basic stuff that isn't great. I don't play games, but I have been playing TW2004 on PS2 and want to play while I mess around on the computer.

- Collapse -
MPU401
Dec 17, 2004 7:54PM PST

normally means you have dos support for the sound card in case your games are dos based.

The game port verification means that you have a joystick connector on the sound card so you can attach one if the game calls for one....If you get one such as MS Sidekick, you will have to load the specific software disk that comes with the joystick so you can get all of its features to work and calibrate it.

TONI

- Collapse -
RE: stuff
Dec 18, 2004 11:03PM PST

Glad to help. I use Belarc, Aida32, and DirectX8.2 all the time to identify stuff although it doesn't do it all, it's better than Sisoft Sandra Standard and same as Everest.
Better video cards depend on your use, 4mb is fine for me because I don't use intense graphics of games, disregard Belarc. I use old regular sound cards and hook through my stereo if I want better.