[SamuraiToast]

I was inspired to upgrade by a game that requires "pixel shader v1.1 or higher", but i want to make upgrades that will accommodate any other modern software advances that i may not have been exposed to yet. My computer was custom built by a friend who is no longer able to assist me. Thank you in advance to whomever takes the time to help me out.

Desired Results
1. Run games at a high graphics level and frame rate
2. Get as clost to the cutting edge as i can without entering that technology bracket where the price increases exponentially for relatively minor increases in performance
3. Support duel monitors
4. Make sure i don't upgrade a component that can't operate a full potential because another component isn't capable of allowing it to.

Budget
$100-$400 give or take if the payoff is worth it.

Computer Specs
Operating System:
Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1 (build 6001)
Processor:
2.40 gigahertz AMD Athlon 64
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
1024 kilobyte secondary memory cache
Main Circut Board:
ASUSTeK Computer INC. A8N-E 2.XX
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD ASUS A8N-E ACPI BIOS Revision 1006 06/30/2005
Display:
Radeon X1800 Series [Display adapter]
Radeon X1800 Series Secondary [Display adapter]
Samsung SyncMaster [Monitor] (19.1"vis, s/n H9NY628655, June 2005)
ViewSonic VA720 [Monitor] (17.1"vis, s/n A1D032202474, May 2003)
Chip Type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x7109)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Drives:
300.07 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
218.67 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space
LITE-ON CD-RW SOHR-5239V ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]
LITE-ON DVD SOHD-16P9S ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]
ST3300831AS [Hard drive] (300.07 GB) -- drive 0, s/n 4NF039BE, rev 3.03
Memory Modules:
2048 Megabytes Installed Memory
Slot 'A0' has 1024 MB
Slot 'A1' is Empty
Slot 'A2' has 1024 MB
Slot 'A3' is Empty
Local Drive Volumes:
c: (NTFS on drive 0) 300.07 GB 218.67 GB free
Multimedia:
Realtek AC'97 Audio
Unsupported Standard Game Port

[leroys1000]

The radeon X1800 is more than capable of handling
pixel shaders 1.1 and above.
You may be running into a compatability problem
with the older program and vista.
Might also want to make sure the latest driver is installed.
http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/Pages/index.aspx

[SamuraiToast]

i thought that my drivers were already up to date but i went through the steps, reinstalled the new drivers the game still says that my graphics card does not support pixel shader v1.1 or higher. the game i am trying to run i s "S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Skys"(which i downloaded through "Steam") i don't know if the original "S.T.A.L.K.E.R." game also used the pixel shader but i was able to run it on this hardware before i switched over to Vista. can anybody recommend another fix i can try or at least confirm that my graphic card supports pixel shading?

[leroys1000]

What is the name of the game.
It's possible there may be a patch at the manufacturers website.

Might try running it in compatability mode for an earlier window version.
Right click the game executable and click properties.
Click the compatability tab.
Select run in compatability mode.
Try the different windows versions.
Make sure to click apply after each selection.

It may be that a game that is that old won't run on vista.

[SamuraiToast]

Originally Posted by leroys1000

What is the name of the game.
It's possible there may be a patch at the manufacturers website.

Might try running it in compatability mode for an earlier window version.
Right click the game executable and click properties.
Click the compatability tab.
Select run in compatability mode.
Try the different windows versions.
Make sure to click apply after each selection.

It may be that a game that is that old won't run on vista.

hmmm... i think i might be a little to newbie to find the executable within the steam app. suggestions? and here are the posted game system requirements
System Requirements

• • Supported OS: Microsoft® Windows® XP(Service Pack 2)/Microsoft® Windows® 2000 SP4
  • Processor: Intel Pentium 4 2.0 Ghz / AMD XP 2200+
  • Graphics: 128 MB DirectX® 8.0 compatible card / nVIDIA® GeForce™ 5700 / ATI Radeon® 9600
  • Memory: 512 MB RAM
  • Sound: DirectX® 9.0 compatible sound card
  • Hard Drive: 10 GB free hard disc space

• • Supported OS: Microsoft® Windows® XP/Vista (SP1)
  • Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 / AMD 64 X2 4200+
  • Graphics: 256 MB DirectX® 9.0c compatible card* / nVIDIA® GeForce™ 8800 GT / ATI Radeon® HD 2900 XT
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM
  • Sound: DirectX® 9.0 compatible sound card
  • Hard Drive: 10 GB free hard disc space

[leroys1000]

Looks like your hardware is right in the middle.
Should be able to run it.
Steam games usually put a shortcut on the desktop.
The full executable would be somewhere in C:\program files.
What is the name of the game?