Non-gamer needing to game

[ParadigmDawg]

I know you all love when I ask computer questions.

So I am not interested in gaming but one of the bike trainer programs I want to us requires my trainer to be hooked up through my CPU (vs to my Android tablet like the other two programs I use)

I have this computer as far as I can tell.

http://www.cnet.com/products/dell-inspiron-580-core-i5-650-3-2-ghz-8-gb-1-tb/specs/

You guys made me put a Samsung 840 EVO 55 GB SSD in it a while back along with a R850G 300 watt PSU.

The requirements for the trainer program are listed as follows:

• OS: Windows 7 x64 bit, OSX 10.7
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo
• Memory: 4GB
• Graphics: 1GB dedicated GPU, or embedded Intel HD 4000/AMD R5
• Hard Drive: 4GB of free space

Like most video games, Zwift primarily runs off your computer's graphics card or chipset. Even if your CPU and memory are far above our minimum requirements, you may still be unable to load Zwift if your GPU is below our minimum spec.

For a full list of minimum, recommended, and extreme specs, check out the Supported Platforms section of our website.

I am still awaiting a ANT+ dongle so I can't just test it out but do I have the "minimum requirements" that are suggested? If not, can I upgrade this CPU to meet these standards?

This program is working on an Android version but it will likely be a while before it is out. Since that's the case, I don't want to dump a ton of money into the CPU.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

You shouldn't worry about minimum spec - for this "game" you pc should be sufficient, but if you want nicer graphics you would need new video card - stock Nvidia GT220 isn't very powerful compared to modern dedicated add-on cards

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Does my CPU even have a "separate" graphics card? I thought it was somehow integrated?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Does my CPU even have a "separate" graphics card? I thought it was somehow integrated?

Most likely it's chip is integrated on the motherboard. Installing the addon video card will typically disable the onboard one

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Most likely it's chip is integrated on the motherboard. Installing the addon video card will typically disable the onboard one

Can you help me on exactly what all I need to buy that will work in my CPU?

 

[Adam]

Greg, I think that you should just try it first before even thinking about upgrading anything.

 

[KEW]

You guys made me put a Samsung 840 EVO 55 GB SSD in it a while back along with a R850G 300 watt PSU.

Hey guys, if we have such control, let's make him install Vista, just for grins and giggles!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Greg, I think that you should just try it first before even thinking about upgrading anything.

agreed. try it to run as is first

 

[ParadigmDawg]

OK, I will try as is tomorrow when the ANT+ arrives.

Most people who I know that use this system, purchased Craiglist CPUs for <$200 to use just for Zwift.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Well, the dang program says something like "your HD graphics driver appears to be quite old".

If I hit the prompt to check for an update it says I have the latest driver.

If I hit " no", it tries to load the program and then just crashes.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/
Download and run Intel Driver Update utility
Hmm, Also the specs said Nvidia, but I guess your previous link was not as accurate as you hoped.
What you have is a very modest (to say the least) on-cpu video processor. Mind you they got better in last few years, but I'm afraid that doesn't help you much.

So like I said - update the drivers - it doesn't cost you anything and next step would be probably to start shopping for new video card - mind you - you could probably get away with a modest investment from 50-100 green backs

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Yep, looks like I posted the wrong one. I believe it is this one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883155125

I tried updating the drivers yesterday but it didn't seem to help. When I use the update link you listed, it goes through the scan and then states "no drivers were detected for your product".

Will a new video card work on this CPU? Which on do I need to purchase?

Here is the specs I see directly from my CPU:

Intel System Identification Utility Reference Number: 0332 7357
Date Created: Tuesday, December 8, 2015 7:24:15 AM
BASIC

SYSTEM INFORMATION
Computer Manufacturer Dell Inc.
Computer Model 033FF6
Operating System (O/S) Microsoft Windows 10 (build 10586), 64-bit
Operating System Build (O/S) 10586
Operating System (version) 10.0.10586
System RAM 8.0 GB
CD or DVD Device HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GH50N
System Hard Drive Overview
System Total Storage Size: 877.5 GB
Local Disk C:\ 411.8 GB
Used space: 153.2 GB
Free Space: 258.6 GB
Local Disk I:\ 465.6 GB
Used space: 448.8 GB
Free Space: 16.8 GB

GRAPHICS INFORMATION
Graphics Product [1] Intel®HDGraphics
Graphics Driver Version 8.15.10.2900
3D Acceleration Yes
Hardware Transform & Lighting Support Yes
Video Memory 1.7 GB
Vertex Shader Support 4.0
Pixel Shader Support 4.0
Microsoft DirectX* Version 11.0

MOTHERBOARD INFORMATION
Manufacturer not detected
Model 033FF6
AA Number not detected
BIOS Vendor Dell Inc.
BIOS Version Dell Inc. A07
BIOS Release Date 08/16/32
System Memory 8.0 GB
Sound Card High Definition Audio Device

PROCESSOR INFORMATION
Manufacturer Intel
Model Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 650 @ 3.20GHz
Intel Processor analysis tools Intel Processor analysis tools
CPU Speed 3.2 GHz
Link to Processor Specification Link to Processor Specification

WIRED NETWORKING INFORMATION
Wired Networking Product Broadcom NetLink (TM) Gigabit Ethernet
Driver Version 15.6.1.3

WIRELESS NETWORKING INFORMATION
Wireless Networking Product DW1525 (802.11n) WLAN PCIe Card
Driver Version 3.0.2.181

 

[ParadigmDawg]

This seems to be more detailed information:

SYSTEM INFORMATION
Computer Manufacturer Dell Inc.
Computer Model 033FF6
Operating System (O/S) Microsoft Windows 10 (build 10586), 64-bit
Operating System Build (O/S) 10586
Operating System (version) 10.0.10586
O/S Language 0409
System RAM 8.0 GB
.NET Framework Version 3.5.30729.4926
CD or DVD Device HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GH50N
System Hard Drive Overview
System Total Storage Size: 877.5 GB
Local Disk C:\ 411.8 GB
Used space: 153.2 GB
Free Space: 258.6 GB
Local Disk I:\ 465.6 GB
Used space: 448.8 GB
Free Space: 16.8 GB
Memory Detail
Total Physical Memory 8.0 GB
Available Physical Memory 4.9 GB
Total Virtual Memory 2.0 GB
Physical Drive 0
Maker
Model Samsung SSD 840 EVO 500GB
Bus Type SATA
Physical Drive 1
Maker ST350063
Model 0AS
Bus Type USB
Internet Browser [101] Internet Explorer
Internet Browser Version [101] 11.11.10586.0
Internet Browser [102] Firefox
Internet Browser Version [102] 39.0

GRAPHICS INFORMATION
Graphics Product [1] Intel®HDGraphics
Graphics Driver Version 8.15.10.2900
3D Acceleration Yes
Hardware Transform & Lighting Support Yes
Video Memory 1.7 GB
Vertex Shader Support 4.0
Pixel Shader Support 4.0
Microsoft DirectX* Version 11.0
Current Graphics Resolution 1440x900
Current Color Depth 32 Bits Per Pixel

MOTHERBOARD INFORMATION
Manufacturer not detected
Model 033FF6
AA Number not detected
BIOS Vendor Dell Inc.
BIOS Version Dell Inc. A07
BIOS Release Date 08/16/32
System Memory 8.0 GB
Sound Card High Definition Audio Device

PROCESSOR INFORMATION
Manufacturer Intel
Model Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 650 @ 3.20GHz
Intel Processor analysis tools Intel Processor analysis tools
CPU Speed 3.2 GHz
Link to Processor Specification Link to Processor Specification
CPU Revision
CPU Type 00
CPU Family 06
CPU Model 25
CPU Stepping 2

 

[Tao1]

I know you all love when I ask computer questions.

So I am not interested in gaming but one of the bike trainer programs I want to us requires my trainer to be hooked up through my CPU (vs to my Android tablet like the other two programs I use)

I have this computer as far as I can tell.

http://www.cnet.com/products/dell-inspiron-580-core-i5-650-3-2-ghz-8-gb-1-tb/specs/

You guys made me put a Samsung 840 EVO 55 GB SSD in it a while back along with a R850G 300 watt PSU.

The requirements for the trainer program are listed as follows:

• OS: Windows 7 x64 bit, OSX 10.7
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo
• Memory: 4GB
• Graphics: 1GB dedicated GPU, or embedded Intel HD 4000/AMD R5
• Hard Drive: 4GB of free space

Like most video games, Zwift primarily runs off your computer's graphics card or chipset. Even if your CPU and memory are far above our minimum requirements, you may still be unable to load Zwift if your GPU is below our minimum spec.

For a full list of minimum, recommended, and extreme specs, check out the Supported Platforms section of our website.

I am still awaiting a ANT+ dongle so I can't just test it out but do I have the "minimum requirements" that are suggested? If not, can I upgrade this CPU to meet these standards?

This program is working on an Android version but it will likely be a while before it is out. Since that's the case, I don't want to dump a ton of money into the CPU.

An Intel HD 4000 is a current-ish on board graphics chip that comes with Intel processors for the last few years.

*edited*
I just saw your second link and you have an older version of the HD graphics chip than the HD 4000. Normally I would agree as someone said above that you can ignore the minimum requirements to some extent, but I would follow them when it comes to integrated graphics. Integrated graphics are fairly basic in the grand scheme of things, and generally developers will test to see which ones their software won't run on. Integrated graphics chips have come a long way the last few years, and your integrated chip may not be able to execute certain instructions or have the horsepower to run the program.

I would definitely try driver updates, but if those don't work I think you are out of luck. You could try a dedicated graphics card, but your 300 watt PSU may not be able to handle many old gaming cards people might have laying around. It depends on the card, so at most I would use trial and error on any 'free' cards you can get your hands on, short of buying a new machine.

p.s.

Whenever anyone gets around to buying a new computer, I highly recommend to NOT get prebuilt systems from these big companies. They install their own flavour of Windows with built in spyware and backdoors. Not all companies do it, but they are starting to. The ones who have been caught have said they no longer do it, but experts have checked up and new products on the shelves still have the malicious software installed.

Get a prebuilt from a dedicated computer store. They build their own machines and most use higher end components from reputable brands such as Asus. I have seen 'generic' parts in Dell and HP machines.

 

[slipperybidness]

Whenever anyone gets around to buying a new computer, I highly recommend to NOT get prebuilt systems from these big companies. They install their own flavour of Windows with built in spyware and backdoors. Not all companies do it, but they are starting to. The ones who have been caught have said they no longer do it, but experts have checked up and new products on the shelves still have the malicious software installed.

Get a prebuilt from a dedicated computer store. They build their own machines and most use higher end components from reputable brands such as Asus. I have seen 'generic' parts in Dell and HP machines.

+1

Completely agreed and that is good advice!

In fact, it is preferred to build your rig from scratch and choose each component yourself. Newegg tends to be my favorite vendor for this. I built a tower PC 6 years ago, and just recently had my first problem with a failed HDD. It was about time for SSD and an update to Win10 anyway, so no big deal.

Asus FTW! To date, all of my Asus gear (router, tower mobo, 2 tablets, laptop) has been rock solid! It's to the point that Asus is about the only brand I would buy if they make the product that I need, seriously.

And, agreed that the off the shelf HP PCs are junk! I avoid HP! Before I built my tower PC, I had an entry level Dell. That computer lasted a long time. But the problem with it was that the mobo wasn't a standard mobo, it was very close, but had a couple differences done just for Dell. What this ended up meaning was that I could not get off the shelf components for the computer, instead I had to look for direct replacements that came from the same model Dell. And, you couldn't get troubleshooting help or drivers from the mobo OEM!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

So...it turns out that I do have the Nvidia GT220 video card which runs the ZWIFT program just fine.

I just failed to ever use it as I had my monitor plugged to the video on the motherboard vs the video card. What an idiot.

I ran and got a 27" monitor at lunch as the 19 ' seemed a little small for the intended application.

 

[slipperybidness]

So...it turns out that I do have the Nvidia GT220 video card which runs the ZWIFT program just fine.

I just failed to ever use it as I had my monitor plugged to the video on the motherboard vs the video card. What an idiot.

I ran and got a 27" monitor at lunch as the 19 ' seemed a little small for the intended application.

That's what we call PEBKAC---Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Chair!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

That's what we call PEBKAC---Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Chair!

Why would they give me an option to plug my monitor into a crappy input if there is a better one?

I went a head and got a wireless keyboard and mouse while I was at it but the keyboard doesn't seem to tell me when the CAPs are on and it's driving me crazy.

 

[Rickster71]

Why would they give me an option to plug my monitor into a crappy input if there is a better one?

The crappy option is there to use when there's no optional graphics card installed.

 

[slipperybidness]

Why would they give me an option to plug my monitor into a crappy input if there is a better one?

I went a head and got a wireless keyboard and mouse while I was at it but the keyboard doesn't seem to tell me when the CAPs are on and it's driving me crazy.

I agree with Rickster.

You may be able to use 2 monitors with that config as well. And, some people may want to use the mobo graphics to use less power than the discrete GPU--for example on my laptop, I use the mobo graphics for just about every task except streaming movies or playing games because it uses less power and gives longer battery life. For graphics heavy tasks, I use the discrete card and take the lower battery life.