Why would a high performance game run slow on new computer?

Question

I just bought a new Dell Inspiron 1501.
AMD Turion 64 x2, 1.8 gig processor
ATI Radeon 1150 Xpress 256 mb graphics card
1 Gb memory, on one stick...or whatever

The computer seems to work great everything except when I try to play "Black & White 2" The game runs extremely slow, screen is kinda jerky, etc. I have not tried other high performance games.

I have tried closing all unneeded background programs, lowering the game detail, resolution, etc, but the game still runs slow. The game has both patches from EA, but still no real improvement.

Why does this happen and what can i do to fix it?

Thank you everyone, there were some great ideas, but i found the true answer on ATI's website Black & White 2 and like 3 other games just doesn't play correctly on this card yet, with current drivers. for more info:
https://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894
or
https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/Catalyst_611_release_notes.html

... its just crazy

Answer 1

Check the minimum system requirements for this game. I'm betting you will find you are either borderline on graphics memory or even under. Now days a 256MB graphics card is low for most games.

Answer 2

Your problem is the graphics chipset, and unfortunately since you've got a notebook.... that probably isn't upgradeable. If you've already tried lowering the detail settings and downloading the newest drivers from ATI's website, you've pretty much done what you can.

When building desktop systems, gamers have to invest the most $$$ in the graphics card, it's even more important than the processor. Entry-level gaming cards run around $150, good ones $250, great ones $300 and up.

I'd contact Dell and see if you can exchange it- since Dell acquired Alienware they DO have some laptops which can handle high-end games, but the vast majority can't. See if they've got something with a GeForce Go 7600 or Mobility Radeon X1600 or equivalent.

Here's a gamer's guide to graphics chipsets for notebooks and laptops:

Answer 3

A 256mb graphics card is plenty to play todays games.You should get the latest video driver for your dell,ask tech support etc. were to go.Or check out the ATI web site and find your card there.

You should also download the October 2006 release of direct x 9.0c...get it here....

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=013C0F78-3C9B-44DC-B8BE-46783BCAC3CB&displaylang=en

Run it and it will install the latest files on your system.Take a look at your games system requirements ( you should of done this before buying a new computer.) It could also be a simple matter of changing the settings for the game to something less demanding.

I speak from experience as I have a All In Wonder PCI Express X1900 256mb card. Most of the games I have played like Doom 3, Quake 4, Far Cry can scan your system a select the best settings for your computer. Notebooks however are not the best for game play.

Check this out....

http://www.lionhead.com/bw2/

Here is some more info for you....

http://compsimgames.about.com/od/blackandwhite2/qt/systemrequired.htm

Your computer should handle this game without even breathing hard.....??????

If you are a hard core gamer get yourself a custom built desktop computer, that way you can put in the parts you want, and not get all that garbage trial software etc. installed.

Answer 4

Just because a computer is new, does not mean it will play everything. First, that is not a gaming video card. It will play games, but the demanding games will not work the best. I have never even heard of a Radeon 1150 card before. A Radeon 1300 card is the minimum for playing games in my opinion. Your best bet may be to get a new video card. I am not sure if that is an option for you.

Answer 5

go into the graphics settings in the game and set everything down to the lowest. then increase a few features and see how it runs. keep doing this until you find the sweet spot. if you cant get the quality up to high, then you will need a more powerful gpu. Dells are not known for good gaming, unless you get an XPS, but who has $3000 sitting around to spend on a comp?

you can add another gig of ram for a speed boost too. expect to pay around $100 to get it on one stick.

Answer 6

You need to update the games driver. You can do this by going to the game manufacturers website. This should resolve the problem.

Also, even though the computer is new you should still update it at www.Microsoft.com/downloads.

I would do the microsoft update first then go to the game driver update.

Answer 7

You probably need a more powerful graphics card. Dell does have a special computer for all you big gamers out there.