What will I upgrade?

[SupaCat]

Fallout 3 is coming up and if I happen to buy it I want to know I can drive it proparly. Since I recently bought 'Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway' and had to play it at 640X480, I would like to know if I have the possibility to atleast run Fallout 3 on atleast 800X600.
If it not (or even if I can), can you tell me what you would upgrade on my PC.

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/8/2008, 20:36:42
Machine name: BENSAMER
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_qfe.070227-2300)
Language: Dutch (Regional Setting: Dutch)
System Manufacturer: Packard Bell BV
System Model: IMEDIA MC 7003
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 574MB used, 3363MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Radeon X1600 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: Radeon X1600 Series (0x7140)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_7140&SUBSYS_0920174B&REV_00
Display Memory: 512.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Standaardbeeldscherm
Monitor Max Res:
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6631 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/18/2006 22:08:12, 258048 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n.v.t.
Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
Mini VDD Date: 7/18/2006 22:07:56, 1675776 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-3200-11CF-1C6D-2A29A1C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x7140
SubSys ID: 0x0920174B
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV8_B ModeWMV8_A ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

[SupaCat]

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Realtek HD Audio output
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0888&SUBSYS_1631F603&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5257 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
Date and Size: 5/16/2006 17:32:58, 4275712 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0x0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: Realtek HD Audio Input
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5257 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 5/16/2006 17:32:58, 4275712 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x0
Format Flags: 0x0

Description: Realtek HD Digital input
Default Sound Capture: No
Default Voice Capture: No
Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5257 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 5/16/2006 17:32:58, 4275712 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x0
Format Flags: 0x0

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
Acceleration: n/a
Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
Microsoft MIDI-mapper (emulatie), Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Microsoft GS Wavetable-software (emulatie), Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Registry: OK
Test Result: Not run

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
Device Name: Muis
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Toetsenbord
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB-hoofdhub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x1106, 0x3038
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 9/2/2004 14:00:00, 57600 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 9/2/2004 14:00:00, 4736 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ Standaardtoetsenbord (101/102 toetsen) of Microsoft Natural PS/2-toetsenbord
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 9/2/2004 14:00:00, 53760 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/4/2004 00:57:18, 25216 bytes
|
+ Toestenbordstuurprogramma voor Terminal Server
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 01:03:48, 40840 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/4/2004 00:57:18, 25216 bytes
|
+ HID-compliant muis
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x045E, 0x0084
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/4/2004 00:53:38, 23552 bytes
| Driver: mouhid.sys, 9/6/2001 19:04:40, 12288 bytes
|
+ Stuurprogramma voor muis van Terminal Server
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 01:03:48, 40840 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/4/2004 00:53:38, 23552 bytes

----------------------------
DirectPlay Service Providers
----------------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)

DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Not run, Half Duplex: Not run, Mic: Not run
DirectPlay Test Result: Not run
Registry: OK

-------------------
DirectPlay Adapters
-------------------
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: LAN-verbinding - IPv4 -

-----------------------
DirectPlay Voice Codecs
-----------------------
Voxware VR12 1.4kbit/s
Voxware SC06 6.4kbit/s
Voxware SC03 3.2kbit/s
MS-PCM 64 kbit/s
MS-ADPCM 32.8 kbit/s
Microsoft GSM 6.10 13 kbit/s
TrueSpeech(TM) 8.6 kbit/s

-------------------------
DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps
-------------------------
Baldur's Gate2 (DX7) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: BGMain.exe (2.05.0000.0002)
Close Combat 5 (DX7) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: CC5.ICD (<Bestand ontbreekt>)
Kasparov Chessmate (DX7) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: KasparovChess.exe ()
Kasparov Chessmate Blitz15 (DX7) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: KasparovChess.exe ()

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 110.9 GB
Total Space: 230.5 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: ST3250820AS

Drive: D:
Free Space: 155.2 GB
Total Space: 238.5 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: ST3250820AS

Drive: E:
Model: PHILIPS DVD8801
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (Dutch), 9/2/2004 14:00:00, 49536 bytes

If you need more information, please say so.

[DesR85]

That is enough info you've got there. Your RAM and processor is fine. Graphics card is okay, but if you want an upgrade, I'd recommend that. Any particular brand or type you like?

[SupaCat]

I know almost nothing about computers. I know my RAM is okay, but that's it. I would a graphics card that wouldn't be old after 2 days if you know what I mean. I would like a reliable brand, one that has support one the internet, if that is indeed possible.
Also, if I would have a better card, would the performance of games like Brothers in arms and Oblivion increase => would I be able to drive the games at say 1024X768 and be able to play the game without shocking screens.

[dragon wench]

I know almost nothing about computers. I know my RAM is okay, but that's it. I would a graphics card that wouldn't be old after 2 days if you know what I mean. I would like a reliable brand, one that has support one the internet, if that is indeed possible.
Also, if I would have a better card, would the performance of games like Brothers in arms and Oblivion increase => would I be able to drive the games at say 1024X768 and be able to play the game without shocking screens.

When upgrading a computer for gaming, one of the first things to look at is the graphics card...
When I had my old computer I bought a better graphics card in order to make Morrowind run more smoothly and the difference in performance was extraordinary.

As far as cards go now, I would personally suggest an Nvidia, probably something like the 8800 GTX. I currently have the 8800 GTS which is sort of the little brother to the GTX, and I've been extremely impressed with the performance.

Or you could consider the NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GX2, but I have no personal experience with that one, maybe somebody else here does? I have read that the 8800 GTX is better... but I really don't know.

[DesR85]

I know almost nothing about computers. I know my RAM is okay, but that's it. I would a graphics card that wouldn't be old after 2 days if you know what I mean. I would like a reliable brand, one that has support one the internet, if that is indeed possible.
Also, if I would have a better card, would the performance of games like Brothers in arms and Oblivion increase => would I be able to drive the games at say 1024X768 and be able to play the game without shocking screens.

Well, most brands making either nVidia or ATi cards are reliable and supported by the main company (just refer to their authorised partner section in the official nVidia and ATi website). On nVidia's side, I use a GALAXY Geforce 9600GT Over-clocked version and it performed well on most games, including UE3-based games and Crysis to name a few.

If you want go for ATi, I can recommend a Radeon 4850 or a 3870. As for the manufacturer, Sapphire is a good brand, but that's as far as I know regarding ATi cards.

In my opinion, it is best to refer to articles like [url="http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/Best-Graphics-Card,2033.html"]this[/url] to get a better idea on what kind of graphics card you want.

P.S. Just noting that the cards I mention here are midrange ones.