So im tryin to get into pc gaming but i just dont get it...

aight so ive tried playin a couple of games already and some work some dont and i dont get it. my computer meets all the recommened system requirments

like for example i tried borderlands 2 it runs fine for the most part. ive tried gta 4 it lags like crazy to the point its unplayable same with dead island. ive check the recommended requirments and my computer meets them so whats the problem?

without telling us your specs, we cant help much. Just because you meet the minimum specs on the box or whatever, doesnt mean it will work the best

Well thats your problem there, you're running on a laptop with an APU.  Bottom of the barrel APU at that.  Discrete GPU (Graphics Card) is much better.

Well thats your problem there, you're running on a laptop with an APU.  Bottom of the barrel APU at that.  Discrete GPU (Graphics Card) is much better.

Rage010101

[QUOTE="Rage010101"]

Well thats your problem there, you're running on a laptop with an APU.  Bottom of the barrel APU at that.  Discrete GPU (Graphics Card) is much better.

GuillotineDream

APU in simple terms is basically a cpu+gpu (processor+graphics card) combined togeter into one single integrated part.  The PS4 and X1 have APU's, albeit a stronger one than yours.  Now you know why some pc gamers chuckle at next gen consoles.

[QUOTE="GuillotineDream"]

[QUOTE="Rage010101"]

Well thats your problem there, you're running on a laptop with an APU.  Bottom of the barrel APU at that.  Discrete GPU (Graphics Card) is much better.

Rage010101

APU in simple terms is basically a cpu+gpu (processor+graphics card) combined togeter into one single integrated part.  The PS4 and X1 have APU's, albeit a stronger one than yours.  Now you know why some pc gamers chuckle at next gen consoles.

[QUOTE="Rage010101"]

[QUOTE="GuillotineDream"] yea its all good man like i said i didnt buy it as a gaming rig id figure id try some games out though, i guess ill stick to some older games. my bad but what exactly does that mean whats an apu?

GuillotineDream

APU in simple terms is basically a cpu+gpu (processor+graphics card) combined togeter into one single integrated part.  The PS4 and X1 have APU's, albeit a stronger one than yours.  Now you know why some pc gamers chuckle at next gen consoles.

The problem with knowing what you can run is that system requirements are always listed as separate minimum/recommend cpu and gpu.  You would have to find out what the equivalent discrete graphics card is to your APU.  Another thing you can do is just try out Guild Wars 2 right off the bat as I believe there is a demo for it.

Ok just checked, there is a free trial.  Funny thing is though, the trial ends today in 10 hours.  Here is the link.  You can just download it, install, and see if your laptop can run it or not.  Doesnt hurt to try and to see how your pc performs with it, but I'll be honest, chances are it's gonna blow hard on your specs.

https://register.guildwars2.com/trial

oh i also have this computer sitting around. it was my brothers friends old computer that he gave to me, i never used it though cuz they forgot the password to it, so i cant install or do anything with it really. if i wanted to use it basically i would have to get a copy of windows and reformat it right? (i think thats the correct term lol) and whats the cheapest upgrades i could make to it, to play some of the newer games on higher settings? http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=c01154933

edit: i dont need u guys to go on like newegg and post the exact parts and stuff just let me know if you could what need to be upgraded and what could stay the same

There are a lot of newer independent games that would run fine on any old laptop. I like FTL, Sword of the Stars: The Pit, Fist Puncher, and Plants vs Zombies.

oh i also have this computer sitting around. it was my brothers friends old computer that he gave to me, i never used it though cuz they forgot the password to it, so i cant install or do anything with it really. if i wanted to use it basically i would have to get a copy of windows and reformat it right? (i think thats the correct term lol) and whats the cheapest upgrades i could make to it, to play some of the newer games on higher settings? http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=c01154933

 

edit: i dont need u guys to go on like newegg and post the exact parts and stuff just let me know if you could what need to be upgraded and what could stay the same

GuillotineDream

Honestly, all you have to do is replace the power supply with something decent, between 500-600 watts and get a graphics card like the gtx 660 or better and your all set to play games and max out most and play at very smooth frame rates.  You're looking at only spending around $200-$250 to have a nice pc to game with.  As long as you can recover that password.  I believe there are ways to get it or override it, just google it.

Here https://www.google.com/#q=i+forgot+my+windows+7+password

Bunch of links of steps you can try to get that pc running again.

Another thing I personally noticed is that it is an HP, meaning you can probably restore it by pressing "F11" Very early on at start up, just keep spamming "F11" when you power it on, eventually it should take you to the restore process.  Just in case, hope you have the windows key handy just in case is asks you for it.  Chances are the sticker is still on the pc somewhere.

[QUOTE="GuillotineDream"]

oh i also have this computer sitting around. it was my brothers friends old computer that he gave to me, i never used it though cuz they forgot the password to it, so i cant install or do anything with it really. if i wanted to use it basically i would have to get a copy of windows and reformat it right? (i think thats the correct term lol) and whats the cheapest upgrades i could make to it, to play some of the newer games on higher settings? http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=c01154933

 

edit: i dont need u guys to go on like newegg and post the exact parts and stuff just let me know if you could what need to be upgraded and what could stay the same

Rage010101

Honestly, all you have to do is replace the power supply with something decent, between 500-600 watts and get a graphics card like the gtx 660 or better and your all set to play games and max out most and play at very smooth frame rates.  You're looking at only spending around $200-$250 to have a nice pc to game with.  As long as you can recover that password.  I believe there are ways to get it or override it, just google it.

Here https://www.google.com/#q=i+forgot+my+windows+7+password

Bunch of links of steps you can try to get that pc running again.

Another thing I personally noticed is that it is an HP, meaning you can probably restore it by pressing "F11" Very early on at start up, just keep spamming "F11" when you power it on, eventually it should take you to the restore process.  Just in case, hope you have the windows key handy just in case is asks you for it.  Chances are the sticker is still on the pc somewhere.

Hey TC

Check out this website 

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/mid_range_gpus.html

Provides a number total for your GPU and you can compare it to discrete GPU's so you know hwere you stand.

You will see that the number show it's a pretty weak GPU, about as good as a 6 year old mid range GPU

and i really appreciate the help guys sorry for all the questions hahahaGuillotineDream

If you insist on gaming with a laptop, you'll need to do a lot of research, far more than if you were getting a desktop PC.

A good place to start for laptop GPUs:

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Comparison-of-Laptop-Graphics-Cards.130.0.html

aight so ive tried playin a couple of games already and some work some dont and i dont get it. my computer meets all the recommened system requirments

 

like for example i tried borderlands 2 it runs fine for the most part. ive tried gta 4 it lags like crazy to the point its unplayable same with dead island. ive check the recommended requirments and my computer meets them so whats the problem?

GuillotineDream

welcome to PC gaming, it is quirky as hell :)

it is an occupational hazard.  With a little research, you will find that certain games and certain setups do and do not play well together, and you must adjust settings accordingly.

It kind of sucks, but it is worth the freedom and visual upgrade over other platforms.  You will get used to it and even appreciate it.

Also, GTA IV is notorious for running like crap on any system.  I fixed my game by turning shadows down and reducing draw distance I think.  Dead Island didnt play nice with a certain manufacturer's vid card iirc, not 100% sure about that one though.

Like I said, go into video settings and start fiddling around with various things that increase framerate without decreasing quality significantly.  For me, I tend to stick to the stuff like AA, post-processing, and shadows.  I like to keep my textures and details and other FX up high though.