Progressive fps loss in less of 2minutes need help!

[marcob3]

HI all, my skyrim is going to be unplayable after i certain amount of time i end always under 10fps. As test now in those days i start from an interior cell, a small one with no other npc around, at begin of saveload i have between 32-38 fps but even without moving my pc in around 3 minutes they drop to 10fps or under, How i can fix it ? My pc have: CPU q8300 quadcore 2.5 ghz intel, VIDEOCARD RADEON hd6570 2GB ( it work hot above 99 C°), RAM 4gb.

 

i also use an  enb 0.113 series( isaw i cant use enb boots)

and xpms 32skeleton ver 2.50
here my plugin load list

 

 

GameMode=Skyrim

 

Skyrim.esm=1

Update.esm=1

Unofficial Skyrim Patch.esp=1

Dawnguard.esm=1

Unofficial Dawnguard Patch.esp=1

Hearthfires.esm=1

Unofficial Hearthfire Patch.esp=1

Dragonborn.esm=1

Unofficial Dragonborn Patch.esp=1

Skyrim Project Optimization - Full Version.esm=1

CreatureFramework.esm=1

SexLab.esm=1

SexLabAroused.esm=1

hdtHighHeel.esm=1

Devious Devices - Assets.esm=1

SGHairPackBase.esm=1

Schlongs of Skyrim - Core.esm=1

ZaZAnimationPack.esm=1

Devious Devices - Integration.esm=1

ScocLB.esm=1

Devious Devices - Expansion.esm=1

dD - Realistic Ragdoll Force - Realistic.esp=1

SSAssist.esp=1

Blood Raven - CBBE.esp=1

AZS03SexLabHdtHighHeels.esp=1

SexLab Cumshot.esp=1

The Eyes Of Beauty - Elves Edition.esp=1

RaceMenuPlugin.esp=1

KS Hairdo's.esp=1

numenume bikini.esp=1

NonSexLabAnimationPack.esp=1

SexLabUtil1.esp=1

Salome.esp=1

CharmingHighHeels.esp=1

Remodeled Armor - Vanilla Replacer.esp=1

FreckleMania.esp=1

Blush When Aroused.esp=1

Minou Aradia Lace Dress CBBE TBBP.esp=1

CBBE Heels Collection.esp=1

SexLabMassMatchMaker.esp=1

Captured Dreams.esp=1

Aradia Kato Outfit.esp=1

Remodeled Armor - Vanilla Replacer - Dragonborn.esp=1

SGHairPackAIO.esp=1

EbonyValkyrie.esp=1

HENTAI PANTS.esp=1

SOS - VectorPlexus Regular Addon.esp=1

ImmersiveFP.esp=1

HDT Havok Object.esp=1

JaxonzMCMKicker.esp=1

Devious Deviants.esp=1

Remodeled Armor - Underwear.esp=1

MoreNastyCritters.esp=1

PubicMeshColor.esp=1

SOSRaceMenu.esp=1

RaceMenu.esp=1

RaceMenuPluginXPMSE.esp=1

Remodeled Armor - Vanilla Replacer - Dawnguard.esp=1

Facelight.esp=1

Schlongs of Skyrim.esp=1

RaceMenuOverlayCompilation - CBBE.esp=1

Seductress Serana.esp=1

SexLabNudeCreatures.esp=1

SexLabNudeCreaturesDG.esp=1

SexLabNudeCreaturesDB.esp=1

HentaiCreatures.esp=1

DestroScalingEnchant.esp=1

SexlabScocLB.esp=1

SexLab_SOS-Stapon.esp=1

titkit.esp=1

SGEyebrows.esp=1

SkyUI.esp=1

SlaveTats.esp=1

SOS Schlong Controller.esp=1

UFO - Ultimate Follower Overhaul.esp=1

Bijin Warmaidens.esp=1

SexLab Romance.esp=1

Skyrim Shadow Striping Fix.esp=1

VeronicaFollower.esp=1

thereserve_v2.esp=1

SexLabDefeat.esp=1

TheEyesOfBeauty.esp=1

Elewin Sunglasses.esp=1

DonMichHeels.esp=1

Tongues.esp=1

Bashed Patch, 0.esp=1

 

 

[2Dimm]

this happens only with skyrim or other games too? because it seems a problem with your computer

[Gameplayer]

Computer Stats?

 

Unmodded FPS?

 

More importantly if your suffering such low FPS why are you using an ENB?

 

ENB's are where FPS goes to die.

 

Honestly there isn't a point to using HD texture packs with ENB cause your never going to see the fine quality textures...They get washed out by the shaders.

 

You should only be using ENB BOOST not an ENB.

 

 

[marcob3]

Computer Stats?

 

Unmodded FPS?

 

More importantly if your suffering such low FPS why are you using an ENB?

 

ENB's are where FPS goes to die.

 

Honestly there isn't a point to using HD texture packs with ENB cause your never going to see the fine quality textures...They get washed out by the shaders.

 

You should only be using ENB BOOST not an ENB.

 

CPu =intel q8300 quad  2.5ghz

 

ram =4gb

 

videocard= radeon hd6570 2gb

 

it happend with and without fps booster ( the utility sfuff on nexus)

 

fps loss with and without enb ( without enb i lose around the same number  of fps but slower)

 

in previous weeks i never had a such grest fps loss and enb was already installed

 

So i need to remove the old enb binaries and then  install the new binaries for enb boost , wich version u suggest ?latest or the oldest?

this happens only with skyrim or other games too? because it seems a problem with your computer

 

i dont have other 3d games actually some weeks ago i tried endless legend and was going slow but was still playable

[Vykroft]

Like gameplayer said, use ENB BOOST (upgrade your ENB version), also SSME (or the new build of SKSE) would help a lot with your problem.

[Dubhorizon]

I remember having that because of updating xpmse and not following directions on the belly node button. Do you have xpmse? check on the mod page for instructions on what to do with the belly.

[Gameplayer]

 

Computer Stats?

 

Unmodded FPS?

 

More importantly if your suffering such low FPS why are you using an ENB?

 

ENB's are where FPS goes to die.

 

Honestly there isn't a point to using HD texture packs with ENB cause your never going to see the fine quality textures...They get washed out by the shaders.

 

You should only be using ENB BOOST not an ENB.

 

CPu =intel q8300 quad  2.5ghz

 

ram =4gb

 

videocard= radeon hd6570 2gb

 

it happend with and without fps booster ( the utility sfuff on nexus)

 

fps loss with and without enb ( without enb i lose around the same number  of fps but slower)

 

in previous weeks i never had a such grest fps loss and enb was already installed

 

So i need to remove the old enb binaries and then  install the new binaries for enb boost , wich version u suggest ?latest or the oldest?

this happens only with skyrim or other games too? because it seems a problem with your computer

 

i dont have other 3d games actually some weeks ago i tried endless legend and was going slow but was still playable

 

 

Hrmmm, how do I put this gently...

 

Uh here goes just going to be mechanical as I can here.

 

You meet the system requirements.

 

Does that mean you can play with a lot of mods, uh I don't know.

 

I certainly think you need to use only 512 textures.

 

Get every Tweak you can find to keep the fps high.

[kyles]

I know the feeling.

For numerous years skyrim played at about 10 to 24 FPS maximum.

So I mostly meta gamed by selecting and downloading mods instead of combat.

"Give me food so I have strength for when the wolves come.  Let me die not from low FPS, but in combat!"

 

Good news.

I finally discovered how to make skyrim run 60 to 80 frames per second

without upgrading a VGA compatible controller: NVIDIA Corporation GT215 [GeForce GT 240] (rev a2).

 

First thing worth knowing is the computer runs a Linux kernel and skyrim runs in wine.

Second, while 4 CPU cores exist capable of up to 3 GHz each;

wine is started taskset 2.

Therefore, only the first two CPU cores are utilizied.

The other two cores maintain minimal frequency.

That mitigates heat production and fan noise.

 

The 64 bit and 32 bit NVIDIA-Linux provided kernel module driver, libraries, and xorg drivers are installed.

A 32-bit wine is installed and required 32-bit xorg support libraries also are installed.

In a perfectly clean wine prefix; the following line please execute

winetricks d3dx9_42 vcrun2008 xact

Actually, a full installation of DirectX followed just before installing enbboost from

http://enbdev.com/download.htm

The full directx installation may be required.

It will also add overrides for all of the d3d9* dynamic link libraries.

That way the ones in the file system are attempted before using wine built-ins.

 

After all that is accomplished; skyrim performance will still lackluster.

Editing of ini files with a text editor is required.

enblocal.ini in the skyrim directory could make the most significant impact.

From default values; a few lines must differ.

Even following recommendations on websites can provide bad results.

For example:

ReduceSystemMemoryUsage=true

is recommended; and maybe wonderful on a windoze computer.

On Linux it creates unplayable load lag.

Therefore, my enblocal.ini is attached and a few a few note worthy lines follow.

Hmm, apparently, the file was not accepted until gziped.

File decompression before use will be required.

 

UsePatchSpeedhackWithoutGraphics=true

SpeedHack=true

EnableOcclusionCulling=true

ReduceSystemMemoryUsage=false

EnableCompression=true

ReservedMemorySizeMb=64
VideoMemorySizeMb=1024

ForceAnisotropicFiltering=false

EnableVSync=false

EnableFPSLimit=false

Enable=false

RemoveBlur=true

IgnoreLoadingScreen=true

FixLag=true

 

With default values most other lines will probably suffice.

 

Having the enb enable during inventory and spell screens while making a selection tends to lock the game.

VSync is not required unless video tearing is detected.

The FPS limiter is buggy and makes FPS way low.

VideMemorySizeMB should be the exact amount of installed VRAM or a little less.

The ReserveMemorySizeMB is a transfer buffer that exists both in VRAM and system RAM.

64M is probably overkill.

Most of the other specified lines effect appearance.

For example,

only while looking at items slowly move closer and further away in loading screens

does mitigating anistropic filtering become immersion breaking.

However, by definition loading screens are immersion breaking.

 

Many aspects concerning graphics can be set using the launcher and in game option menu.

Running at 1920 by 1080 resolution is sweet at 60 to 80 frames per second,

but if not doable then 1280 by 720 resolution becomes desirable.

It might be the #2 biggest cost in frames per second.

Not using enb boost, or using it incorrectly, is the #1 biggest cost in frames per second.

 

Visibility distance and fader sliders and stuff like that does not make much difference.

Playing with them all at lowest values, except the actor and item sliders, could be beneficial.

For game play; seeing distant foes and items seems essential.

 

4 threads for havoc is a good choice.

And threads for every other possible thing is also good.

Some lines must be added manually.

Threads will help distribute the processing load across cores.

If another CPU is already occupied.

then CPUs with nothing to accomplish

attempt to steal processes and threads.

 

With the impact of shadows mitigated;

4 GHz of CPU power or less should suffice.

"Shadows eat CPU cycles," is a common rumor.

Confirmed thus far; completely disabling shadows kills frame rate.

So the trick is is only to mitigate drawing shadows.

 

From skyrimprefs.ini

bTreesReceiveShadows=0
bDrawLandShadows=0

 

Outdoors will look different and perhaps a little less realistic,

but 60 to 80 FPS outdoors is worthy.

Also

 

fShadowDistance=0.0000

fInteriorShadowDistance=3000

 

While omitting a FPS drop; going 0 for exterior shadows maintains high FPS.

 

Inside FPS should already be good.

Why not sustain maximum 3000 distance from player shadows?

That was my selection.

 

Changing shadow map resolution is probably not a good idea.

In addition to projecting shaodws; lights are projected.

Therefore, completely disabling shadows will probably disable projected lights.

 

With provided settings chesko's wearable lanterns projects light both inside and out.

But do they work under water, I wonder?

 

[Papyrus]
fUpdateBudgetMS=800
fExtraTaskletBudgetMS=800
fPostLoadUpdateTimeMS=2000
iMinMemoryPageSize=256
iMaxMemoryPageSize=512
iMaxAllocatedMemoryBytes=2457600
fPostLoadUpdateTimeMS=500.0
bEnableLogging=0
bEnableTrace=0
bLoadDebugInformation=0

 

The above section should probably be introduced to skyrim.ini

And it might require more generous values, especially if playing the civil war overhaul.

To put it simply, even when delegated CPU cores are idle;

the default skyrim configuration tasks insufficient cycles per second

for accomplishing all script related tasks.

That is one of the reason for hating mods that add scripts.

But some of the best mods that add scripts such as smart cast

will either not launch a spell or delay casting a spell ring

while scripting resources are over tasked.

Aside from having NPCs like greybeards do certain things during quests;

default unmodded skyrim is not script intensive.

That was probably why all that good civil war content was cut.

They did not want the to adjust script tasking just to make it work.

 

Mods such as "Smart Cast" and "Dodge Mod" require scripts.

And if scripting is lagged then dodging and casting might not happen as expected.

That incoming battle axe might bisect the brain.

Overtasked scripting can be just as frustrating as low FPS.

 

For an adequate starting template;

the attached gzipped skyrim.ini and skyrimprefs.ini should suffice.

However, achieving an ideal compromise between beauty and performance

requires changing one variable at a time and testing to determine the impact.

That requires a bit more effort than I wanted.

I was so happy to achieve 60 to 80 frames per second;

I only wanted to play it.

Some places inside the frames per second exceeds 120.

Seriously, that is good enough, is it not?

 

Provided skyrim plays with as many frames per second as daggerfall did, or more;

then I felt satisfied with the outcome.

Other tweaks like adjusting grass size exist;

but I am unceratin whether or not they were applied to the .ini.

 

A few mods make a frames per second difference.

I recommend the following:

bethesda-hi-res-dlc-optimized-bsa-9957-2-0

realistic_lighting_overhaul-30450-4-0-8-02

skyrim_project_optimization-full_version-32505-1.6

unofficial_dawnguard_patch-23491-2-1-1
unofficial_dragonborn_patch-31083-2-1-1
unofficial_hearthfire_patch-25127-2-1-1
unofficial_skyrim_patch-19-2-1-1

 

Should be easy enough to find on the nexus.

lighting overhaul is used for darker dungeons and a small FPS boost inside.

Project optimization purports providing culling planes.

Objects behind a culling plane are not drawn.

So it may improve FPS in places where culling planes exist.

Otherwise objects not behind the actor are drawn

with objects further away being drawn sooner than objects which are closer.

 

The following is skse.ini

 

[Memory]
DefaultHeapInitialAllocMB=1024
ScrapHeapSizeMB=256
[Display]
iTintTextureResolution=2048
[General]
ClearInvalidRegistrations=1

 

That might be 256 megabytes more than the recommended initial heap allocation size.

But it works for me.

If it crashes.

Try 768 instead.

 

I am prejudiced to expect poor performance from ATI cards.

Sorry about that.

However, because the attached ini file are optimized almost entirely for performance and not graphics;

I expect they should be worth 15 minutes worth of trying and tinkering

before abandoning hope and buying a better graphics card.

 

I am glad that loverslab exists to host the mods that nexusmods refuses.

Hurray for loverslab!

I excitedly anticipating trying the HDT test skirts mod.

But before I do;

please make back-ups of the aforementioned ini files

in the event that contrasting with provided ini files is desired

or if the provided ini files do not perform as purported.

 

Open source and closed source operating systems differ.

And I can only test what I am using.

 

 

If it the GPU runs at 90C then I wonder if it's fan will melt.

For me; at least 2 GPU fans have melted.

My current GPU lacks a fan; so not a problem.

Of course it will not exceed minimal performance levels.

Still; not a problem.

 

Laptop CPUs can run hotter than workstation and server CPUs.

But the excessive heat production risks harm to the fixed disk and the CPU fan.

Clean out all the dust.

Then limit skyrim to using no more than 2 CPUs.

Use a frequency scaler to set CPU core frequency based upon utiliziation.

If only 2 of 4 or more cores are running full bore

then the heat production should drop.

 

Current CPU temperature is 41C.

Playing skyrim temperature reaches at maximum 56C.

Criticial temperature is 70C.

Automatic shutdown temperature is 75C.

 

My recommendation is handle that heat production problem first

to avoid destroying the laptop.

Then fix the skse.ini;

then the enblocal.ini;

then both the skyrim.ini and skyrimprefs.ini;

and last the added mods.

 

If after all that the frames per second problem still persists

then identify and remove the malware and viruses.

On Linux malware and viruses seem non-existent.

Both using a user account and a tomoyo domain can protect system installed files from modification.

And sha512sum message digests are kept for system installed software.

Therefore, if file corruption or accidental file modification occurs;

then the software management system can automatically detect the modified software

and then re-install the software from source.

 

P.S.

If I really knew what I was doing

then skyrim at 120-160 fps might be possible. 

But I only barely have a clue.

I was avoiding ENB for the longest time because

everything I read purported that ENB cost FPS rather than gained FPS.

I was wrong about that.

As usual to gain a boon then something different must be tried.

Don't hesitate trying.

But always keep a backup.

 

And if that laptop breaks then don't blame me.

I expect running that hot will break it.

It's a computer not a tea kettle!

Good luck with that.

enblocal.ini.gz

skyrim.ini.gz

skyrimprefs.ini.gz

[Gameplayer]

Uh I just cant let what you have said just fly by here Kyle.

 

I'm sorry but there are some tweaks here I just don't recognize and others that are in fact harmful.

 

Adjusting your Pap stuff is just bad, heck there is even a statement on Beth Forums that making changes in the INI are going to result in crashes.

 

If you check the Skyrim Stability Guide, the author over there suggests that the game comes pre-threaded as is he even gives some popular changes which he refutes.

If anything if you gotta use multi-threading tweak I'd say make the changes with the configulator which you can download by itself or it also comes convinently packed in MO.

 

On SSME, SKSE mem Tweak, hell I'll just tell you that the guy that is known for figuring that out is in fact named Sheson.  Sheson has a statement on his Memory Block Log file on Nexus.

He says that the memory block adjustment counts against the 3.1 Gigs of Ram that Skyrim can use for all tasks.  The whole point of adjusting these numbers was to handle the extra actor and cell load stuff well heck the normal 256 allotment could crash anyway in the default game in specific spots of the game.  What people don't understand is that this tweak is not extra, it costs you somewhere else. 

Use his Memory Block Log to determine exactly how much MB should be set aside.  Heck dude there just is no way you need over 1 gig set aside to load actors and cells, what are you doing to your game?  Your crashing way more than you need to Kyle.

 

..............?

 

 

[marcob3]

i dont have crashes the game just become laggy and unplayable, i made many test with various of ur hints guys, tried various ini files, various enb binaries, with smme and without, the best result was starting 45-48 fps instead of 32-38 and decrease them till 10fps(again) in 4-5 minutes instead of 3minutes i think the major problem is the cooling of my videocard(but not sure) and maybe try for new drivers ati i have now the 14.12 ver

 

my pc in a minicase  aspire  ax3812 the videocard hd6570 dont have a fan and is too much close to the top interior part of the case around 0.6 cm from top will be hard find  way to add some additional fan

[Gameplayer]

i dont have crashes the game just become laggy and unplayable, i made many test with various of ur hints guys, tried various ini files, various enb binaries, with smme and without, the best result was starting 45-48 fps instead of 32-38 and decrease them till 10fps(again) in 4-5 minutes instead of 3minutes i think the major problem is the cooling of my videocard(but not sure) and maybe try for new drivers ati i have now the 14.12 ver

 

my pc in a minicase  aspire  ax3812 the videocard hd6570 dont have a fan and is too much close to the top interior part of the case around 0.6 cm from top will be hard find  way to add some additional fan

 

I'll try to help,

 

The trouble though is going to be the Hardware.

 

Please don't get mad but the Video Card's video memory I get that its 2 gigs ok but there are cards out there that are 1 Gig that are 2x as fast as yours.

 

The next big issue is the amount of RAM you have, 4 GIGs is really low, Skyrim can use up to 3.1 Gigs of RAM but the thing is that even if say Skyrim could use all the RAM you'd still only have .9 Gig of Ram left over for programs in the background.

 

I don't know how much Ram your Windows is going to need, I'm guessing hopeing its Win XP.  In which case that might be enough Ram.

 

The next issue is really hard.

Your Processor has 2.5 GHz......

 

Skyrim according to an Nvidea comparison guide on Graphics Cards I read that this game makes more use of the CPU for graphics than other titles released in 2011.

 

In other words with your Load Order, there is no where were you are not bottle necking.

 

Since you have not provided any kind of statement about performance in an unmodded game, no one reading this thread has any kind of idea if you can even play the game.

 

-------------------------------------------------

 

The bad news is that its entirely possible that you will have to mod the game in a very different way than the typical modder.

 

You may have to mod the base games graphics and features down.

 

This is entirely speculation, I don't have access to your computer or experience with the model only just what I could look up with a google search on your parts.

 

[Gameplayer]

Alright so I found a video on You Tube from a German guy but hey FPS reads the same right.

 

He reports that with your setup you can expect base game 35 FPS stable in exteriors.

 

----------------------------

 

I compared my card against yours got a hit with Toms Hardware.

 

The report was basically that my Nvidea GTX 550 Ti with 1 Gig of Vram was in every benchmark 2x faster than your card.

 

According to Nvidea my card should get 45 FPS at max settings in exteriors.

 

Thing is that my computer was pretty much built for gaming.  My CPU will self clock itself around 4.2 GHZ while playing Skyrim no effort on my part involved in that, since Skyrim uses the CPU for all shadows and some other graphics I pretty much have always gotten a far higher FPS than Nvidea said was possible.

 

Then there is the RAM, I have 8 Gigs........When I do the Math I essentially have the full allotment for Skyrim plus more to throw at it with tweaks.

 

I'm just trying to set up a comparison.

[Anatriax]

Uh I just cant let what you have said just fly by here Kyle.

 

I'm sorry but there are some tweaks here I just don't recognize and others that are in fact harmful.

 

Adjusting your Pap stuff is just bad, heck there is even a statement on Beth Forums that making changes in the INI are going to result in crashes.

 

If you check the Skyrim Stability Guide, the author over there suggests that the game comes pre-threaded as is he even gives some popular changes which he refutes.

If anything if you gotta use multi-threading tweak I'd say make the changes with the configulator which you can download by itself or it also comes convinently packed in MO.

 

On SSME, SKSE mem Tweak, hell I'll just tell you that the guy that is known for figuring that out is in fact named Sheson.  Sheson has a statement on his Memory Block Log file on Nexus.

He says that the memory block adjustment counts against the 3.1 Gigs of Ram that Skyrim can use for all tasks.  The whole point of adjusting these numbers was to handle the extra actor and cell load stuff well heck the normal 256 allotment could crash anyway in the default game in specific spots of the game.  What people don't understand is that this tweak is not extra, it costs you somewhere else. 

Use his Memory Block Log to determine exactly how much MB should be set aside.  Heck dude there just is no way you need over 1 gig set aside to load actors and cells, what are you doing to your game?  Your crashing way more than you need to Kyle.

 

..............?

 

I can't lie, GamePlayer. I kinda LOLed so hard I peed my pants when I read his post and tweaks, too. 

I'm not saying the guy doesn't know computers. He obviously knows SOMETHING about them, he's running Linux and has given some very detailed information.

He obviously doesn't know wtf he's talking about with Skyrim .ini tweaking, though. I mean, that Papyrus section? **cringe**

 

 

 

i dont have crashes the game just become laggy and unplayable, i made many test with various of ur hints guys, tried various ini files, various enb binaries, with smme and without, the best result was starting 45-48 fps instead of 32-38 and decrease them till 10fps(again) in 4-5 minutes instead of 3minutes i think the major problem is the cooling of my videocard(but not sure) and maybe try for new drivers ati i have now the 14.12 ver

 

my pc in a minicase  aspire  ax3812 the videocard hd6570 dont have a fan and is too much close to the top interior part of the case around 0.6 cm from top will be hard find  way to add some additional fan

 

This sounds to me like GPU overheating might be your problem, or that your card is just plain dying. Nvidia GTX 960's are fairly cheap on Tiger Direct or Amazon. I ordered mine from Amazon, with next day shipping, for $280. And I must say, when they say next day, they mean next day. I live in the boonies of West Virginia, and I had it on my porch at 3pm the next afternoon.

[marcob3]

I See, ill try to buy a nvidia video card the problem is the space in my case, so it must be a really small low profile video card 5.3X 16.5cm and high around 1.5 cm..also i want try to spend less possible since my whole pc is old was used alot  ... i think ill try to find gpu around gtx 500- 600 series and maybe add 2gb ram in this way ill stay under or around 180 Euro i think

[Anatriax]

Here ya go:

 

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/EVGA-GeForce-GTX-960-Superclocked-graphics-card-GF-GTX-960-2-GB/3610630.aspx?cm_cat=GoogleBase&cm_ite=3610630&cm_pla=NA-NA-EGA_VA&cm_ven=ShoppingFeeds&ef_id=VUvU-AAABfu91tek:20150521122514:s&gclid=Cj0KEQjwhPaqBRDG2uiHzpKLi6ABEiQAk_XXibCCnU7SOPaJ4WEINIcTPfdFdYfaIcoCX0CGjViZWPgaAkAD8P8HAQ

I know you said you have a mini case, but you didn't say if it was micro ITX or if it's mini ATX. That will fit a Micro ITX, and kick some ass while it's at it.

 

But if you have a mini-atx or a slim case? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1636710&CatId=1509

 

Spend $10 and get you a real case, honey. So you can put a real video card in there, and make sure it's cooled a little better.

[Gameplayer]

If your going to a box store they will likely try to sell you a power supply,  thing is if the computer is old there is some merit to just getting a new power supply due to power degredation.  If the case is small then yes a larger case sounds like a good idea.

 

Basically an old power supply is going to be less efficient and generate more heat.  Not what you want to hear cause replacing supply, plus case, and Vcard can run up a bill when on a budget.

 

 

[Anatriax]

That case I linked was $10. LOL, and it's made by Ultra. Good stuff. Also, you can get a decent Ultra Powersupply for around $50-60. Are they going to keep up and be as good as a Corsair or Thermaltake? Probably not... but I've also never had an Ultra PSU fail. They're not top end, but they're definitely a higher quality than most at the same price range.