Graphic Accelerators/Answered Question

Expert: Bobbert
Subject: out-of-date graphics driver
Question:   QUESTION: I own a Sony Vaio notebook (VGN-SZ430N).  The graphics card is a GeForce Go 7400.

I got Spore a few days ago, and from what I can tell, this graphics card is the only thing in my computer that's making it fail to meet the minimum requirements for this game.  I was hoping that you would know of some way that I could upgrade my software or hardware to fix this problem.

ANSWER: Try updating the graphics driver from nVidia (www.nvidia.com), should work fine (as I've seen Spore running on less expensive hardware than that, so it should hopefully just be a software fix). Unless you don't meet the minimum memory requirement.

-bob


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: This computer has gigs to spare, but I think the driver memory is the problem.  The details say that it has more than 200MB available to it but only 64 built in.  I would assume that's the problem (as Spore requires 128) and that is what I cannot figure out how to fix.

The 7400 is an upgraded nVidia model and that company doesn't support it anymore.  I've checked around Sony's website but can't seem to find anything that 'looks right'.
Answer: Try this out:
http://www.driverheaven.net/nvidia-graphic-cards/107067-alt-drivers-geforce-go-7

As far as "more than 200MB avialable but only 64 built in", are you referring to TurboCache? Or are you referring to allocation of shared memory? It shouldn't be a problem either way, as TurboCache will take what it needs, and if you've allocated a proper amount of memory to the processor, that should also deal with the problem.

-bob

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Bobbert

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I have been into computer hardware, especially 3D graphics and the hardware that drives them, for a number of years. I have knowledge in installation, use, troubleshooting, purchase suggestions and overclocking.

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Hardware Enthusiast, personal hobby

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