Computers Graphics Card Doesn't Meet Minimum Requirements?

Question

Ive been trying to download and install alot of things lately and it keeps coming up with an error message "your graphics card/video card doesnt meet the minimal requirements...". so i downloaded a directx diagnostics tool, installed the directx web installer with software updates and it still said the same thing. so i was wondering.... is it possible to upgrade the capabilities of the graphics card by downloading software and updates? without having to buy a new graphics/video card?

C-Man · Accepted Answer

No... different graphics cards have different capabilities which are a function of the hardware.  On laptops the graphics card is a permanent part of the motherboard.  Desktops have an expansion slot which allows you to install a better card.

If you have a low-end graphics card that's too slow or doesn't support certain hardware features, you need to replace it.  Updating the software only helps when you didn't have the right driver (or a really old version) installed to begin with.

For example, the Radeon HD 5450 is a low-end card that's good for web browsing and looking at photos or movie clips, but it's too slow for gaming.
http://www.techspot.com/review/244-ati-radeon-hd-5450/page6.html

Meanwhile the GeForce GT240 is a good general-purpose card that's good for easier games like World of Warcraft, The Sims 3 and Call of Duty, but not high-end titles like Crysis or Bad Company 2.  For those you'd want at least a Radeon 5770 or GTX 460.
http://www.techspot.com/review/240-ati-radeon-hd-5670/page4.html

Best card values in every price range:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-radeon-hd-6870-radeon-hd-6850,2782.html

Higher-end graphics cards require more power, so installing some models may require you to upgrade your computer's power supply as well.

Trending News

Computers Graphics Card Doesn't Meet Minimum Requirements?

1 Answer