My Dell Inspiron 530 for Gaming?! What do i need?

Munster D 187

I was wondering what upgrades do i need in order to play games like Amnesia & Penumbra

Here are the specifications:
Computer:

Computer Type ACPI Multiprocessor PC (Mobile)
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Service Pack [ TRIAL VERSION ]
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702 (IE 8.0)
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
Computer Name DAMO-16075BFF76
User Name Administrator
Logon Domain [ TRIAL VERSION ]
Date / Time 2012-01-20 / 14:24

Motherboard:

CPU Type DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo E4500, 2200 MHz (11 x 200)
Motherboard Name Dell Inspiron 530
Motherboard Chipset Intel Bearlake G33
System Memory [ TRIAL VERSION ]
DIMM1: ProMos/Mosel Vitelic V916765K24QCFW-F5 1 GB DDR2-667 DDR2 SDRAM (5-5-5-15 @ 333 MHz) (4-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz) (3-3-3-9 @ 200 MHz)
DIMM3: ProMos/Mosel Vitelic V916765K24QCFW-F5 [ TRIAL VERSION ]
BIOS Type Award (12/15/07)
Communication Port Bluetooth Communications Port (COM3)

Display:

Video Adapter Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family (128 MB)
3D Accelerator Intel GMA 3100
Monitor Dell E248WFP (Analog) [24" LCD] (FY1318412CKS)
Monitor Dell E248WFP (Analog) [24" LCD] (FY1318412CKS)

Multimedia:

Audio Adapter Realtek ALC888/1200 @ Intel 82801IB ICH9 - High Definition Audio Controller [A-2]

Storage:

IDE Controller Intel(R) ICH9 2 port Serial ATA Storage Controller 2 - 2926
IDE Controller Intel(R) ICH9 4 port Serial ATA Storage Controller 1 - 2920
Disk Drive WDC WD2500AAJS-75VWA0 (232 GB, IDE)
Optical Drive TSSTcorp DVD+-RW TS-H653B (DVD+R9:16x, DVD-R9:12x, DVD+RW:20x/8x, DVD-RW:20x/6x, DVD-RAM:12x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:48x/32x/48x DVD+RW/DVD-RW/DVD-RAM)
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

Thank you in advance for any helpful advice.

partyatmygaff

To be honest... nothing. Your computer should easily be able to handle either game. They have ancient hardware requirements.

Munster D 187

partyatmygaff wrote: »

To be honest... nothing. Your computer should easily be able to handle either game. They have ancient hardware requirements.

Really, so you would say this is wrong?

Munster D 187

What graphic's card would you recommend for this system?

partyatmygaff

Well for those two particular games almost any somewhat modern card could handle them. In fact, i'd even say it's highly likely that your current integrated graphics card could play them regardless of what the system requirements lab checker tells you.

That said, if you really wanted a graphics card for your system you do have options. For the cheapest of the cheap there are cards like the GT240 256MB which costs a measly £20 on Ebay. It is not much more powerful than your current integrated GPU however.

If you wanted something a bit more modern, there are cards like the HD6770 which is quite a capable card for the price of €85.

There are of course more powerful cards than the HD6770 but judging by the games you mentioned and your other computer components I think anything more powerful than a 6770 would go to waste.

Munster D 187

Thank you very much for your help.
I have the Penumbra game. And i can play the tutorial part of the game but for some reason when i enter the game itself it doesn't appear to work, i just get a black screen with sound alright?!