So I have a Gateway computer that is only 4 months old now and it is one of those Intel VIIV ones and it is pretty fast... but I am trying to get into playing games like Command and Conquer but it seems that I dont have enough RAM or a good graphics card?

I know my hard drive is huge (that's what she said) because it is a TiVo as well, but as for graphics and memory it just isnt enough to play a high resolution... what kind should I look for that will let me play games with good effects, not top notch. Just enough to show off to your friends but not to actual gamers? Thanks!

 

Anything over 1 gig of RAM. Then the most expensive graphics card you can afford. That is my guideline every time I look for a new computer anyway.

What processor do you have?

 

Check if you have a PCI-E slot. If you have one, get a 256MB or 512MB PCI-E card. As WindCalmer said, anything above 1GB of RAM should be good. The max a 32bit processor can address is 4GB but your Motherboard might be limited to a lower amount. Don't expect to turn your Gateway into a super fast gaming rig because sometimes you are limited as far as what you can upgrade. My buddy bought a Dell and it came with just enough power connectors to hook up 1 floppy disk. We had to get splitters to install the 2nd hard drive. As far as gaming rigs go, its much better to build one from the ground up. The motherboards from some manufacuters are highly proprietary and don't always allow for installation of more high end parts.

 

For games, especially full screen high res, 1 gig is ok, but 2 gigs and you'll be sittin pretty. Never such a thing as too much ram. For graphics cards I'd go with either a nvidia geforce 8600 or 8800. Really just depends on your budget honestly. If you had a solid number to work with I could get more specific.

 

It would also be nice to know some more specs on the machine. What processor and also what kind of expansion slots do you have? Google AGP, PCI, and PCI Express and you should get some pics of what the slots look like. If the machine is only 3 months old, then it should have PCI Express.

 

AT LEAST 2 gigs RAM. I dont know what you're mostly playing but that's the standard now. Plus Ram is dirt cheap now you can grab another 2 Gbs for about 70-80 bucks